9:38am Saturday 6th February 2010
MARK Wilson, the former Kendal RUFC player who trains with Premiership club Newcastle Falcons, earned his first cap for England Students playing against Portugal at the weekend.
Wilson, aged 20, was in the starting line-up as blindside flanker and played for 60 minutes of the international, but had been withdrawn before Portugal scored a last-gasp try to inflict a 21-18 defeat in Lisbon on Saturday.
In domestic rugby, Mark has been with Newcastle Falcons Academy for the past couple of seasons and made his Premiership debut against Worcester in the Anglo-Welsh Cup this season.
He is studying at the University of Northumbria, but he has been appearing for National One side Blaydon RUFC regularly.
Mark's dad, Mike said: "It was a full international so he got the cap. If he never plays for England again it will certainly be something to tell the grandkids.
"I have only spoken to Mark briefly on the phone, but he was pleased with his game but a little disappointed he didn't play the full 80 minutes."
Tries from UWE centre Matt Humphries and Loughborough's Phil Burgess and eight points from the boot of Bath fly-half Paul Roberts had put England into a strong position, but ultimately back-row Vasco Uva's touchdown converted by Pedro Cabral gave Portugal victory.
"We played outstandingly well and kept faith with our attacking brand of rugby, " said Keith Green, the England Students team manager.
"This match was always going to be about fine margins and it was disappointing to lose, but the players responded briliantly to a tough challenge."
The Students' next match in their build up for the World Cup is against Irish Colleges on Mark's home patch at Newcastle on February 26, followed by France Universities on March 19.
Falcons assistant coach Alan Tait has been impressed. Earlier in the season went on record as saying: “He’s only 20, so he’s a real physical specimen for that age.
“He’s a great big lump of a Cumbrian lad and someone with a lot of talent and potential.
“We had him in for a few sessions and we were impressed, so we asked him to come in as regularly as he can, and he has done well.
“He’s hugely committed, he wants to give his rugby a real go and he’s in great shape.
“He looks after himself and does all the right things – and players like that, who come in and impress, we will always give chances to shine.”
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