FORMER Bournemouth Rugby Club junior Charlie Ewels has been rewarded for his Bath Rugby exploits with a senior contract.

The England under-20 international will make the step up from the academy when he becomes a fully-fledged member of the first team in 2015-16.

Former Bournemouth School pupil Ewels has captained the first team in the LV= Cup this season and started against French giants Toulouse in the Champions Cup.

The 6ft 6in second-row, who is likely to feature at Harlequins in the LV= Cup on Saturday, has also led the United side in the A League.

Ewels told Bath Rugby’s official website: “This season has given me more than I could have hoped for.

“My experiences in the first team, including making my first start for Bath in the Champions Cup, have only strengthened my resolve to be the best player I can be and push for a starting place.

“This club is the best place for me to develop and I really feel Bath Rugby is heading in an exciting direction.”

Ewels took up rugby aged seven and captained Bournemouth from under-nine to under-16 level and also played for Dorset & Wilts under-14s and under-16s.

He joined Bath academy at 15 and represented England at under-16 and under-18 level, before graduating to the 20s, the side with which he won the World Junior Championship in June.

Hooker Tom Dunn has also signed a senior deal alongside the 19-year-old Ewels.

Bath head coach Mike Ford said: “These two players have shown how to make the step up to the first team. Their progress and development is indicative of how well our academy system is working.

“They'll have big roles to play within the club in the years to come.”

Academy director Danny Grewcock said: “I'm really pleased for Charlie and Tom because they've represented the academy and the club well when they've been given the opportunity in the first team, and they've been rewarded for that.

“They're shining examples to the other academy players who will be playing in the Aviva A League and the LV= Cup this season."