Wednesday 04 August 2010

This Saturday, 7th August, sees the West Country Cavaliers travel to Dursley RFC for the 1st annual Cotswold 7's - being organised by one of the Godfathers management Adam D'Arcy-Wass.  Despite the fact that preseason games are starting for many of the boys this weekend the Cavaliers have managed to pull together a talented and experienced squad for the tournament.

Bringing the grunt, and making a welcome return to the side is ex-Bath Rugby flanker Andy Edwards.  Having been in Australia for the past 12 months Edwards has missed out on the recent 7's developments like the National Series.  However, he is now a Crossfit machine and will no doubt be the fittest player at the event.  Alongside Edwards, Taunton star Alec Chase makes an appearance for the Cavaliers, a first in the main team.  Chase is looking to impress ahead of the Amsterdam 2011 tour - we all know what happened in 2008...  Avon RFC pair Damien Sawyer and Brendan O'Mara will again don the Cavaliers shirts and will look to link up the play well from their interchange hooker roles.

There is real talent in the back line, with some familiar faces as well as some new, raw talent.  The side will again be captained by Rhidian McGuire, who will be ably supported by Cavaliers stalwart Sam Brown.  Competing for playmaker spots are Keynsham scrum-half Graham Sage, who had a fantastic debut tournament down at the Newquay 7's, and Zimbabwean stand-off Ryan Mee.  Mee, one of the best defensive players that has represented for the Cavaliers this season, will be aiming to continue with this style.

Out wide the Cavaliers have some lightning pace.  Launceston wing Matt Luxton is fit after the ankle trouble sustained at Newquay, and there is a welcome return for Nigel Francis who has been unavailable for the last few comps with the Cavs.  However, he has been playing a lot of 7's with his club side in Wales.

The last 2 squad members are real Jack-of-all-trades who are at home in any position on the 7's field.  Hartpury College scrum-half Bradley Field will be turning out again, either in a hooking role or out wide with the gas.  Also making a rare appearance is French star Pierre Alex-Clark, who is back in the West Country this weekend on a weekend off from his French club.  Pierre will also play anywhere on the field, he is one of the Cavaliers most naturally talented players.

West Country Cavaliers Squad:

Andy Edwards

Alec Chase

Damien Sawyer

Brendan O'Mara

Sam Brown - VC

Rhidian McGuire - C

Ryan Mee

Graham Sage

Nigel Francis

Bradley Field

Matt Luxton

Pierre Alex-Clark

Coaches: John Gould & Chris Eames