With pre-season behind us and all preparations done, we are finally back in action as EURFC makes the long trip up to Chesire to face Chester RUFC.

After a solid first season at our highest-ever level, now is the time for all the boys to really kick on and prove their worth.

A mixed set of results from pre-season included a defeat to Esher but big wins over Brixham and Crediton topped off a season for rebuilding following the graduation of many key players.

Plenty of young and exciting talent are in the pipeline, and with the extra experience of some of the older players, it is bound to be an exciting season for the 1XV and Saturday XV.

For our first game, we face Chester for the first time ever, having changed division from National 2 North last season.

TOMORROW OPPONENTS
Rugby in Chester dates back all the way to 1879, but the club wasn’t formally founded until 1925 when it was formed by Colonel Charles Bromley. They bounced around grounds for much of their early years before settling at Vicars Cross, making a name for themselves in the 60s and 70s. When league rugby was established in 1985 were placed in the Northwest 1 League, and despite having some up-and-down years got themselves into North 1 at the turn of the century. A couple of near-misses in the Chesire Cup followed, before lifting the EDF Intermediate Cup at Twickenham in 2008.

They finally achieved promotion to the National 2 level in 2013 having missed out on the play-offs in 2 previous seasons. Another near miss a few years later for a shot in Nat 1 has been as good as it has gotten since for the Chesire outfit. Last season saw a mid-table 7th place finish in National 2 North, with the highlight coming with a last-minute penalty from Liam Reeves to steal victory against promotion-chasing Hull Ionians in March.

KEY PLAYERS
Harrison Vare – Coming through the Chester youth rugby he scored 9 tries from the wing in the 2022/23 season.
Harry Wilkinson – He’s a talismanic captain from No. 8, carrying hard around the field and hitting hard in defense
Tom Clarke – A new signing from Championship Caldy, the front-rower is dynamic in the loose and strong at scrum time.

TEAM NEWS
A new season means plenty of new faces in the squad for Elliot and Hodges to pick from. Regulars Chris Freeman and Archie Owlett flank new hooker Joe Vanjer in the front row. BUCS Super Rugby winner Josh Cunningham is joined by Oscar Beckerleg in the second row. In the back row we have new BUCS captain Lucas Dorrell as well as newbies Finn Worley-Brady and Lucas Brooke at 8.

In the backs, Orson James is at scrum half with Ben Coen at 10. In the centers, Dylan Power continues from last season but is joined now by Jeremy Tuima, brother of Rus at Chiefs and former EUWRFC player Lagi. The back three has a familiar feel to it as Benjy Joseland starts on one side, with Ed Volley on the other and Hugo Ellerby at fullback.

On the bench, both Louie and Tom Gulley prepare to dominate, along with Tupeni Ralgaivau and Milo Hallam in the pack. The only back cover is Will Smears, but with injury problems last season Smears is more than familiar in any position across the backline.

An exciting season ahead for EURFC, and we hope you enjoy the ride!!