DEVON under-20 coach Lewis Paterson admitted the quality of players who attended two open training sessions has made it ‘very tough’ to select a County Championship squad.

More than 50 players turned up at two open sessions this month on the RFU’s artificial floodlit pitch at Ivybridge.

Devon will now cut that back to a training squad of 32 players, with 22 needed for their opening Jason Leonard Under-20 County Championship match against Cornwall at St Austell on February 3.

“It is always difficult when you get a turnout like that,” said Paterson. “But it’s not just the number it’s the quality. It is very tough to narrow that down.”

He added: “It has been great to see the response to the open sessions and again full credit to the local clubs and their coaches for allowing the players the opportunity.”

Paterson said they were happy to give feedback to any players that have not been asked to join the County Championship squad and has also told them that the door is not closed this season.

Last year there were players that ended up featuring and helping Devon win promotion to the top tier of the County Championship that initially missed out.

“I have said to them that the door is never shut,” said Paterson. “As coaches we can make wrong decisions. We can think one player is what we wanted and miss out another player, but we can always make changes to the squad. That’s why it is important to have that depth.”

Players from 26 different clubs attended the opening training sessions.

“I think everyone has bought back into the county,” said Paterson. “We had so many different clubs there from the likes of Topsham and South Molton to the likes of Barnstaple and Exmouth.

“There were also Devon players come from other clubs outside the county.

“We have got an abundance of talent and it is really exciting.”

Ivybridge, Exmouth, Devonport Services, Teignmouth, Sidmouth, Plymstock Albion Oaks, Newton Abbot, Barnstaple, Honiton, Exeter College, Plymouth University, Marjon University, Crediton, Topsham, South Molton, Brixham, Tamar Saracens, Plymouth Argaum, Paignton, Withycombe, Exeter Athletic, Exeter University, Hartpury College, Old Pats, University of West England and Taunton all had players at the trials.