Young Gun: Aaron Hinkley – England U18s flanker

Aaron Hinkley is fully aware making it at senior level will not be a walk in the park but he reckons being part of the very competitive Gloucester academy will prepare him best.
The England U18s openside will leave St Peter’s school this summer and join the Cherry and Whites academy full-time where he will link up with an impressive international contingent.
Hinkley is used to be the star player at school level but with nine players from Gloucester in the different England age group teams, he knows the bottom of the ladder awaits.
“Gloucester told me a month ago or so that were going to keep me and I’m so happy for it,” he told The Rugby Paper. “Playing for Gloucester is what I’ve wanted to do all my life so I can’t wait to link up with the academy full-time.
“There’s a big Gloucester contingent in the different England squads which is great for the club but it means the competition for places in the academy is really tough.
“But I see it as a good thing because you get to play and train with the best. If anything it puts me in good stead for what’s to come next season.
“Making the transition to professional rugby is not an easy one to do especially mentally. My skills are going to be tested obviously but it can be hard to understand that you’re not the best player on the pitch anymore.
“I’ll be at the very bottom of the ladder and no one will recognise me but it’s a very exciting challenge.
“Neil McCarthy, who’s coaching me at Gloucester, and Stuart Crabb at St Peter’s have been great with me. They’ve had a great influence on me and I feel better prepared for professional rugby after they mentored me.”
Hinkley’s impressive season with St Peter’s and Gloucester was noticed by England U18s head coach John Fletcher who called him up to his squad last month to prepare the Easter International Series in Wales.
Hinkley started in the back row in the win over Scotland and he’s now looking ahead to the next three games in Wales before a potential summer tour to South Africa.
He added: “My season’s gone really well so whether that was for St Peter’s or Gloucester. We only lost two games at school and we’ve done quite well in the Premiership academy league even if we felt like we under achieved a bit.
“We’ve got the International Series coming up in Wales and I’d really like to get involved in that. It’s a ten-day tournament with three games in those ten days so it should be exciting.
“The main message from the coaches was to not be afraid to try things. They’re very keen on making sure we express ourselves on the pitches and try things. That’s the best way to learn so hopefully we can get some good results.
“We have the tour in South Africa later too so I really hope I’ll get selected for that one too. It’d be brilliant to go on my first tour with England.”