Schools rugby union: Northampton School for Boys – the state school at the top of English rugby
NSB is also the official partner school with Northampton Saints.
This year they have provided the Saints’ under-18s with the most players of any school.
Four players will also be offered first-team academy contracts this year.
“The kids need to manage their time really well,” says senior assistant coach Adam Baker.
“Once we get into the sixth form and first-team environment we will try to get them into a program that matches the academy program so that if they do go down that path they are fully aware and prepared for what day-to-day life looks like.”
But NSB is not the only public school making an impact.
They beat Campion School from Essex in the Continental Tires Schools Cup semi-final.
It was a fiercely competitive contest, with two state schools playing high-octane rugby in front of a passionate crowd of over a thousand people.
The Rugby Football Union has a network of rugby administrators trying to embed the game into public schools.
Twenty-two of the top public schools compete in the ACE (Academy, Colleges and Education) League. England internationals George Martin, Joe Heyes and Harry Randall went through this route.
The program is designed to support players unable to attend traditional rugby schools, providing daily coaching, competitive fixtures and opportunities to train alongside academy players.
Northampton Saints have two state school partnerships that play in the ACE League: Moulton College in Northampton and Sigma Sixth Colchester based at Philip Morant School and College.
“Growing the sport of rugby in public schools is a one-step process that will be taken over time,” Beaumont said.
“This is more than 10 years of hard work, but it can be done.
“My advice to other schools is to find a way to score more points in practice, organize a game.
“Hold a tournament, you don’t need posts. Make it a habit. Let the kids play.
“Rugby needs every public school to promote and develop rugby. This is the perfect time. Public school rugby can be truly special.”
One of NSB’s biggest stars is 18-year-old captain Jack Lewis, who plays in the back row.
He has been at NSB for the last two years and at the Saints academy since the age of 14.
He made his debut for Northampton Saints this year. He is now preparing to lead his school for the last time in the Twickenham final.
“NSB taught me how to act, it’s the closest thing to a professional environment,” he said.
“A lot of people work hard behind the scenes, sacrificing their time. This has benefited me a lot as an actor and a student.
“I’ve never played at Twickenham, so if we could lift the trophy there it would be a huge achievement. We want to show what NSB is all about.”
