Schools rugby union: Northampton School for Boys – the state school at the top of English rugby
NSB are also an official partner school with Northampton Saints.
This year, they provided the most players from any school to Saints’ under-18s.
Four players will also be offered first-team academy contracts this year.
“The boys have to manage their time really well,” says assistant first team coach Adam Baker.
“When we get into sixth form and into that first-team setting, we will try and put them through a programme that matches up with an academy programme, so if they go into that pathway, they are fully aware and prepped as to what that day-to-day life looks like.”
However, NSB aren’t the only state school making an impact.
They beat Campion School from Essex in the Continental Tyres School Cup semi-finals.
It was a compelling contest which went down to the wire, with two state schools playing high-octane rugby in front of a passionate crowd of over a thousand people.
The Rugby Football Union has a network of rugby managers to try to embed the game in state schools.
Twenty-two of the best state schools compete in the ACE (Academy, Colleges and Education) League. England internationals George Martin, Joe Heyes and Harry Randall all came through that route.
The programme is designed to support players who may not attend traditional rugby-playing schools, providing daily coaching, competitive fixtures, and opportunities to train alongside academy players.
Northampton Saints have two state school partnerships which play in the ACE League: Moulton College in Northampton and Sigma Sixth Colchester, located at Philip Morant School and College.
“Growing state school rugby is a one step at a time process,” said Beaumont.
“This is over 10 years of hard work. But it can be done.
“My advice to other schools is find a way to get more numbers in training, organise a game.
“Put a tournament on, you don’t need posts. Make it a habit. Get kids playing.
“Rugby needs every state school to push and develop rugby. This is the perfect time. State school rugby could be really special.”
One of NSB’s biggest stars is their 18-year-old captain Jack Lewis, who plays in the back row.
He has been at NSB for the past two years and in the Saints academy since he was 14.
This year he made his debut for Northampton Saints. Now he’s preparing to lead his school for the final time in a Twickenham final.
“NSB taught me how to act, it’s the closest thing to a professional environment,” he said.
“A lot of people work hard behind the scenes, they sacrifice their time. It’s given me so much as a player and a student.
“I’ve never played at Twickenham, it would be a great achievement if we could lift the cup there. We want to show what NSB stands for.”
