On reflection and looking over the consistent offering of sporting skill that St Benedict’s School produces that either the soil of the Perivale playing fields is especially blessed by the River Brent or that a good reputation invokes and attracts a deeper quality of that same courage, or flair, or pluck that constitutes not just an excellent sportsman (of which St Benedict’s can proudly boast of a whole host) but that added extra ‘something’ that creates the GREAT …the International Cap.
In Rugby particularly there has poured forth a plethora of talent (though to be fair, fencing, rifle-shooting, cricket, athletics and kayaking have also appeared amidst Alumni accolades) from this St Benedict’s stable – each no doubt a fine pedigree in its own right. Casting a quick eye along the line of plaudits, two names in particular are outstanding for their worth: that of DP Hopley (OP 1986) and JP Simpson (OP 2006), both of whom have achieved their International Caps for England. Incidentally Damian Hopley’s elder brother, Philip (OP 1984) has also achieved some strong, sporting recognition.
It is invidious a task to spotlight any such outstanding merit amidst so much excellence but what is so much more encouraging is that there appears a strong tradition of similar worth journeying its way into the majority from the younger ages…maybe the best is yet to be?
| Name | Sport | Country | Year |
| AF Niekirk (OP 1947) | Rifle Shooting | Scotland | 1957-59 |
| WT Treadwell (OP 1957) | Rugby | England | 1966 (3 Caps) |
| Barbarians | 1966 | ||
| JN McGrath (OP 1958) | Fencing | Wales | 1965-70 |
| JA Trigg (OP 1959) | Rugby | International Ref | 1979-86 |
| RA Codd (OP 1966) | Rugby | Barbarians | 1972-73 |
| SM Campbell (OP 1979) | Rugby | England Students | 1984 |
| PA Hopley (OP 1984) | Rugby | England Students | 1987-89 |
| Barbarians | 1997 | ||
| DP Hopley (OP 1986) | Rugby | England U18 | 1988 |
| England U19 | 1989 | ||
| Scottish Univs | 1990 | ||
| England 7s | 1993 & 96 | ||
| Barbarians | 1994 | ||
| England | 1995 (3 Caps) | ||
| MJ Hutton (OP 1988) | Rugby | England U21 | 1990 |
| Barbarians | 1996 | ||
| RJ Hutton (OP 1991) | Rugby | England U18 | 1990-91 |
| CP Wilson (OP 1994) | Athletics | England | 2001-05 |
| DR Holt (OP 2000) | Cricket | England U19 | 1999 |
| DJ Codrington (OP 2002) | Rugby | England U18 | 2002 |
| SD O’Donnell (OP 2003) | Rugby | Ireland U18 | 2003-04 |
| SD O’Connell (OP 2004) | Rugby | Ireland U19 | 2010 |
| JA Cann (OP 2005) | Rugby | England U18 | 2004-05 |
| HW Ellis (OP 2006) | Rugby | Wales U16 Captain | 2003-04 |
| England U18 | 2005-06 | ||
| England U19 | 2006 | ||
| England U20 Captain | 2008 | ||
| JP Simpson (OP 2006) | Rugby | England U19 | 2006 |
| England 7s | 2007 | ||
| England Saxons | 2009 | ||
| England | 2011 | ||
| JG Bordiss (OP 2007) | Rugby | England U18 | 2006 |
| AG Ellis (OP 2008) | Rugby | England U18 | 2007 |
| England U19 | 2010 | ||
| J Stephenson (OP 2008) | Rugby | Ireland U18 | 2007 |
| England Counties | 2011 | ||
| RR Halsall (OP 2008) | Rugby | England U16 | 2006 |
| Ireland U19 | 2008 | ||
| MJ Simpson (OP 2008) | Rugby | England U16 | 2006 |
| JH Ogden (OP 2008) | Skiing | GB Youth | 2007 |
| J Holmes (OP 2010) | Rugby | England U20 | 2011 |
| N Higgins (OP 2011) | Rugby | Ireland U18 Clubs | 2011 |
| F Davidson (Staff) | Rugby | England U20 | 2010-11 |
| EE Romain | Kayaking | GB Development | 2010-11 |
| NR Romain | Kayaking | GB Development | 2010-11 |
| H Sadiq | Fencing | GB Cadet U17 | 2010-11 |
| MR Brant | Rugby | Canada U17 | 2010-11 |
| ML Makram | Rugby | England U16 | 2011 |