FORMER Canford School pupil Arthur Cordwell got off to a winning start on his Premiership Rugby debut with Bath.

Cordwell came off the bench at Kingston Park as Bath saw off Newcastle Falcons 38-19 and again featured the following week, in a 47-22 victory against Worcester Warriors at Recreation Ground.

Cordwell started his rugby life at Canford in the under-14 B team and made the step up to A-team rugby in year 10 as an under-15, where he never looked back.

It took a little while for Bath’s Academy to recognise his talents, but his powerful displays for the first XV in his upper sixth year both at set piece and in loose meant they couldn’t afford to leave him out of their under-18 squad.

After leaving Canford, Cordwell gained a place at Bath University to read physics, which he has successfully combined with his training for the university and Bath and he has continued to progress to this pinnacle moment of a Premiership debut.

Canford’s director of rugby Peter Short said: “Arthur’s consistency and determination are a powerful message that success in any discipline is not an overnight story.

"We’re incredibly proud of his contribution to Canford on the rugby field and his continued success on the professional stage.”