On Saturday I trained at school in preparation for the Sedbergh School Super Tens tournament, in which some of the best rugby playing schools not only in England but from Scotland and Wales, compete!

The training was mainly game play, running through moves, line outs and scrums, before we left for Sedbergh School in Cumbria and spent the night in the Sedbergh boarding houses, sharing ours with Edinburgh Academy, and Stamford School.

The tournament consisted of four groups of four teams playing 24 minute games split into two halves. On the Sunday, our first game was against Bicton College, which Exeter Chiefs Academy send their players to, and we won convincingly, this was the only game I scored in. Our second game of the day was against Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Wakefield, which was a very close game! We were 10-nil down at half time, in the next 12 minutes we worked hard and played with pride and came out with a 17-10 win! Our final game of the day was against the host school, Sedbergh. Unfortunately we lost this game, but we came second in our group so went through to cup games the next day.

On the Monday, the team played with a lot of passion as these were the last games we would play together in England (the next games being in South Africa when we go on tour in the Summer). Unfortunately we lost our next three games and as a result were knocked out of the tournament.

It was a good experience playing tens as I’ve never played it before, and I’m looking forward to playing in the tournament again next year!

On Tuesday night, as part of my training I took part in a sprint training session. Ran by Keith Harding, Pure Speed Academy works with talented individuals who aim to become faster and fitter, I’ve been working on my speed with Pure Speed Academy for two and a half years! The session was fun and has become a vital part of my success.

This is a photo of me wearing the t shirt given to all the players that participated in the tournament.

Last night I trained with Sale Sharks Under 17s again. The night started with England forwards coach Ian Peel, and Sale Sharks 1st team prop, Henry Thomas, coaching a scrummaging session! Which I felt I got a lot out of.

After that it was onto game play – running through moves and working from set piece. Things like receiving from a kick off.

After my store visit I went sprint training again, it was a tough session, with speed endurance – practicing the sprinting technique when your body is fatigued and under pressure! It involved sprinting on crash mats which was hard because your feet just sink into the spongy base. I finished the session with some extra fitness of my own, two 800 meter sprints, to push myself to the next level.

Yesterday I went to my Asda store to meet my Community Champions, Amanda Turner and Claire Petch and to arrange some fundraising activities! Here’s a photo of us together.

I was a little nervous at first as I didn’t know what to expect, but I was met by friendly people and think I will get along well with Amanda and Claire when I go out into the community to work with them! The girls came up with some great sounding fundraising activities and I’m looking forward to participating in them!

On Thursday night it was the last training session with Sale Sharks before our game against Leeds Carnegie! I was picked in the starting team at prop and now I’m looking forward to proving what I can do on the pitch!

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After eleven minutes I carried the ball, but in the tackle my leg got trapped underneath somebody, and I twisted it, resulting in damage to a ligament in my knee and an extremely painful ankle! I spent four hours in A&E for an x-ray and thankfully nothing was broken! So I now have to rule out any more ligament or soft tissue damage and with a bit of luck and some physio I’ll be able to play at the weekend!

Above is a photo of me after the tackle in pain.