NICK LILLEY

YOUNG GUNS by Ben Jaycock

Exeter Chiefs centre Nick Lilley wishes he could have a notepad and pen to hand in training to write down everything he’s learning from the wisdom of Exeter’s set of experienced centres.

While Rob Baxter’s squad is predominantly a youthful one full of tyro operators such as Lilley, 57-cap England midfielder Henry Slade remains and the 18-year-old has enjoyed how he’s been taken under his wing.

He told The Rugby Paper: “Henry Slade is a big rugby idol of mine as he also played at Ivybridge and was a local boy, so to follow him has been good. At Exeter they focus a lot on the brotherhood. It’s really good fun playing with the boys, they welcomed me in well last year when I was in one day a week.

“I saw all of them on television beforehand but when you talk to them they are all like normal people. The detail coaches go into is mind blowing in terms of their pre and post match reviews. When you’re training in those little breaks, the amazing wisdom they provide means you wish you had a notebook to write them down. I played alongside Ollie Devoto in November and having him alongside you means you learn so much. In the forwards, they are completely different to U18s level, they’ve got everything down to a tee.”

Lilley, who is the younger brother of Plymouth Albion player Dan, has just started his A-level exams in PE, geography and business, balancing his studies alongside his rugby but he says that’s not an issue.

“It’s not been too bad, if we need to study, the club don’t force us in. On Friday coming in is optional which gives us good flexibility. I’m looking to go to Exeter University next year where I can also develop my rugby by hopefully playing Super BUCS.”

Lilley scored a late winning try against Georgia as England U18s went unbeaten in their Six Nations campaign following further wins against Scotland and Wales. Guided by head coach Jonathan Pendlebury, Lilley is full of praise for the setup after he also went on tour to South Africa last summer.

“It’s very professional,” said Lilley. “I first went in just over a year ago into the U17s camp for the selections. We had a few camps before South Africa, 10 members of the coaching staff always looked after us and the detail they go into is insane. Your whole day is scheduled out, so it’s a big change from college or school but a good experience.

“Scoring the winner against Georgia was great, we were relieved to get the win. It was a great way to finish U18s before moving into U20s. Playing South Africa last summer was a real learning curve purely because of the size of some of those boys.”

Now a centre having previously played back row, Lilley prides himself on reading defences particularly defending off lineouts and scrums. In attack, Lilley enjoys putting his teammates through space but hopes to become a ‘triple threat’ and utilise his kicking skills to go alongside his dangerous passing and running.

He added: “While developing my game, I’m hoping to play in the U20s next year during the Six Nations and then the Junior World Cup. At the club here hopefully I can get some Premiership Cup minutes.”