Sedbergh School Celebrates Rugby Excellence with ‘Team of All Time’
Sedbergh School has once again cemented its reputation as one of the most prolific sporting schools in the UK, unveiling its Sedbergh School Football Club (SSFC) Team of All Time at a prestigious event in London.
Hosted by the Sedbergh Association at the Victory Services Club, the evening brought together more than 170 Old Sedberghians, friends and supporters of the School, creating an incredible atmosphere befitting a programme that has shaped generations of rugby talent since the founding of SSFC in 1879 and has gone on to produce over 600 international caps across the game.
The announcement of the Team of All Time was made by Headmaster Dan Harrison, following an extensive selection process involving former coaches and Old Sedberghians. The resulting squad is a remarkable reflection of Sedbergh’s enduring rugby legacy including Rugby World Cup winners and players who have excelled across both rugby union and rugby league at the highest level.
Notably, the team includes both a male and female Rugby World Cup winner, an achievement few, if any, schools can claim.
The evening was hosted by Will Carling, Old Sedberghian, former England captain and British & Irish Lion, who led a compelling panel discussion featuring some of the game’s most distinguished names:
- John Spencer – former England captain & British & Irish Lion
- Abbie Ward – England World Cup winner & Bristol Bears
- Ewan Dowes – England Rugby League international
- Phil Dowson – England international & Director of Rugby at Northampton Saints
- Mike McCarthy – Ireland international
Guests were treated to a lively and insightful discussion, reflecting on careers at the highest level of the sport and the formative role Sedbergh played in their journeys.
Speaking at the event, Headmaster Dan Harrison said:
“This was a truly special evening and a real privilege to launch Sedbergh School’s Team of All Time. To bring together such an extraordinary group of players, spanning generations, is a powerful reminder of the strength and depth of rugby at Sedbergh.
What makes this team particularly unique is that it includes both a male and female Rugby World Cup winner, something very few schools in the world could ever claim. There was a real buzz in the room, and a deep sense of pride in what Sedbergh has achieved.
We are incredibly proud of our heritage, but equally excited about the future. Sedbergh School continues to go from strength to strength, and we look forward to seeing many more of our pupils representing their countries in the years ahead.”
