The game in question was at Broadstreet in February 2018, when further scores from Conor Corrigan, Craig Nightingale and a penalty try ensured the visitors picked up a 36-12 success en route to a third-placed finish in National Two South.

But Josh revealed the victory only came after a bit of ‘stargazing’.

He said: “Broadstreet had links with Wasps then and they had a few Academy boys playing who have made Premiership appearances since.

I remember (Director of Rugby) Seb (Reynolds) gave us a stern talking to because we were all fawning over Danny Cipriani in the carpark before the game, and the hat-trick was the classic case of three tries, one metre travelled.”

He continued: “I think one was from the back of a maul, one from the back of a scrum, and one pick-and-go. The front three were quick to let me know (quite rightly) that they’d done all the hard yards for the tries, but they weren’t so quick with their wallets mind when it came to getting the jugs in!”

Continuing his hot streak, Josh added a brace at Old Redcliffians the following week, and while that fortnight was a highpoint of Josh’s debut season, he admits it was his teammates who helped him hit the ground running.

He reflected: “ I honestly didn’t know what to expect on joining. I’ve experienced a few different changing rooms growing up, and the environment the boys fostered at Rams was particularly unique, and somewhere I felt really comfortable.

“I remember the first session quite distinctly, Hendo chipped me in touch and glided passed me as if on ice skates, so I knew I had to up my game quite quickly.

“With everything new, you have some sort of anxiety, but when the likes of Hendo, Vooghty, Scuba, and Coco took the time to chat to me and take me under their wings it was a lot easier.

“This is something I see with every new recruit, we try to make them feel at ease and part of the team from the off.”

Looking back at the 2017/18 campaign when Rams finished behind Cinderford and Chinnor, Josh added: “That season was a whirlwind - I’d never splayed at that level before, so the imposter syndrome was ever-present.

“We had some really impressive performances, and Seb was always saying we didn’t know how good we really were.

“It was a steep learning curve, and it only made me want more, and to keep pushing to be in the starting XV each week.”

Despite falling victim to a few injuries in the past two years, Josh says it has been a privilege to be involved at Old Bath Road.

He beamed: “ It’s been fantastic. From all areas of the club, the minis, the Sirens, and all the men’s teams have gone from strength to strength.

“Just to be a small part of what I know this club hopes to become is something ’m immensely proud of.

“It would be easy to get carried away with the success, and to slip on a few fundamentals, however the likes of (Defence coach) Danny (Batty) and (Forwards coach) Owen (Root), and their desire to improve each player individually has been central to the success of the team.”

He continued: “Injuries happen with rugby, and we’re lucky to have an attentive physio and strength & conditioning team who control your return to play.

“With the introduction of Sally (McGinn) and her guidance on trying to get a handle of the mental toll being injured has on a player is again testament to the care the club has for the individual, as well as the player.

“With every injury you or a teammate has, it allows someone else an opportunity to make their mark on the team.

“It’s all philosophical now, but at the time I can’t imagine I was much fun to be around!”

Amidst the injuries, Josh is also up against some phenomenal competition in the back row with Jamie Guttridge, Tom Vooght and Robbie Stapley widely-regarded as one of the best in National One last season.

And Josh admitted: “You have the captain, vice-captain, and the player of the season in the mix, so it being tough to get in the starting XV may well be an understatement!

“The problem with those three especially is each of them are great blokes, and better players, so you can’t even get annoyed.

He continued: “They all bring something unique to playing the game, and often it’s a case of just learning from them, and trying to improve with each training session and hope to get the chance.

“I love how competitive it is, as much as I want to play week in week out, selection is something that’s out of our hands, and you’ve got to be happy to see your mates and the team succeed.

“With the new signings as well, it only adds to the healthy competition already in the club.”

The mood around the club and rugby in general received a big boost this week with the announcement contact games can restart from December 18 – albeit without scrums and mauls – and the prospect of the National Cup in the New Year.

Josh is enthusiastic about the news and said: “ It’ll be interesting. Playing touch, and one-on-one tackle bags can only go so far to scratch the rugby itch.

“You can tell in training as soon as we got a little taste of contact everyone (except Jak) starts licking their lips, so getting into a bit of rough and tumble in will be welcome.

“The new rules will add a different dynamic, and I’m sure the coaches will come up with some imaginative Barbarian-style plays to keep everyone guessing.

“Hopefully we can welcome crowds back at OBR, see what the club have been working on in the last nine months, and see some familiar faces on the sidelines.”

And while Josh remains in the early stages of what will hopefully be a long career at Rams, he has high hopes for the future.

He concluded: “I’d just like to ride this wave for as long as possible - the club has great aspirations, and I’d like to contribute to that for as long as I can.

“Rams are always pushing forwards, and have a clear vision of what is needed to do to get there, and this gives us immense confidence as players.

“The group of players we have at the moment are a pleasure to be around and as much as they are demanding of standards, what more is there to do than get caught up in what this club is trying to achieve?”

Rest of the calendar

1 - Jez Flynn
2 - Andy Lynch