Young Gun: Curtis Langdon – St Paul’s & London Irish hooker
The London Irish-affiliated college went into last year’s play-offs as favourites after beating Hartpury College twice but came up short against Prince Henry’s in the semi-finals while Hartpury swooped to win the competition – a fifth title since its 2010 inception.
This year, Hartpury returned to the North group while St Paul’s were left to battle it out with Filton and Truro in the highly competitive South group but two wins over their rivals in November ensured them top spot and a semi-final place.
Langdon, a stand-out performer scoring a heap of tries from hooker, does not intend to taste defeat again and he also hopes he can kickstart his international career with England U18s next month.
“We’re very much looking to win the AASE League,” he told The Rugby Paper. “Only Hartpury have won it so far so it’d be huge for St Paul’s and London Irish to become the second winners and I think we’ve got the players to do it.
“It’s been a very good season so far and going down to Truro and winning to secure top spot was huge for us. It was very unfortunate to lose against Prince Henry’s last year and we don’t want to experience that feeling again especially the upper sixth boys. It’ll be great to make the final, hopefully against Hartpury, and get one over them again.
“The next few months are going to be pretty busy as I’m looking to get my first international cap with England U18s. I was selected for a training camp over Christmas so hopefully I can stay in the squad and get involved against France or Wales during the Six Nations before the FIRA tournament and the tour to South Africa.”
Langdon started playing aged six at Hornets in Weston-super-Mare where he was coached by his father Matthew.
He stayed there until 16 before London Irish came knocking and he joined their AASE programme at St Paul’s last season.
Langdon admits his first steps in Sunbury were challenging but under the guidance of AASE manager Giselle Mather and Exiles legend Declan Danaher he is now ready to stake his claim for a professional contract.
He said: “It was a big shock leaving home and being in a professional environment for the first time. The first few weeks were very challenging but it only confirmed the fact that I wanted to be a professional rugby player.
“Giselle was very honest last year after she didn’t put me up for selection with England U17s. She thought I wasn’t ready because I lacked confidence.
“I’ve been working hard on that while training with Declan and first team prop Matt Prior to improve my throwing and scrummaging. It paid off as this year I was put up for selection.
“I’ve had to put on a lot of weight to be able to play at the highest level. I’m 101kg (15st 13lb) for 6ft 1in now but I was only 80kg when I joined the programme. I’ve come a long way working on my conditioning and nutrition but I can still get bigger.
“I haven’t been told anything about next season yet but getting a contract with London Irish to one day maybe run out for the first team is my biggest goal.”
