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Rugby legends lend a hand to local club

wilkinsonHave you ever managed being coached by your rugby heroes? Ever consider what it would be like to meet international rugby stars like Jonny Wilkinson, Sir Clive Woodward, Mike Brown and Bryan Habana?

Well, that is exactly what happened a few weeks ago to amateur rugby side Racal Decca RFC, which calls itself the ‘Smallest Rugby Club in the World’.

As Racal Decca RFC prepared to take on rivals Streatham-Croydon 3rds, Land Rover surprised the two teams by calling on a world-class line up of Rugby World Cup winners from all across the globe.

The legends past and present, which boasted five Rugby World Cup winners’ medals, fulfilled all the essential roles that thousands of amateur players at grassroots clubs around the world undertake in order to play a game of Rugby.

This included putting out the kit, filling up water bottles, cutting up oranges, pumping up balls, giving the half time talk and bringing out the kicking-T!

With neither side aware of the surprise, both sides were stunned when Sir Clive Woodward, Rugby World Cup winning coach of England in 2003, arrived to conduct a pre-match team talk.

After putting on their matchday jerseys (which had been laid out with care by Will Greenwood, a team member of that 2003 winning side and Bryan Habana, himself a Rugby World Cup winner with South Africa), the teams were put through their paces in a warm-up led by former Scotland captain Kelly Brown.

The teams were further surprised on arrival at the site of the coveted Webb Ellis Cup. Robert Holmes, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of Racal Decca RFC, said,

“We often struggle for numbers to make up the 15 places on the teamsheet, yet remain a strong community by priding ourselves on having fun whilst remaining true to the discipline and respect that Rugby teaches. To be rewarded with such a wealth of international Rugby talent assisting us with our matchday activities has been a truly unforgettable experience.”

After a hard-fought game, Racal Decca emerged victorious, beating their rivals 31-17.

The event marked the launch of Land Rover’s Rugby World Cup 2015 sponsorship campaign, ‘We Deal In Real’.


About Ellaine

Ellaine is the founder of FRN and author of "Mini and Youth Rugby: Complete Guide for Coaches and Parents" (published October 2015). She has been playing rugby union for over 10 years in the UK and the US for teams including Oxford University Blues, London Wasps, Henley, NOVA, and GWU. She has recently developed a love for rugby 7s and has played on several international rugby 7s teams. She also enjoys playing touch rugby and regularly plays for the FRN Mixed Touch Rugby team. She is passionate about helping others develop a love for rugby. View all posts by Ellaine

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