Young Gun: Dino Lamb-Cona: England U18s and Quins forward

The Easter holidays are the perfect period to prepare for A-Levels but revision had to take a back seat for Dino Lamb-Cona as he helped England U18s win the Five Nations.
Fresh from winning the Rosslyn Park Sevens two weeks ago, the Cranleigh schoolboy linked up with England as they prepared for the inaugural tournament rather than take part in the FIRA European Championship.
Wins against Ireland and Scotland kicked off their campaign before finishing in style on Wednesday beating Wales 41-9 in Swansea.
Lamb-Cona tried to take the frantic schedule in his stride but, with only a few weeks before his exams, he is now focusing on study.
“It was a tough tournament but it was great to be involved in all three games and I tried to take it in my stride,” he told The Rugby Paper. “It was good to win all three games but I don’t think the scoreline against Wales on Wednesday reflected the game, though.
“Playing Wales in Wales is never easy and it was a tough, physical battle up front. The setpiece battle was fierce in the first half but it opened up in the second half and we pulled away.
“The past few weeks were a very good experience and I feel like I’m a better player for the opportunity.
“School has taken a back seat as a result but I’ll slowly get back into it with my exams coming up in six weeks or so.”
The 18-year-old has been a constant feature for Harlequins in the A-League as well as playing in the Premiership Sevens at the start of the season and he will join the club’s academy full-time this summer.
Able to play at either lock or No.8, he can’t wait to join one of the most successful academies in English rugby as he looks to further his development.
He said: “Playing in the A-League gave me a first taste of senior rugby in terms of pace and physicality with older men trying to be dominant against a schoolboy.
“I enjoy playing in both the second row and at No.8. You tend to get your hands on the ball more in the back row which, growing up as a back, I quite like. But you get to play a crucial part from lock when it comes to the lineout even if you have to scrummage for longer.
“I haven’t been told to set up in one position yet. I played at No.8 for Quins all season so I’ll see what their plans are with me when I join the academy this summer.
“They have a great set-up there so I’m delighted they offered a two-year deal. That will put less pressure on me than a one-year deal. I’ll have more time to get used to being in a professional environment.