The Harlequins Academy is fast becoming a conveyor belt of talent within the Premiership – and teenage lock Stanley South cannot wait to take his place on it.
South, 17, has been on Quins' radar since the age of 11 and in the summer will join the renowned academy, having signed a two-year contract in February.
With stars such as Chris Robshaw, Joe Marler, Danny Care and Mike Brown to rub shoulders with, South is in no doubt where he will be seeking his inspiration from.
“I have not trained with the first team yet but I will start in July and I am really looking forward to it,” said South, who is in his final year at Whitgift School.
“It was probably the most nervous I have ever been when I signed the professional contract and to be honest it was a massive relief to think that all my hard work has paid off.
“The coaches always want to help you improve and everyone is always so supportive down there, both coaches and players.
“I think the team is good at the moment, they obviously lost to Saracens at Wembley but they will have to learn from that and come back a better team.
“Mike Brown inspires me because he was just a normal club rugby player but has come into the England team and shown what he has got.
“Over the last two years he has been dominating and is now one of the world's best number 15s.”
This season South has been a key member of the Red Rose's U18s squad and has designs on breaking into the U20s set-up.
First things first however, the 6ft5in and 107kg (16st 11lbs) will set about cracking the Quins first team set-up – most likely via the LV= Cup.
However, as former U20s lock Charlie Matthews discovered, starring for England's age-groups does not guarantee a fast-track into the first team at Quins and South is aware of the massive task at hand.
He said: “I'll take everything as it comes and I don't want to push myself too much, the next two years are definitely with Quins and I will take it from there.
“It will be hard to break into the team with top players such as Charlie Matthews and Nick Easter, who are big names.
“I want to show the dominance and aggression that I'd like to add to the team, but I know it will be a hard job to earn my chance.
“I'm with England U18s at the moment and pushing towards the U20s and it is a dream for everyone to play for their country.
“The U18s was a massive step up as you get to play with some class players. Most second rows don't make it till about 20 to 21 so I have a couple of years to go but I would like to play in a couple of A League games and maybe an LV= Cup match.
“Paul O'Connell is the sort I really look up to – I love the way he plays and the amount of aggression he puts in. Even at his age he still dominates.”
The man behind the Harlequins Academy is former England No.8 and captain Tony Diprose, and while South is just beginning his tutelage under him, he's in no doubt as to the debt of gratitude he already owes.
“Tony Diprose was a great player in his time and he is a brilliant coach now,” added South.
“Already he is giving me tips and telling me how to break into the team and I'm really looking forward to spending even more time down there.”
