Campaign a Super one for TN team
NORTHUMBRIA University have scooped a series of awards following a stand-out year on the rugby union pitch.
Darren Fearn’s senior men’s team finished runners-up in the 2017/18 BUCS Super Rugby season and made the quarter-finals of the play-offs.
Four Northumbria players were named in the final England Students squad to face France in two internationals later this month.
The club also heads into the Sevens season confident of ending a breakout campaign in style.
Northumbria’s status as the most improved club in the country was recognised at the prestigious end-of-season Student Rugby Awards.
Skipper Oli Robinson clinched the coveted 2017/18 Player Of The Year award with votes cast by Super Rugby coaches and captains across the UK.
Northumbria won the RFU Student Club Of the Year award – recognising their impressive progress across the board.
Northumbria University’s Director of Sport Colin Stromsoy said: “There is no doubt rugby union has been one of the biggest success stories of the year.
“The progress Darren and his players have made has been nothing short of outstanding and the club fully deserves these plaudits.
“I don’t think anyone outside Northumbria expected such a successful season but a strong work ethic and determination to improve has paid huge dividends.
“Northumbria University has a strong heritage when it comes to student rugby union and we are here to stay.”
Robinson, Josh Bragman, Will Muir and George Wacokecoke all made the BUCS Super Rugby Team Of The Year.
In addition, team-mate James Christie was named on the bench.
Meanwhile, Robinson, Bragman, Wacokecoke and Jake Ellwood are training with England Students this week ahead of Tests against France on Sunday and next Friday.
All four look set to feature in both games before returning to Northumbria ahead of the 2018 BUCS Sevens Championships in Leeds.