England glory for former Truro College students

With two former students chosen as part of the England Rugby team for the upcoming Six Nations tournament, Truro and Penwith College is becoming known for producing the rugby stars of tomorrow.

Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie, both former students of the Sport Performance and Excellence diploma and successful members of the Rugby Academy, have been selected by England coach Eddie Jones as part of the squad to take on the likes of France, Italy, Scotland, Wales and Ireland in February.

Jack has already had a taste for representing his country in the sport, as he was part of the line-up during last year’s Rugby World Cup, where he scored three tries against Uruguay. Luke was also part of the training squad for the competition after making his senior England debut in the 19-14 win over France in the first pre-World Cup warm-up.

In a joint initiative with the Exeter Chiefs, Truro College’s Rugby Academy allows students aged 16-19 to stay in Cornwall to complete their education while receiving first-class rugby coaching. This set-up has seen native Cornish talent flourishing, with a host of names being signed as full professionals before they finish their studies. “It wasn’t until I got to college that it really hit me that if I put my head down for two years I’d have a contract waiting for me,” says Nowell.

Steve Larkins, the College’s Rugby Academy Leader, says: “The Truro and Penwith College Rugby Academy continues to produce outstanding players who have proven themselves nationally and internationally against the best.”