Myerscough rugby students hook England call-ups

Roma Zheng and Alex Minozzi are both in a 23-person group ahead of a two-match series against Ireland Clubs & Schools next month. Both 18-years-old, Roma and Alex are currently undertaking a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Rugby Studies with Myerscough College. Roma also plays club rugby for Warrington, and Alex for Preston Grasshoppers. They become the latest Myerscough students to earn international sporting call-ups.

They were selected after impressing following two divisional development weekends last month. Alex and Roma will now meet up with the rest of the squad next weekend (7-8 March) at the home of Worcester Warriors for team building exercises, field sessions and to develop playing strategies. They will also play against Worcester Warriors Academy for game practice, before final preparations ahead of their first game on Tuesday, 14^th April.

England Counties U18 team manager David Penberthy, said: “We know the way the Irish play and are looking forward challenging them around key areas like the breakdown and set piece.

"They play a very abrasive game and we will be looking to prepare ourselves to match them in all departments. We have selected around that criteria.

 “We are hoping for a big crowd at both games as they are being played through the Easter holidays.” 

The Myerscough Rugby Academy continues to produce outstanding players and achieve excellence both on and off the field. The section fields competitive representative sides, with the 1^st XV playing as part of the ‘AASE’ (the RFU’s ‘Achieving Academic and Sporting Excellence’) scheme.

The Academy is also current defending champion of prestigious European tournament, the Portugal Youth Rugby Festival.

For details of the range of study programmes in rugby available at Myerscough College, CLICK HERE