Wasps have today announced that 8 schoolboys will join their Senior Academy ranks ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Joining the club full time in July, all eight of the players have been involved with England U18 at various points this this. England U18 have held a number of camps throughout the season, however details of many of these have failed to be released by the governing body.

The eight players joining Wasps’ Senior Academy include four back row, Greg Fisilau from Wasps’ ACE College, City of Oxford College, Merchant Taylors’ Aaron Florestien, Shiplake College’s Fyn Brown, and Rugby School’s Kofi Cripps, who was part of a Rugby School back row last year that included Leicester Tigers’ Emeka Ilione and Edinburgh’s Ben Muncaster.

Alongside those four in the forward intake are King Henry VIII Coventry lock Alfie Bell, and City of Oxford College looshead Archie McArthur.

Joining in the back division are two hugely exciting talent’s, Harrow School’s Rekeiti Ma’asi-White in the centres, and RGS High Wycombe full back Ollie Dawkins, who can also play on the wing and at centre.

They join the club at a time where youth is being given a real chance, Jacob Umaga and Charlie Atkinson are vying for the 10 shirt and were a part of the England Shadow Squad, Alfie Barbeary is surely on the cusp of an England call, and Zac Nearchou is impressing, among many other youngsters.

In a club statement, Head of Academy and Recruitment Kevin Harman said:

“We are delighted to welcome a record number of players from our Under 18s side up to the Senior Academy.  We are thrilled to see so many progress through from the Developing Player Programme (DPP).”

“It shows the value in investment made at the start of the player pathway. I would like to say a massive thank you to all the coaches, practitioners, teachers, and families that have played their part in the players’ journeys to this point. We’re looking forward to continuing our work with them and we feel they can really push on and have the potential to become Premiership Rugby players with us.”

“Credit must also go to all the Academy staff who have been involved with this group of players over the years, as this has definitely been a multi-disciplinary effort from the Rugby Coaches, Strength and Conditioners, Medics and Support Staff.”

“There is so much unseen work going on behind the scenes. It makes me feel very proud to be a part of the Academy. I am really looking forward to see how these players progress, knowing the hardest part is about to begin.”

It is a hugely exciting young group, seven of the eight were named in our Top 100 U18s in England to watch this year, and they equal the record number of U18s that Wasps have called into the Senior Academy, Alfie Barbeary’s 2019/20 group also had eight graduates.

Wasps U18s Promoted to Senior Academy:

Archie McArthur

Loosehead Pro
City of Oxford College

Alfie Bell

Lock
King Henry VIII, Coventry 

Fyn Brown

Back Row
Shiplake College 

Aaron Florestein

Back Row
Merchant Taylors’, Northwood 

Kofi Cripps

Back Row
Rugby School 

Greg Fisilau

Back Row
St Edward’s, Oxford, City of Oxford College 

Rekeiti Ma’asi-White

Centre 
Harrow 

Ollie Dawkins

Fullback

Sir William Borlase’s Grammar, RGS High Wycombe