The Tournament is part of the Rugby World Cup qualification process and involves three test matches between 17th and 30th of July.Westoe were happy and pleases to agree to this request and wish Craig the best of luck when he goes and spreads the Westoe name to another corner of the globe.

Journal Report.

WESTOE’S Craig Olugbode is in line for his international debut this week after being named in Nigeria’s squad for the African Confederation Championships.

The three-quarter has been called up by the Black Stallions’ squad for their three-test campaign against Mauritius, Ivory Coast and host nation Botswana.

Olugbode flies out tomorrow to link up with his new team-mates, stating: “It is a massive honour to be selected to play international rugby, and even though it is not the biggest sport over there just now it is a game which is really developing.”

Nigeria are 91st in the International Rugby Board World Rankings, with only five teams – Monaco, Norway, Vanuatu, Luxembourg and Finland – below them

Nonetheless the country boasts a burgeoning rugby heritage, with Ayoola Erinle and Adedayo Adebayo among the Nigerian names to have represented the full England side.

Olugbode said: “Nigerian-born players like Steve Ojomoh and Victor Ubogu have also played for England many times, and even in the current squad someone like Ugo Monye is a great role-model with his Nigerian ancestry.

“My dad was born and educated in Nigeria before coming over to the UK for work, so that is how my qualification comes about. The squad is a mixture of UK-based players and local Nigerian guys, and as well as the games we have coming up the long-term aim really for the union is to grow the game over there.”

AdChoices The former Durham School pupil, who has also played rugby league for Gateshead Thunder, received news of his call-up from club officials at Westoe.

He said: “Initially the Nigerian Rugby Football Federation sent a letter to Westoe asking if they would release me for the dates after being named in the 36-man long list, which also included my older brother Mark.

“From there about a week later I found out that I made the 24-man touring party, although, unfortunately, Mark (also a Westoe player) will not be there with me.” Far from being a friendly run-out, the Black Stallions’ progress over the next few weeks could ultimately set them on course for a place in the Rugby World Cup finals.

Olugbode said: “For the last two years I have been playing sevens for the national side at tournaments in the UK, Dubai and Morocco, and in terms of the 15-a-side game there is an African competition which takes place every year.

“What that leads to in this case is qualification for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, so if we win our group this year and go on to win subsequent groups afterwards then theoretically a World Cup place is up for grabs.” That remains a monumental ask, but the popularity of rugby on the continent is growing by the year, as demonstrated by crowds in excess of 35,000 for Madagascar’s matches against Morocco and Namibia last week.

“There are only around 14 registered clubs in the whole of Nigeria despite a massive population of more than 120m, and for the union looking forward the next few years are really important,” said Olugbode, who has been given leave from his role as an export consultant for UK Trade and Investments to grace the international stage.

“Out of the 24 players who are selected in the national there are around 15 or 16 who are UK-based, and the reason for that really is that there is such a small pool of players in Nigeria for the selectors to choose from.

“Despite our short-term aims of winning this tournament, the important thing going forward is to get some more exposure, and to put some real development structures in place. In terms of nurturing and conditioning we are already making good progress, and the longer-term strategies are taking shape.”

Read More http://www.journallive.co.uk/newcastle-sports/north-east-rugby/rugby-other/2012/07/16/craig-flying-out-to-join-black-stallions-61634-31400902/#ixzz20mJFcqzw