The final three schools taking part in this year’s Powder Byrne Schools Six Nations tournament can now be revealed.
Completing this year's lineup are Sherborne School from Dorset, Downside School from Bath and London Scottish's very own Young Lions select side.
Sherborne School
New Head of Rugby David Muckalt is looking forward to bringing Sherborne School to their second Powder Byrne School 6 Nations competition. The 1st XV have had a very mixed season which ended with a narrow ¼ Final defeat to Daily Mail Cup finalists Dulwich College. The performance of the season was undoubtably the last 16 victory over Marlborough College 19-5.
The Senior Squad contains 8 Internationals in David Buck (England U18’s and Bath Academy), Will Homer (England U17’s and Bath Academy), Edward Coulson (England U16’s and Bath Academy), Richard Galloway (England U16 and Bath Academy), George Buckney (England U16’s and Bath Academy), Jake Guildford (England U16’s and Bath Academy), Nick Harris (England U16’s and bath Academy) and Henry Crane (England U16’s and Bath Academy).
Tom Edwards, a powerful back-row forward, has played for Exeter Chiefs Academy throughout the recent Academy league programme and the side has been captained this year by the Independent Lambs U18 number 8 Will Martin.
Downside School
Downside School has a long rugby history behind it and for most of this time it has had considerable success. Over the last ten seasons we have produced several schools internationals for England and Wales at under 16 and under 18 age groups. Several of our U18’s have also represented Welsh, Scottish and Irish Exiles XVs and we provide a number of players each season to Somerset Schools XV.
Former 1st XV players have gone on to have successful careers at London Irish, London Welsh, Wasps, Harlequins, Saracens and Munster squads. Downside is a school that very much “punches above its weight” as we have a relatively small pool of players to select for a 1st Xv and we continue being successful against larger schools.
Young Lions
London Scottish FC is nearing its 135 year anniversary. Rich in rugby history, proud of its achievements, with a strong rugby community in Richmond and rugby links across the globe, London Scottish a welcoming club for all players and members. You don’t have to be Scottish to be part of the clan!
The club, as hosts, are proud to have our first Young Lions Select team participating in the Powder Byrne Schools Six Nations. The Young Lions Select team is the first layer of our new academy plans. Age group achievers and players with higher potential within our current U16 to U18 age groups have been put forward for the Young Lions Select by their coaches. This group train together once a week in an environment where they demand higher standards from each other, while developing leadership, better game awareness and rugby skills.
Playing in the Powder Byrne Schools Six Nations gives the players an opportunity to represent London Scottish against some of the best rugby schools every year! Valuable experience that will form an important part of their rugby development.
All nine teams taking part in this year's competition have now been announced. The full line-up is:
Lycee de Borda Dax
Fettes College
Royal Grammar School Guildford
St Paul's
Lycée Comte de Foix Andorra
Rhydal Penrhos
Sherborne School
Downside School
Young Lions
The teams will convene at the Richmond Athletic Ground, the home of London Scottish, on Friday 15th March where they will be drawn into their pool groups by legendary former France and London Wasps flanker Serge Betsen, before they begin the two day tournament.
For further information and to keep up with the tournament's progress, please visit www.schools6nations.co.uk.
