Gendall is determined to take his second chance

HARLEQUINS tight-head Tyler Gendall admits he can scarcely believe his good fortune after his rapid rise from tier two Cornish Pirates to the Premiership.

Penzance-man Gendall, 22, who attended the same Mounts Bay School as England stars Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie, once failed to make the grade at Exeter before rebuilding his career at St Ives and earning himself a chance at the Pirates.

After replacing Lions legend Adam Jones in two of his first three appearances since agreeing a shortterm deal at Quins, Gendall told “It doesn’t feel real. You watch guys like Adam on TV and look up to them, so to play together is amazing. “He’s been really good to me so far, though, and I’ve learnt a lot from him already. He’s down to earth and treats you like any other guy, so I’ve not been too overawed and I’m just trying to take my chance at Quins.” Gendall, below, whose deal expires in May, is determined to grab his second Premiership chance after leaving Exeter’s Cornish academy at 18. He said: “I didn’t play a lot of rugby at Truro College so I went to St Ives. Pirates hooker Rob Elloway was one of our coaches and, after a couple of seasons there, he recommended me to the Pirates and it’s gone pretty well.

“Ian Davies gave me the opportunity and head coach Alan Paver’s had a huge influence on me. He sorted out the good in my game and worked hard on the bad.”

Gendall now aims to follow in the footsteps of other famous graduates of the Penzance academy.

He added: “Jack Nowell’s sister was in my year and I was just below him and Luke Cowan-Dickie at school. Max Bodilly, Tom Hendrickson and Kyle Moyle all came through Mounts Bay School as well so there’s quite a lot for me to live up to.”