YOUNG GUNS
HARTPURY COLLEGE PROP
Hartpury College prop Henry Pearson wants to follow in the footsteps of their alumni and has his sights set on breaking into the Gloucester squad.
The college has produced a plethora of graduates who have gone on to achieve international honours, including Ellis Genge, Jonny May and Ross Moriarty.
Pearson is loving his time at Hartpury and has taken inspiration from the alumni board in the clubhouse to replicate their success.
The 18-year-old said: “My time at Hartpury College has been amazing and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made to come here.
It’s been a great experience as you learn so much about yourself and others, as well as your rugby.
“It’s changed me as a person, changed how I think about life and has made me really mature.
“Those names that have come out of Hartpury College really help drive standards, and drives people to want to be one of those names in the clubhouse.
“Recent graduates like Louis Rees-Zammit and Harry Randall that have come out of here in the last three to four years like to get involved.
Every now and then the coaches might get a message from them, so it’s close knit between the alumni and the current players.”
Pearson started playing rugby at Chinnor from as early as he can remember after being inspired by his dad to take up the sport.
He has played tighthead throughout his career, apart from a year in the second row when he was 16 at Lord Williams School.
He said: “I started down at Chinnor in the minis and played there until U16s. My dad was a big part of getting me into it.
“When I was at school, I was playing two years up, and because I was playing with 18-year-olds at 16, I wasn’t able to play in the front row and I had to play in the second row. I really enjoyed the experience and it really helped me mature as a player before I went to Hartpury.”
Pearson is in the junior Gloucester Academy and after meeting some of the first team players, his aim is to break into the first team.
He said: “Ed Slater came down and coached us on our lineouts, along with Fraser Balmain, and they helped add detail and technique which gave us perspective on what it’s like to be in the first team.”
Since he was a child, Pearson has had a dream of running out for Gloucester, inspired by his late grandfather.
He said: “My grandfather was a massive supporter of Gloucester and he said to me since I was a young age: ‘I can see you playing for the Cherry and Whites’. He unfortunately passed away a few months ago, so I want to do everything I can to make him proud.”
