TIM Grimsey described his latest move up the England rugby coaching ladder as “brilliant” as he helped guide the full England Counties side to an emphatic 37-3 win against Scotland.

Grimsey, who is from Great Bentley and works as a tutor at the Colchester Sixth Form College, admitted that it was a big step for him to be involved with a team that is effectively the England third team behind the senior side and England Saxons.

Players that he was coaching operate at National League level on a weekly basis and Grimsey said he had been impressed with the quality of those involved in the game against Scotland Clubs that was played in front of a crowd of more than 2,000 at Fylde.

Grimsey said: “It’s a big step up for me as I’m working with some real quality players.

“There are guys from clubs like Coventry, Blackheath, Richmond, Fylde, Darlington, Cinderford, Hull and Launceston – they’re National League One level and that’s such a high quality.

“It’s not under-20s level either, it is the full England set-up and I’m very excited to have got the opportunity.

“It will take my own coaching to another level as I’m working with boys who are playing to a high level week-in week-out.

“Hopefully there will be lots of opportunities further on, but it’s just nice to be involved at this level now.

“It’s certainly a good role to have on my CV.”

In fact the former Colchester Rugby Club head coach was involved in a bigger role at Fylde than the one he was anticipating as England head coach Steve Pope was unavailable and Grimsey was asked to step in as forward’s coach alongside Paul Arnold.

And it’s a coaching position he would love to repeat when England Counties head to France in two weeks.

Grimsey added: “It was brilliant against Scotland.

“It was the best experience I’ve had in rugby.

“I did all the work with the lads looking at Scotland’s line-outs and they won just two cleanly all game, which was amazing.

“I’m still buzzing from it.

“Hopefully I’ll get invited to France and I’m hoping that this can be something big for me.

“Now I’ve been involved I just want to keep being involved as this is something I’ve worked hard towards.”

Grimsey added his thanks to his employers at Colchester Sixth Form College for their backing and allowing him the time off to link up with the England team.