Cinderford RFC

Three former Cinderford players received call ups to the senior England squads this week. Ben Morgan was named in the elite England squad, while Henry Trinder and Freddie Burns were both selected for the England Saxons squad. Trinder was subsequently asked to step up to the elite squad because of injuries.

Trinder played for Cinderford in 2007/08, the season the club won promotion to what is now National One. He scored four tries in just a handful of appearances, including a memorable length-of-the-field effort in the pre-Christmas derby with Lydney at Regentsholme. Freddie Burns played 15 times for Cinderford in 2008/09. He scored 67 points for the firsts with four tries, 16 conversions, three penalties and two drop-goals.

Morgan played for Cinderford in 2007/08, although he was unable to break through into the firsts. He made just one league appearance for Cinderford’s firsts versus Dings Crusaders. He was courted by England and Wales after some excellent performances for the Scarlets. He said: “I feel privileged and honoured that both Wales and England have been following me and it has taken me a while to come to this decision. “But I’m English. I grew up supporting England and as a youngster I always dreamt of playing for England. Ultimately, if given the opportunity I want to try and take things forward.”

Former Westbury-on-Severn winger Alex Cuthbert has also been named in a 35-man Wales squad to go to a training camp in Gdansk, Poland ahead of the Six Nations.

by Rob Harris, The Forester