MAKO VUNIPOLA became the first person to come through the youth system at Thornbury rugby club and play in the Six Nations on Saturday.

The 22-year-old Saracens prop replaced Joe Marler for the final 22 minutes of England’s 38-18 win over Scotland at Twickenham in the opening round of the Six Nations.

Although former Thornbury youth player Rhys Oakley won two caps for Wales against Ireland and Scotland, they came in World Cup warm-up matches, and chairman Roy Black was delighted to see a bit more history made after Vunipola made his debut against Fiji in November.

He said: “We were very pleased to see him go on and very proud of him. We’re hoping his brother (Billy) is going to get there as well.”

Vunipola was also the first player to win a cap in the Six Nations to have come from The Castle School and his PE teacher Lloyd Spacey was there to watch it.

He said: “I loved it and I was over the moon for him.

“He played well when he came on and hopefully he’ll get a start next week.”

It was Vunipola’s fifth cap for England, all of which have come as a replacement.

Former Dursley youth player Ben Morgan made several barnstorming runs at No 8 before an ankle injury forced him off in the 46th minute.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster is expected to give an update on the injury later today.