As the 25/26 rugby season approaches, pre-season has already begun for some our high performing students, who have been invited to train with Nottingham Rugby through their pre-season campaign. Nine students have been identified by Head of Rugby, David Ross, to gain the invitation to train at Champ Rugby level with the club and once again showcases the outstanding partnership between Nottingham Rugby and NTU on how our performance pathway works.

Ross referenced how this stage of pre-season is vital for player development and how it is a chance for the students to put themselves in line for possible contracts in the future. “Pre-season always presents an unique opportunity for our students to join Nottingham to push and test themselves in a Champ environment. Our players will learn and grow with the support of the coaches and staff but also from the experienced Champ players in the group. They will feel what it’s like at this level, the learning, preparation and recovery that is required and already the lads have been impressing both in the gym and on the field. Credit to our S/C coach Jacob Wright who has programmed the boys brilliantly over the off-season to come back in such good shape. We hope that the next wave of Nottingham Rugby player will come from this group and the boys have a great chance to put their best foot forward and show us what they have got.”

NTU scholar, Matthew Durbridge, quoted “being invited to join Nottingham Rugby for pre-season is incredibly valuable to both myself and NTU, as it represents a chance to train in a high-performance environment while continuing to represent the university at an elite level.”
“After two shoulder surgeries, I’m especially grateful to Nottingham for believing in my potential and giving me the opportunity to come back stronger — it’s a vital step in my development both as an athlete and as a student of the game.”

The students selected are:

Ben Beere (1st year, Prop)
Henry Nanka Bruce (2nd year, Backrow)
Hobie Riches (Masters, Backrow)
Matthew Durbridge (Masters, Scrumhalf)
Charlie West (2nd year, Flyhalf)
Max Lindsay (2nd year, Centre)
Sam Jacques (Masters, Centre)
Matthew Gould (Masters, Wing)
Cieran Barry (3rd year, Fullback/Wing)