As the Six Nations Rugby Union Championships kick off again this week punters at pubs across the county can sit back with a pint of Cousin Jack ale knowing they are supporting Cornwall’s finest both on the pitch and out at sea.

The St Austell Brewery pale ale is making its third comeback just in time for the rugby, having been first product back in 2016 with the input of England player and charitable trust ambassador for the brewery Jack Nowell.

Jack, a former student of Mounts Bay Academy and Truro and Penwith College, asked that a donation from the sales of the beer he puts his name to go to his favourite charity, the RNLI, and in the past two years it has already netted more than £10,000.

Martin Breading, St Austell Brewery national sales director said: “The combination of a great ale and a winning partnership means Cousin Jack has enjoyed phenomenal success across both years it has been on sale.

“We’re going to be pushing the boat out this year to top whatever we’ve raised in the past to give even more back to the RNLI, an organisation that is so important to the Cornish way of life.”

Rugby Union star Jack Nowell, who also plays for Premiership side Exeter Chiefs at club level, chose the RNLI as being a charity close to his west Cornwall roots.

Patrick ‘Patch’ Harvey, coxswain of the Penlee RNLI lifeboat in Newlyn where Jack grew up, said: “Jack’s a big hearted young man and we’re extremely proud of what he has achieved, but also what he gives back to his local community.

“We’re delighted that he continues to support the charity through the collaboration with St Austell Brewery. It’s a three-way partnership that fits so well and is set to raise vital funds for training and equipping the RNLI’s volunteer crews.”