Selection into the Academy

Players will be selected from county development squads, by direct referral from the county coach or Rugby Development Officer. Opportunities will be created for entry by late developers and talented athletes from other disciplines.

Players selected to attend an England Rugby Academy must be England qualified and have the potential to play for England. Player potential will be assessed under four main categories:

- Skills and elements of competence
- Fitness and physical potential
- Tactical and game awareness
- Personal attitude

Players wishing to put themselves forward for selection towards an academy should first be identified within the constituent body development squads run by the RFUs Rugby Development Officers. Players with the potential to go on and play Divisional rugby are then nominated to the Saracens Elite Player development Group (EPDG). It is from this group that players are identified and selected as RFU Academy athletes.

Those selected to become RFU Academy athletes must demonstrate the potential to become a professional rugby player and the mental toughness/desire to 'be the best'. Academy athletes will be expected to put rugby first and adopt a lifestyle that will enable them to develop into a professional athlete.

- The Academy organises Talent Identification Camps for U13 and U14 players

- Players are identified through the County system in both training sessions and matches

- At U15, Herts, Essex and Kent are asked to nominate players they feel have the potential to go on and play Divisional rugby the following year.

- The nominated players are then watched at the national 10s festival by Academy coaches and Managers.

- Selected players are then invited to attend a six session trial. After the sixth session the Academy coaches select the Elite Player Development Group.

- Players not selected for the Elite Player Development Group will return to their constituent body player development centre. These players will still receive training from academy staff and may be invited back to play in certain academy matches.

- Elite Player Development Centre players equates to Bronze level in the Academy structure.

- Elite Player Development Group players equates to Silver level in the Academy structure.

- Academy players are Gold level in the Academy structure.

- Players can move up and down the structure throughout the season. Players assessments are carried out at the beginning of pre season, the end of pre season and at Christmas time.

- Players released from the system will receive written notification including reasoning. Their County Rugby Development Officer will be informed of any players leaving the Academy structure to ensure they continue to play County rugby.

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