Brighton's become a force under Buoy

Brendan Gallagher continues his series looking at rugby’s great schools

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SUSSEX is not normally considered a hotbed of rugby in England – although that hasn’t stopped Joe Marler, Joe Launcbury, Dylan Hartley and Billy Twelvetrees making a big impression in modern times. But in Brighton College the Martlets County unquestionably boast one of the emerging forces in the schools game.

John Pope started the good work and flew the flag for rugby at the school for many years before passing the baton to Nick Buoy in 2006 and in the last 15 years 29 OBs have played rugby professionally somewhere in the world and 22 pulled on an England shirt of some description. Another feather in the school’s cap has been its adoption by Eddie Jones as an England training centre.

“Its nice to look back on a little tangible success on the pitch but that isn’t what drives us to be honest,” says Buoy. “I take the view that I am lucky to run a rugby club with some 350 members and the priority is for all of them to have fun, maximise their rugby ability – whatever that may be – and understand the value and camaraderie of teamwork.

“I got an email recently from a former player who had just graduated from medical school having qualified as a doctor and he insisted that being a rugby player at Brighton had been a big part in being able to take on that challenge successfully.”