YOUNG GUNS
EXETER CHIEFS WINGER
Two tries in two matches for Arthur Relton have given the fleet-footed winger the perfect start to life in England’s U20s.
The Exeter Chiefs tyro followed up his try against France a week ago with another against Scotland on Friday, as England sealed victory to head into their big match against reigning champions Ireland with an unbeaten record.
Key to his own development and the team’s unity has been the camps held throughout the season, with the squad gathering at St George’s Park, Loughborough University and Bisham Abbey over the course of the last seven months.
And for Relton, who had not represented England at age-grade level prior to the current tournament’s kick-off, the chance to train with the England senior team last week provided a huge glimpse into a Test set-up. “The development camps we have had stretching back to last year have been really helpful in getting me game time,” said Relton.
“I’ve played in ten or 11 games now this season and talking to some of the Welsh boys at Exeter, they have only played three before coming into the Six Nations. The camps and the matches pre-tournament have been so helpful because we just needed to play.
“We trained with the senior squad last week and that was a good experience to see how they do things compared to England.
“It was a very high intensity; I think it shocked a couple of boys but we got stuck in and had a lot fun.”
Cornwall born and bred, Relton had to bide his time before joining the academy at Exeter Chiefs. But he credits the synergy between the Premiership club’s pathway and its links with Truro College and the University of Exeter, where Relton has BUCS Super Rugby experience.
In the midst of a sports and exercise science degree, Relton will be devoting his efforts to a first U20 Six Nations title for England in four years before heading back to Sandy Park to plot his plans for next season with input from senior and academy coaches.
“After every game I play, I have a one-toone review with Haydn Thomas and he has put so much time into me,” Relton said of the coaches influential to him at Chiefs. “We will go through the positives and negatives and that has lifted me so much as a player.
“There are a lot of coaches there to help you, Gareth Steenson is another who I chat to as well as Ricky Pellow. You can chat to all of them and they can talk you through what you do well and what you can do better.
“Some of the boys are having their reviews at the club now, looking ahead to 2021-22, but I am away so haven’t really considered that far ahead. My focus is on getting through the Six Nations and then I will go back to Exeter and talk to the coaches and plan from there.”
