Students set to make top-flight rugby debuts as University of Bath alumni move a step closer to Tokyo 2020 Olympic sevens selection
Two University of Bath students are set to make their top-flight rugby debuts this weekend, while alumni Deborah Fleming and Amy Wilson Hardy have been named in the initial Team GB Rugby 7s squad ahead of the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Sports Performance student Jack Kenningham (pictured), who has excelled for Team Bath in BUCS Super Rugby, will make his first start for Harlequins in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership match at Newcastle Falcons (3pm).
The flanker was named in the 2018-19 BUCS Super Rugby team of the year and has also represented England Students.
Quins Scrum Coach Adam Jones said: “It’s great to see Jack Kenningham earn his senior debut for the club at open-side. He’s a young lad with a strong appetite for grafting and has earned his opportunity to make his Premiership debut.”
Grace Crompton, who studies Sport Management & Coaching, is in contention to make her Allianz Premier 15 debut after being named on the Bristol Bears Women bench for their local derby at Gloucester-Hartpury (Saturday, 2.30pm).
The England U20 international has earned her call-up following a successful trial period at Shaftesbury Park.
Meanwhile, two former University of Bath students have taken a big step closer to Tokyo Olympic selection after being named in the 19-player GB women’s rugby sevens squad for 2021.
Sport & Social Sciences graduate Deborah Fleming, who played netball and athletics during her time at the University before switching to rugby, is hoping to make her Olympic debut this summer, while Amy Wilson Hardy – who studied Integrated Mechanical & Electrical Engineering (IMEE) – represented GB at Rio 2016. Both won rugby sevens bronze for Team England at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
