All that was to change, however. Having got a last minute call-up, and he will start in the front row against France U19s, with the chance of taking third place, the highest England U19s would ever finish in this world tournament.

On the morning the squad actually flew out, March 27, Beech was at Franklin's Gardens about to start a training session when he got a message. 

"It was pack your bags and get to Twickenham quick," said Charlie. “It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. I had been feeling pretty low, knowing the squad was going and that I wasn’t. All through the Six Nations there had been five props and we knew one of us would miss out but you just have to get on with it, knowing that you are on the reserve list.

“It was so much better to manage to fly out with the squad than to go late. I had to rush around the Saints Academy house I live in and grab most of my stuff and then drive my little Toyota Starlet to Bedfordshire to my mum’s to pick up the rest. I arrived at Twickenham after everyone else but I was there, I had all my stuff, I picked up my kit and I was off.”

Not only was he on the plane but Beech was very much a part of England’s campaign in Dubai. “I started and played the whole game against Argentina, got 25 minutes against South Africa and New Zealand in the semi-final and five minutes against Ireland for a sin-bin. To start against France is awesome. The French are always good value in the front row so it’s a fantastic challenge which I’ll really enjoy.”

Beech is the first rugby player in his family. His dad took him along to Biggleswade when he was seven to keep him occupied on a Sunday morning.

He said:"I absolutely loved it. I thought this is for me.”

Since then beech has gone from strength to strength, playing for England U16s and U18s and enjoying his time with Northampton Saints Academy. 

“Everyone at the club was really pleased for me and I keep getting messages saying well done after the games. I have got another two years at Saints and they have been absolutely brilliant. I hope I’ll be back having gained a lot in terms of my rugby as a result of this tremendous experience.”    

England team:
15        David Doherty (Leeds Tykes)
14        Oliver Dodge (Leicester Tigers)
13        Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
12        Adam Powell (Saracen) captain
11        Selorm Kuadey (Sale Sharks)
10        Danny Care (Leeds Tykes)
9          Joseph Simpson (London Wasps & St Benedict’s)
1          Charlie Beech (Northampton Saints)
2          Jordan Page (Leeds Tykes)
3          Daniel Cole (Leicester Tigers)
4          Dave Attwood (Bristol Rugby & Bristol Uni)
5          Sam McDonald (Worcester Warriors)
6          Iain Grieve (Bristol Rugby)
7          Andy Saull (Saracens & Bancrofts School)
8          David Tait (Sale Sharks)

Replacements
16        Ross McMillan (Nottingham)
17        Matthew Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
18        Tom Mercey (Saracens)
19        Alex Shaw (Leicester Tigers)
20        Hugo Ellis (London Wasps & St Benedict’s)
21        Richard Bolt (Exeter Chiefs, SWERA & Exeter College)
22        Chris Pennell (Worcester Warriors)
23        Adam Greendale (Leeds Tykes & Hymers College)
24        Jordan Turner-Hall (NEC Harlequins)

Friday, April 21, 2006 – Third/fourth place play off - England v France (Live on Sky Sports at 3pm BST)