It’s a little over a year since Tye Raymont was thrust into a Gallagher Prem debut against the soon-to-be champions Bath at the CorpAcq Stadium. Then only 19 years old, the Leeds-born tighthead replaced WillGriff John early in the first half and immediately found himself scrummaging against big names including Beno Obano and Thomas du Toit.
Despite the result not going Sharks’ way, Tye’s performance showed everyone what he could do and pointed to a big future for the former West Park Leeds junior. Injuries have halted Tye’s progress since and remarkably, Sunday’s game against the same opponents will be his first on home soil since that Prem debut.
It’s also Tye’s first Sharks start, and he’s looking to make a big impression to show he can be an option when big Prem games come around in the back end of the season.
“That game was an incredible experience,” said Tye. “I absolutely loved it. I was nervous when I had to come on early, but then I had no time to think because I was straight into a scrum against Beno Obano.
“It was a massive step up for me but I didn’t feel out of place. It was brilliant for my confidence because it told me that I could play at that level.
“It was so special and it really reinforced how much I want to play at the very top level and how much I love playing for Sale. I can’t describe the feeling but it’s a feeling I’ve been chasing ever since that game.
“But I don’t just want to have that feeling once more. I want it every week but I know I’ve got a lot of work to do to get there.
“The Prem Rugby Cup is a great competition for young players like me to show what we can do. Going out on loan is great, but our coaches will probably only see clips. Playing in games like this, against teams like Bath, gives us the chance to show what we’ve learned and how we can put that into practice in big games.”
England U20s man Tye began the season with ambitions of breaking into the Sharks first team. But injuries, including a grade three hamstring tear in November, have meant it’s been a stop start campaign.
But a first appearance of the season off the bench in last week’s defeat at Exeter has whetted his appetite for more.
“It has been frustrating,” Tye said. “I came into this season really wanting to make an impact but I haven’t really been able to do that. Now I’m past that and I want to put it behind me and look forward because I know I’m at a club where I’ll get opportunities to play in big games.
“I feel like I have to prove to everyone that I’m good enough and that I can play at this level. That’s why I’m buzzing about this game against Bath. They’re sending a good team with some lads I know well, but we’ve really been focusing on ourselves and what we need to do.
“We know it wasn’t good enough last week and we want to show everyone that we’ve worked hard this week and that we’re ready to right the wrongs.
“There are some big games still left this season and there are going to be chances. Injuries are part of our game and we have to be ready to step up.
“After that, you never know what could happen. Two years ago we sent what everyone said was a second team to Leinster, but now a lot of those players are regulars – guys like Ben Bamber and Asher are really inspirational for me.
“This game is my chance to show what I can do and what I’ve been working really hard on. I can’t wait.”
