Experiences will benefit Skinner
Sam Skinner hopes to use the experience of playing for England in the recent World Under-20s Championship as the stepping stone for another big season with the Exeter Chiefs.
The talented forward was one of three Chiefs – the others being Jack Innard and Stuart Townsend – who helped England book their place in the final of the annual tournament against New Zealand in the Italian city of Cremona.
Having won the event for the past two years – including two years ago when the likes of Henry Slade, Jack Nowll, Sam Hill, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Joel Conlon all featured – Jon Callard’s young side were hoping to make it a hat-trick of successes against the Baby Blacks.
Sadly it was not to be for England, who despite a decent enough performance, eventually went down 21-16.
Although disappointed not to emerge victorious, Skinner – who featured in every match of the tournament, scoring two tries in total – admitted afterwards the tournament had been a hugely rewarding experience for him.
“It has been an intense three weeks but I thoroughly enjoyed them,” said Skinner. “It was disappointing to end how it did, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
“It is what it is though and I am just happy with the experience to be honest. It has developed my game and it has been awesome with the boys out here. To represent England on the world stage is a massive thing. To represent my family, my parents and grandparents means everything.
“Putting the rose on is something I have dreamed of doing and despite the defeat it has been awesome.”
In what has been a terrific 12 months for Skinner, not only has he established himself firmly within the England Under-20s ranks, helping them to win the Six Nations earlier in the season, but he has also featured for the Chiefs first team in the Aviva Premiership, European Challenge Cup and LV= Cup.
Skinner arrived in Italy with Exeter team-mates Innard and Townsend, although the latter was forced out of the tournament after just two games after he sustained a knee injury during England’s 30-16 win over Wales.
However, Skinner and Innard both went on to feature regularly for England during the tournament, with Skinner managing tries in the wins over Japan and Wales. They also both played in the 28-20 semi-final win over pre-tournament favourites South Africa.
Although New Zealand ultimately prevailed in the final, Skinner insisted it should not take the gloss of what has been a fine year for the side.
“New Zealand are a class outfit,” he added. “We put everything into it but sometimes that can happen. If things had swung our way it might have been a different result. We have to stay humble. We are good winners, but good losers too.
“Fair play to New Zealand, they have had a great experience. But, for us, it is about remembering the things before that final, like the Six Nations and the South Africa win, which was huge.”