Two young Biggleswade Rugby Club players are honing their skills with some top coaches after being selected for the Northampton Saints Academy programme.
Ben Yates, aged 15, and Regan Marshall, aged 16, have been on the premiership club’s radar for some time after taking part in Developing Player Programme (DPP) events. With strong recent performances for both Biggleswade RUFC and their Samuel Whitbread school side, they’ve now been called up to the next level - the Saints Academy.
The Academy aims to produce home-grown players capable of progressing and potentially making the grade in professional rugby at domestic and even international level. It has helped mould stars including World Cup winners Steve Thompson and Ben Cohen, former England Captain Dylan Hartley, British & Irish Lion Courtney Lawes, and Saints first team players Harry Mallinder, Lewis Ludlam and James Grayson.
Ben and Regan will now train with the Saints every week in addition to playing for their club and school sides.
Jimmy Hart, one of Biggleswade RUFC's coaches and Head of PE & Sport at Samuel Whitbread, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to be coached by some of the best coaches in the country and challenge themselves at the highest level.”
He added: “Ben as been called into the U16 Academy as a front row forward, where his destructive carries and work ethic makes him stand out. Regan recently converted from football and has entered the U18 Academy as an creative and intelligent scrum half. His creativity and flair on the pitch is exciting lots of people who’ve seen him play.”
PIC: (Left to right) Ben Yates and Regan Marshall
