School boy rugby players attend first England training camp

Wearing England colours, Barnard Castle School students Josh Dickson and Sonny Hopper

TWO talented school rugby players are celebrating their first official England camp, the latest generation of pupils to sport the iconic red rose. Barnard Castle School Year 12 students Josh Dickson and Sonny Hopper were invited to Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, a regular hub for England Rugby’s men’s development pathways.

The high-level, four-day development session was for the elite 41-player England U17 Men’s squad. Being invited places the boys on a pathway to possible future success in the professional game at club and international levels.

Both students play for the school’s first XV, have been through the RFU’s development player programme and are part of the Newcastle Red Bulls Foundation. They hope one day to play for a Premiership Club, England and the British Lions.

Josh, of Barnard Castle, who plays scrum half, said: “It was an incredible experience, really tough, but I came away feeling I had learned such a lot. It has helped my game development and helped me see what training at this level is about. It was fun.”

Sonny, of Sunderland, a front row forward, added: “I have played for Sunderland since I was five, then Durham City and have always been a forward because of my build. We had a great time at Hartpury with players who I am sure we will meet again as our careers progress.

“We completed a lot of training then played a game which tested our skills both physically and mentally.”

Outgoing rugby master Lee Dickson, who is Josh’s father and former No9 for Northampton Saints and England, said: “I’m sure they will always remember their first camp and go on to play with the people they’ve just met.

“Both boys were buzzing when they got back after been given an insight into the standards of rugby expected at this level. This is massively prestigious for Barnard Castle School and continues a line of succession of top flight players that dates back decades.”

Barnard Castle School has a long and proud rugby tradition, producing players who have gone on to compete at the highest levels of the sport.

The school has produced a line of alumni who became successful rugby stars including brothers Guy and Max Pepper. Guy, who plays for Bath, featured in every match of this year’s Six Nations, while his brother plays scrum half for Bristol Bears.

Former students Freddie Lockwood, Joe Davis and Oscar Usher are current Newcastle Red Bull players.

Other notables include the Underwood brothers, England wingers Rory and Tony, England and Wasps fly-half Rob Andrew, the Tait brothers, England and Leicester Tiger’s Mathew and Newcastle Falcons’ Alex, Saints and Saracens’ Calum Clark, Falcons and Harlequins’ Rory Clegg, Saracens’ Ross Batty and forward Alex Gray, who went on to play for Bath before switching to NFL in America and is now on TV as BBC Gladiator Apollo.