Global talent signs up for Man Met rugby scholarships

Rugby head coach Rob Jones says recruitment for MMU’s Sports Scholarships has strengthened his playing squad significantly – with some students turning down professional contracts to represent the university.

There are 18 rugby scholars for the new academic year – 14 men and four women – and although competitive games are ruled out until a Covid all-clear, Rob is delighted with the results of a summer spent spotting talent.

“These students are top of their game for their age, and they understand what we’re trying to do in terms of building a sporting profile for the university and developing pathways though Man Met into the professional game,” he said.

“Our developing partnership with Sale Sharks and their Director of Rugby Steve Diamond is a big attraction. They’re a Premiership club with some of the best names in the sport in their ranks and sports students coming to Manchester recognise the quality of our coaching staff and facilities and also the opportunities we can offer through our networks.

“We’re really moving in the right direction now. For us, these students represent big wins. We’re delighted they’ve chosen to come and play for and study at Man Met.

One player Rob is particularly pleased to see pulling on MMU’s blue and orange strip is Jordan Lombard, who will come to Manchester from the top-rated Stellenbosch Academy in South Africa as a foundation year student working towards a BA (Hons) in Business Management.

The full list of Rugby scholars is:

Rugby Union

Charlotte Bradley – BC (Hons) Fine Art and Art History

Oliver Fallon – BA (Hons) Philosophy

Willow Bell – BA (Hons) Philosophy

Alex Pantechis – MSc Sports Business, Management and Policy

Alicia Calton – BA (Hons) Sports Management

Ben Stansfield – BA Combined Honours Business and Marketing

Fanni Kiss – BA (Hons) Sports Management

Fergus Walker – BA (Hons) Sports Marketing Management

Jordan Lombard – BA (Hons) Business Management (foundation)

Joshua Lugsden – BA (Hons) Sports Business Management (foundation)

Alex Brooks – BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Will Connor – MA Social Work

Drew Fray – MSc Sport and Exercise

Lochlan Dudley – BSc (Hons) Human Physiology (foundation)

Ryan Woolfendon – BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

Harry Matthews – BA (Hons) Sports Business Management

Jordan Tebbatt – BSc Exercise and Sport Science

Rugby League

Elias Harrison – BA (Hons) History

Connor MacCallum BSc (Hons) Forensic Chemistry

* Follow Rob Jones on Twitter at @Rob_Jones_9 and follow the website Talking Rugby Union for great sports coverage. https://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/

Pictured: Rugby coach Rob Jones is a strong supporter of MMU Sports Journalism and actively encourages budding sports journalists to cover his teams. Here he’s being interviewed by students for their assignments in previous years.