LIFTING the Under 20s Six Nations was a proud moment for Falmouth’s Jack Innard – especially as it was the first rugby trophy he’s won.

The 19-year-old hooker who is on loan at the Cornish Pirates from Aviva Premiership side Exeter Chiefs was part of the England squad who secured the title on Friday night in Brighton as they beat France 24-11.

Speaking to the Packet, Innard said it was a great feeling to finish the job off and hopes it is the first of more trophies he will win.

Innard said: “Although I was a sub and not used, the whole experience was great.

“The first half was quite tense and you could tell the boys were a bit nervous going into the match, but we started playing well in the second half and saw it home.

“It was actually the first trophy I’ve won playing rugby so it is not a bad one to get as your first.

“When you look at some of the players who have come through the Under 20s like Jack Nowell, I know I’m following in the footsteps of some good players and it gives me hope that I can match their achievements in the future.”

In June the side will fly out to Italy for the Junior World Championship where they will be defending the crown they have won on the last two occasions in New Zealand and France.

With this just around the corner, Innard, who went to Penair School and played youth rugby for Falmouth, is now concentrating on getting into the final squad.

Falmouth Packet:

Innard during his playing days for Cornwall

He added with the wonderful weekend of rugby which saw 221 points in the final three matches of the senior Six Nations, getting the chance to be part of this competition in years to come would be great.

“I’m hoping to make the World Championship squad,” Innard said.

“I would love to be there as it would be another great experience, but I’ve just got to keep playing well at the Pirates and nail my place down in the squad that way.

“This has already been the best season of my life, but winning the World Championship would really cap it off.

“It could act as a good step toward potentially being part of the senior national team in the future and it would be good to lift the Six Nations trophy one day.

“But I know there are still improvements I need to make in my game before I can think that far ahead, so I’m just going to keep plugging away at my club.”

Alongside Innard in the U20s was fellow Pirates and Chiefs dual-registered star Stuart Townsend, who featured in four of the games for England.

With a friend in the camp, Innard said this helped him settle in.

Falmouth Packet:

Picture tweeted by England Rugby as the U20s celebrate with the trophy on Friday

“I roomed with Stuart during the competition,” he said.

“He’s a great laugh and having someone you know well at the training camp was a bonus, especially as Stuart has come through some of the other national age group sides.

“Being part of an international set-up is very different to club life as you notice straight away all the guys come in with different styles because all their clubs have their own way of doing things.

“It takes time to gel and you try to spend as much time together as the time you have together is scarce, unlike at club level where you have a whole season together.

“But it is great to play with guys from across the country and it is something I have enjoyed thoroughly.”