Wing Harry Spencer has left the Three Pears Warriors Academy to start a degree in biomedical sciences at the University of Newcastle.
Spencer, 19, joined the Senior Academy last year having been Warriors Under-18s’ leading try-scorer in 2019/20 including a hat-trick in the Finals Day victory over Saracens at Sixways.
He played in the pre-season friendly against Northampton Saints in November but, with no Premiership Rugby Cup or Shield this season, a delayed start to the Greene King IPA Championship and no National Leagues rugby, there have been few other opportunities for Spencer to get game time.
Having deferred his university studies when he took his place on the Academy, Spencer has now decided to train for a career in medicine.
“It was a difficult decision for Harry to make,” said Mike Hall, Three Pears Warriors Academy Manager.
“It would have been easy, having not played much rugby this season, for Harry to have stayed but he is also keen to pursue a career in medicine. Having deferred his studies last year Harry has now decided to take up that option.
“We are fully supportive of Harry and we wish him all the best for the future. He has been an excellent professional here in what have been very difficult conditions for our Academy players with few opportunities for them to play competitive rugby owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Spencer played his formative rugby for Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire and at Warwick School alongside his Academy team-mate Fin Smith.