Gloucestershire Echo

Hartpury supply 11 former students to the Six Nations squads

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HARTPURY’S reputation for producing rugby talent has been underlined again with 11 alumni named in internatio­nal squads for the men’s 2021 Guinness Six Nations Championsh­ip.

Harry Randall, who studied a Level 3 Extended Diploma Sport (Performanc­e and Excellence) in Rugby at Hartpury College, has a chance to become the latest alumni to make his Six Nations debut after being named in the senior England squad for the first time.

Randall’s call-up to the showpiece tournament further highlights the success of the rugby pathway at Hartpury – a RFU University Partner – that last year saw it ranked number one in the world at producing profession­al rugby players.

Randall joins Dan Robson, Jonny Hill, Jonny May and Ellis Genge in the defending champions’ star-studded line-up ahead of the first round of fixtures this weekend, while another former Hartpury College student, Alex Craig, wins his chance to impress in the Scotland squad.

The Wales squad includes Louis Rees-zammit, who was named the Rugby Players Associatio­n’s Young Player of the Year last season, while another former Hartpury College student, Billy Burns, has been selected to be part of the Ireland squad.

Hartpury University graduate Sebastian Negri features in the Italy squad alongside former Hartpury College students Callum Braley and Stephen Varney.

Tom Radcliffe, Director of Elite Sport at Hartpury, said: “Many congratula­tions to all 11 of our former students who have been selected for this year’s Six Nations Championsh­ips, in particular Harry Randall following his landmark selection to the England squad.

“It’s a fabulous honour for the players to be representi­ng their countries and we’re looking forward to following their progress closely during the tournament – we wish them all well.

“Their achievemen­ts highlights the continuing success of our rugby pathway, which provides a unique platform for college rugby, university rugby and Championsh­ip rugby all on one site.”

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