The full match preview for this Saturday’s blockbuster preseason showdown against Zebre Parma at Trailfinders Sports Club.

EALING TRAILFINDERS v ZEBRE PARMA – CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

We will come into the game following a relatively strong set of preseason results. Two wins against Rosslyn Park and Richmond and a narrow loss away to Biarritz, only losing from a 50m penalty with the clock in the red, should have prepared the team well for this weekend’s game against Zebre.

The visit from the Italians promises to be the toughest test of preseason, ahead of the Championship starting at home on 10th September against fellow title contenders Doncaster Knights (buy tickets here).

About the opposition:

Despite their tricky campaign last year, the Italian side have reasons to be optimistic ahead of this season. Fabio Roselli was brought in as Head Coach towards the end of last year and there was a notable change in performance since his tenure.

There has been a high turnover of players during the offseason with around 20 players leaving and another 20 coming through the door. Although they lost internationals Danilo Fischetti and Giosuè Zilocchi to London Irish and Eduardo Bello to Saracens among others, they have recruited well, bringing in Kobus Van Wyk from Leicester Tigers, Tiff Eden from Bristol Bears and Jacques Du Toit from Bath.

What to expect:

This week’s opposition are something of an unknown quantity. The game will be their first preseason runout ahead of the URC starting in mid-September. They have two preseason games, facing Cardiff next weekend before they have a tricky league opener as they host Leinster. The Italians will be looking to hit the ground running this Saturday.

Match details:

Ealing Trailfinders v Zebre Parma

Date: Saturday 3rd September

Kick-Off: 3.00pm

Location: Trailfinders Sports Club

Tickets: Available from £16 (buy tickets here)

Coverage: Live coverage of the game will be available via our Twitter feed and the live blog on our website

Season tickets:

Season ticket holders can use their 2022/23 season ticket to gain access to Saturday’s match against Zebre. If you have not received your season ticket please email: info@etprm.com / alternatively click here to purchase.

Ealing Trailfinders are excited to confirm a new strategic partnership with Australian school, St Joseph’s Nudgee College.

The Brisbane based day and boarding school, caters for more than 1,700 students, with over 300 boarders, and has produced 27 Wallabies, including Rocky Elsom, Elton Flatley and James O’Connor.

The Nudgee College Rugby program consists of 90 coaches supported by a wealth of rugby knowledge which is complemented by a strong Strength & Conditioning program and medical professionals. These world class facilities made it the ideal backdrop to the documentary ‘The Season’ which was filmed in 2017 and again in 2021 and aired on streaming services as well as acknowledged by internationally known RugbyPass.

The partnership between Ealing Trailfinders and Nudgee College Rugby will give amazing opportunities for students to play and gain experience in high level rugby programs internationally whilst continuing their schooling. Both the students and the two clubs will benefit from a cross-over of knowledge sharing amongst the coaches and staff.

Sean Graham, Nudgee Rugby Director, is excited about this unique opportunity.

“We have a growth mindset in all areas of school life and are constantly striving for improvement. To be able to connect and collaborate with an organisation like Ealing Trailfinders, who share such a rich history and similar values, is something I fully embrace. We have a large rugby program with nearly 800 players and 90 coaches, the more opportunities we can provide for our players and coaches, particularly of this quality, the better”.

He spoke of his time with Simon Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer of Ealing Trailfinders Academy and Women’s Programme.

“Simon spent a week at our school last week and we are completely aligned on the possibilities that this partnership will bring to both organisations and can’t wait to watch it flourish.”

Sinclair said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be able to partner with St Joseph’s Nudgee College. From meeting with their Rugby Director Sean Graham, understanding his coaching philosophy and being shown round their facilities, I’m hugely excited to get started with this partnership.

“Their rich history and consistency for producing such high quality athletes is unrivaled and it will be great to work with one of the most successful rugby schools in Australia.”

Ealing Trailfinders are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership with Australian Shute Shield club, Northern Suburbs.

The Sydney based outfit has a rich history, producing 42 Wallabies, including Al Baxter, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Scott Sio. The club fields five senior sides every weekend and has a strong academy and youth setup.

Their season runs from April to September and the first team is currently in the semi-finals of the Shute Shield, having already secured the Minor Premiership. They will face Gordon this Sunday (28th August) for a place in the Shute Shield final.

