Four U13s selected to join Northampton Saints EPDG

Tags

EPDG, Northampton Saints, RHS, RHS Rugby, rhs sport, royal hospital school

Congratulations to the following Year 8 boys who have been invited to join the Northampton Saints Elite Players Development Group for next season. All performed very well in a recent assessment and will begin training in September.

• Toyo Ogunlesi
• Cameron Jordan
• Elliot Chilvers
• Kuki Daunakamakama

Francois gives an outstanding performance for Saints

Tags

EPDG, Northampton Saints, RHS, RHS Rugby, rhs sport, royal hospital school, the royal hospital school

Francois Rossouw, Year 10 Collingwood and Saints Academy player, gave it his all at the U15s Midlands/North Academies Rugby Festival in a tough 12-aside, 5 game competition. Francois was complimented on his game after an outstanding performance for the winning Northampton Saints side.

U13 Sevens Rugby Squad meet Dylan Hartley at Franklin Gardens

Tags

7s, Dylan Hartley, Elite Insurance, Franklin Gardens, Northampton Saints, RHS Rugby, rhs sport, royal hospital school, rugby, Sevens, the royal hospital school

The Royal Hospital School U13s Sevens Rugby squad went to Franklin Gardens, home of Northampton Saints, on Thursday 24 April. This was as a result of their success in the Suffolk 7’s tournament taking them through to the Elite Insurance 7s regional finals.

The tournament consisted of the top two U13s teams from each of the five East of England counties. The RHS boys were placed in a tough group with much-fancied Northampton School for Boys first up in their group. After a promising start they went down in the end showing some signs of the form that saw them progress at Rosslyn Park. Further games against Linton School and Cherwell resulted in well fought victories. The final game saw a comfortable victory against Ousedale School 29-10.

This meant the team finished 2^nd and qualified for the knockout stages where they met The Royal Latin School. The boys played some wonderful rugby, showing real determination and desire in defence, but unfortunately they missed out on the final against Northampton School for Boys, who went onto win the tournament in the main stadium.

Mr Chadwick, U13s coach, said, “The squad should be congratulated on their efforts throughout the day and they have been complimented on their brand of rugby and team spirit throughout the 7’s season. After the hard work on field, the boys were delighted with the opportunity to meet current England hooker, Dylan Hartley”.

The Squad

• Chilvers
• Ponsonby
• Braybrooke
• Jordan
• Orr
• Wells
• Daunakamakama
• Ogunlesi
• Craft

 

Two England Caps for Ben Kelland

Tags

Ben Kelland, BMW Wellington International Festival, England Rugby, junior england rugby, Northampton Saints, RFU, RHS, RHS Rugby, rugby, the royal hospital school

Over the Easter break Ben Kelland, Year 11, played rugby for London and South East U16 division at the BMW Wellington International Festival. This event was an opportunity for the young players to take on their first challenges in international rugby following a selection process that started in March. 100 players from four divisional groups – Midlands, North, London and South East and South West – played in a series of development matches leading to the final selection of 23 players for the England U16 squad.

On the first day, Ben played the whole game in second row against Italy and scored in the second half, contributing to a 38-5 win. The second game was against Wales Celts, the strongest of the two Welsh divisions, but due to competition rules, Ben could not play in the first half. He did however play in the second, helping London to win 29-21.

As a result of Ben’s excellent performances, he was one of the squad of 23 selected to play for the England U16 against Scotland on the final day of the tournament at Wellington College. The England team started slow conceding 8 points and 12 penalties but they then went onto score 32 unchallenged points. Ben was replaced after 10 minutes of the second half but, due to injuries in the back row, he re-joined the game to play blind side flanker for 10 minutes and finished the last 15 minutes at number 8. England comfortably won the game 32-22. After the game, Ben was awarded his England Cap by Rob Andrew, RFU Director of Elite Rugby.

Having played so well, in what were in essence trail games, Ben was also selected to play for the England U16 side against Wales on Sunday 27 April at Neath RFC. Despite a close fought game that could have gone either way, the result was a victory for England U16 24–22. Unfortunately, Ben suffered a rib injury but played the majority of the game to gain his second Cap.

Director of Sport, Paul Hardman, said “This is a fantastic achievement for Ben who is also part of Northampton Saints Junior academy”.

U13s win a place in the final at Suffolk Schools 7s Rugby Tournament

Tags

Northampton Saints, RHS, RHS Rugby, rhs sport, rugby, suffolk schools rugby tournament, the royal hospital school

On Tuesday 18 March a squad of Year 8 rugby players travelled to Stowmarket Rugby Club to take part in the Suffolk Schools Sevens Rugby Tournament.

The boys played well winning all of their first round matches against Coplestone High School, St Felix School, St Josephs and Stowmarket. They also beat Colchester Royal Grammar School in the Semi-final 7-5 putting them through to the final against St Josephs College.

Unfortunately they could not hold on to their winning streak and lost 10-15. While this was a disappointing outcome, having beaten the team earlier in the day, the RHS team are still through to the regional finals that take place at Northampton Rugby Club. The final of this will be played on the Northampton Saints 1st XV pitch.

