Meehan praises Boussuge
Bath head coach Steve Meehan has praised French winger, Jacques Boussuge, for settling in quickly at the club.
Boussuge spent three weeks with Bath during pre-season and certainly did enough to earn a contract with the Premiership title favourites. The Frenchman has had a positive effect on the team during the first two weeks of the domestic season. Boussuge is a
very good player and defines what Bath is trying to achieve this season.
A few pundits had suggested that it could be difficult for Boussuge to settle in to the English game and culture, seeing as how he is new to England. But Meehan insists the player's drive and eagerness has helped him to quickly adapt to Premiership life.
A positive player
The club is happy that he is taking to the Premiership so easily. Rugby is the focus of the player's attention, and this fits into the ideology that Bath is trying to create.
Boussuge is a raw and hungry young player, and this is evident in Bath's first two matches of the season. The former Montpellier man is always eager to get on the ball, making him a dangerous attacking threat. He’s a player with a great attitude, and he
doesn't seem to carry an ego, which will definitely play a part in eradicating the problems that have littered Bath's recent past. His positive attitude should also make him popular in the dressing room with players, regardless of ability or age.
Meehan said, "Jacques has been really solid at training and in the matches, and has got some good experience behind him. We feel that with a little more time here he can develop his game further in a short period. He has a great attitude and we think he
is going to fit in really well with the squad and our ambitions for the future."
Still on trial
A few rugby pundits have suggested that Boussuge's one-year contract demonstrates that he is still on trial with the club. He still needs to convince the right people he is an important factor in Bath's future, and deserves a deal beyond next year.
However, the short-term contract is a precaution by the club. Boussuge has started the season in very good form, and if he maintains the same level of performance, an extended deal will become a formality. Remember that Boussuge is a player that had never
played in England before the start of this season. It would have been naive of Bath to hand him a long and lucrative deal before the club had even seen whether he was up to the Premiership.
Bath chief executive Nick Blofeld added, "Attitude goes a long way. He is massively enthusiastic about playing for Bath. The coaching team believe they can make him into an even better player and build on his existing talents. He's certainly got plenty of
pace."
Betting advice
There is nothing wrong with backing Bath to win the Premiership this season. The side sits top of the table in a very positive position.
Boussuge is a great player to back to score in any game he plays. He's unlikely to be top scorer at the club by the end of the season, but he should play enough games to score a few tries. His position on the wing means Bath will try and get the ball out
to him quickly and efficiently. He can use his pace and agility to get past slow defenders, and this is something he should do with regularity against the weaker teams in the league.
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