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Rugby

Felsted is widely known as a rugby powerhouse.

As well as achieving success in school competitions, the school has produced many exciting professional players – including England’s superstar winger Max Malins - but most importantly, the school’s inspiring coaching staff have encouraged many boys and girls to take part in the sport and enjoy all the benefits it brings.

Sport at Felsted is for everyone and the youngest rugby players are taught basic handling, movement and contact skills in the Prep School, developing their fitness and understanding of the game.

Rugby is an integral part of the Autumn sports programme and pupils have the chance to represent Felsted in Rugby Sevens fixtures against other local and regional schools, with players of all abilities involved.

National Rugby Champions

In a thrilling final at packed-out Twickenham, Felsted’s U18 rugby team gave the performance of their lives to win the Continental Tyres National Schools Rugby tournament Vase competition 2024.

National Champions - Read More

Rugby continues to be a core sport throughout the Senior School, with additional training and coaching sessions for keen and able players. The concept of playing ‘heads-up rugby’ is promoted at all times, encouraging players to be confident to keep the ball, support each other and back themselves at all times. The individual experience as part of the rugby collective ensures a positive and productive one with match day performance rated over results.

Inspiring Rugby Coaches

Felsted’s Head of Rugby, Andrew Le Chevalier, a former professional rugby player who spent two years as a prop with Wasps, before moving to Swansea and then Grenoble. Since retirement, he has found a rewarding career as a committed coach and has an excellent track record in developing talented young players and setting them on the pathway to elite sporting success.

He has forged links between the school and professional organisations including Saracens and Northampton Saints whose academies are often an important first step for the school’s budding rugby professionals. Andrew is also a Housemaster and enjoys applying the skills of communication, team-work and motivation that he has developed on the pitch to the house environment for the benefit of the Senior School’s day boys.

Facilities

Professional Players

Felsted has a long history of producing top sportsmen and women, but never before have so many former students of the school been playing professional rugby at the highest level, at the same time – currently including:

England star Max Malins, who was discovered while playing rugby for Felsted and snapped up by Saracens, made his World Cup debut against Chile in Lille on 23 September. He was called up for England in 2020 at the age of 23 and made a stellar start in the national side’s memorable victory over South Africa at Twickenham. Max was the top-try scorer in the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership season and after a spell on loan to Bristol Bears made the move permanent for the 23/24 season. We were delighted to welcome Max back to Felsted as Guest of Honour at the school’s Speech Day in June 2023, when he gave an inspiring talk on his journey to the pinnacle of elite sport.

Alex Wardell (back row), Sam Bryan (scrum-half), Ollie Stonham (flanker) and Obinna Nkwocha (lock) have also represented England at age-group and play for Saracens.

Ellie Lennon (fly-half) started off at Wasps Women and now at Ealing Trailfinders scored a try on her debut for England U18s in 2019. She is currently involved in the Senior Ireland setup

At Northampton Saints, Rory Hutchinson (centre), represented Scotland at age-group level and received his first senior cap in 2019. Craig Wright (hooker) represented England at U18 and is playing for England and will play again in the U20 2024 World Rugby Championship in South Africa.

Ehren Painter played for England at age group level, showcasing his skills while playing for Northampton Saints, he has now signed for Exeter Chiefs, and is also part of England’s wider training squad at senior level.

Rugby Scholarships

Rugby players showing potential are invited to apply for a Felsted Sports Scholarship, which are offered at Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12.

Find out more and apply

Saracens Rugby Partnership

Felsted School has been named as an Official Partner School of Saracens Rugby Club, with the two organisations agreeing to work together to identify talented young players and nurture them on the path towards a career in professional rugby.

Max Malins - World Cup Debut

England rugby star and OF Max Malins made a sparkling World Cup debut in 2023. Felsted's Director of Rugby, Andrew Le Chevalier and 1st XV Captain Monty C were interviewed live on BBC, reflecting on how it felt to see Max representing his country at the top level.

Watch video - BBC News

The joy on all the faces and witnessing the whole school coming out to support shows what a special place Felsted School is.

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Rugby News