Following on from the success of the inaugural ‘international’ match last year when the combined CI team defeated Sweden 66-28 in a highly-entertaining contest at Footes Lane, Guernsey and Jersey will unite once again on Saturday 25 July, this time in Jersey, to face the nation ranked 30th in the world.
Six of the Guernsey players involved last year have made the cut this time around, including Siam Cup-winning captain Dom Rice, who scored the opening try against Sweden, as well as the man of the match that day Anthony Armstrong.
‘It’s really exciting times,’ said Jersey director of rugby Myles Landick, who will take charge of the CI side.
‘I called all of the guys individually, I felt that was appropriate, just to say they were in the squad and how excited I was to come together as one unit.
‘We have really strong players across the park and I watched the training session last year and it was great how quickly the guys came together, how friendly they were and how hard the guys were willing to work for each other.
‘If you look at the Siam Cup just gone, that was a great game, one that Guernsey deservedly won, and the celebrations afterwards were still good, but not in each other’s faces as perhaps they used to be.
‘There is a lot more respect between the sides now – the CI game last year helped bring the players together – and that’s been nice to see.
‘What I want is to continue the work Jordy [Reynolds] and the guys did last year in Guernsey, and for playing for the Channel Islands to mean something as well – I think it is a really big thing.’
Landick added that while he hopes to entertain the crowd at Coinshares Park next month, he expects the opposition to be tough.
‘While last year the game was played shortly after the Siam, this year everyone is going to be fresh and that’s really exciting because it is a perfect way to have a bit of intensity at the start of the season.
‘I think we are playing a stronger opposition in Poland. They put 70 points on Sweden recently and are up into the Rugby Europe Championship now.
‘They have definitely progressed in recent times, so it’s going to be a really tough test for us, but I think we’ve got a really good combination in our squad with a good set-piece along and our exciting back-line, so it will be interesting to see how we get on.’
Tickets for the match in Jersey are on sale now. For more information, visit the Jersey Rugby Club Facebook page.
Channel Islands squad to face Poland at Coinshares Park in Jersey (Saturday 25 July):
Forwards
Michael Cantle, Joe Wrafter, Martinas Dromantas, Charlie Wilkinson, Josh Poullet, Matt Creber, Dom Rice (all Guernsey), Jack Macfarlane, Huw Owen, Tom Wilson, Euen Spencer, Tim Grey, Toby Osborne (all Jersey).
Backs
Dale Rutledge, Charlie Simmonds, Matt Armstrong, Anthony Armstrong (all Guernsey), Harry Cochrane, Scott Van Breda, Dan Barnes, Aaron Penberthy, Mark Boarer, Dylan Stocks (all Jersey).
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