Currently studying a sports diploma at Truro College, young Cornishman Billy Keast is a 6 foot 17 stone prop who has recently returned from a tour to South Africa representing England Under 18s.

During the tour, he started at loose head in England’s 15-7 victory over France and then came on as a replacement in their 23-16 defeat to South Africa. He is also hoping to force his way into the England Under 20 squad for the World Cup in England next summer.

Billy is the son of former Redruth prop Richard Keast who himself represented England at Under 16 level, won 56 Cornwall caps and represented the Barbarians against Newport in 1991.

Pre-season Billy has been training with the Exeter Chiefs senior squad as a contracted player and will be coming on loan to Redruth for the forthcoming season. Redruth Head Coach Steve Larkins commented ‘He is an extremely hard working player who has developed significantly in the last two years and he has a very bright future in the professional game’.

His young career began at the age of nine when he joined Newquay Hornets RFC where he played from 2005-2014. His rugby exploits have already brought a place in the Exeter Chiefs Academy and an England Academy player contract.

Two modern day props he admires are Cian Healy and Carl Hayman and stated that ‘Rugby appeals to me mostly because you need a variety of skills to play the game and I enjoy the physicality as well as the professionalism and social aspects of the sport’.

His first game at senior level was when he represented Exeter Academy against Redruth at the beginning of last season at the age of 17. The Reds coaching team hope that he will soon be available to wear the red jersey in the 2015/16 league campaign.