Royal Hospital School pupil Anders Mogensen continued his rapid rise up the rugby ladder last week by making his debut for the Northampton Saints' reserve team.

By Stuart Watson

Royal Hospital School pupil Anders Mogensen continued his rapid rise up the rugby ladder last week by making his debut for the Northampton Saints' reserve team.

The 16-year-old South African only arrived in England to board at the RHS last September, but since then has increasingly caught the eye on the rugby field.

After playing a crucial role in RHS' unbeaten season last year, the school's coaches worked hard to get Mogensen an Eastern Counties trial after the deadline date had passed.

Running in four tries in the trail match, Mogensen was soon snapped up, before further impressive performances earnt him a place on newly relegated Guiness Premiership side Northampton Saint's academy.

Last week saw Mogensen go one stage further in his club career, making his debut for the Northampton Wanderers as an early second half replacement against Worcester in a Guiness A League match.

Mogensen said: “It's all been quite a shock really. In South Africa I only started making provincial rugby sides when I was about 12 or 13, previous to that I had always competed in athletics.

“I came to England as an inside centre, but with the English game being all about physical size and power, I was soon made into a winger.”

Despite being South African, Mogensen qualifies to play for England and has already represented the national under-16 team.

Mogensen said: “I obviously got a bit of stick over the World Cup, but I really didn't mind who won. I do think that the best side won in the final though.

“My main rugby goals now are to play more games for the Wanderers and break into the England Under-18 squad.

“I have got an under-18 camp at Loughborough next year and if that goes well I could end up touring Australia and New Zealand. One day I would love to pull on the England jersey.”