George Pearson is in line to make his first start for England U20s at the World Rugby Junior Championship on Thursday when England take on the USA.
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After appearing off the bench in England’s opening match, a 34-27 victory over Ireland, the Leicester Tigers fullback is set for his first start of the tournament.
Pearson was involved with the squad last year but suffered a hamstring injury in April, ruling him out for the summer and forcing him to miss the competition.
Looking ahead to his Junior World Championship debut, Pearson said, “I’m really looking forward to it. The last game I started was against Ireland in the Six Nations for the 20s, so I’m really looking forward to it.
“It’s a different opponent as well, being the USA, and playing at the World Cup which I haven’t before.
“It’s the last year for me at 20s, so to give it all I’ve got for the last four games that I’ve got.”
The 20-year-old also reflected on how this year’s group compares to the squad that exited at the pool stage last year after defeat to South Africa in Italy.
“Off-field wise, the group here is very tight. It was last year, but this year it feels a lot tighter and that’s a good place when you’re fighting for your teammates.”
At club level, Pearson has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign, making his senior debut for Leicester Tigers in both the Prem and Champions Cup.
His European debut was particularly memorable. After being shown a yellow card, he returned to set up a superb try for Joaquin Moro, weaving through La Rochelle’s defence in a hostile away atmosphere in France.
Across nine first-team appearances this season, Pearson scored six tries, including efforts against Exeter Chiefs and Bath in Leicester’s final two matches of the campaign, helping the Tigers secure a place in the Prem semi-finals.
“This year I’ve been a lot more involved training-wise, with Geoff [Parling], he’s been big on promoting the youth and integrating us into the teams.
“You have to build performances in training otherwise you’re not going to get picked and from that the conversations with him have been pretty happy with how I’ve been in training, which has allowed me to step up.”
Training alongside Leicester and England fullback Freddie Steward has also provided valuable experience. Steward, who has earned more than 40 England caps, is regarded as one of the country’s most reliable players in the position.
Pearson explained what he has taken from working with him.
“You take small bits of his game and add it to yours and straight away you can see how he thinks or how he moves and that brings on your game massively. It’s unreal being able to train with Fred, he’s such a good player as well.”
“The past couple of years I’ve watched him play in an England shirt so being able to train with him, at first, was a bit weird but you get used to it. It’s good having him to look up to in the team and add bits of his game to my own.”
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