HIGHLY-rated centre Andy Short is hoping to draw inspiration from England’s Six Nations pipe-opener with Wales at the Milennium Stadium tonight ahead of his own personal battle with the old enemy.

The former Worcester Sixth Form College pupil has been picked on the wing for England Under 20s’ clash with Wales in Llanelli tomorrow.

Along with fellow Warrior Matt Kvesic, Short has taken part in England training camps in Portugal and Surrey during the build up to this weekend’s tournament kick-off — and he is delighted to have been given the nod.

Short said: “I am absolutely over the moon to be playing for my country against Wales. We haven’t focused too much on them, though, it has been all about us and how we want to play.

“We have a top side to take us through the Six Nations and onto the World Cup. A lot of the squad played together for the under 18s a few years ago and the squad has come together really well — we’re full of confidence.

“We will be taking the Six Nations one game at a time, so playing Wales in Wales will be our focus. The game will be massive, especially with it being in Wales, but that adds to the challenge and we will go out to play the best rugby we can.

“We will be well prepared for the match and a lot of the boys in our squad have played high-intensity matches in front of big crowds in the Premiership for their clubs, so are used to that type of atmosphere.”

Head coach Rob Hunter’s under 20s will get together at their team hotel tonight to watch Martin Johnson’s senior stars do battle with Wales in the eagerly-anticipated competition opener and Short says an away win would be a massive boost for the England young guns.

The Sixways academy product added: “We have trained hard all week, so we had a bit of time out of camp together last night and went to Cribbs Causeway, which was good for the team bonding.

“Then, we’re all getting together tonight to watch the England v Wales game on a massive plasma screen at the team hotel.

“Hopefully, the senior boys can get a good result and that can spur us on to beat Wales tomorrow.

“Thankfully, Matt is not sharing my room — I see enough of him at Sixways! Joking aside, though, it is good having a familiar face around the place, although the whole squuad know each other well from having played age-group rugby together for a few years.”

Although Short has predominantly been used in his preferred outside-centre role by Warriors boss Richard Hill, he insists he is happy to play on the wing for his country.

He said: “I have played on the wing in a few games for Worcester and I used to play there in my school days at Hanley Castle High School and Worcester Sixth Form College — in fact, I played all across the back-line in those days.

“Also, I played on the wing against Leinster ‘A’ and I’m looking forward to playing there tomorrow, but I still prefer to play centre.

“Without doubt, pushing my way into the Worcester Warriors first team and having some good games has played a huge part in me winning a place in the England under 20s starting XV.”

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