Kane Palma-Newport believes academy players will be "inspired" by Bath promoting youth

Since Todd Blackadder's appointment of Director of Rugby, Bath have increasingly been using their academy members in the first team, something local lad Kane Palma-Newport believes will "inspire" the next generation.

Palma-Newport himself is Bath-born and graduated from the Blue, Black and White's academy and, having waited a few years for his chance, is now getting more and more first-team Rugby which has seen him score two tries already this season.

"When I was growing up you (youth academy players) were not really seen as someone to be selected," he revealed.

"Seeing someone like Zach (Mercer, a graduate who has impressed in the early part of the current campaign), having a fantastic time getting selected it inspires them to train harder and to work harder because it shows the coaches have got the attitude to select you and they will select you if you are performing.

"That is important to a young guy because when you are coming out of school, all you have ever known is school rugby and the ability to say 'if I train well and play well I will play (for the seniors) is huge."

Palma-Newport signed a two-year contract extention back in March and thus firmly believes that the Recreation Ground is the best place for him to be at this moment in time.

"I made the conscious decision to stay because this club means so much to me and it has paid off.

"The club is going in the right direction and I think the environment, people can see from the outside, that we are loving it again, we are working hard and we are playing with smiles on our faces.

"I think that is important for us but it is also important for the fans to see as well that we are enjoying what we do."