Young Gun: Tom Parton – England U18s full-back

This season could not have gone much better for Tom Parton but he is hoping for more and an unbeaten tour in would finish it in style.
The young full-back was instrumental in Wellington College retaining the Daily Mail Trophy and he took his form to club level helping go undefeated to win the Academy League.
On the international stage, he was just as influential as U18s claimed the inaugural Five Nations tournament over Easter and now he has targeted the tour to South Africa to emulate the seniors, Saxons and U20s who enjoyed great success already this summer.
He told The Rugby Paper: “We're flying on August 7 for a two-week tour with three games including and South Africa. It'll be great to come away with three wins. It'd be the perfect way to end the season for me.
“We play a great brand of rugby with the U18s and it makes it really fun to play in that team. We've got a good squad heading down there so, hopefully, we can build on the momentum we created in the Five Nations back in March.
“We won the Daily Mail Trophy with Wellington but we didn't perform as well as we'd expect. Saying that, wins over Millfield and Whitgift were huge for us. The Academy league with Irish was pretty special, too, and beating in the final was very satisfying.
“It's been a great summer for English rugby with all the teams doing so well and it puts some pressure on us to keep it going but it's an exciting challenge.”
Following his exploits at U18s level, it was no surprise to see Parton offered a place in the London Irish academy and he has started pre-season with the first team last week.
Able to play at both full-back and fly-half, he has a decision to make regarding his best position but his focus for now is on making sure he is ready for the demands of senior rugby.
He added: “I mainly play full-back but I can also play fly-half so I'm trying to work out where my future lies with the help of Paul Hodgson and John Fletcher.
“Full-back would probably have my preference but I also enjoy the decision making at fly-half. I don't mind where I play as long as I'm involved and being able to play both position could give me more opportunities to break into the first team.
“I'm working a lot in the gym to make sure my body is ready to withstand the demands of professional rugby.
“I'll probably be going on loan to next season to get used to the men's game and I'm looking forward to it. It's where I live and having watched them last season, they play a brand of rugby I really enjoy.”

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