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We at UR7s always have one eye on the next breed of potential superstars. The National Schools Sevens tournament in the UK has seen great names grace its fields over the years and last week’s tournament again saw exciting talent.

UR7s has taken the opportunity to select our All-Stars team for both the Festival (one term rugby) and Open (two term rugby). First up we looked at the boys from the Festival and now we've had a muse over the Open. Here are our picks.

1. Henry Thomas - Millfield

Thomas has had an outstanding season and he was equally as good over the two days of National Schools. Leading his Millfield side from the front, he was able to dominate the set-piece due to his experience in the front row in 15s. Able to match his power with a great engine, never giving up on what many would consider a lost cause. Constantly caused havoc at the breakdown resulting in turnover ball for Millfield. He captained the side with real maturity and saved his best performance for the final against Filton.

2. Kade Dillon - Filton College

Worked equally as hard on the floor as his rival Thomas. Often the unsung hero of an ever improving Filton side, Dillon was at the heart of much of the great play from the Bristol school. Compared to Neil Back by one onlooker in reference to his work on the floor, he proved to a real handful for all opposition in his sides run to the final

3. Oliver Woodburn - Colstons

Woodburn played in both the backs and the forwards throughout the tournament. With deft skills and speed he was a handful out wide but it was the use of his power and strength upfront that caught the eye. An excellent link between the big men and his faster teammates. Excelled in win over Llandovery in the last 16.

4. Nazir Kareem - Prince Henry GS

Considering Prince Henry had played very little Rugby Sevens this season it was a surprise to some that they did as well as they did. Kareem proved to be the difference from what could have been an satisfactory outing to a really successful couple of days. Great vision and decision making matched by strong hands and very quick feet. Kareem was always pulling the strings for the Otley school.

5. Miles Mantella - Millfield

As with his captain, Mantella lived up to his pre-tournament billing as a man in form. Showing electric pace in the midfield, both his ability to create space and support the ball carrier meant that he was a constant threat. As the tournament progressed, teams began to close him down and in turn he showed great hands and patience as his team mates were given more room to roam. Solid defensively, using his speed to close down the opposition and make his tackles.

6. Craig Holland - Brighton College

Communication is the key in sevens and Holland commanded his backline in both attack and defence with experience beyond his years. He showed patience throughout the tournament and proved to be the most successful in going someway to frustrating Millfield in a compelling quarter-final.

7. Jackson Szabo – Colstons

Positioned himself intelligently on both sides of the ball. Supported the ball carrier in middle of the park with a real sense for when the off-load was coming. As with all the best wingers, exceptional speed on the outside and seemed only to accelerate over the longer distances, was used to great affect by the powerful Colstons side.

Substitutes:

8. Joe Bartlett - Ivybridge

Unlucky to miss out to Woodburn in the pack, Bartlett's work rate had to be the highest of the tournament. Making tackles all over the park, turning over opposition ball and guaranteeing his own ball.

9. Josh Davis - Llandovery

He did not stop communicating at any point during the matches. Marshalled his troops from the sweeper position on both sides of the ball and was at the heart of every counter attack. Decided when to change the point of attack very well, attack both short and open sides of the field. Great step of the left foot

10. Max Stelling - Old Swinford Hospital

Swinford were not expected to do as well as they did and Stelling was one of the reasons for their success. Really solid in the backline, made his tackles, ran his lines hard and made the right decision and the right time. Dependable throughout the tournament.

Unlucky to miss out:

Tom Baker – Colston’s
Pierre Tucker –Filton
Curtis Wilson – Prince Henry

Coach of the Tournament - Mark Lewis Williams - Millfield

Williams will be very proud of his players for living upt o their tag as pre-tournament favourites. Though the Millfield line-up is deep with real talent, it was the structure and patience of the players that became apparent throughout the tournament. Unlike their rivals they did not get frustrated if turned over or if mistakes were made. They simply put their heads down and believed in the game plan. The whole squad made the right decisions throughout the two days, ‘pulling out’ when options were closed on them by opposition defences or going back to 1 when required. It was this aspect which made them the stand out as a unit rather than a collection of talented individuals. This is testament to the excellent coaching they receive.

Player of the Tournament - Miles Mantella

It was so difficult to split the two stars from Millfield; captain Thomas and his wide man Mantella. With both having received Player of the Tournament awards from UR7s this season, we tried hard to look elsewhere but it proved too tough a task. Mantella did something special in every one of the games he played in. He was never out of the game, making the right decisions to off-load but finishing chances from every area of the field. Mantella was the finest from a very fine team and just pips his skipper to the MVP award.

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UR7s have launched a new coaching manual: Colin Hillman’s Expert Guide to Sevens - your complete guide to strategy, tactics and training for sevens rugby. Learn more and order your copy now!

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For more action shots from National Schools contact David Whittam on d.whittam@btinternet.com