by Kevin Redsull

Deal rugby will have a dual representation when the third round of matches in the Under-20 Six Nations Championship takes place this weekend.

Former Deal & Betteshanger junior Danny Herriott (pictured) is poised to win his third England Under-20 cap against France at Worcester on Saturday after coming on as a replacement in both of England’s opening two matches in the championship.

And referee Matt Carley, who used to teach Herriott at Castle Community College, will take charge of his first under-20 international when Italy take on Wales in Viterbo in central Italy on Friday evening.

Carley said: “I have refereed two under-18 internationals before but this is my first under-20 game and it’s an exciting challenge because the Under-20 Six Nations is an important competition.

“It’s a big step-up from doing under-18 internationals and I’m not quite sure what to expect.

“But my goal is to take charge of a full Six Nations international at some point and so this will be good experience for me.”

Carley, who now teaches at the Folkestone Academy, has been refereeing Championship games regularly this season and has twice taken control of Moseley matches in which Herriott has been playing while on loan from Northampton.