PORTLAND’S Rhodri Tanner is making big strides in the rugby world just a few years after leaving school in Weymouth.

A first-year student at Loughborough University, the 19-year-old was called into the Nottingham side for the British & Irish Cup clash with London Welsh before Christmas and featured against Cornish Pirates last weekend.

The former Budmouth pupil is also in the Greene King IPA Championship outfit’s squad for tonight’s home game against the Cardiff Blues Premiership Select XV in the same competition.

Tanner, who plays at hooker, has represented Dorset & Wilts at under-17 and 18 levels, and he played for two years at Hartpury College in Gloucester while studying for his A levels.

Since moving to Loughborough, the teenager has been kept busy away from his studies by turning out for his university and the Nottingham Rugby Academy.

Tanner’s academic studies come first but he is revelling from playing in a professional environment and hopes to win a full-time rugby contract after graduating at the end of his course.

In the meantime, he will be looking to maintain his links with Nottingham while also playing student rugby for Loughborough.

The front-row forward owes a lot to those that have helped him so far, including Weymouth & Portland head coach Paul Harding.