Young Gun: George Nott – England flanker
As Martin Haag’s men kicked off their Junior World Cup against Italy, it took only ten minutes for the Sale forward to strike on the back on a blistering run his idol Tom Croft would have been proud of.
From a turnover on their 40 metre line, the ball was sent out wide to Nott who left two defenders in his wake on route to the try line.
Standing 6ft 5in, Nott is used in the second- row from time to time but he is adamant the back-row is where his future lies.
“I haven’t scored all season so it was nice to get across the line but most importantly we got the win we wanted as a team,” he told The Rugby Paper.
“I see myself as a back-rower but because of my height I’m often used in the second-row. Blindside is where I enjoy playing most and I hope to prove that’s my best position during the Junior World Cup.
“I’m pretty similar to Tom Croft in that sense and he definitely is one of the players I look up to. I’m quite light too, at 16 stone, so I enjoy getting the ball in the wider channels and spreading my legs.
“I played on the wing when I started off as a kid but I quickly moved to the forwards and I really enjoy it. I like the physical challenge against the bigger lads. I’m lighter but I enjoy proving I can mix it up with them.”
The 20-year-old has been a member of the Sale academy for five years and made two senior appearances in the 2014-15 season.
Without the LV=Cup, he struggled for game time this season but it allowed him to return to his roots.
He added: “I went on loan to Chester at the start of the season which was nice because it’s my home club. I came up through the age groups there and played on and off for their first team for the past three seasons.
“Sale picked me up when I was 14 and it kicked on from there going through the EPDG program and joining the academy full-time at 18.
“I didn’t manage to make an appearance for the first team this season which was a little disappointing and it was a shame there was no LV=Cup. But I had a good A-League campaign and I’m really looking forward to next season, with the LV= and it’ll be my big target.
“I’ve got one more year on my contract at Sale so I hope I can get some good game time to earn my first professional contract.”
