Two Old Oakhamians featured for Leicester Tigers’ 1st XV in their Premiership Rugby Cup match against Bedford Blues. Jacob Cusick (’21) and Oliver Crane (’22) both played in the final group stage match.
Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar – who spoke at Oakham School’s Sporting Futures event just two days prior – named a youthful side for the match. The line-up featured 23 changes from the team that beat Newcastle Falcons 60-7 a week earlier, including eight players making their first appearance for the club.
The young Tigers fell to a 47-28 defeat, which had no impact on Tigers’ progression to the knockout stage of the competition, which was already secured.
20-year-old back Jacob Cusick played the full 80 minutes at outside centre. This marked his 11th appearance in Tigers’ senior men’s side, having appeared twice previously this season in Premiership Rugby Cup clashes against Caldy and Ampthill.
Amongst the First XV debutants was fellow OO and Tigers Academy player Oliver Crane – pictured above in action for Oakham School. The 6’3″ prop made his bow for the Tigers as a 71st minute replacement. Oliver captained Oakham’s 1st XV in the 2020-21 season.
Meanwhile, in France, Old Oakhamian Sam Costelow (’19), made his first Rugby World Cup start for Wales. The Scarlets fly-half has been playing an increasingly large part in the international fold following his 2022 Wales debut. Sam played all 80 minutes of the 43-19 victory over Georgia in Nantes, kicking five conversions and one penalty.
