Churcher’s College student selected for England Counties U18 rugby squad for Ireland

• Tom Bloomer named by England Counties U18 team manager in 23-man squad
• They will play Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools 

England Counties U18 team manager Dave Penberthy has named the squad to face Ireland in a two match tour in April, it will include Churcher’s College student Tom Bloomer.

Putting on the England shirt is a great honour and I am so proud to have been selected,” explains Tom.  “It was tough competition at the national development weekend and I’m going to give it everything in the matches, this is undoubtedly the highlight of my career so far.

“Tom is captain of our first XV having represented Churcher’s throughout his time at school as well as playing for club and county and receiving recognition from the RFU,” adds Louisa Taylor, Churcher’s College Director of Sport.  “We are thrilled that he has now been selected to take his rugby game to the next level as he is a talented and passionate player and will certainly be an asset on the pitch for England.   The Churcher’s community will certainly be cheering him on in April and will avidly follow the exciting playing career he has ahead of him - Best of luck Tom!”

The 23 player squad was selected following a national development weekend at Stourbridge RFC which saw players gather for several days of coaching and selection.

The squad will gather on 18th April at HMS Temeraire in Portsmouth to prepare for two fixtures in Dublin against Ireland U18 Clubs and Schools. 

The first match will take place on Wednesday, 24 April followed by the second game on Saturday, 27 April. 

"Every year I’m incredibly impressed by the skill level on show at our national development weekend and this year was no different," said Penberthy. 

"The selected players have done exceptionally well and they should all be incredibly proud of reaching this stage."

Pulling on the white shirt at any level is a great honour and I’m sure the players are aware of that.

England Counties U18 - 2019 squad 

BAILEY Jacob - Stoke-On-Trent RFC - Denstone College - Staffordshire
BEER Louis - Kettering RFC - Moulton College - East Mids
BLOOMER Thomas - Winchester RFC - Churcher's College - Hampshire
BROWN Josh Syston - RFC Brooksby - Melton College - Leicestershire
BROWN Max - Watford Grammar School for Boys - Hertfordshire
BULLOCK Maxwell - Medway RFC - Sir Joseph Williamson Mathematical School - Kent
BURNS Mathew - Ivybridge RFC Ivybridge Community College - Devon
CHANCE Joel - Bromley RFC - Hayes School - Kent
CHAPMAN Ben - Crowborough RFC - The Skinners' School - Sussex
CHESSUM Oliver - Kesteven RFC 0 Carres Grammar School - NLD
FARRANCE Beau - Old Elthamians RFC - Hayes School - Kent
GOODWIN Jack - Hereford RFC - Hartpury College - North Mids
HARDING-TERRY William - Worksop College - NLD
HEANEY Alessandro - London Irish RFC - Wellington College - Berkshire
KENDRICK Louis - Hertford RFC - Richard Hale School - Hertfordshire
MCPHUN Elliot - Saracens Amateur RFC - Oaklands College - Middlesex
NORWOOD Tyler - KCS Old Boys RFC - Caterham School - Surrey
OLIVER Harry - Macclesfield RFC - Wilmslow High School - Cheshire
PEARCE-COWLEY - Ethan St Austell RFC - Truro College - Cornwall
SCOTT Charles - Maidenhead RFC - The Henley College - Berkshire
SMITH William - Ripon RFC - Queen Elizabeth's Sixth Form - Yorkshire
TOOKE Sebastian - Kingsbridge RFC - Plymouth College - Devon
WALKER Fergus - Newbury RFC - Millfield School - Berkshire