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.”
For example, in London, children aged between two and 15 that are dressed as a book character get a free 30-minute ride on the London Eye, from March 7 to 10.
And over at Battersea Power Station, there is A Station of Stories festival, which will be a year-long celebration.
As part of the event, this World Book Day weekend there will be a number of events.
Visitors can step into the world of Mr Men Little Miss through interactive activities including a treasure hunt, for example.
There will also be other free creative workshops across the weekend and the chance for kids to meet their favourite book characters.
If you are based in or near Manchester, then you can head off on the Manchester Literature Trail which explores multiple venues across the city and informs participants of Manchester’s literary history.
A map for the trail can be downloaded online.
St. Patrick’s Day, various
St Patrick’s Day falls on March 17 this year and across the week there will be events all over the country.
For example, you could head to the parade in Digbeth, where there will be floats, marching bands and of course, a lot of green.
The parade is taking place on March 15 on Digbeth High Street.
St Patrick’s Day parades will be happening up and down the country around the middle of the monthCredit: Alamy
One of the world’s largest celebrations outside of Ireland will take place in London with a parade starting from Hyde Park Corner at 12pm on March 15.
There will be a free event at Trafalgar Square too, with live Irish music, dancing and food stalls.
In Manchester Irish Festival Parade, which is the biggest outside of London, there will be 30 floats and marching bands, and it will take place on March 15.
Earth Hour, London
For something a little different, head into central London on March 28.
For one hour, in the evening, London will switch off its lights for the World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour to raise awareness about the impacts of global warming.
Households can take part too, but it might be your only chance for a year to see the famous sights of London go dark.
Southend City Day celebrates the destination getting a city status in 2022Credit: Alamy
Southend City Day
Southend City Day takes place on March 7 and celebrates Southend getting city status in 2022.
The event will involve a number of performances, workshops and family-friendly activities such as face painting and pig races…
For example, there will be a stage at the top of the high street which will host performances by local dancers and youth music groups.
Fancy seeing something sparkle? In the evening make sure to catch Disco City’s light installations that will stretch across Royal Square and Pier Piazza.
For classic car fans, make your way to City Beach where there will be a lineup of parked classic cars over 25 years old between 11am and 4:30pm.
River Race, London
On March 28, you can head down to the Thames to watch the River Race.
Now this isn’t the Oxford versus Cambridge race (that happens in April), but during this River Race you will see up to 400 teams of eight racing down the river.
The Six Nations is still on and honestly, is there a better excuse to go to the pub?Credit: Alamy
Six Nations, various
The rugby isn’t quite over yet which means you still have time to catch a game with your friends.
Lots of pubs up and down the country show the matches on their TVs, or you could head somewhere like The Old Crown in Digbeth, which has large outdoor screens, a heated garden and live DJs.
If you are in the capital, make your way to Walthamstow’s Big Penny Social – which is supposedly the biggest beer hall in the UK spanning across 2,415sqm.
Entry is free, though you will need to pay for a tipple if you want one from one of the 20 taps of beer on offer…
For something a little more unusual, head to Battersea Barge, where each match is being shown on the lower deck via a large projector.
It is free to attend, though if you do pre-purchase a £1 ticket you can grab a free pint of Camden Hells on arrival.
A number of venues show the matches on large screensCredit: Alamy
National Lottery Open Week, various
Between March 7 and 15 – so spanning both this weekend and next – hundreds of attractions that you usually have to pay entrance to across the UK, are opening for free or less than the usual admission fee.
If you are based down in Cornwall, or perhaps visiting for Mother’s Day weekend, then head to the Eden Project which is slashing its entrance fee.
Or perhaps you’re a history fan? Well, then venture to one of the many English Heritage properties across the UK scrapping entrance fees for the week.
Examples of properties include Audley End House and Gardens and Eltham Palace.
Head to the National Lottery Open Week’s website and enter your postcode to see attractions and destinations near you.
Between March 7 and 15, it is also National Lottery Open Week meaning you can get into a lot of attractions across the country for freeCredit: Alamy
St Piran’s Day Lantern Parade, Cornwall
Have you ever wanted to experience a moment like that scene in Tangled where they are on the lake watching hundreds of lanterns venture into the sky?
Then get down to Helston’s St Piran’s Day Lantern Parade on March 7.
The event begins at 5:30pm with live music at Helston Boating Lake and Coronation Park and then the lantern parade will begin at 6:30pm.
Members of the public including school groups show off their handcrafted lanterns, alongside installations by City of Lights.
In Cornwall, there will be a lantern parade with family activities this monthCredit: Gorsedh Kernow
On The Line: 100 Years of Solidarity and Strikes, Manchester
Launching this month at the People’s History Museum in Manchester is a new exhibition which takes visitors on a journey through a century of industrial relations.
The exhibition begins with the 1926 General Strike and then addresses key moments throughout the past century of communities facing poor working conditions.
It also delves into the impact strike action has on society and will start on March 21.
George added he would be happy to let his two-year-old daughter play the sport if she chose to.
