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WORCESTER'S Matt Cox is on the verge of a Six Nations Grand Slam with England's Under 20 side.

The Warriors flanker scored his first international try of the season in the 41-15 win against Scotland last Friday night.

And he admits he'll be more excited than he was playing in front of 20,000 opposition fans in France when the title is on the line at Gloucester's Kingsholm ground tonight (7.35pm) against Ireland in front of a live TV audience.

England are the only unbeaten side in the shadow Six Nations tournament after victories over Wales (28-15), Italy (22-13) and France (24-6) were followed up with the six-try victory in Falkirk.

The fourth championship win was particularly impressive as England were reduced to 14-men when Saracens' Ben Thomas was sent-off at the end of the first-half. But, despite playing a man down, a devastating 10-minute spell saw them score 19 points to put the Scots away as Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Cox and Noah Cato (Saracens) all struck in quick succession.

It added up to a perfect celebration for Cox, who celebrated his 20th birthday the day before the game. Cox, who is currently out on loan from Worcester Warriors at National One side Pertemps Bees, said: "The Grand Slam is really something special to accomplish and something that would be great for England to do because it's only ever been done once before.

"It would be a great team achievement and I'm really looking forward to the Ireland game as much as I was to playing in front of 20,000 in France. It's something that's really exciting. We didn't get distracted by the thought of the Grand Slam at all last week. We stayed focused on beating Scotland in Scotland because they weren't a side we could take lightly - they had a good pick-and-go game and a big pack.

"But we were confident about our ability to move the ball around and the more phases we played, the more we broke them down and the more our confidence grew. It was great to be able to get on the scoresheet.

"Alex Goode (the Saracens centre who created the opening for Cox's try) looked like he might go all the way and score himself, but I managed to make sure I got his attention."

Cox's physicality and his high work-rate have made him an invaluable performer for England at age-group level. He made his Under 20 debut last season and was consistently impressive in Belfast as part of the side that took part in the IRB Under 19 World Championship.

All those games were played on the blind-side flank, though, before he was asked to perform a more unfamiliar role this season by the England Under 20 coach.

"I'd only played half-a-game or so at seven before, but since Nigel Redman's put me there I've really enjoyed it," Cox added. "I thought six was my position before that, but now I might change my mind. I'm still learning, but it might suit my attributes and it's great experience to have under your belt."

Cox will be joined in the England starting XV for tonight's crunch match by his Sixways team-mate Graham Kitchener. Second row Kitchener will be making his first start for the Under 20s after making his debut as a replacement in the win over Scotland. Warriors centre Greg King may also be involved after being named among the replacements.

7:00am Friday 14th March 2008

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