The partnership will benefit both clubs, with a particular focus on our men’s and women’s academy programmes. As part of the agreement, players on the Trailfinders Rugby Academy Programme who coaches feel would benefit from extra game time in a new environment, will have the opportunity to travel over to Sydney and play for Northern Suburbs during the UK off-season.

This player exchange will be a two-way relationship, with the opportunity being replicated for Norths players to have the chance to play rugby in the UK. The partnership will also see coaches being able to share knowledge with each other and will help increase the development of our men’s and women’s academy players.

Jack Burey, Northern Suburbs Executive General Manger, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with such a progressive and dynamic professional outfit.

“We look forward to welcoming a number of personnel to North Sydney Oval & providing an opportunity for players to continue their development. We have no doubt both parties will be richer for the experience on and off the field.”

Simon Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer of Ealing Trailfinders Academy and Women’s Programme, said: “We’re delighted to be able to partner with such an impressive club who are at the heartbeat of rugby in Sydney. From my recent trip there, I was bowled over by the standard of the facilities, playing surface and the welcoming, community feel of the club.

“It was great to meet Andrew Brownhill (Director of Colts) and Zac Beer (Head Coach). Andrew has such enthusiasm for developing young talent through the grades and Zac is highly regarded in the game, which shows from the success they are having on the field.

“The partnership will be such a great opportunity for our young players to gain new experiences and they should all come back not just better players, but better people.”

Welcome to the official LIVE blog from today’s preseason fixture against Rosslyn Park.

This page will updated regularly throughout the game so please remember to refresh your page every few minutes (KO 3pm UK time).

 

FINAL SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 26 – 57 EALING TRAILINDERS

 

Tries: Jack Metcalf (8th, 63rd min) Harry Dugmore (14th, 19th, 70th min), Jan-Henning Campher (25th min), David Douglas Bridge (36th min), Jimmy Roots (42nd min), Will Montgomery (44th min)

Conversions: Craig Willis (8th, 14th, 19th, 36th, 42nd, 44th min)

 

80th Min: The referee blows his whistle for full-time. A strong performance here at The Rock.

 

 

75th Min: Isaac Shaw with two dominant carries on his wing. We’re working the ball out of our 22.

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 26 – 57 EALING TRAILFINDERS

 

 

70th Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! Dugmore is over for his hat-trick, dotting the ball down following another dominant driving maul! Willis misses the conversion.

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 26 – 52 EALING TRAILFINDERS

67th Min: TRY ROSSLYN PARK. The home side break through our defence from 15 metres out to comfortably score under the posts. Conversion successful.

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 19 – 52 EALING TRAILFINDERS

 

 

63rd Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! Lovely piece of foot work by Jack Metcalf, beating his opponent to break through the Park defence and charge to the line for his second of the afternoon. Willis misses the conversion.

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 19 – 47 EALING TRAILFINDERS

 

 

61st Min: PENALTY TRY ROSSLYN PARK. The home side are awarded the penalty try from the rolling maul. James Gibbons is sent to the bin for his involvement and we are down to 13 men.

 

 

58th Min: Both sides are down to 14 players for 10 minutes with Harry Dugmore and his Park opponent involved in a minor scuffle on half-way. Park are awarded the penalty and kick for the line.

 

 

56th Min: Jimmy Roots is replaced by Ross Kane at tighthead. Other changes at half-time included Dan Lancaster on for Pat Howard and Oli Fox for Jack Grant. Score remains 12-47.

 

 

52nd Min: Park applying territorial pressure, winning back to back penalties in our half. They kick for the lineout on our 22.

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 12 – 47 EALING TRAILFINDERS

 

 

44th Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! Will Montgomery rampages through the Park defence, beating the last defender to crash over from 35 metres. Willis converts from straight in front.

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 12 – 40 EALING TRAILFINDERS

 

 

42nd Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! Great start to second half with Jimmy Roots pushing his way over from close range. Willis adds the extras.

 

 

HALF-TIME SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 12 – 33

 

 

39th Min: Park with the late attacking possession but our defence is rock solid, forcing the knock-on. We’ll pack down for the scrum.

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 12 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 33

 

 

36th Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! David Douglas Bridge is over for his first try in Ealing colours. He powers his way over from close range. Willis adds the conversion.

 

 

32nd Min: Park are down to 14 men with ex Trailfinder Arthur Ellis sent to the sin-bin. We take the quick tap, five metres out!

