Sible Hedingham’s Ivan Fellows said he felt a “huge sense of pride” at being able to wear the national shirt as part of the England Deaf Rugby Union team.

The England Deaf Rugby Union (EDRU) side is a charity which allows deaf rugby players the chance to play for their country and the 17-year-old Hedingham School sixth form student played his part in helping them to a 29-29 draw against St Neot’s.

Fellows, who has been playing rugby since he was nine and plays for Halstead Templars Rugby Club, played in the second row as the England team held the St Neot’s team that had been unbeaten all season.

He said: “It gave me a huge sense of pride being able to put on the jersey with the England rose on it and represent not only my country, but Deaf Rugby too.

“To be among other deaf players playing at such a high calibre of rugby definitely helped me to raise my game and reach my full potential as a player.”