Focus on rugby at British boarding schools

After a quiet weekend in terms of international rugby, this week excitement is building again as we look forward to the next round of the men’s Six Nations Championship. Alumni of British boarding schools feature strongly in the home nations’ teams, so what better time to feature the sport?

Working from north to south, let’s start in Scotland. Looking the best it has in years, this team is awash with talent discovered and developed at some of our partner schools. For example, the Fagerson brothers, Matt and Zander, and teammate, Jamie Ritchie, all went to Strathallan School. Having centres of excellence in a number of sports, each led by expert coaches with national and international experience, the school works in partnership with the sport’s professional body, Scottish Rugby. Another school making regular contributions to its nation’s team is Merchiston Castle, a boys’ boarding school currently represented by Scott Steele.

For England, Oundle School has been prolific in its supply of rugby stars, with Tom Curry arguably its brightest currently. He is joined in the scrum by Jamie George, an alumnus of Haileybury, and Beno Obano, a product of Dulwich College, both of which schools offer expert coaching, excellent facilities and strong links to the English Rugby Football Union.

Justifiably famous for its provision across a range of sporting disciplines, Millfield in Somerset has produced many notable rugby players, though presently its alumni represent nations other than England: Huw Jones, who plays for Scotland and Rhys Ruddock for Ireland.

In Wales, Monmouth School has a strong rugby heritage, currently represented by Welsh player Hallam Amos and international referee Wayne Barnes. Meanwhile, the Welsh team’s iconic captain, Alun Wyn Jones, and George North both went to Llandovery College, which has close links to the regions and the national team management.

Whether you have a star of the future who may qualify for a rugby scholarship, which many of these schools offer, or a child who simply loves the game, please do contact us to find out which might suit them best.

Photo of Zander & Jamie at school by kind permission of Strathallan