“His first call ended as I went to pick the phone up,” said Beard, who three years ago was in the England U20 squad along with Fin Smith, Tom Roebuck and Tommy Freeman, who are also in the 36. “I had locked myself in my room telling my mother not come come in and was absolutely bricking it.
“When he called again and told me, I could not believe it. I had had a few chats with Steve and thought if I performed in my next two games I would see what happened. He told me what he liked about my game and gave me pointers which I have tried to add to my game.
“The call telling me I was in probably only lasted a couple of minutes but I must have said thank you a million times. He told me to be myself, bring my super strengths and enjoy it.
“It is a dream come true. To be involved with England in any capacity is thrilling. I went through all the emotions from excited to nervous. It was a shock but now is time to turn it on, show myself in the best light and be confident.”
If Borthwick was still pondering whether to include the 22-year old Beard last weekend, the centre’s display against Cardiff at the Arms Park in the Champions Cup would have settled it. Up against the experienced Rey Lee-Lo, Beard’s hard and elusive running shredded the home defence and he scored one of his side’s eight tries.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin January 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin January 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.
South America look to keep on building
AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.
Scarratt excited by new pathway
ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.
Baxter: I want to make things better
ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.
New England group will cause uncertainty
SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.
Galthie turns his sights to the future
FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.