Churcher’s College student selected for England Counties U18 rugby squad

England Counties U18 team manager Dave Penberthy has named the squad to face Ireland in a two-match tour in April – and it will include Churcher’s College student Tom Bloomer.

The 23-player squad was selected following a national development weekend at Stourbridge RFC which saw players gather for several days of coaching and selection.

‘Putting on the England shirt is a great honour and I am so proud to have been selected,’ explains Tom. ‘It was tough competition at the national development weekend and I’m going to give it everything in the matches. This is undoubtedly the highlight of my career so far.’

‘Tom is captain of our first XV having represented Churcher’s throughout his time at school as well as playing for club and county and receiving recognition from the RFU,’ adds Louisa Taylor, Churcher’s College Director of Sport. ‘We are thrilled that he has now been selected to take his rugby game to the next level as he is a talented and passionate player and will certainly be an asset on the pitch for England. The Churcher’s community will certainly be cheering him on in April and will avidly follow the exciting playing career he has ahead of him. Best of luck, Tom!’

The squad will gather on 18th April at HMS Temeraire in Portsmouth to prepare for two fixtures in Dublin against Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools.

The first match will take place on Wednesday, 24 April followed by the second game on Saturday, 27 April.

‘Every year I’m incredibly impressed by the skill level on show at our national development weekend and this year was no different,’ said Penberthy.

‘The selected players have done exceptionally well and they should all be incredibly proud of reaching this stage.

‘Pulling on the white shirt at any level is a great honour and I’m sure the players are aware of that.’