Duncan Bell returned to Bath Rugby (where his rugby career began as a schoolboy) five seasons ago after stints with other Premiership sides and in Wales, namely NEC Harlequins, Sale Sharks, Ebbw Vale and Pontypridd, where Duncan proved a big hit and was made an honorary Welshman.
He attracted the attention of the England coaching staff, originally being asked to join the England A set-up, but Duncan declined on the grounds that he had nearly qualified for Wales through residential requirements. However, he suffered a blow to his hopes of becoming a Welsh international after the International Rugby Board decided that since he had been part of an England tour party to the Southern hemisphere in 1998, he was not eligible to play for Wales.
Sometimes when one door closes another one opens and that definitely applies to Bell. In February 2005 England A came calling again and this time Duncan accepted the offer to play for them. In front of his home support at the Rec he received delighted applause when he scored during England A’s victory over France A. He went on to play in the RBS Six Nations that year, and toured Australia with England in the summer.
In 2005/06, Bell started most games for Bath Rugby, making the tighthead position his own, and he picked up the same high form during the first seven matches of last season. However, he unfortunately suffered a knee injury that required surgery, and is unlikely to see action again before the end of 2007. A powerful, dependable and hard-working scrummager, his return is keenly anticipated.