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 12 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 26

 

 

28th Min: TRY ROSSLYN PARK. The home side slice through our defence, popping a neat offload to score from 20 metres out. Conversion is good.

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 5 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 26

 

 

25th Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! Another dominant driving maul and this time Jan-Henning touches down for the score. Willis’ conversion strays wide.

 

 

21st Min: Massive scrum by our pack, forcing the turnover and penalty. We kick for the corner!

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 5 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 21

 

 

20th Min: TRY ROSSLYN PARK. The home side respond quickly with former Trailfinder Matt Gordon finding a gap in our defence to score in the corner. Conversion missed.

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 0 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 21

 

 

19th Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! Dugmore scores his second from the back of the ruck. Willis converts nicely and we lead by 21.

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 0 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 14

 

 

14th Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! Harry Dugmore barges over from the back of the maul. Willis adds the extras.

 

 

12th Min: Willis punches a powerful kick into the Park 22. The home side gather possession and punt it into touch. We’ll have the five metre attacking lineout.

10th Min: Building attacking momentum now as we’re awarded our first penalty in the Park half. Willis kicks us to the corner. Big drive coming up.

 

 

 

SCORE: ROSSLYN PARK 0 – EALING TRAILFINDERS 7

 

 

8th Min: TRY EALING TRAILFINDERS! Jack Metcalf takes a lovely wide pass from skipper Craig Willis to glide through the Park defence and score from 15 metres out. Willis kicks the conversion.

 

 

4th Min: Quick start by the home side who continue to apply plenty of attacking pressure in our 22. Our scramble defence is holding firm so far.

 

 

2nd Min: Park have the early possession in this one, winning consecutive penalties in our 22. They kick for the attacking corner.

1st Min: We’re underway at The Rock. It’s a beautiful sunny afternoon in SW London, with a slight breeze.

Director of Rugby Ben Ward has named a strong team for the club’s opening preseason friendly away at Biarritz tomorrow night.

The game, which kicks off at the Parc Des Sports Aguilera at 8pm (7pm BST), will be the first chance to see some new faces in Green and White.

Up front, there is the experienced trio of Kyle Whyte, Alun Walker and Lewis Thiede who will look to gain dominance at the set-piece.

Off the back of his strong leadership display during the Championship Cup, Barney Maddison will skipper the side from the second-row, where he will pack down alongside Bobby De Wee.

The back-row sees the first of some of the new faces, with Rob Farrar starting on the blindside and Carlo Tizzano taking the spot on the openside. After an incredibly impressive display on the flank last season, Simon Uzokwe showcases his versatility by shifting to number 8.

Craig Hampson will start at scrum-half, while newly appointed Club Captain Steven Shingler takes the fly-half shirt. In the midfield, Reuben Bird-Tulloch will start at inside centre after impressing throughout preseason and is partnered by the powerful Max Bodilly.

The back-three promises to be an exciting trio with Luke Daniels on one wing, David Johnston at fullback and new-signing and Welsh international Jonah Holmes on the other wing.

Among the replacements new boys, Kevin O’Byrne, Will Montgomery, Ollie Fox and Jack Metcalf will all be looking to show their quality as they fight for a starting spot ahead of the first league game of the season at home against Doncaster on Saturday 10th September (click here for tickets).

If you fancy a last minute trip out to the South of France, tickets for the game are still available here. If you can’t be there in person, we will be covering the game on our Twitter feed, across our social media platforms and via a live blog on our website.

We will also be travelling to Rosslyn Park on Saturday (20th August) where there is free entry on the gate. Team news for that game will be out on Friday.

Team to face Biarritz:

15. David Johnston

14. Jonah Holmes

13. Max Bodilly

12. Reuben Bird-Tulloch

11. Luke Daniels

10. Steven Shingler

9. Craig Hampson

1. Kyle Whyte

2. Alun Walker

3. Lewis Thiede

4. Bobby De Wee

5. Barney Maddison (C)

6. Rob Farrar

7. Carlo Tizzano

8. Simon Uzokwe

16. Kevin O’Byrne

17. Will Davis

18. George Davis

19. Simon Linsell

20. David O’Connor

21. Ollie Fox

22. Dan Lancaster

23. Will Montgomery

24. Jack Digby

25. Pat Howard

26. Jack Metcalf

27. Angus Kernohan