Guernsey blood in the Wales World Cup squad
RAIDERS would love him, but even though he has a name as ‘Guernsey’ as any other in the current 1st XV, he is a touch too good for the island’s London & South-East Premier outfit.
Rhys Carre was a surprise pick for Warren Gatland’s Wales Rugby World Cup squad, particularly as it meant recent regulars Rob Evans and Samson Lee were among those who missed out.
But the loosehead prop with a Guernsey grandfather has chosen his native Wales as opposed to England, which he could also play for due to his Sarnian blood.
Carre, who is moving to European champions Saracens from Cardiff Blues, has already represented his country at U18s and U20s level, but signed his Saracens deal before getting a call to the senior set-up, since which Inside Track has been doing a little digging to discover who his grandfather is or was and the strength of his Guernsey family connections.
Incidentally, should Carre be capped for Wales he won’t be the first Guernsey-blooded player to play internationally.
Back in the 1920s the wing three-quarter Alan Robilliard, whose grandfather was a Guernseyman, represented Canterbury at a provincial level, and was a member of the All Blacks from 1924 to 1928. In his 27 matches for the All Blacks, three of which were internationals, he scored 25 tries.
