SEVEN players from West Suffolk College Sports Academy Rugby who were asked to represent the East and South East have all been taken forward to the final trial weekend for the England Colleges squad.

SEVEN players from West Suffolk College Sports Academy Rugby who were asked to represent the East and South East have all been taken forward to the final trial weekend for the England Colleges squad.

The seven players are: Toby Berridge, Tim Mann, Harry Robbins, Matt Edison, Ben Cooper, Tyler Smart and Jack Payne.

Payne, Edison and Cooper have been invited to Filton in January for final coaching.

In addition to the lads, Heather Stammers has been asked to attend the final trials for England Colleges Ladies - a first for West Suffolk College.

Rugby Academy coach Nigel Brown said he was 'over the moon' with the news.

“This shows the quality of players we are starting to develop.

“In addition to the lads being called to England Colleges, we have had players playing first-team rugby at Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury, Thurston and Cambridge Rugby Clubs,” he said.

Last weekend, being a cup weekend in senior rugby, found Tyler Smart, Jack Payne and Tim Mann starting for Bury St Edmunds in the Suffolk Cup victory at Colchester.

At Cambridge RUFC London Scottish were the visitors in the EDF Energy Trophy and Toby Berridge and Matt Edison helped in their victory.

Nigel Brown said: “It is good to see the lads are now playing for local clubs in competitive first team fixtures in addition to those playing on a regular basis at second team level.

“West Suffolk College is now starting to show its strength in developing players to be ready to play a decent level of rugby, not just when they leave the Academy but as soon as they reach the eligible age.

“This not only is good for our lads but can only strengthen rugby in the local area.”