England rugby hero Jamie George never sat A-levels but still got two As after mum found loophole
JAMIE GEORGE grappled with a giant sumo wrestler on his first trip to Japan a decade ago.
But coming here for the 2009 Junior Rugby World Cup meant he NEVER tackled his A-Levels, thanks to a secret loophole dating back to World War Two.
The Saracens star revealed how his teacher mum, Jane, discovered the hidden get-out that meant he could pass his final year of school and still join Ben Youngs, Courtney Lawes and Joe Marler in Japan.
George said: "I was in Japan during the time of my A-Levels.
"I got given my coursework grades as there was a loophole in the system that dated back to the war.
"So during the time of exams, you were given your coursework grades if you were on international duty. I got two As and a C.
"But the issue was that only two of my subjects had coursework and the other one, Philosophy, you sat an extra paper.
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"The school were really good and said they would take on a coursework paper for me.
"I had two days to do it and I got a C, so I'll take that. My mates were fuming! Japan has happy memories."
TEN YEARS LATER
George was just 18 when he touched down on these islands for the first time.
Despite being a wide-eyed teenager thrust into a unique country and culture, he admitted he did not make the most of what was on offer.
Now 29, he recalled: "It was amazing. Obviously, it will be totally different this time round from a junior competition.
"I had only just left school. I don't think I fully embraced Japan at the time. I was a bit sceptical of doing something wrong.
"I wanted to go for sushi in the capital of sushi but I went to Starbucks or TGI Friday's and did it very, very badly!
"Some guys got stuck in but because I was the youngest in the team, I was being a bit of a goody two-shoes."
Lions hooker George is now an established member of the full England side having played a world-record 19 Tests as a sub before he finally made his full debut two years ago.
And part of his role in Japan is to keep his teammates entertained as chief social secretary.
George used to be in a dynamic comedy double-act with scrum-half Danny Care they even called themselves England rugby's very own Ant and Dec.
We went through a theme of doing game shows like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? We also did Bullseye with a massive inflatable dartboard you kicked footballs at.
George on entertaining the squad
However, with Care not selected, anchorman George auditioned for a sidekick and Elliot Daly got the gig.
The 40-cap forward added: "It's a huge honour but also a big challenge as we are together for a long time.
"Elliot has tried to fill the void left by Danny but he's not quite as entertaining, so I really have to take a front role there.
"We went through a theme of doing game shows like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? We got the guy in from The Chase, the Beast. That was really cool.
"We also did Bullseye with a massive inflatable dartboard you kicked footballs at."
George will have his proud parents following him around Japan for Asia's first World Cup.
His dad, Ian, was an uncapped England scrumhalf who sat on the bench nine times without getting on but did skipper the Barbarians.
George said: "They travel the world, are semi-retired and work to fund all of their trips.
"My old man has been a good sounding board for me when I've been going through some tough times.
"Both my parents have been amazing."
Now George has the chance to make history in front of his family and inflict payback for that Junior World Cup final defeat to the All Blacks.
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He added: "I remember sitting in the meeting in January 2016 and Eddie Jones talked about where we were, being eighth in the world, bombing out of our home World Cup and that it wasn't good enough.
"But he said in four years' time we would be where we want to be, striving to win a World Cup and we would be World Cup winners.
"He said it and, potentially, we didn't believe it at the time but he got us all onboard and we have a really good opportunity to do something special."