The ISRFC Lambs’ season is underway, with the regional trials having taken place last weekend and the U16 nominations process now open.
The U18 selection process continues this weekend, with the Midlands playing a probables v possibles game at The Perse (2pm kick off), and the North squad heading to Woodhouse Grove to take on the school 1st XV in an 11am kick off. The South East region meanwhile takes on London Scottish at the Richmond Athletic Ground, kicking off at 12.30pm.
The South West region rest up over the weekend but are in action against Hampshire U17s on the 17th December ahead of the U18 regional Festival in the New Year.
Commenting on the start of the U18 selection process, Lambs National Director Alex Laybourne said:
“It is a very exciting time of year for the Lambs, we saw a high quality on show at the first round of U18s regional trials and this weeks fixtures will show us a little bit more ahead of final regional selections for the Festival on 7th January. The U16s nominations have now opened and their season looks even more exciting than last. It will be a fantastic year again.”
The regional Festival on the 7th January will see the players from all four regions head to Wisbech Grammar School for a round robin set of fixtures, following which the Lambs selectors will name the 2018 ISRFC Lambs U18 National Squad.
Alongside the excitement of the new season, there is also huge news off the field from the Lambs, who have started a new partnership with FirstPoint USA.
FirstPoint USA are a NCAA-certified sports scholarship agency that assists talented sportsmen & women with their placement on sports scholarship to American colleges and universities.
Since 2001, they have secured scholarships for 8,000+ student-athletes; brokering over $250 million in scholarship awards on their behalf in the process. Their former student-athletes include the likes of Danny Willett (2016 Master’s Champion), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City & England International) and Russell Knox (2016 WGC HSBC Shanghai Masters Champion).
Now, more than ever, is a fantastic time to be pursuing a rugby scholarship in the United States. Beginning in 2018, the new professional rugby league – Major League Rugby (MLR) – will become the platform for professional rugby in the United States; utilising the college game as the primary pipeline of talent. With a 350% increase in participation in the last year alone, rugby is the fastest growing sport in the USA, and securing a rugby scholarship could provide players with the springboard into a professional career – both on and off the field.
On the forming of the new relationship LAMBS Rugby Chairman Chris Terry said:
“We are delighted to announce the start of a relationship with FirstPoint USA. It is potentially a very exciting opportunity for any of our players who wish to look at studying in the USA.”
Claire Betts, Head of Partnerships and Scouting for FirstPoint USA added:
“FirstPoint USA is thrilled to announce its official partnership with The Lambs, creating more opportunities in Rugby for talented students. Together,we will help players take the next step into collegiate rugby and studying in the USA.”
It could prove to be an exciting partnership for Lambs players looking to travel to the USA to study and keep their rugby up, further cementing the Lambs growing reputation as a shop window for some truly outstanding schools rugby talent.
To find out more about FirstPoint USA, you can visit them on Facebook, FirstpointUSA, Twitter, and Instagram, both firstpointusa.
Those coaches wishing to nominate players for the U16 Lambs trials should email Alex Laybourne at alex.laybourne@lambsrugby.org
