WELCOME FROM RHYS EDWARDS

RHYS EDWARDS DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

Welcome all to Loughborough University for another Allianz Premier 15s Fixture.

The last few weeks have been a testing time with COVID, which is still an ongoing challenge, which saw last weeks fixture against Wasps postponed. I am pleased that we are back playing today but we all need to be cautious and safe.

Today’s match sees us host Saracens, who have, as always been the consistent force that they are. Our previous game at the beginning of the year was another classic battle between us, but with our squad depleted it proved too big a challenge for our young team. We head into this fixture off the back of a good run of form and consistent selections which have helped us pick up a good win against Bristol Bears before Christmas.

We welcome back our Canadian second row paring of Courtney Holtkamp and Abby Duguid, who have come back to finish the year prior to hopefully going to the World Cup in New Zealand. Courtney makes her return today, with Abby being available for selection next week. Welcome back both.

Its great to celebrate this week the inclusion of a number of our U18s players in the England TDG group, namely Molly Luthayi who has been part of our development programme, and has a very exciting future. We also host a combined Centre of Excellence day today, with Yorkshire and Worcester CofE groups training. Welcome all, and I hope you have a great experience and a chance to watch the premier 15s game after.

We hope that you enjoy today and please come say hello post game in JCs bar.

Rhys Edwards Director of Rugby