The U20’s team are now 4 weeks into the first steps of returning to rugby, currently playing weekly touch games alongside the rest of the senior squad, and the introduction of this new team is already showing it’s benefits in terms of player integration.

This new side has been launched to assist with the integration of those who are exiting the Colts age group into senior rugby, giving the players the opportunity to continue playing as an age group whilst being exposed to senior fixtures in the Leicestershire league programme.

One of the squad, Lewis Gardiner who has played at HRFC through the age groups said of the team: ‘I think there are so many benefits of the U20s team. It is really helping to bring players out of their shells and giving us chance to get used to the senior players and atmosphere. Entering a league is also a massive feature as we will be playing against other senior squads and getting used to the adult game’.

The U20’s will continue playing touch games with the rest of the senior squad until the end of April, before full training begins in May, at which points there will be a careful balance struck between them training as an age groups and doing work with the rest of the senior group. All of their sessions will be strongly supported by the whole of the 1st XV coaching team.

Anyone interested in joining the new U20s side should contact Head Coach Ben Ashfield on 07841334208.