Ironsides Colt represents England U18

Ironsides’ Zach Carr represented England U18 on Sunday 22nd August against Italy at Millfield. Zach (17) started at No.8 and had a fantastic game.

Zach joined Ironsides in the U6 B team under Toby Wait and Claude Rolland. He quickly moved to the A team coached by Peter Baldwin and Paul Ashton, where the team enjoyed numerous successes competing against other Surrey clubs, winning a number of tournaments, including Surrey Champions.

Playing a number of positions across his career to date (initially decided by his Dad’s preconceived ideas about his wanting to field the next Will Greenwood - also a Quin!) and then later, by Zach’s body’s insistence to continue growing - he now stands at 6’6”, drove him into the pack as number 8 initially, then a blindside/second row forward. His timing both in the lineout and ball receiving, as well as his speed around the pitch ensures that he is consistently in the action.

Zach was always in the A team at school as he enjoyed the handling, speed and physicality of rugby which ultimately led to him playing for the 1XV aged just 16. 

One of a number of Ironsides’ boys put forward for the Surrey U16 squad, Zach initially wasn’t picked to join the Harlequins development squad following the first cut.  After further promotion by his Dulwich College coach Rob Wood, Harlequins returned for another look at him and took him into the fold last year, playing in the U18 team as a second row or blindside flanker. 

The season was punctuated, as was everywhere else, with the impact of COVID-19 however, Zach was invited to two camps with England at Bisham Abbey before being invited to play in the North vs South match at St. Georges’ Park.  He was invited to attend the England Training camp which culminated in him starting for England U18 vs Italy at Millfield School.

Zach, who still trains with Ironsides Colts, has always had a great support network around him through the club, keeping him grounded, defining the critical values of the game and promoting inclusion and responsibility.  These core values have been maintained as he has worked closer with Harlequins. 

We are all so proud that he continues to climb the ladder towards ultimately what he hopes will be a professional contract.

Paul Ashton said “All the coaches and parents involved in our age group are incredibly proud of Zach’s achievements. Zach deserves all this success, he is a wonderful player and person who has shown huge dedication alongside his undoubted ability to get to this stage of his rugby journey and with great support from his parents Julia and Sean, we can’t wait to follow his progression.”