George came through a final assessment day on Sunday held at Hartpury College near Gloucester to make the final 23 man South West Division squad. Playing at 13 and full-back on the 3G pitch George helped the SW side to a 12-12 draw against a determined Gloucester academy outfit.

Next stop will be the RFU U18 trials at Loughborough University when the four English regions come together early next year. Club members will remember that last season Banbury Colts Alex Cox and Doug Backhouse trod the same path, Backhouse eventually being selected for the England U18 squad.

Sadly on Sunday someone forgot to bring the Cornish Pirates kit with them so the South West lads were ‘forced’ to play in Exeter Chiefs shirts. At least George was able to wear his Banbury shorts with some considerable pride.