North of England call up for King’s duo
RUGBY UNION SIMON CARTER
THE King’s School’s has produced two more top rugby forward talents with Tim Phillips and Simon Ridgway both earning their North of England jerseys.
Second row Tim and hooker Simon, both aged 17 and from Macclesfield, have played rugby together throughout their school careers and believe that vital connection has helped them progress through the county ranks to the North of England squad.
Tim said: “We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and I know I can rely on Simon as my inside man and vice versa.” Simon added: “Tim has always been the main jumper in our line out and I know how and when to throw to him; we know each other’s signals inside out and that must have been an advantage in the trial.”
The boys, who are both six foot two inches and weigh both around the 90kg mark, dedicate much of their time outside their A Level studies to training and playing.
Tim said: “We train four times a week with King’ first team squad, we are both in the weights room three or four times a week and then we play on Saturdays.”
Like their King’s predecessor Tommy Taylor, who got a full England cap in the summer, both the young men have appeared occasionally for Macclesfield RUFC’s youth sides but have concentrated on schools’ rugby for King’s and are now both hoping to impress the national assessors when they play their trial match against the Midlands on February 23.
Defensive linch pin Tim, who wants to read Chemistry at Liverpool, said: “The professional game is highly competitive, but I would love to get a few England Schools’ caps and see where that might take me.”
Tough scrummager, Simon who wants to study Sports Science at Loughborough, added: “I don’t know if the professional game will be for me, but it would be an incredible honour to earn an England cap.”
Head of King’s Rugby Giles Hetherington said “Tim and Simon are at the heart of the King’s first XV and have been talented and dedicated performers throughout their school careers. The Northern school’s circuit is a very high standard and a great place to learn your rugby.”