Now 17, Westlake has been included in an England coaching camp in preparation for April’s U18 Six Nations Competition in Vichy, France.
“England Rugby was at all times an enormous factor for me rising up,” says Westlake, wanting again.
“I simply liked England and I am very patriotic.
“I keep in mind entering into the tunnel and asking Chris Robshaw if he was prepared.
“Then we cracked on, went out and I feel I assumed I used to be going to play!
“You see me strolling out and nearly staring everybody down.
“Earlier than it, my mum had stated to me, ‘Ensure you sing it loud and sing it proud’.
“So I simply thought, ‘All proper, I will do this’.”
Westlake was taking part in for Devonport Companies under-7s on the time, however already had his eyes on the large stage, with plans to develop into England fly-half or centre.
That half in all probability will not come to cross.
Westlake, who performs in Exeter’s academy, is now a hard-running again row, channelling the power and drive of Ben Earl and Henry Pollock, even when he does cite childhood hero Owen Farrell because the embodiment of the mentality he aspires to.
Westlake has already needed to present resilience to maintain pursuing his dream.
“Rugby has at all times been the main focus, even when the journey hasn’t essentially been as clean because it may have been,” he says.
Westlake has Crohn’s illness, a power intestine irritation.
“I am on medicine which I take each eight weeks, which form of ticks me over and will get me by,” he explains.
“There was a two, three, four-year interval the place it was fairly powerful, however we’re getting by it now.
“It impacts power ranges so for 2 or three days earlier than my medicine is due, I will wrestle after which a day after I will wrestle as nicely.”
Harry’s anthem second was not his even his first expertise assembly the England squad.
After utilizing a picture of Harry on father Kevin’s shoulders at a match the earlier yr in publicity materials, the Rugby Soccer Union (RFU) had introduced each into the crew resort to satisfy the gamers and coach Stuart Lancaster.
