Every fortnight we go behind the scenes to bring you closer to the Warriors players.
This week, we speak with academy starlet, Jack Cosgrove, who has had a breakthrough year making his first Warriors appearance and representing Scotland Under 20s in the RBS Six Nations.
The prop discusses the upcoming IRB Junior World Championship, his future at Warriors and fishing…
Age: 19
Warriors apps/pts: 1/0
Country: Scotland
Favourite film: Braveheart
Favourite food: Steak and chips
Favourite band: Kings of Leon
How are you enjoying life in the Warriors Academy?
Working with Ceri Jones has helped immensely with my scrummaging. Being here full-time and working with people like Jonathan Thomas, who has played 67 times for his country, is what it’s all about. Seeing what they do and how they compete with the best is something you can really learn from. And Dean Ryan, Carl Hogg and Mark Hewitt have all played a big part in helping me get an opportunity in the Scotland Under 20 team.
What was it like to make your international debut for Scotland Under 20s?
It was unbelievable. Coming off the bench to play against Ireland in the opening match has to be one of the best moments of my life and my family were really pleased for me. It was an invaluable experience playing against the best boys of my age-group in the Six Nations. I want to compare myself against others and see how far off I am or how far I’ve come. Hopefully it will put me in good stead for the future and lead me to getting some game-time here at Sixways.
What did you do when you found out you were in the Scotland Under 20 squad for this summer’s IRB Junior World Championship?
I was really chuffed and called my parents. To get picked to go to the Junior World Championship is a massive honour. I can’t wait to get out there. It’ll be ideal for me to play the best teams around and that way I can prepare myself for what is out there. Hopefully that will make me stronger for Warriors next season.
How do you rate Scotland’s chances in the tournament?
We have a tough pool where we will be up against South Africa, New Zealand and Samoa but anything can happen in a one-off game so we will see. It’s going to be extremely tough and they’re some of the best sides at this level so it’ll be good to compare myself with them.
Are you doing anything else exciting over the summer?
I’m going on holiday to Thailand for ten days with my old college friends!
You’ve spent time with Doncaster Knights this season, how’s that helped your development?
Playing at Doncaster on a regular basis has been great this year. Playing regular men’s rugby is very physical but it’s good playing in the front-row amongst more experienced men and it has benefited me massively.
Worcester Cavaliers have been on fire in the last six games, what’s been the secret?
The Cavaliers side has really progressed over the course of the season under Mark and Sam Vesty and that’s what’s helped us get on a bit of a winning run. The academy is moving from strength to strength and Dean is placing a big emphasis on it. I think it’ll continue to move in that direction. The platform is there for any youngster to make it to professional rugby. If you want to be a player at the top end of the game, there is no better place to be than Warriors.
You made your Warriors debut coming on in the LV= Cup clash against Sale in January, how was that for you?
That has been the highlight of my career so far. Coming up against someone like Eifion Lewis-Roberts was a test but I enjoyed it. It was my goal at the start of the season to play some Aviva A League games and I got that, so to play for the first-team is unbelievable.
What’s the target now?
I’ve been with Warriors since I was 15 so I want to push on and play for this club and become a first-team regular.
Who are your best friends at the club?
Probably Josh Buggea and Elliott Davies. Budge has got a bit of banter but Elliott’s is really poor so that makes him amusing! I live in the ‘Acad’ house with Shay Kerry, Tiff Eden, Elliott Davies, Josh Buggea and Dean Hammond.
What do you get up to away from the game?
I like my golf although I’m pretty useless at it and I enjoy a spot of fishing. I went out with my dad and brother a couple of weeks ago and caught a couple of decent-sized carps!
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I used to play football as a centre-back for Coventry City at Under 10 level. I started playing rugby when I was 13 as a number-eight but then moved to prop!