Season to remember continues as Beck Cutting is selected for England Rugby U20 EPS ahead of Six Nations
He recently took on a new academic challenge at the University of Bath, now rising rugby star Beck Cutting is continuing his international sporting education after being named in the England U20 Elite Player Squad for 2017-18.
The 19-year-old hooker has just completed his first week of training with the 32-strong squad at Bisham Abbey ahead of the U20 Six Nations, which get under way against Italy on February 2, and the World Rugby U20 Championship in May.
Selection for the U20s continues a season to remember for Cutting. He started a Sport & Social Sciences course in September and made his BUCS Super Rugby debut with the University men’s 1st XV later that month.
He then made his first senior start for Worcester Warriors in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in November and has also featured regularly for the Premiership club’s Cavaliers 2nd XV in the A League this season.
“The last few months have been really exciting,” said Cutting. “I have moved away from home, started a degree, met loads of new people, got into the BUCS Super Rugby team, signed an Academy contract with Worcester Warriors and made my senior debut – everything that I aimed for.
“Getting into the England U20 squad has just made it even better but I still want more and I am going to keep working hard to achieve more goals.
“I feel I have settled in well at university. [Coaches] Aaron James, Mark Lilley and Louis Messer are all really supportive and make sure we are not only training well for rugby but are also on top of our studies, so I have been able to find a good balance.
“England and Worcester Warriors have also been very supportive, and I receive a Trendell Sports Scholarship from the University which has been a massive help as it allows me to focus on my sport and studies.”
Cutting is no stranger to the international stage having previously represented England at U16, U17 and U18 level.
“I was hoping I would be involved with the U20s this year but there is such a strong group of players out there that you can never be sure of getting a call-up, so I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” he said.
“I have been through the age groups with England, so there are a few players in the squad that I have grown up with but there are a lot of people I hadn’t met before. The atmosphere has been great – everyone is working really hard and making sure they get the best out of training.
“I feel so much pride in being picked for this squad and I want to make the most of this opportunity.”
England open their U20 Six Nations campaign against Italy before a home game against Wales in Newcastle on February 9. They then play Scotland in Edinburgh on February 23, France in Beziers on March 9 and Ireland at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on March 16.
Cutting is the latest University of Bath student to represent England at U20 level – Josh Bayliss won the Six Nations Grand Slam last season and also contested the World Rugby U20 Championship final with England alongside fellow Sports Performance student and Bath Rugby Academy player Darren Atkins, who won the World U20 title in 2016.
The University of Bath men’s 1st XV will return to BUCS Super Rugby action when they entertain high-flying Cardiff Met at the Sports Training Village on Wednesday, January 17. Kick-off is 6.30pm and entry is free to spectators.
“I’ve been really impressed by the standard in BUCS Super Rugby this season, the quality has been high,” Cutting added.
“We have a great group of lads here and I have really enjoyed getting to know them and play alongside them. We had a good run of performances before Christmas and hopefully we can carry that through into the new year.”
Click here for more information on the rugby programme at the University of Bath.
Thank you to England Rugby for the picture of Beck Cutting in training at Bisham Abbey.
