U16s turn out for professional rugby clubs as season draws to a close

By Josh Bartholomew, Online Editor

Six Hampton U16 rugby players – David Ellis, Jack Slaney, Matt Le Moign, Rupert Reddish, Lucas Mangham and Joe Sykes – were part of London Irish Academy’s squad to play in the Birmingham Festival last Sunday.

Ellis, Slaney and Le Moign, along with fellow Hamptonian Tim Lamming, played against Harlequins two weeks ago as the team competed for places in the squad for the prestigious Wellington Festival later this month.

U16 scrum-half Luke Greenall, who played for the 1st XV last season, was selected for London Irish’s U17 team for their 26-24 victory over Wasps last weekend. He would likely have been joined by Jesper Hartikainen, who was also a member of the 1st XV last campaign and started for Irish’s U18s, had an ankle injury not brought his season to a premature end.

Meanwhile, U16 and 1st XV fly-half Jamie Benson played for Harlequins at the Silhillians Festival as his team warm up for the Wellington Festival.