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Raging Bull Ronin believe being selected as a core side for the National Sevens Series is an honour itself.

The side with a strong Army influence, thanks to manager John Beart, also feel their tight-knit squad could be a key factor in upsetting the established invitational sevens powers.

Ronin start their campaign at the inaugural National Sevens Series’ opening leg this weekend at London’s RugbyRocks.

They have been drawn in a tough Group C with the White Hart Marauders and friendly foes the British Army.
In preparation for the Series the squad have been in Germany for a training camp following involvement in numerous UK tournaments since April.

“This Series is massive really. About three years ago there was only a few top invitation teams. But in the last three years it has exploded, there are so many teams out there. To be recognised as one of those top nine is massive for us as a club,” said John Beart.

“Untill recently we’ve never had any backing, it has just been me on my own with a laptop in my car! It is a huge accolade really to be part of this.”

Seven representatives from UK National 2 North outfit, Rugby Lions, have been registered along with four players from Nuneaton, who themselves were recently relegated from National One.

2 Yorks Regiment’s Tevita Toloi will also feature this summer adding some much needed steel to one of the underdogs on the circuit.

Ronin’s season started superbly with a win at Pocklington but injury and player unavailability has stunted their momentum. They were Plate runners-up at both the London Rugby Festival and Ashby Sevens.

One particular disappointing absence is that of Alex Gray, who broke his ankle in Pocklington and is unavailable.

“The team has been unsettled as I've blooded many new and young lads looking for potential gems. I haven't and won't be building my squad around household names and have been working hard on developing the current crop of players we have to step up this season,” says Beart.

“We have just affiliated ourselves with Raging Bull so they can help us carry on further with bringing in new players and developing the players we already have as we have always had a small and close team. We are like a Band of Brothers. ”

Beart is also excited about facing the Army this weekend, with many of the players familiar to Ronin. 

“It’s fun when we play the Army as we know many of them and the way they tend to play. It is a big step-up obviously but for the team that we have got and the experience and the time we have been about its going to be exciting.”

Raging Bull Ronin Group C Fixtures - RugbyRocks

12:00 WH Marauders v RB Ronin
13:20 British Army v RB Ronin

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The National Sevens Series, in association with Ultimate Rugby Sevens, is supporting the Julian Starmer-Smith Lymphona Fund. To learn more about the charity and to donate go to http://www.justgiving.com/jssfund