Gary Pearce
Gary made his Englend debut in 1979
Gary with his finalists trophy for Pilkington Cup in 1991
RFU England Tour Team 1979-80 to Japan, Fiji and Tonga
Aylesbury 1st XV Bucks Cup Winners 1974
Back Row – N. Griffiths, J. Spratt, D. Sedge, G. Rawlings, D. Gatherer, M. Plant, S. Newstead, J. Baylis.
Front Row – D. Dunn, A.N.Other, M. Banks, G. Pearce, C. Lee, A.N.Other, I. White, A. Kirk.
Gary Pearce – Aylesbury, Northampton Saints and England
Place of birth: Dinton and later moved to Stone
Position: Prop
England career: Gary made his England debut a year after he joined the Saints against Scotland, and though he played in all of the 1979 Five Nations he missed out on the following year's Grand Slam. Nevertheless Pearce became a regular in the England set-up and over the following 12 years he collected 36 caps - then a national record as England's most-capped prop. His last Five Nations match was in 1987 but he would go on to play in two World Cups, including a place on the replacements' bench for the 1991 final.
Saints: Gary's tenure at Northampton Saints, spanning from 1978 to 1995, was marked by his exceptional reliability as a tighthead prop, amassing 411 appearances for the club and providing a cornerstone of stability in the front row during the amateur era. His technical prowess in the set-piece, particularly in scrummaging, earned him a reputation as one of England's most dependable props, contributing to Northampton's competitive edge in league and cup competitions.
One of Gary’s standout performances came in the 1991 Pilkington Cup final at Twickenham, where he captained Northampton against Harlequins in what he later described as his proudest club moment. Despite the 25–13 defeat in extra time, Pearce's leadership and the team's resilience pushed the eventual winners to their limits, with Northampton's scrum holding firm under intense pressure and nearly forcing an upset before late Harlequins tries sealed the result.
Gary left Franklin's Gardens for Nottingham in December 1996 but his presence lives on at the club thanks to his imposing portrait, painted by Geoff Stalker and paid for by the Saints Supporters Club. It marked a long and healthy relationship with the Northampton fans, who also voted him Player of the Season in 1989/90. He was also player of the year in the 90/91 season.
Gary returned to our Club as a player & the 1st XV Coach for the 95/96 and 96/97 seasons. I quote one well known member 'it was one of the greatest privilages of my life to have played alonside him'.
Gary remains a great supporter of the Aylesbury Rugby Football Club and attends Club social events.
Gary donated a Northampton jersey and a complete set of international jerseys to the Club
Club letter congratulating Gary on his selection for England
Gary’s first season was 1973/74 when the Club won the Bucks Cup in Feb 74. He played in the first part of that season when he was just 17
Gary feeding to Peter Kingston at scrumhalf against Ireland at Lansdowne Road
Smile for the camera Gary!
Helena Rowland – Aylesbury, Loughborough Lightning and England
Age: 27
Position: Center & utility back
Club: Began her rugby career aged six at Aylesbury RFC, before playing at both Tring and Bicester RFC.
The sporting endeavours of her family may have been an early indicator of her natural ability, with her mum Lisa representing her county in athletics and brother Dan playing for Bath University’s 1st XV, Wasps U18 and Esher 1st XV.
England career: Represented England U20s in their three games at the start of 2018. Senior debut came in November 2020 in England’s fixture against Italy in the Grand Slam Six Nations campaign. Featured in the Red Roses squad that reached the final of the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, and in the title-winning squad that returned for the inaugural WXV1 tournament in 2023.
On 17 March 2025, she was named in England's squad for the Women's Six Nations Championship.
Rowland was part of John Mitchell's 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup-winning squad, who made history last year when they lifted the trophy in front of a record-breaking crowd of nearly 82,000 - the highest ever attendance at a women's rugby match. Rowland scored 27 points against Samoa in the pool stages, she converted 11 of her side's 14 tries, including her own. It is the most points scored by an England player in a Women's World Cup.
Helena was part of the 2027 Season 6 Nations coming back after an operation. She started at 12 in the match against Ireland and was supported walking out onto the pitch by one of the Red Roses mascots - our very own Frankie from the ARFC Under 9s!
