Epsom’s rugby provision received glowing praise from the UK’s leading rugby title, The Rugby Paper. The regular feature, compiled by Brendan Gallagher, focuses on the top rugby schools in the country, providing an insight into their history and the programmes they deliver.
Introduced as “the Surrey school who continue to punch well above their weight on one of the toughest circuits” the piece focuses on the College’s progression with Director of Rugby, Mr Paul Burke, at the helm, as well as reflecting back on “the breakthrough years” of the early 2000s where the College really started to earn their stripes under Andy Wolstenholme’s guidance.
On the upward progression, Gallagher comments: “Epsom were always solid, difficult to beat, stalwarts of the incredibly strong Surrey schools circuit. In recent years, though, they have stepped up.”
The piece goes on to highlight some of Epsom’s success in recent years: “In the last two seasons in particular, Epsom have begun to flex their muscles impressively reaching the final of the Champions Cup in 2018, when they lost a spectacular game against Wellington College 24-16, and then reaching the semi-final last season when Wellington again accounted for them in a fine encounter”.
Epsom’s impact on the Sevens circuit also receives high praise: “In the last two years Epsom have lost only four out of 49 Sevens games in all tournaments” and the strong opportunities for girls: “Between 50 and 60 girls play at the school and after Christmas a programme of four or five Sevens tournaments provides the centrepiece of their season with a semi-final at Rosslyn Park last year.”
Gallagher credits the school’s programme for those playing at all levels, with the younger pupils receiving access to the most experienced coaches, who are often reserved for the Senior sides: “In total, Epsom reckon on putting out 23 teams on most match days with Burke, as well as concentrating on the Senior XV, helping out as the assistant coach with the U12As.”
