FORMER Taunton School pupil and World Under-20 champion Tom Woolstencroft is one of many stars who graced Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens in their youth and his younger brother Teddy showed the apple does not fall far from the tree at last week’s competition.

The alumni of the world’s largest schools tournament is a who’s who of rugby and Woolstencroft was one of those who played at the competition in London growing up, before going on to win the World Under-20 Championship with England in 2014.

And last week his 11-year-old brother Teddy followed in his footsteps by representing Taunton School at the competition which saw more than 650 teams and 8,000 players compete between Tuesday and Friday.

England senior stars Chris Robshaw and Jonathan Joseph are just two high profile names that played in the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens growing up but for Woolstencroft junior and his classmates, they can find inspiration of what is achievable closer to home.

Teddy said: “Seeing Tom make it to where he is gives me the encouragement to believe that I can be a good rugby player too. Maybe I’m not as good as him, but it would be amazing to reach the level he is at now and he is only going to improve as a player too.

“He went to Taunton School as well and played at the Rosslyn Park Sevens three or four times and he said it was a great tournament to be a part of.

“He’s a great hooker and he was so happy when he won the Under-20s World Championship.

“I’ve seen him play a lot on TV which is pretty cool but it is quite surprising seeing your brother on the television screen! I’ve watched him a lot live as well and it’s awesome, although it can be quite scary.”

Interest in rugby union is at an all-time high after the hugely successful World Cup in England and it will be breaking new ground and reaching a different audience this summer when rugby sevens is included in the Olympics for the first time.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens is now in its 77th year and England legend Jason Robinson and England Sevens captain Tom Mitchell were among those to attend this year’s competition, meeting school children and signing autographs.

Taunton School were unfortunate not to make the latter stages of this year’s tournament after finishing level on points with their group leaders after two wins apiece, only to miss out on points difference.

Teddy added: “I’ve been playing rugby since I started school and I really enjoy it because it is a fantastic sport and is definitely my favourite.

“It’s quite nerve-racking playing at this tournament; when you’re on the pitch there’s a lot of people watching you but we love it.”

In Rugby Seven’s biggest year the next generation of rugby stars, inspired by the Rugby World Cup, from more than 650 teams descended on Rosslyn Park HSBC National Schools Sevens to start on their own journey and break new ground http://www.rpns7.co.uk/

-Ends-