Former Hartpury stars shine in the Heineken Cup

This seasons Heineken Cup kicked off on the 11^th of December and has already featured eight former Hartpury students. For Gloucester Rugby; Jonny May, Henry Trinder, Charlie Sharples and Dave Lewis all played a part in their narrow defeat away at Toulouse with Trinder and Sharples getting their names on the score sheet. Tom Savage would have also played a part in the fixture but failed a pre match fitness test on a leg injury.

Further afield Ulster hosted Clemont Auvergne where former Hartpury man Dan Tuohy lined up in the Ulster second row. Cardiff Blues headed to France to face Racing Metro, starting on the wing was Hartpury’s Alex Cuthbert who squeezed in the corner to score a try. Former Hartpury captain Andries Pretorius also came off the bench to fill in at number 8. Finally Llanelli Scarlets travelled to Northampton Saints. On the bench for the Scarlets was Matt Gilbert another former Hartpury student who came on in the back row, and linked nicely with George North and Jonathan Davies to score a try. 

Having eight former Hartpury players feature in this year’s Heineken cup and scoring a combined four tries is testament to the many years of hard work put in by both players and coaching staff during their time in the Hartpury rugby programme. It also reflects the top class rugby environment and facilities available at Hartpury that help develop young talent into top class players.