While a group of former players are taking legal action against rugby’s authorities claiming that more should have been done to protect their brain health in the past, there are a series of measures in place to protect players from concussion.
They include ‘smart’ gumshields that measure the forces players heads withstand in a tackle, pitchside doctors, mandatory assessments and stand-down periods for players diagnosed with having had a concussion.
“We are in very, very safe hands,” George added.
“Of course, there is a risk that you might get a concussion in a full-contact sport. We are aware of the risks that come with that, but at the same time, we have the utmost confidence in the people around us, the protocols that are in place and that we are being as well looked after as we possibly can be.”
Ben Earl, George’s Saracens and England team-mate, is equally confident in the care he gets for both club and country.
“I have never once felt like I’ve been managed poorly,” he said.
“If anything, it’s probably too far the other way. They’re probably sometimes holding you back when you feel like you’re ready to go, but actually they’re just looking after you and your body.
“So, in terms of my personal experience with the game and safety, I have felt unbelievably well cared for.”
Munster secured a much-needed 21-7 win over Zebre in the United Rugby Championship, being made to work hard before pulling clear in the second half at a drenched Thomond Park on Saturday.
With three defeats in their last four URC outings – against Leinster, Ulster and Glasgow Warriors – and having made 10 changes from the side that lost to Glasgow Warriors last month, this result will steady the ship somewhat for the Irish province.
After going in level at half-time at seven points apiece, Munster edged ahead in the second period with a late brace of tries from Alex Kendellen and Lee Barron, those scores securing Clayton McMillan’s side their first win in Limerick since October.
Munster had the majority of early territory and pressure, with a beautifully judged kick from Tom Farrell handing the hosts a line-out just seven metres from the Zebre line.
That pressure intensified when Giulio Bertaccini was shown a yellow card two minutes in for a deliberate knock-on, as Munster threatened to score under the posts.
Despite being reduced to 14 men, Zebre initially stood firm, but winger Shane Daly demonstrated his explosive pace and stormed over in the left corner after six minutes, getting Munster off the mark, JJ Hanrahan adding the conversion.
A sudden downpour swept across Thomond Park, making handling increasingly treacherous, yet Munster continued to probe.
The hosts generated quick ruck ball and a clever grubber from Mike Haley almost put captain Jack O’Donoghue in under the posts, but the ball slipped forward at the crucial moment.
Munster controlled territory for much of the opening quarter, working patiently through phases as Zebre were forced into heavy defensive shifts.
Gradually the Italian visitors found a foothold and just after the half-hour mark, Samuele Locatelli broke Munster’s defensive line, with flanker Bautista Stavile scoring under the posts. Giacomo Da Re added the extras.
Munster had one final opportunity before the interval, but another spilt ball in the wet conditions allowed Zebre to clear.
The EGM news comes at a time of turmoil for Welsh rugby off the field.
Swansea Council has applied for a High Court injunction to halt the proposed deal between the WRU and Ospreys owners Y11 Sport and Media to buy rivals Cardiff.
Ospreys are under threat of being removed from the professional tier with owners Y11 the WRU’s preferred bidders to buy Cardiff from the governing body.
The WRU wants to cut one professional men’s side in Wales with Ospreys now in the firing line if Y11 buy Cardiff.
The WRU has told Swansea Council a deal will not be completed with Y11 before 16 March.
On the field, Wales, who have lost the opening three games against France, England and Scotland, finish their Six Nations campaign against Italy in Cardiff on Saturday 14 March after travelling to face Ireland in Dublin eight days before.
The WRU statement continued: “The WRU published its plans for the future of the elite game in Wales at the end of October 2025, following an extensive consultation process.
“We are now focused on rolling out that plan and have been working tirelessly with the key stakeholders during the last months to agree a consensus on its implementation.
“This detailed work has been undertaken with the professional clubs, the United Rugby Championship and player representatives, and we remain committed to reaching consensus on the next steps.
“We ask all stakeholders to continue working with us. We recognise that change is challenging, but it is essential for the long-term health of the game in Wales.”
The Irish Rugby Football Union had to turn off comments on a social media post which congratulated debutant Edwin Edogbo, following replies which contained racial abuse.
Munster forward Edogbo came off the bench and played the final 10 minutes of Saturday’s 20-13 victory over Italy in the Six Nations.
The IRFU confirmed in a statement that the comments made on the social media post on Saturday are now subject to investigation.
“We’re aware of some targeted abuse online in recent days and continue to work with Signify and the relevant authorities to report it,” the full IRFU statement read.
“We will also continue to fully support all affected by the cowardly actions of a minority and investigations are under way alongside our partners Signify.
“It is clear that racist abuse has no place in Irish society and the IRFU has a zero tolerance policy towards racism of any form.”
The 23-year-old lock has made 24 appearances for Munster and has registered 30 points.
After that nervy victory on Saturday, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell praised the debutant’s contribution in his post-match news conference.
“Well, we need to celebrate Edwin’s first cap, that is for sure as it is one amazing story,” Farrell said.
“I am so pleased we were able to get a win and show some fight to get a win for him because his story is a phenomenal one so we will celebrate that with him.”
