Stuart targets first full cap of 2016 class

WASPS’ tyro tighthead Will Stuart is determined to win his battle for a starting jersey and stake his claim for England honours.

Stuart, a hero of England U20s Junior World Cup success in 2016, has started the season on fire after deputising for the injured Jake Cooper-Woolley, whose preseason bicep injury will keep him out of action until mid-October.

Stuart, 22, now has another England hopeful, Kieran Brookes, in his sights as he aims to take the next step. He told The Rugby Paper: “Last year was quite a transitional one for me because I was on loan at Nottingham while playing in the AngloWelsh.

“But I managed to get the odd European and Premiership game and Coops’ injury has given me a chance to have a proper run of games. It’s a good opportunity to stake a claim in what is basically my first full year at this level.

“Kieran’s come to the club in good shape and settled in really quickly, but it’s great to be battling it out to be that starting No.3.”

To date, none of England’s victorious ‘Class of 2016’ has been capped at senior level.

Joe Marchant, Harry Mallinder, Jack Willis and Jack Singleton have been named in Red Rose squads, but Stuart harbours hopes of being the first.

He said: “We played Ireland in that 2016 final and put 40-odd points on then, but while guys like Jacob Stockdale and James Ryan have gone on to play regularly for Ireland, none of our boys have broken through, which is strange really.

“What’s encouraging, though, is to see Eddie Jones is prepared to give a few younger lads a chance in his training squads and I’m just focussing on getting as much game time as possible now to establish myself in the Premiership.”

Wasps’ boss Dai Young believes Stuart is “100 per cent good enough, and will only get better”.

Stuart added: “Being a former world-class tighthead himself, there’s no better man for me to have heading up the ship than Dai.

“He has huge knowledge, which is a big bonus for me.”