Anyone for rugby at British boarding schools?

While women’s rugby took centre stage this summer with England hosting the very successful World Cup, the focus is now back on the men’s game with the return of the Autumn Nations Series. All three home nations are involved, facing teams like Australia, USA and Argentina, and all three feature men who benefitted from rugby at British boarding schools.

Flanker Guy Pepper is a relative newcomer to the England squad, now representing not only his country but also Barnard Castle School, where he used to play with his brother and was coached by the senior deputy head, who also happens to be their dad! Guy’s emergence onto the international stage this year builds on this school’s proud rugby heritage.

At the other end of the scale, Scotland’s Zander Fagerson and Jamie Ritchie are extending their long rugby careers, which started at Strathallan School, as featured in an earlier blog about rugby at British boarding schools.

Meanwhile, rising Welsh star Freddie Thomas began his rugby journey at Dean Close School, where pupils benefit from a strong relationship with Gloucester Rugby, whose coaches come in regularly to coach on an individual and group basis. Freddie’s pathway into professional sport took him from school into Gloucester’s Premiership team, where he caught the eye of Wales Rugby Union’s coaches.

Just a handful of players, representing a few options for rugby at British boarding schools. Please contact us to find out more.

Photos by kind permission of Barnard Castle School, Strathallan School and Dean Close School.