King’s House School in Richmond was delighted to welcome the England Rugby Senior Men’s training squad to their sports ground for a two-day training camp in May 2022.
The squad met ahead of next month’s game against the Barbarians and their tour to Australia in July.
Pupils from Years 3 to 8 at King’s House were able to watch an open training session. They were joined by students from local schools who use the sports ground, including Chiswick School, Hammersmith Academy, Kew College, St James School for Girls, St James Prep School and West London Free School.
The session ended with a group of students from King’s House and Hammersmith Academy enjoying a coaching session from the England Rugby coaches.
Mark Turner, head of King’s House, said: “We are very proud that England Rugby chose the King’s House School Sports Ground for these training sessions. We are fortunate to have wonderful facilities which other local schools and community groups are also able to benefit from. Watching the England squad train has been really exciting for the boys and staff here.”
The training squad also included Louis Lynagh, an alumni of King’s House School who attended from 2005 to 2014. Lynagh has played for Harlequins since the 2019/20 season and represented England at the U16, 18 and 19 level.
Sam Richards, director of sport at King’s House, said: “It has been an incredible opportunity for the boys to be able to watch the England squad train. To be able to see the best players in the country train up close is a real eye opener to the boys as to the size, speed and power of these athletes.
“To have Louis Lynagh in the England squad coming back to his Prep School playing on the same pitch he did as a 13-year-old in the blue and white shirts of King’s House has been inspiring for the current pupils. As a school, we are so proud of everything he has achieved to this date.”