A GROUP of rugby players are continuing their school’s fine tradition for rugby after a season representing club and country.
Three former students and a current sixth former at Barnard Castle School have all worn the England shirt this year bringing to around 50 the number of pupils who have played international rugby over the years.
The Pepper brothers Max and Guy wore the red rose badge with pride playing for England Students and England A team respectively.
Scrumhalf Max took a year out to play in New Zealand and is now completing a degree at Durham University, while playing invitational rugby at sevens and 15s for clubs including Newcastle Falcons, as well as the England Students side and being on standby for the GB Sevens squad.
Guy completes this season in the back row at Falcons but has just signed for Bath to further his professional development and has played for England As.
Hooker Jacob Oliver left Barney last year to take up a professional contract with Falcons as well as playing for England U20s. A member of the U20s Six Nations squad, he is hoping to be selected for the this summer’s U20s World Cup team.
Sixth former Joe Davis has worn the No9 shirt for England U18s this year and has a secured a contract with Falcons as a scrumhalf next season.
The players are the latest in a long line of alumni who became successful rugby stars including the Underwood brothers, England wingers Rory and Tony, England and Wasps fly-half Rob Andrew, the Tait brothers, England and Leicester Tiger’s Mathew and Falcon’s Alex, Saints and Saracens’ Calum Clark, Falcons and Harlequins’ Rory Clegg, Saracens’ Ross Batty, and forward Alex Gray, who went on to play for Bath before switching to NFL in America and is now the TV Gladiator Apollo.
Barnard Castle School’s director of ruby Lee Dickson, himself an Old Barnardian, a multi-capped England scrumhalf and former Northampton Saints No9, said: “The boys are doing exceptionally well and are a real credit to the love of rugby we try to instil in our students.
“Considering we are a relatively small school with a limited pool of players, we continue to produce a number of talented players who go on to enjoy successful professional careers at club and international levels.”
He said many boys begin playing at Prep School where they learn to enjoy the game, which was pivotal to their development. As they move through the school they experience many losses making them resilient and driven to eventually succeed.
“The values and opportunities we offer extend from the pitch to the classroom which are vital in building their characters and are invaluable in all walks of life not just sport,” he said. “The success of the latest cohort is more impressive still as they were the COVID generation and missed out on many opportunities because of the lockdowns and are still catching up.”
Guy said: “The boys benefit from being part of a really competitive group at school who love rugby. Barney provided me with good friends and opportunities to play at the highest level. My career was also able to progress because of the great relationship the school has with Falcons, for which I am very grateful. I am now looking forward to the next challenge at Bath.”
Mr Dickson had high praise for all the players. He said: “Guy is arguably one of the best players I have seen. He is a thinker and a great student of the game, with the right mindset to succeed. He’s also strong academically and working hard on his degree. Barney brings that ability to have something outside of rugby which will stand players in good stead once their careers are complete.
“Max has overcome many setbacks and the resilience he has shown has been impressive. Talent only takes you so far and he has proved that hard work takes you to the next level.
“Jacob has transformed his game over the years. He has played a year young in the England U20s which is exciting and the way the game is going will suit his style of play as he is fast and furious.
“Joe has also seen a massive transformation of his game. He is a superb rugby player with an amazing kicking, passing and running game. He is leaps and bounds ahead of where I was at his age. He has also become a leader this year giving something back to younger players.”
