Trio off to World champs

GLOUCESTER Rugby trio Olly Adkins, Tom Seabrook and Aaron Hinkley have been named in the 28-man England Under-20s squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship in Argentina.

Flanker Hinkley, who played in last year’s tournament as England lost in the final to France, started his rugby journey at Ledbury Rugby Club at the age of six and joined the Gloucester Academy since he was 13, making his Premiership debut in November 2018.

He also captained St Peter’s School, Gloucester and helped Hartpury College triumph in the AASE final as well as having a spell with Cinderford.

Adkins was born in Gloucester and grew up in Cirencester - joining Cirencester RFC, as an 11-year-old - and was part of the most successful rugby team in Cirencester Kingshill School’s history.

He helped Kingshill become district champions for five seasons running and he was then at the forefront of Hartpury College’s domination of the AASE Championship going over for a hat-trick as they defeated Gosforth Academy 66-14 at Allianz Park in December 2017.

Winger Seabrook took up the game at Tetbury RFC, and attended Wycliffe College in Stonehouse and Dean Close School, joining the Gloucester Academy at 14.

Seabrook scored a try one minute into his professional debut against Saracens at Allianz Park in Gloucester’s 62-12 defeat in May 2018 and his score secured the bonus-point 27-23 win over Bath on April 13.

The squad also includes former Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath’s son Cameron, who played his formative rugby at Cheltenham Tigers and attended Cheltenham College.

Rosario and Santa Fe will play host to 30 matches played over five days across three venues.

The 12 competing nations have been drawn in three pools of four based on their 2018 rankings, and Pool B sees England face Ireland (4 June), Italy (8 June) and Australia (12 June). The knockout stages are on Monday, June 17 with finals day on Saturday, June 22.