Ben and Alex selected for elite rugby training at Loughborough University

Tags

Northampton Saints, rhs sport, RHSRugby, rugby, sport, sport development, success, talanted, the royal hospital school

Many congratulations to St Vincent boys Ben Kelland and Alex Rayment who have been selected for the Midlands Regional Academy Mini-Camp on the 13th and 14th June 2013.

The two budding rugby stars of the future were key performers for Northampton Saints throughout the season and recently in an Academy U15 12-aside Festival. From this they have been selected to attend a Midlands Academies training camp at Loughborough University for two days in the middle of June.

Director of Sport, Paul Hardman, said “Both show real promise and potential and it is very pleasing to see that their talents have not only been identified but given the opportunity to train with other elite players”.

Ben and Alex are currently part of RHS 1st XV pre-season training squad for next season.

RHS boys play for Northampton Saints U15

Tags

Elite Players Development Group, EPDG, Franklin Gardens, Northampton Saints, RHS, royal hospital school, rugby, the royal hospital school

Two Year 10 boys, Ben Kelland and Alex Rayment, played at Franklin Gardens for Northampton Saints U15 against Gloucester to finish an outstanding undefeated season for the Elite Players Development Group.

Match Report by Saints

The Saints Under-15s celebrated an impressive achievement, winning all five of their games at a Northern Academies tournament to finish the season undefeated. In addition to the quintet of victories Newark RFC, only Worcester kept within a score of the youngsters in black, green and gold who started the day with a 20-5 beating of Newcastle Falcons. Having replicated that scoreline in their next 12-a-side clash – a crunch East Midlands derby with Leicester to boot – the Saints produced their biggest win of the day, a 25-10 defeat of Sale before Worcester proved the toughest challenge of the meet in a 15-10 win. With Leeds seen off 15-5 in the final game, it was a fitting end to a campaign that has also included wins over Saracens, Gloucester and London Irish leaving Elite Player Development Group manager Ross Stewart suitably pleased. “We’re delighted to have completed a perfect set of results,” he said of Monday’s effort. “The boys made the most of good conditions to play some outstanding rugby. “It was a great way to finish off a very good season at this age group. There has been a lot of hard work put in by players and coaches at both EPDGs, while we would also like to thank all parents and clubs involved for their commitment to the Saints. “We are now looking forward to building on this season over the summer.”

Continued Rugby Success for ex-RHS pupil

Tags

Moseley Rugby Club, Northampton Saints, rugby, sport, success, the royal hospital school

Former pupil, Anders Mogensen, has continuted to achieve great Rugby success since leaving RHS.

Anders is currently on loan at Moseley Rugby Club from Northampton Saints, where he was a Junior Saints Academy player. Anders introduced himself to Saints fans with an electrifying performance in the 2011 J.P. Morgan Sevens Series leg at Franklin’s Gardens.

The pacey winger had struggled with injuries last season, but the 22-year-old has settled in well this season at Moseley; displaying great performances, causing problems for his opposition.

Anders joined the Royal Hospital School from Zimbabwe in September 2006 and whilst a pupil at the School he said “Being a boarder at the Royal Hospital School enabled and supported me to pursue my great love – rugby. The rugby at RHS is of a very high level and I have enjoyed being part of the unbeaten1^st XV side. Sport is played at least three afternoons a week and there is the opportunity to do even more. The teachers were really supportive and I was been able to achieve so much, not least playing rugby at a national level”.

The Youtube clip below shows Anders in action; playing on the left wing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP1jp1OG1c8&feature=player_embedded

The Royal Hospital School is a co-educational boarding and day school for 11 to 18 years olds set in 200 acres of Suffolk countryside overlooking the River Stour. http://www.royalhospitalschool.org

Three RHS boys selected at Northampton Saints Talent ID Day

Tags

Eastern Counties, EPDG, Northampton Saints, royal hospital school, rugby, the royal hospital school

U13 rugby players, Zac Puckey, Harry Pugh and Kev Tavainavesi, have been selected by Northampton Saints EPDG for further assessment in the New Year as a result of their performance at the Talent ID Day on Saturday 24 November.

Simon Sinclair, Northampton Saints EPDG Co-ordinator for Eastern Counties, said, “we were very impressed with the standard; the effort put in by all the players was exceptional”.

Good luck to all three in the next stage!

Two RHS boys play for Saints U15

Tags

Northampton Saints, RHS, royal hospital school, rugby, Saints, the royal hospital school

RHS U15A rugby players, Alex Rayment and Ben Kelland played for the Northampton Saints EPDG U15 against Saracens on the Friday 2November at Franklin Gardens.

They played two matches resulting in a 5-5 draw in the first and a win for the Saints in the second 10-0 with the Saints winning overall.

Paul Hardman, Director of Sport, said, “Playing representative rugby at this level is excellent experience for the boys. It brings some maturity to their game and opens their eyes to the how the game can develop beyond the school playing fields. They are both fine prospects for the future.”

Alex Rayment and Ben Kelland play for Northampton Saints