A scrumhalf, from near Bishop Auckland, will finally fulfil his childhood dream of playing rugby for England when he takes to the field against arch-rivals France.
Barnard Castle School sixth former Joe Davis was just six-years-old when he told his father he would wear the England strip for real one day.
“And this is the important first step on the ladder to eventually gaining a first team cap,” said the 18-year-old, of Hunwick, near Bishop Auckland.
“My dad reminded me just recently of when I was six and wearing an England strip that I told him I’d do that one day. So when I finally get to wear the badge it will be with a sense of relief and pride that I have finally got what I have trained for.”
Joe, who started playing for Bishop Auckland Rugby Club as a child and is now a Newcastle Falcons academy player, was invited to St George’s Park for an England training camp in November.
During the February half-term holidays he was invited to a second training camp. On Tuesday he received word that he had been selected for the U18s squad and would gain his first cap for England.
“I was absolutely over the moon,” he said. “I am so excited. It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point and this is the enjoyable bit. I have been picked for a reason so it’s important to keep my feet on the ground as I now have to go and do the job.”
The England U18 Men’s squad will face France at 4pm on Saturday, March 9, in Chalon-sur-Saône.
Joe joined Barnard Castle School on a rugby scholarship in Year 9 and is studying double BTEC sport in sixth form.
“Director of rugby Lee Dickson is a former scrumhalf for Northampton Saints and England and he and second master Martin Pepper have taken me back to basics and been a real support. I wouldn’t be where I am now without them.”
Mr Dickson said: “Joe’s game management, leadership skills and work ethic have been to the highest standard this year. He is reaping the benefits of playing with something to prove for so many years and he thoroughly deserves this opportunity.
“His passing skills are second to none, he has a lovely boot on him, he understands rugby and sees the space, so he has all the attributes a scrumhalf needs to be successful.”
Joe is looking forward to taking on the French.
“It makes for a great debut,” he said. “The French pride themselves on playing with flair like the first team and we are preparing ourselves for a bit of a rowdy crowd. But it is exciting.”
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He had high praise for Barnard Castle School. “Sixth form has been absolutely brilliant and I just love being at school with my mates,” he said. “Barney’s first team is like a brotherhood. We want to play for each other, protect each other and when you do that you end up playing your best rugby.
“Given it is a relatively small school, with a limited pool of boys to draw from, it has enjoyed a lot of success at Premiership and international levels and I think that is down to the ethos which develops nice grounded people who are determined to push on and get better.
“It’s also down to our coaches who are very good at understanding the players and how to get through to them. We are just 18 and aren’t going to get everything right. The coaches know when to push your buttons and when to throw an arm around you.”
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