Alnwick rugby prepare for new season

The Greensfield side is due to launch the new campaign on Saturday, September 7, with an away fixture at Rossendale.

They will then play their first home game the following weekend (September 14) against Lymm, with the seconds kicking off their season away to DMP Elizabethans the same day.

Meanwhile, congratulations go to Jess Gardiner and Holly Robinson on their selection into England Rugby through the North of England Centre of Excellence.

Gardiner (No 8) and Robinson (scrum half) both had a successful season representing Alnwick and Northumberland, with Gardiner named as Northumberland captain.

They were nominated for entry to the North of England Centre of Excellence based at Darlington Mowden Park.

The Centre of Excellence development programme is an important and significant step in the England Rugby player pathway, eventually leading to England U18s for some.

After two separate assessment sessions over which a number of older and more experienced players were not retained, the Alnwick pair were delighted to come through the highly competitive process and have their selection confirmed.

They are two of the younger players in the process this year but their coaches say this is a fantastic opportunity to grow and develop as players and to train with players who have already represented England U18s this year.

Alnwick are currently celebrating the fact that a record number of youngsters have represented Northumberland this year.

At the recent junior awards evening in Alnwick it was confirmed 14 players had received the honour of representing their county at various levels.

A club spokesman said: “It is a significant accolade for those young players to pull on the famous county shirt and take their rugby to the next level.

“It is also a great reflection on the hard-working coaches at Alnwick RFC who have helped them develop to this level in their rugby journey.”