KING’S Ely Senior’s Alan Gregory has been selected to play for the Scotland under 16s rugby squad.

Alan, who plays in the Second Row, was one of 26 players throughout the UK to qualify for the team following a trial at Lochinch in Glasgow on March 16.

He currently plays club rugby for Cambridge RUFC, where he was selected to further his development at the Northampton Saints Junior Academy. He also trains throughout the school year in the rugby performance squad and will play in the 1st XV from September.

The 16-year old, who measures in at just over six feet four inches tall, started playing rugby in King’s Ely Junior at the age of 11. In year 8, he joined Ely Tigers RFC before moving across to the Cambridge RUFC, and it wasn’t long before he realised he had a natural talent for the sport. However, it was through hard work and dedication that Alan has progressed to become the player he is today.

Head of Rugby at King’s Ely, Jason Billows, said: “Alan’s progress has accelerated quicker in the past 18 months than in any player I have been involved with. He has learnt to use his size effectively and his skill set is impressive for a lock-forward.”

In addition to his GCSEs and prep, Alan also attends weight training sessions before school, extra skills sessions after school and travels to Cambridge and Northampton every week for team sessions. He also regularly plays in school fixtures. None of this would be possible without the support of Alan’s mum, Loraine, who regularly travels to Scotland to enable him to train at an elite level. In King’s Ely Sixth Form, Alan plans to take A Levels in Chemistry, Biology, History and English before continuing his studies at university, keeping his options open should he be forced out of the game through injury, although his real ambition is to play professional rugby.

Scotland under 16 head coach, Gary Mercer, said: “We’ve selected an exciting squad with a lot of individual flair and talent. This is a great opportunity for those selected to play at a very competitive level.”

Over the Easter holidays, Alan will be attending further national training camps in Scotland. The squad will then travel to Wellington College, Berkshire for a home nations tournament.

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