Whitgift is schools rugby team of the year

Whitgift, the school that produced Danny Cipriani, is the Evening Standard schools rugby team of the year.

Carrying on the Croydon school's fine tradition of developing talent, the boys played outstanding rugby spearheaded by six full internationals.

The team lost only two out of 25 matches: a tour game in New Zealand and a two-point reverse by last year's team of the year, John Fisher. But Whitgift avenged this loss in the Daily Mail Cup, a tournament they went on to win at Twickenham, demolishing RGS Newcastle. Marland Yarde capped a brilliant season with three tries - he scored four for England U18s against Scotland a few days later.

The squad also included Romanian and Scottish internationals.

Among Whitgift's notable victories were away wins at Tonbridge and Wellington in successive weeks.

Coach Chris Wilkins said: "We are very proud to have won the Evening Standard award. It's the result of a lot of hard work by players and staff. We started the year with three internationals and ended it with six - but it's been a real team effort on which the whole school can build."

The award recognises the most improved and high achieving team in the Standard's circulation area.

Aylesbury Grammar, a one-term rugby school, topped the Standard league ahead of Whitgift with 10 wins out of 10 but Whitgift's tough fixture list gave them the edge when the award was made.

The league is run by SchoolsRugby.co.uk, the world's leading website in its field. The co-sponsor, rugby fashion brand FrontUp.co.uk who specialise in rugby inspired t-shirts, polos and hoodies, presented the 1st XV players with gift vouchers.