National call-ups for four Old Oakhamians

Published by Oakham School on Tuesday 3rd of February 2015

Oakham School's reputation as a training ground for professional rugby players has further strengthened, with a total of four Old Oakhamians being selected for national squads in recent weeks.

Both Alex Goode and Tom Croft have been reselected for the England Rugby squad for the forthcoming Six Nations matches. Newcomers Hamish Watson and Ruaraidh Smith have been selected to join the Scottish Rugby squad.

Hamish left Oakham in 2010 after playing in the 1st XV in the same position he still continues to play, number 7. He was selected to play for Scottish U18s during his time at school, and then went on to play for Scotland 7s. During his time playing 7s for Scotland, he was pitched against England and his former Oakham teammate Charlie Walker (who now plays for the Harlequins). Hamish is currently playing for Edinburgh and at the beginning of the season was voted 'Man of the Match' in a preseason game against Leicester, when he played against another Old Oakhamian, Matt Smith!

Ruaraidh, who has been selected for the Scotland Under 20 Rugby squad, was captain of the School's 1st XV. During his time at Oakham, he was also a part of the Northamptonshire Saints Academy and was chosen to represent Scotland's U18 team. He currently plays for Currie RFC.

'It's always a great honour when former pupils get called up for their country,' says Director of Rugby Ian Smith, who has previously coached England U19s in both Six Nations and World Cup competitions. 'Ruaraidh was an excellent team captain during his school rugby career, and Hamish was arguably one of the most influential players in Oakham's first team in recent years, because of his ability to turn over the ball.'