It has been a great few weeks for the Exeter College Rugby Academy with a number of players gaining recognition for their efforts to date in the AASE league and Elite British Colleges League fixtures. Before Christmas, six of the current 1st xv squad were invited to train with Plymouth Albion, in a link which is hoped will develop further in the future. Back/Second Row Ben King, Back rowers Paul Davis and Alex Priest and Fly Half George Meadows have been selected for the Plymouth Albion Warriors this coming Monday in their ‘A’ Xv game against Launceston, with an opportunity to showcase their skills.

Ben King, George Meadows and prop Will Norton have also been selected to play for the England Colleges Elite Squad in their forthcoming game at Welford Road against a Leicester Tigers Academy side which is due to take place in February. This is prior to a tour of Portugal later in the season, as well as International Fixtures against the Welsh and Irish Colleges.

This week, back three player Linford Brock was selected into the South West Divisional Under 18’s squad following a trial at Hartpury. Linford has been attracting a lot of attention from higher level clubs due to impressive performances in AASE Games as well as the AASE Festival earlier in the season. He also made his 1st xv debut for Barnstaple before Christmas. His try scoring exploits this season include a hat trick against Ivybridge 1st xv earlier in the season.

Prop Will Norton continues to go from strength to strength and made his first start in National Two last week for Launceston in their win away at Westcombe Park. Norton has made a number of impressive appearances off the bench including games against Redruth and Taunton, and at 18 years of age is definitely a hot prospect. He caught the eye of the London Irish Coaches in Wednesday’s 25-7 AASE League defeat against St Pauls (London Irish Academy) at Sunbury. Norton has also just been shortlisted for the Express and Echo Amateur Sports Personality of the Year award which are due to take place at Sandy Park. Norton’s National league Two appearances follow on from those of fellow College Back Rower Will Hodgetts who made his Launceston 1st xv debut earlier in the season including a start at blindside flanker in the game against Redruth.