MOORLANDERS assistant coach Marc Kerswill has admitted it is ‘no great surprise’ that Tavistock’s Luke Northmore is one step away from winning his first cap for England in rugby’s Six Nations tournament.

The former Tavistock RFC centre, who used to work in a Tavistock pasty shop, has been named in England coach Eddie Jones’ 36-man squad. England kick off their Six Nations campaign against Scotland next Saturday (February 5).

Northmore, 24, who won a Premiership title with Harlequins after being spotted playing for Cardiff Met, where he went to university, deserves his chance on the big stage, said Kerswill, who plays and coaches at Cornwall/Devon League Tavistock RFC.

He said: ‘He’s done phenomenally well, in many ways it’s not a huge surprise as he has been a star in every team he’s played in. From colts rugby into 1st XV rugby at Tavistock he shone and he carried on progressing at a rapid pace into BUCS rugby at Cardiff Met university and is now tearing it up with the premiership champions Harlequins.’

Kerswill added: ‘He has always had a fantastic drive and discipline that set him aside from the rest and he truly deserves his England call up after many fantastic performances for ‘Quins over the years.

‘The current players and members at Tavistock are over the moon and very proud to be calling him a Moorlander.’

Northmore, interviewed by the Daily Mail a few days before the squad was announced, said if his chance came, he would be trying to make the most of it.

He said: ‘My mum called the other day all excited saying, “They’re saying really nice things about you!” I’m just enjoying it with the lads. It’s a win-win for me if anything comes around.

‘I’d take it with open arms and give it everything, but hopefully there will be more games for me here at ‘Quins regardless.’

Northmore, enjoying his first senior international call-up, is one of five Harlequins called up by Jones, who will be trying to improve on England’s disappointing fifth position in the Six Nations tournament last time out.

The others are Alex Dombrandt, who played alongside Northmore at Cardiff Met, Joe Marler, Joe Marchant and Marcus Smith. They will join England’s training camp on Monday following Harlequins’ Heineken Champions Cup fixture against Castres.