PRINCE Henry’s Year 13 student Philip Rhodes is enjoying a double celebration, as he has been made as the First XV’s Player of the Year and was also selected as one of just 30 players who will attend the Natwest Schools’ Cup Academy Day at Pennyhill Park, the home of England Rugby training,

The Academy Day brings together the top schools’ rugby players in the country for an insight into the life of an elite player. Nominations were open to all the teams who played in the most recent season of the Under-15 or Under-18 Natwest Schools’ Cup or Vase. The players were chosen by former England international and NatWest Schools Cup Ambassador Mark Cueto.

“The level of quality in the applications for the NatWest Schools Cup Academy Day was extremely high, making my job very difficult,” said Cueto. “Of the 30 that have been selected, they all demonstrate true excellence in the way they have performed this season, making them a great addition to their school’s team. I’m looking to meeting them all in person on 22nd May.”

Simon Willett, Head Coach for Prince Henry's, said "Phil has been outstanding for us the last couple of seasons. However, this season he really stood out with his playing abilities and his never say die attitude. He fully deserves his shot at the England training camp and the whole squad wish him well. If he carries on developing as he has, he will have a bright rugby future in front of him. We have just launched a new Excellence in Sport and Education programme in the Sixth Form for next September and Phil is exactly the sort of student we would want to work with in the future.”

The players will gather at the official training base for England Rugby, Pennyhill Park Hotel, on Sunday May 22 where they will be hosted by an England Rugby legend and treated to a training session with three current England players. After the training session, Academy Day players will gain an insight into the analytics behind the game by studying video footage of the session with the England players and a leading sport scientist.