Calum's Scott a bright future as Newbury youngster stars for England Under-20s in Six Nations

With the Six Nations ramping up this weekend as England’s senior men take on France at Twickenham, England Under-20 international Calum Scott is preparing for his own epic clash as he team prepare to take on Les Blues on Friday, writes Max Carter Keall.

Scott, who plays as a hooker, is a Tadley RFC and Newbury Rugby Club alumni who has recently signed his first professional contract with London Irish and is currently representing the country in the Under-20 Six Nations.

Taking a big influence from dad Robb Scott, who represented Scotland and London Scottish in the 90s, Calum began his career as a junior in Tadley’s ranks and moved to Newbury at U15s.

“My dad played a big part in my early days, I didn’t have much choice at a young age at what sport I was going to play," he said.

"Dad was the rugby coach, picking me up on technical stuff and at the time I probably found it a bit annoying but I did listen and take it in and looking back it's been so helpful to me and I would rather it would've been like that.

“Both my parents have been really supportive in it but I had two different experiences from them.

“Mum was caring and supportive on the emotional side of it in times when you don't get selected or get decisions.

"Both of them have played their part in two very different but very helpful ways.”

Scott reflected on his time with local club rugby and talked about the lessons he learned from playing at that level.

“You get so many memories from club rugby, everything I’ve learnt from a young age has come from it, it's shaped who I am and all my closest mates in life have come from the sport," he said.

“The values get put into you at a young age and that carries all the way through to the professional level."

Scott moved to Pangbourne College for Year Nine and was made rugby captain but has faced difficulties in his journey, dropped from county and London Irish’s academy aged 13 and battling Covid.

He said: “Schoolboy rugby played quite a big part in keeping that love for rugby alive. Being at Pangbourne was a very lucky opportunity I got given, there's not many times you're playing a sport with your mates.

“Covid was a bit of a blessing for me as it gave me two years to fully focus on developing myself and put myself in a position to get a professional contract.”

At 18 he earned a professional contract at Irish, but missed four months from a lung infection, in his first session back dislocated shoulder and pulled his hamstring.

Leaning on friends and family through this tough period, Calum made his senior debut for London Irish in a 30-26 Premiership Rugby Cup win over West London rivals Harlequins.

Now he is representing his country at U20 level as they face France on Friday, with a win setting up a grand slam finish against Ireland.

“It’s an unbelievable environment at the moment," he said

"We've bonded so well as a team and some of our main words at the start were brotherhood and togetherness.

“It's like being in a massive group of mates, we work so hard for each other and you fight for your country and your mates as a team.

"You can see it coming together on the pitch, grabbing a couple wins we might not have got if we weren't so close.

“Putting on an England jersey is something you dream about as a kid and when you put it on it's actually yours it's not one you've been given or bought from a shop.

"Singing the national anthem, there's nothing like it, you're emotional, full of adrenaline.

“You see your family in the crowd and it's something you're very grateful for and will remember for a long time.”