HARTPURY COLLEGE

Captain Rhys Oakley

Coaches John Barnes (DoR), Mark Cornwell (head), Jon Goodridge (backs), Wayne Thompson (scrum)

The students enjoyed a magical season but looking ahead is top of the agenda for DoR Barnes. He’s been at Hartpury for six seasons, having played at Clifton, loughborough university and Italian club San Dona, and is the man waving the wand. In winning all 30 games – a challenging ‘survival’ test of fitness, form and concentration – Hartpury scored 211 tries, conceded only 74 and had a points ratio of 1,455 points to 532, Jacob Perry scoring 235. They dropped only two league points out of 150.

Barnes said: “It was an unbelievable season and a huge effort with everyone having a role to play. Jonas Mikalcius (36 tries) was only in his second season on the wing after switching from flanker.

“Jake Polledri, a highly destructive ball-carrier, had a second outstanding season and added 16 tries to his performances. Centre luke Eves (20 tries) controlled the attack superbly and brought younger players on around him, while Mike Wilcox showed why he was rated as the best No 15 in the league.” If the surnames of Eves and Polledri seem familiar, they are the sons of legendary Bristol forwards Derek and Peter.

Barnes added: “We know how tough the Championship will be. The physicality is a huge step up and we will be a target for a lot of teams, but that’s nothing new to us. We will remain part-time with three morning sessions each week. Our aim is to produce talented players for the game in England and we will nurture the ambition of students to play Championship rugby.”