Worcester Warriors have confirmed their Senior Academy squad for the 2017/18 season.
Six players are promoted from the Junior Academy, having starred on the school scene last year.
Bromsgrove captain Beck Cutting, an all action hooker who has played for England U16 and U18 and won two NatWest School Cups, joins the senior set up, where he will link up with former Bromsgrove teammate, Justin Clegg, who has played for England U20 this year.
Warwick, the winners of this year’s U18 NatWest Cup, have two players promoted to the Worcester Senior Academy, Nick David, full back, and captain Nick Rigby, prop. Both won NatWest Cup titles at U15 and U18 level and have won England caps at U16, 17, 18, and 19 levels.
Shrewsbury 6th form College wing Alex Hearle is also promoted, and has represented the Warriors’ 1st XV in the Anglo-Welsh Cup, while Malvern College lock James Scott is also promoted, and like Cutting, Rigby, and David has represented England age-group sides, U16 and U18 in Scott’s case.
Perhaps the most highly touted of all the promotions to the senior academy is Worcester 6th form College’s number 8, Ted Hill. Hill starred for his school and the Worcester U18 side, but his biggest achievement this year was representing England U20 in their U20 6 Nations Grand Slam at just 17 years of age, while over the same period also playing for England U18.
And with another exciting crop of talent coming through, Warriors Director of Rugby Gary Gold believes the Academy will continue to go from strength to strength.
Worcester Warriors’ Director of Rugby, Gary Gold, said of the Academy announcement to the Worcester Warriors website:
“We have been delighted to see a whole host of young players receiving first-team and international recognition this season and that is testament to the strength of our Academy system. “
“The new group of players coming in have been tremendous for the Under 18s and now they have a fantastic opportunity to develop their game and reach a level where they can play first-team rugby in years to come.”
Warriors Academy Manager Chim Gale meanwhile said:
“I am delighted for these young players, who will get the opportunity to train in a full-time environment as they take their first steps into professional rugby. All the players are from within the Academy catchment area which is testament to the excellent relationships within the Constituent Bodies.”
Worcester Warriors Senior Academy 2017/18
Will Butler (Centre, 19)
Justin Clegg (Lock, 20)
Beck Cutting (Hooker, 18)
Nick David (Full-Back, 18)
Tom Dodd (Back Row, 19)
Afeafe Haisila Lokotui (Utility Back, 19)
Alex Hearle (Winger, 18)
Ted Hill (Back Row, 17)
Andrew Kitchener (Lock, 20)
Joe Morris (Prop, 19)
Nick Rigby (Prop, 18)
James Scott (Lock, 17)
Zac Xiourouppa (Back Row, 19)
