SRFC Alumni - Our Players in the News
As we look forward to the 6 Nations, we take a look at some of the players produced by our fantastic mini and junior set-up. Read on............
Our Club has produced a large number of players who are currently playing top level rugby and you can read about them below. I intend to keep this updated, so if there are others who should be mentioned please send me an email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Not everyone can be a professional player or scale the heights and play International Rugby, but it is Club's like ours that provide the first steps on that journey. If you are a coach or administrator you are supporting not just Salisbury Rugby, but England Rugby (and maybe even Scotland, Wales or other countries !!). That is your achievement every week. So keep it enjoyable, ensure all our players have fun and continue to build a legacy for our game.
This is not an exhaustive list and will be an evolving piece, so if we have missed anyone please get in touch !! We are very proud of everyone associated with Salisbury Rugby.
Will Stuart – our latest International who is now a regular in the England squad and a mainstay of the Bath front-row. Will played in the same team as Rory Jennings and Will Homer coached by current Mini’s deity St John Coley and Russell Henley. Thankfully Santa brought him a pair of hair clippers this Christmas. Will Stuart
Tom Homer – has had a long professional career which started with London Irish before making his mark as Bath’s full-back. Tom is now back at Irish upon their return to the Premiership and as they continue to strengthen the squad it looks like exciting times are ahead for Tom. I found this rather weird biography: Tom Homer
Rory Jennings – after graduating from the Bath Academy and playing for the Premiership side, Rory spent a season at London Scottish before joining Coventry on his way to a dream ticket to Clermont Auvergne in 2020. Keep your eyes out for a big bearded fellow kicking goals on Hudsons Field when he returns home to visit Mum & Dad. Brother Charlie guided the 1st XV during a couple of season’s of League action. Rory Jennings
Caden Murley – is now a regular starter for the Harlequins alongside fellow Old Boy Mike Brown. He has recovered well from an early elbow operation and looks set for a long career at Quins. He remains a proud Salisbury boy and Dad John (though those who played with him at SRFC may know him as Mark) is still an active coach for both BWS and Dorset & Wiltshire. Caden Murley
Mike Brown – so often the rock for both Harlequins and England. A dedicated professional who never gives less than 100%, which was recognised by Quins naming one of their bars after him. His father Mick has until recently been our Coaching co-ordinator. Try not to cry when watching this clip. Mike Brown
Mikey Daniels – managed to squeeze in a couple of season’s of 1st XV rugby before heading for the big time. Mikey spent several season’s propping for Worcester making 35 appearances before playing at Hartbury and then Nottingham. A move to Wasps in 2019 was curtailed due to injury, though he did manage to play for them on loan before signing for Newcastle and heading back to the Premiership. His year group has supplied a number of players to the 1st XV including Tom Ranabaldo, David Tonge, Jake McConnell and Chris Miller. Catch this try on 3.30 mins Mikey Daniels
Josh Gray – Josh played a season for our Juniors before heading back home to Cirencester. He is now getting game time with Gloucester making his Grandfather Barry, a former Chairman of SRFC, a very proud man. Josh Gray and Josh
Xav Hastings – after completing his A-levels at BWS and playing for the 1st XV, Xav is now a member of the Bath Academy whilst studying at the University. Bath speak very highly of him so we look forward to his breakthrough in the coming months. No doubt Will Stuart is looking after him ! Xav Hastings and Xav
Alex Penny – a member of the famed team that won the inaugural National U17 Cup away to Worcester in 2005. Alex has played for a number of clubs, valued for his rugby skills that go way beyond his role as a prop forward. He is currently with Bedford waiting for the go ahead for fixtures to resume in the Greene King Championship. You will be able to read about more of Alex’s teammates from the side coached by former 1st XV skipper Mark Bugden in our next article. Alex Penny
Will Homer – now a Llanelli Scarlet, Will is the brother of Tom and formed the half-back pairing for England age-group teams with fellow Salisbury boy Rory Jennings, coached by St John Coley (still going strong in the minis) and Russell Henly. Will also graduated through the Bath Academy to the 1st XV before signing for Jersey Reds where he was duly named in the Championship team of the year at the end of his first season. Will Homer
Bryony and Poppy Cleal – the girls played mini rugby in the same year group as Mikey Daniels, Tom Heatchote (you can read about him in a later article) and a host of guys who went on to play for SRFC 1st XV. They are both now firmly established as England Roses contributing to their status as the #1 team in the World. Neil Tonge has some great stories of them and how they helped breakdown the barriers. Poppy Cleal
Tom Vaughan-Edwards – famously sent home from Senior training because he was making his England Schools debut that weekend ! Another Bath Academy/Uni graduate, Tom has converted from the flank and is currently playing hooker at Rosslyn Park in National Division 1. Tom Vaughan-Edwards
Later articles will cover both our recently retired and former players.