Tell us about your rugby background…
I started when I was about nine, at Old Redcliffians. I had played football until then. Once I  was about 12 rugby became my priority.

When did you become a prop?
I played No 8 until I was 16, and No 13 a bit. Ian Peel (England age-groups coach) first told me to move to the front row when I was 15 and I finally did just before the England U18 tour to South Africa in 2013.

Are you glad you heeded his advice?
I didn’t want to move but I am starting to enjoy it and Ian Peel is quite smug about it! I am 20kg heavier now. That took a lot of eating!

Who else has had a big influence on you?
My dad, Richard. He is quite negative and used to say ‘you will never play for England’ but now I realise it’s because it made me work harder. He likes a beer on a Sunday so was happy to take me to matches!

When did you join Bristol?
When I was 17. I went on loan to Clifton in 2013-14 and had a year in National Two, which meant I came on in leaps and bounds scrum-wise.

When did you first play for England?
I played U18s and U19s twice, and this is my first season with the U20s. I would love to go to this year’s Junior World Cup and play some rugby in the sunshine in Italy!

What do you do outside rugby?
I’m doing courses in how to start your own business and I’m mentoring younger boys with Impact Mentoring – boys who had the same problems as me growing up and are getting
into trouble. I got arrested a few times before I was 16 but I am definitely a different bloke now.

RW verdict: Genge showed his worth in England’s U20 wins over Italy and Ireland before injury ruled him out briefly in March. At 6ft 1in and 18st 8lb, this determined and
resolute youngster has a bright future.