Richard Hale pupil picked for England U-16 rugby squad

RICHARD Hale student Seb Brownhill has been picked for an England U-16 development squad.

It is the first season that the England U-16s have come under the RFU’s Professional Rugby Department and 100 young players with potential and talent have been selected.

Twenty five have from each of the four divisions: North, Midlands, London South East and South West.

It has been a gruelling process.

The selection process began last May, with a close relationship between club academies, schools, counties and the national set-up creating greater continuity for players on the development pathway.

Following initial nomination by their academies, the final selection was made last month (December) after a number of festivals and clinics when players’ performance and progress was tracked.

Training and competition for the four squads will remain divisional until April, with National Academy Coaches working closely with the England U-16s and divisional management teams to ensure consistent coaching and key performance messages on topics such as nutrition and lifestyle.

The four squads will meet this weekend in their respective regions to prepare for the Divisional Festival at Broadstreet RFC (Jan 31- Feb 1).

Further development camps follow in March (8-9) before the Wellington Festival in April (12-19).

In previous years three England squads were selected following the Broadstreet Festival however this year all four divisions will compete at Wellington, playing two sides from Wales and France and one from Italy and Scotland.

A single England squad will be selected to face Italy U-17s on the final day of the festival (Saturday 19 April) and then to play Wales U-16s the following weekend (April 27).

Professional Player Development Manager John Fletcher said: “Selection needed to balance potential for the future with current talent. Assessment at this age group can be difficult and the key is to look at what these players could and will be, as much as where they are at this moment in time.”

“The number of young players coming through the age grade sides and into the senior England teams reflects the recent success of the player development pathway. We are now able to start this process earlier and more effectively by greater input and involvement in the U-16s squad.”!

He aded; “Giving players an opportunity, keeping as many in the programme as possible, gives them the chance to test themselves in tough fixtures and receive quality coaching. The priority is to create the right environment in which players can express themselves.”

Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/10395128/Rugby-League-World-Cup-2013-England-adopt-siege-mentality-after-humiliation-by-Italy.html

Richard Hale pupil picked for England U-16 rugby squad