International honours of Suffolk duo

HEATHER Stammers, of West Suffolk College Rugby Academy, has been selected to represent England Colleges despite the academy not having a women's team.

However, Stammers, of Glemsford, who will line-up against Scotland U18 in Edinburgh on February 2, has attended all the academy training sessions.

Credit for her rise to international level goes to Steve Savory and Sudbury Rugby Club where Stammers plays competitive rugby.

Another academy success is Matt Edison, of Pakenham, has been selected for his first international cap after a successful tour of Ireland with the US Eagles U20 side.

He has been selected to play for the US Eagles U19 side in the Freedom Cup against Canada on February 16.

Edison has been asked to stay on in the States to play for the U20's against a Welsh touring side the following weekend.

Coach Nigel Brown said: “These representative honours are a great credit to the individuals and to the attitude of the entire Squad who continually attain a high standard in training and matches.

“Heather has worked as hard as any of the Academy players, but to be the only female training in a group of men takes a special type of confidence. She participates fully and has a great ability to understand what we are trying to achieve. “This in combination to our close relationship with Sudbury Rugby Club, where Heather is Captain, has enabled Sudbury coach Steve Savory and me to work with Heather to improve her individual understanding of the game.

“Matt has consistently performed at a high level this season and is now starting to reap the rewards of his hard work. In addition to his call up to the US Eagles he is one of six players from the academy who have been asked to train with Cambridge RUFC National League Squad.

“Playing up an age group in Ireland has been a great experience for Matt, and could well see him with the chance of playing for the US Eagles in the forthcoming World Championships in Wales this summer.”