Former Suffolk rugby star Alex Rayment stars for England Counties U20s

Alex Rayment, celebrating in Georgia after England Counties U20s win in Georgia in the first game Photo: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

Alex Rayment, 20, who played for Ipswich RFC and Ipswich YM as a youth, and is a former pupil of The Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, now plays his rugby for Cambridge in National League 1.

But it’s in Georgia where he and his team-mates have just starred in a two-match series that saw them take on the Junior Lelos, the Georgia U20s side in Tbilisi and a Georgian Development side in Rustavi.

England won both games – Rayment getting a try in the second.

“It was a great 11 days,” Rayment, who plays hooker, said.

“We only had about three days to train before the first match. Georgia had been training for about three or four weeks.

“The scums were pretty intense and that was part of a big build-up to be honest.

“I enjoyed getting my try.”

The first match, when Rayment started, saw England full-back Tom Carleton score a late try and secure England a 24-17 win.

The second match against a Georgia Development side was equally as exciting, with Mitch Pinkus slotting home a last-minute penalty as England won 24-22. Rayment didn’t start the second game, but came on after 15 minutes and then scored his try.

The England squad had earlier begun the trip by training a group of Syrian refugee children.

“It was a humbling experience,” admitted the England hooker.

Rayment, who has played for England U18s in the Five Nations, is hoping to get another professional contract, after having one with Northampton Saints two years ago.