PLYMOUTH College rugby player Alex Smith has received a boost by earning selection for the Developing Players Programme at the Devon School of Rugby (SoR).

The 14-year-old hooker won his place after playing for West Devon in a county-wide tournament involving 130 boys.

The Year 9 pupil is one of only three boys to be chosen from the under-14 West Devon squad.

The Devon School of Rugby selects talented players in the under-13, 14, 15 and 16 age groups to receive monthly coaching in core skills, conditioning, diet, positional and personal development.

Each age group has between 15-25 boys that are deemed to have the potential to progress to representative and professional standard.

Exeter Chiefs Academy works closely with the SoR and Rob Gibson has devised a programme to cover all the skills required by a player to thrive in the professional modern rugby environment.

“I really enjoy playing rugby and am very pleased to have been selected for the Developing Players Programme,” said Smith.  “I’m looking forward to the coaching sessions and attending the U15 Devon trials in the autumn.”

Meanwhile, former Plymouth College pupil Henry Slade will start at centre for England in their non-cap international against the Barbarians on Sunday.

If as expected, Slade eventually goes on to earn a full cap then he will become the college’s first England international since Paul Ackford.

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