Three of the Aviva Premiership’s finest players have paid a visit to the Rosslyn Park HSBC National School Sevens and have reminisced about their memories of running out in the famous tournament.

London Irish’s Nick Kennedy and Topsy Ojo along with Harlequins flyer Ugo Monye have all turned out in the tournament in the past and have gone on to become England internationals.

Second-row Kennedy turned out for Claires Court School in the late 90s and although they failed to progress far in the tournament, he is impressed with the growth of the competition.

Kennedy said: “Although we didn’t get very far – we weren’t a rugby school – we did okay. I was 16 when I turned out in the Colts tournament and it was a great experience.

“The whole tournament has grown so much – when I was turning out here there were just a couple of food vans and now there’s huge marquees and guys on sofas beside the pitch. The whole venture has grown so much and the weather has also been superb.”

Ojo captained Dartford Grammar School’s first VII but also turned out in the competition when he was 16. He is one of the Premiership’s most ruthless finishers and admits that the short form of the game has helped his skills develop.

“I turned out for Dartford Grammar in the Colts tournament as well and the second time we came down we got out of our group which was a good experience. Being here today brings back fond memories and the change is huge.

“In terms of my own game, Sevens has helped with the XV form of the sport. There’s so much space on the field so I’d like to think playing in tournaments like this has helped pave the way for where I am today. As a winger it was great as you got the ball in space and meant that you didn’t get smashed by the forwards.”

British & Irish Lion winger Monye has experienced success on the club scene with Harlequins and also reflects on his days in the tournament with fondness – when he turned out for Lords Wandsworth – a school that also saw the likes of Jonny Wilkinson and Peter Richards pull on the shirt.

Monye said: “I played here when I was 16 and didn’t get on too well. It was a great experience to play against schools from around the country and also from abroad so back then it was massive.

“Sevens has also helped out my own game massively. Spatial awareness and the extreme pressure you’re under only serves to help your game.”

Photo courtesy of Kukri