TEENAGE prop Ollie Dawe says he owes Plymouth Albion everything after securing a move to Championship leaders Bristol.

The Devonian, who only turned 19 last month, is full of praise for the way Albion boss Graham Dawe has looked after him at Brickfields and turned him into one of the best props in National One.

“This year has been amazing,” said the youngster. “Albion have done absolutely everything for me this year in terms of progressing my rugby.

“Graham has given me an opportunity and played me every week.  I couldn’t be happier with Plymouth. It has been such an honour to play for them.

“They have done wonders for me. Going to Plymouth is probably the greatest thing I have done in my rugby career so far. I couldn’t be anymore grateful.

“I have learnt loads from Graham. My scrummaging has come on so much this year. He knows so many little things about what to do and how to help me out. Every week he has been making me a better player.”

Dawe is the second young Albion player to sign for Bristol. He follows in the footsteps of 20-year-old fly-half Billy Searle.

“It will be nice having Bill there,” said Dawe. “It will be a familiar face. When you already know someone it is always easier to integrate into a team.

“My hopes are just to go there and do what I did when I came down to Albion. I was a bit of a nobody coming down to Plymouth and so I had to put in a lot of good performances to get as many starts as I have done.

“I will go to Bristol and try and put in a few good performances and see what happens.

“This is a massive opportunity for me going to a club like Bristol, who hopefully will be a Premiership club next year.”

Albion boss Graham Dawe, who is no relation to the player, said: “We wish Ollie well. He has been a top performer for us this year. When you take into account his age it’s incredible that he has almost ruled the roost in this division.

“It is no wonder Bristol wanted to sign him. Any RFU-funded academy club would want him on board.”