Young Gun: Gloucester flanker Harry Taylor

Young Gloucester openside Harry Taylor harbours hopes of gaining his first run out for the Cherry and Whites later this year, after seeing teammate Lewis Ludlow lead England out at Twickenham on his Test debut.

England U20s flanker Taylor, who signed professional terms last summer, is plotting a path to first-team involvement at Kingsholm once the final domino of Italy is felled on Tuesday for England to clinch a first Six Nations title since 2017.

For the former cocaptain of Gloucester U18s, to win the tournament offers a chance to claim his own accolade before he aims for more at the club he has supported his whole life.

“That was huge for the club and the team,” Taylor said of Ludlow's appointment. “Everyone is so happy for him and he deserves it for the work he has put in this year.

“As a young back row at Gloucester, you can see why he has been made captain because he is a really authoritative figure and it is good to see him getting the recognition with England.

“He is vocal and he leads by example, too. He is the first guy in for training in the morning and the last one to leave.

“I do see myself in the same mould as him. I am a long, long way away from where he is at the minute but he is a guy for me to look up to.

“The aim for me for the rest of the year is to make my debut; there are a lot more fixtures open to me to hopefully get a few games. There should be some good opportunities.”

On as a replacement for the injured Emeka Ilione in the U20s 31-12 win over Scotland in Round 2, Taylor caught the eye when holding Ollie Leatherbarrow up short of the line shortly after England had been reduced to 14 men.

A piece of work he says is a product of the work done with defence coach Dom Waldouck at Gloucester.

“All the coaches at Gloucester are really helpful. Dom as the defence coach has been really good. He has had a big influence on me this year with the transition from schoolboy rugby up to senior rugby,” he added.

“The role of the back row in defence is huge and Dom is someone who has as much time for the academy lads as those who are starting in the first team. He is happy to come and grab you and walk through something he has seen in training.

“Alan Dickens (England U20 head coach) has also been about bringing the intensity wanted on game-time and in training because there is so much competition in the back row here and the training has reflected that.

“I managed to get some game-time against Scotland and I am hoping to get some more against Italy and then keep myself in the team.”