The academy, now operating under the professional arm at the club, have added another elite academy player and awarded him a bursary for this season.

Sam Nixon, age 19 and a loose head prop, will get the opportunity to train on a more full time basis with the pro squad and we expect this will boost his development this season. This was made possible by contributions from the Front Row Union and members in the club.

The Junior Academy play as the Young Lions and will have the LV U18 Cup and other academy fixtures this season with their first match this Sunday the 18th against Harrow.

The Senior Academy plays as the Rampant Lions and already have some quality fixtures under their belt this season.

The annual pre-season games against Bedford Blues U19 Academy and Ealing Trailfinders were narrowly lost but their first main test came on the 6th September against the British Army preparing for the International Defence Force Rugby World Cup a few weeks later.

The performance against a very strong senior team was important and despite the loss the youngsters applied themselves well. By the time of this event the squad would have played fixtures against Brunel University 1st XV, Moseley U19 Academy, Oxford University Greyhounds and the Army U23s.

Looking at the future landscape of rugby here and how new directions would impact the academy, we are working with the SRU and RFU on plans to move the academy forward once again so to attract and develop talented players for the 1st XV and also Scotland in an academy model second to none. 

To invest in the future why not sponsor one of our Elite Academy Players. If you are able and willing to do so please contact Corné du Rand on the email academy@londonscottish.com