England rugby star Jonny May visits Warwick School ahead of big Twickenham ...

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by Laura Norman

Pupils at a Warwickshire school enjoyed a rugby masterclass as one of England’s international stars dropped in for a visit.

Winger Jonny May was at Warwick School to offer advice to their young players ahead of their NatWest Schools Cup Final appearance at Twickenham on Saturday.

Both the U15 and U18 teams have reached their respective cup finals of the prestigious schools competition and will run out on the home of rugby’s hallowed turf on Saturday.

As a previous Schools Cup competitor for Hartpury College, Jonny said he knew how the boys were feeling.

He said: “In 2008 we lost in the quarter-final and it still hurts now. It’s a special tournament and everyone wants to do well.”

With his England career on the ascendancy after the recent Six Nations, the youngsters were keen to hear any advice he had to offer.

He said the boys could expect to feel nervous ahead of the weekend’s games, adding: “All your family and friends are watching so you can be nervous, but the fact you are nervous shows you care.”

Fielding questions from nearly 1,000 pupils at the school assembly at the start of his visit, the 23-year-old Gloucester player admitted to a few nerves of his own.

A training session with younger U11 pupils followed and the England player liked what he saw: “I’m impressed with the system that is in place at Warwick in terms of developing players – they are obviously doing something right.”

Henry Stride. aged 18, is one player with high expectations after suffering disappointment at the semi-final stage last year.

He said: “We have a strong group of boys and have worked really hard.

“Coach has prepared us well so I think we have a good chance.”

Director of rugby Mark Nasey said: “It was great to have a visit from an England International who can share his experiences of playing at Twickenham with the squads, ahead of our big day on Saturday.”

The NatWest Schools Cup is the premier tournament in schools rugby with more than 1000 teams taking part each year.

Warwick’s U15 team will take on QEGS Wakefield at 12.30pm with the U18s facing current Champions Dulwich College at 3.40pm. Entry is free.

Article source: http://www.sport.co.uk/rugby/danny-care-targets-england-rugby-world-cup-triumph/4645873/

England rugby star Jonny May visits Warwick School ahead of big Twickenham ...