A quartet of local young rugby players have been selected to join Premiership side Sale Sharks.

Former Castle Rushen High School and Southern Nomads players Harry Thompson and Patreece Bell, along with ex-King William’s College student Aaron Pope, have been signed up to play for the Sharks’ under-18s squad for the 2020-21 season.

The three young players have shown tremendous commitment to the sport in recent years and fully deserve to be called up to the 18s a year early.

As well as local school and club rugby, the boys are current members of the Isle of Man Sevens squad which represents the island in competition at the highest levels.

In addition to the teenage trio, Kathryn Craine has secured a place with Sale Sharks women.

The Sharks are in their inaugural season in the Premier 15s, therefore the former Vagabonds player could potentially be playing at the highest level of women’s rugby in the country.

This is made all the more impressive by the fact that Kathryn only took up rugby a couple of years ago.

Isle of Man rugby development officer and head of performance, Chris Brannigan, paid tribute to the quartet: ’I am absolutely delighted for the four players,’ he said yesterday.

’It’s both a measure of their ability and their commitment and dedication to improvement.

’They have made many sacrifices to reach this stage, and many more will be required to reach the next one.

’It’s also a measure of what playing rugby in the Isle of Man can lead to. We have worked extremely hard to forge excellent relationships with Sale Sharks over the last three years.

’The sharing of information and support has been - and will continue to be - integral in providing opportunities to players in the island.

’We are all extremely proud of these four and cannot wait to watch how they progress.

’It would be wrong not to mention their former clubs and schools: Vagabonds Ladies, Southern Nomads, Castle Rushen High School and King William’s College, all of whom played big parts in their development.

’Well done Kathryn, Harry, Aaron and Patreece.’

All the action from

the domestic rugby

competitions on page 53

of this edition