Stow on the Wold & District RFC

Homework can wait as Italy calls for Hartpury unit Stooke .Thursday, February 09, 2012 The Citizen
Follow.SOMEWHERE along the line Elliott Stooke has got to fit in his A-Levels – but this weekend the revision is firmly on hold.

Tomorrow night England Under-20s take on their Italian counterparts in Rovigo in their second Six Nations clash.

​Elliott Stooke

​ENGLAND CALLS: Elliott Stooke will be on England Under-20s duty in Italy this weekend

••..And the 18-year-old Hartpury College student will be aiming to help the England side maintain their 100 per cent record.

Imposing Gloucester Academy lock Stooke made his Under-20s debut last weekend, stepping off the bench for the final five minutes of England's 59-3 Scotland thumping at Glasgow's Firhill.

The former Stow-on-the-Wold junior started the season with England's Under-18s side, but has become just the second-ever youngster to step up to the Under-20s two years young.

The bulky 6ft 6in, 114kg second row follows in the footsteps of Wasps' tyro centre Elliot Daly in making the rapid leap through the age-group ranks.

A quick ascent, but not one to leave Stooke neglecting his responsibilities.

"I'm studying for A-Levels in geography, physical education and psychology at Hartpury, and I've got to make sure I balance my various commitments," said the potential-rich tight-five forward.

"I couldn't be in a better place for that though, because the college are fantastic at helping us with our schedules.

"Hartpury have been pretty crucial to my development over the last few years, along with the Gloucester Academy too.

"It's definitely a big step up into the Under-20s but I'm absolutely relishing every moment and I just want to keep giving a good account of myself.

"It was great to have friendly faces from Gloucester in the squad last week when I joined up with them, with Ryan Mills, Dan Robson and Koree Britton all there.

"But to be honest this is a great set-up with excellent coaches, and all the players and staff help you get settled in straight away.

"It's a new team and everyone has to muck in and work together, so we've been trying to gel as quickly as possible.

"Last weekend in Scotland was an amazing experience and I was so proud to come off the bench and make my debut.

"It was great to get that cap, but now the focus shifts quickly to Italy, and we're expecting a very tough game over there."

Stooke started out with several grassrots clubs in Worcestershire, before finding his niche with Stow-on-the-Wold.

He said he had struggled to settle into his rugby before he joined Stow aged 13.

The Under-18s cap has already enjoyed a rapid rise in just those five years, but is well aware he has big tasks in front of him to get to grips with the levels he has now reached.

He continued: "Everyone here is pretty much fully professional, and it's a real challenge to come into that and make an impression.

"But it's something I'm really enjoying, it's a great situation.

"We've had a great start to the tournament, but nothing has been said about last year.

"Yes that team won a Grand Slam, but it was a different team with different players.

"Even the guys who are still here from last year are not thinking about it at all – the only aim is to do everything we can to get the result in Italy, and just take it from there."

ENGLAND UNDER-20S SQUAD: L Cowan-Dickie, A Hepburn, K Sinckler, N Morris, S Spurling, G Merrick, T Price, D Barrow, C Walker, W Skuse, J Clifford, R Harrison, E Stooke, D Robson, A Day, B Spencer, S Hill, C Walker, B Ransom, T Bell, J Bassett, A Watson, H Slade, J Arnott.