Jack Arnott hopes his England U20 debut will come at Brickfields

JACK ARNOTT is desperately hoping to make his England Under-20 debut on home soil this Friday night.

The former St Boniface and Ivybridge Community College pupil is named in an extended England squad for this week's opening Six Nations match against Scotland, which will take place at Plymouth Albion's Brickfields ground.

Arnott should have made his debut at under-20 level last season when he travelled with England to Italy, but the game was postponed due to bad weather.

He was disappointed that game was called off but he admits the chance to make his debut in his home town would be a dream come true.

"It is obviously something I have wanted since I found out the game was going to be down here," said the Exeter Chiefs and Plymouth Albion winger Arnott.

"Fingers and everything else crossed that I get to feature down here. I'm just waiting to find out now."

He added: "I had that game last year but it was called off, so I am still waiting to be capped at this level.

"If it could be down here that would be even more special and more exciting for me.

"It would be a massive honour to just pull on the shirt, but especially even more to play here."

Arnott, along with fellow Plymothian Henry Slade, has been training with the England Under-20 party in the last couple of weeks.

"The squad has trained really well and whoever does start will put on a show," said Arnott.

"As a squad we want to win the Six Nations again."

Tickets for Friday's televised game with Scotland have been selling fast.

Both main stands at Brickfields are nearly sold out, but there is still plenty of standing available for the international.

Arnott will certainly have a lot of people inside the ground, as will fellow West Country players, Slade, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Hill.

"Regardless of whether I am starting or not I will have a big fan base down here and I know a few of the other local lads have quite a few people coming up as well," said Arnott. "There should be a good atmosphere to play in."

He added: "For quite a big game to be played here is fantastic.

"Being down here saves us travelling and it means a lot for our families, who don't have to travel up to London or Leeds or areas like that.

"It is nice to have something like this on our doorsteps that younger children and families can be part of. It's fantastic."

Arnott's inclusion in the England Under-20 party will probably mean he will not be involved in Albion's trip to Leeds on Sunday.

That match is a replay after the first Championship fixture at the start of January went to uncontested scrums. Leeds won that game 34-16 but the RFU quashed the result and ordered it to be played again.

The fixture has taken on even greater importance for Albion after their home loss to Moseley at the weekend.

Arnott came on as a replacement against Moseley and admitted all the team were frustrated with the 9-6 defeat.

"It is always disappointing and gutting to lose," he said.

"I thought the boys put in a good performance but it is just coming down to those little things. Hopefully, next weekend we can turn it around and we can have a big 'W'."

FORMER Albion hooker Davy McGregor played for London Irish at the weekend in their LV=Cup win over Worcester Warriors.

McGregor, who left Brickfields last summer, has joined the Premiership club on a loan deal from Coventry.