Mark Rose - Wasps, Eastern Subarbs, Sydney, Aylesbury RFC, England
Date of birth: 19th June 1961
Position: No 8
At Aylesbury Rugby Club, we’re incredibly proud to count Mark Rose among our former players. A fierce and talented No. 8, Mark came through the ranks at Aylesbury before going on to represent Wasps and earn international honours with England.
From a young age, it was clear Mark had something special. His physicality, intelligence on the pitch, and natural leadership made him stand out in the back row. His time at Aylesbury laid the foundation for a career that would see him play at the very highest level.
Mark became a mainstay in the Wasps pack during the 1980s (176 appearances), where his aggressive ball-carrying and tireless work around the park earned him widespread respect. He was soon called up to represent England.
Samuel Frederick Jones - Aylesbury, Wasps, England U16, U18 & U20
DOB: 15 December 1991
Schools: Aylesbury Grammar School and King's College London growing up in the village of Weedon
Career: Played rugby for England U-16, U-18 and U-20, and Wasps RFC in the Aviva Premiership. In 2013 he was called up to the Barbarian's team to play England and the British & Irish Lions.
Premature end to his career: On 30 September 2016 Jones was called up to the senior England squad by coach Eddie Jones for the Autumn Internationals. However, while training with England he suffered multiple leg injuries in a judo session, which ruled him out of the Tests and led to his retirement in March 2018.
Grant Seely - Aylesbury, Saints, England U21
Position: Forward
Career: Attended Aylesbury Grammar School, played for Aylesbury Rugby Club and the University of Northampton before becoming a Professional Rugby player with Northampton Saints for 15 years and over 250 games. Retired in 2006 to work for four years as an Academy Coach, before moving to the education sector taking up the position of Head of Rugby at Magdalen College School Oxford for eight years before joining Stowe School as Director of Rugby.
Represented England at Under-21
James Buckland
DOB: 21 December 1981
Position: Hooker
Playing Career: Born in Aylesbury went to school at SHFGS. Played at Aylesbury as a junior. Began his career at Leicester Tigers in 2002. After 5 years and over 65 appearances for the club, Buckland left to join London Wasps where he spent a year before linking up with London Irish.
England: Represented England at both under 21 and Saxons level.
Coaching: After playing he moved into coaching where he took both London Scottish and London Welsh into the Top 4 of the Championship before taking up a 3 year deal at Rosslyn Park. Ealing Tralfinders announced Buckland as their head coach ahead of the 2018/19 season. Has coached Aylesbury from 2023 to 2025.
Connor Eastgate – Aylesbury Rugby Club, Wasps, Scotland U18/U20
DOB: 7 October 1997
Position: As a younger player - 12. At 17/18 at Wasps fly-half and played there since.
Place of birth: Ramstein, Germany - dad was in the RAF and was based there
Start: Started playing tag at Aylesbury Rugby Club when he was eight and moved up with them until he was 14. Joined the academy programme at Wasps. He played in their age-group sides and signed.
International Career: Scotland U18s and U20s. The U20 World Cup.
Solomon Shand – Aylesbury, Gloucester Rugby (2023 - 2024), Montpellier Hérault Rugby (2024 - 2025) and England U18
Age: 18
Position: Back Row
England career: Solomon was an Aylesbury RFC player who came up through the minis to U16. He represented England U18s during the International Series that took place in South Africa in 2023.
Johnny Howard - Aylesbury, Saints, Aviron Bayonnais, Pays d'Aix RC, Beziers Herault
Position: Scrum-half
Career: First played rugby aged seven at Aylesbury Rugby Club. In 1998, he joined Northampton Saints Rugby Academy, and in the next ten years appeared for the club as a scrum-half and occasionally on the wing. In 2008, he moved to France and played for Aviron Bayonnais. In 2009, he moved again to Pays d'Aix RC and, in 2010, to AS Béziers Hérault, for whom he played until his retirement from professional rugby in 2013. He was in the squad that won promotion to Pro D2 in 2010.
