IT WOULD have been easy for Hadleigh’s Max Crumpton to sit back and learn his trade by watching Schalk Brits and John Smit do their thing at Saracens.

But the Bristol number two isn’t shy of getting his hands dirty and admits he has already learnt so much more in the Greene King IPA Championship this season.

Coming through the Saracens academy, Crumpton couldn’t have asked for better examples to follow in training than South Africans Brits and Smit – the latter having racked up 111 Springbok caps.

But the 21-year-old has designs to star himself and, rather than bide his time watching, he decided to get stuck in, first moving to Harlequins before arriving at Ashton Gate this summer.

It has proved a great decision for all parties with Crumpton enjoying plenty of game time in Bristol’s front row, while his four tries has helped his new side to the Greene King IPA summit.

And while there is plenty of competition for that Bristol No.2 shirt – with Chris Brooker, Ross Johnston and Rhys Lawrence all eyeing it up – Crumpton insists this only further aids his development.

“I learned a lot at Saracens and Quins and it was great training with the likes of Brits and Smit, two of the best hookers in the world,” said Crumpton, a former King John School pupil.

“But I think I learn best from playing and I am an ambitious guy. Bristol is a club that matches my ambition and it has been great since I got here.

“So I can take what I learned from the likes of Saracens and Harlequins and continue to improve.I will add certain skills that will only make me a better player and that will only come through playing.

“I have learned a lot since I have been at Bristol and there is a really good culture at the club where the players want to learn and the coaches are eager to teach.

“There is a lot of competition for that number two shirt but I think that helps too because we all learn from each other and help each other out to raise everyone’s game.”

Such has been Crumpton’s impact since arriving at Bristol that fellow hooker Brooker has tipped the youngster for England stardom one day.

And while he has earned international honours with England at U16, U18 and U20 level, playing in the IRB Junior World Championships in 2012, Crumpton is happy to play the waiting game.

“It is nice for Chris to say that but for me I still have a lot of learning and improving to do,” he added.

“I want to get to the higher level but so do Bristol so it is about playing well week in week out and hopefully we will get there.

“We know we have had a good start to the season but we can’t rest on past performances and it is all about making sure you are ready come the crunch time of the season.”

>Formed in 2009, the Greene King IPA Championship is the second tier of professional rugby union in England. To keep up-to-date with all the latest news follow @ChampRugby on Twitter, or visit www.rfu.com/championship