Blackrock College Rugby Trip

The senior rugby squad enjoyed a remarkable weekend in Dublin, taking on Blackrock College.

The first and second XV made the trip for what is widely regarded as one of the toughest tests in school rugby. The annual fixture against Blackrock once again delivered a superb occasion. Both matches went the way of the hosts with the second XV losing in the last kick of the game, yet the experience gained on and off the field was invaluable for every player.

The weekend continued with a thrilling international match as the group watched Ireland take on South Africa in the Aviva Stadium in an intense contest that kept the whole stadium on edge. Spirits were even higher the following day when pupils unexpectedly met several Springbok players at the airport. The weekend ended with the boys touching down in Bristol in just enough time to see OC Immanuel Feyi-Waboso scoring for England against Argentina. An amazing end to a fabulous weekend of rugby

Reflecting on the performances, Matt Salter, Director of Rugby, said: "Blackrock set an incredibly high standard and our boys rose to the challenge with real courage. The level of effort, skill and togetherness on display made us very proud. These matches are exactly the type of tests that help our players grow and they embraced the occasion."

A heartfelt thank you goes to Blackrock College for their warm welcome and excellent hospitality throughout the visit. We look forward to welcoming them to Clifton next year.