CITY schoolboy Jack Arnott admitted it was an 'amazing' feeling running out for Plymouth Albion at Brickfields on Saturday against Nottingham.

The 18-year-old Ivybridge Community College pupil made his debut on the wing in the Championship fixture and played the full 80 minutes of Albion's narrow 21-19 defeat.

Although he was disappointed with the result, Arnott was just delighted at getting the chance to play for the team he has supported since he was at primary school.

"It was absolutely brilliant," said the former Devonport Services junior. "I have been registered down here for a couple of weeks now, but it was amazing to get a run out.

"It was unfortunate that we didn't get the win, but it was an absolutely amazing feeling playing.

"Being a local boy, to pull on that jersey means a lot to me and I know it meant a lot to my dad.

"I am a Plymouth boy, I grew up here and I would come down every Saturday and watch them (Albion), so it was an awesome feeling playing for them.

"You dream of playing rugby for your team from about eight-years-old and to have achieved that already is amazing.

"All the family were down cheering me on. They were all quite pleased for me, but gutted about the result."

Arnott had played for Albion's development team at Brickfields before, but he said playing for the first team in a league clash was totally different.

"It was a completely different feeling," he said. "You sit in the changing room before the game and look around and you can see what it means to all the boys."

He added: "I trained quite well during the week and all the boys were really supportive."

Arnott has had a month to remember.

In the last four weeks, he has made debuts for Exeter Chiefs in the LV=Cup and Albion and was promoted from the England under-18s to the England under-20 squad.

"There have been a lot of last minute call ups, which I enjoy as it keeps me on my toes," said Arnott. "It also keeps me organised with my schoolwork.

"I knew it was going to be a big year, with me signing for the Chiefs, but for the first couple of months of the year to go as they have is a dream come true."

Arnott is hoping he may get some more games for Albion before the end of the season and is hoping for another call-up for the England under-20s after his debut for them was put on hold due to bad weather in Italy, which led to the postponement of the Six Nations clash.

"For the game to be called off just two hours before kick-off was a disaster," said Arnott. "All the boys were really up for it. Fingers crossed, I will get another call-up and get to go to the replay of the game.

"It was a late call last time, but I'm just happy to be in the frame.

"If I get another call up I'd be over the moon, but if I don't then I'll have a couple of hard weeks down here."

He added: "Hopefully, I will get some more game time here, but I just have to wait and see.

"I try to get down to training as much as I can, but I've got to finish up at Ivybridge.

"I am doing a BTec and an AS (level) at Ivybridge Community College. I have got a couple more months left there to wrap everything up and get the grades I need."

Arnott did find himself at the centre of controversy on Saturday when Nottingham winger Michael Penn was sent off for an alleged headbutt on the teenager.

When asked about the incident, Arnott said: "I think he headbutted me, but I'm not too sure as it all happened so quick. Luckily Sean-Michael Stephen was behind me to sort it all out."

Albion coach Nat Saumi said he had been happy with the performance and attitude of Arnott on his debut.

"I was pleased," said Saumi. "He had an urgency and energy about him, carrying the ball and chasing. He was putting maximum effort in and that's what you need from players – honesty.

"It was good to see him in action in front of his home crowd."

When asked if the youngster had forced his way into his reckoning, Saumi said: "It takes a few a few games, but we'll see. There's some good competition, especially with Cameron (Mitchell) coming back."

Stephen was yellow carded for reacting to Penn's strike on Arnott. The Canadian international had only been on the field four minutes after coming on as a replacement.

Stephen, who has been struggling with an elbow injury, had not been due to play but was added to the squad after David Morton pulled out on the day due to illness.

"David was ill, so that was why Sean-Michael came in," said Saumi. "I wanted to give Sean-Michael another week of rest, but he came on but then got a yellow card so he did not abuse himself much. Hopefully, he will be ready for next week."