Bassett hounds Wales with try on England bow

He touched down the first try in the U20 Six Nations 40-9 win over Wales in front of 3,400 fans at the Twickenham Stoop on Friday night.

Bassett, a winger for Bedford Blues, was on the end of Dan Robson’s precise pass to touch down after several phases of forward play.

The Championship’s current top try scorer said: “It was very eventful and a privilege and an honour to represent my country.

“I have not done it in any other age group – it was a fantastic day.

“I was very happy starting on the wing against Wales in front of a home crowd, there was a great atmosphere and it was a dream come true. Scoring on any debut as a winger is what you want to do and wearing the Red Rose on your chest was absolutely amazing.

“Overall they said I did well. I will still make mistakes but need to keep building. Wales were a very strong side but we kept with them.”

He admitted he’s been having plenty of banter with his Goldington Road team-mates, saying: “I’ve been getting a lot of chat from the boys.

“I went to see them in the last league game against Nottingham and they were giving me a bit of chat.

“Everyone has got behind me. Geoff (Irvine) came down to the game on Friday and it was really nice to see him there. They were very pleased for me and happy for me and it’s a credit to the club. It shows it’s a great club and the Academy set-up really does work.”

Now he is preparing to face Italy this weekend, after the initial fixture in which he was supposed to make his England bow was postponed due to the weather.

Speaking on Tuesday, Bassett continued: “We’ve got a couple of days off. I go away tomorrow on camp and off to Italy so it’s another busy weekend for me!

“It’s good it falls on a break (from the league).

“Bedford is my team and going in the play-offs we’ve got some tough games coming up and I would like to help Bedford as much as I can.

“We know Italy will be a very tough side and hard to beat on their own patch.”

England still have to face Ireland and France, but Bassett is not taking his place for granted in a competition he believes will go the distance.

He added: “It’s wait and see and take it as it comes, keep training as hard as I can and if I get to wear the shirt again I will be honoured.

“We’ve got three tough games.

“There have been some close results and all the teams are looking strong.

“I think it will come down right to the wire as every week you are playing a tough team.”