A team from East London RFC were invited to play at Allianz Park in North London, home of Aviva Premiership side and European Cup champions Saracens, in a prestigious friendly against the 1st Battalion of The Rifles, based in Chepstow.
The game was part of the celebrations for the tenth annual Rifleman’s Association Regimental Gathering, which as well the rugby game, also included inter-regimental football and a display by the massed band and bugles of The Rifles.
It was a grand military affair with both sides gathering for the National Anthem before being presented to the battalion’s senior officer Lieutenant General Tim Radford.
East London accepted the invite to play the fixture at very short notice after a host other teams refused to interrupt their pre-season training. East London also included some guest players from Ilford RFC so badged themselves as East London Barbarians for the day.
The 1 Rifles team was made up of riflemen from the Regular and Reserve battalions. They had prepared for the fixture by training for a week beforehand with Premiership side Gloucester Rugby. It was no surprise when the game ended 52-5 to the military side.
East London director of rugby Gary Pearmain said: “We played some very good rugby considering we had to get a team together at short notice. It was big occasion for them and we were honoured to be asked to take part, especially to be able to play at the home of Saracens.
“It was only in the second half that the game went away from us. If we had managed to get our full 1st XV out the score would have been very close. We hope to be invited back again next year. We have also invited them for a return at the Memorial Ground.”
The full game is available to view in full at The Rifles Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/TheRiflesRegiment/videos/1379125825474810/