Another strong lineup has been named ahead of our final preseason game as we face Zebre Parma.

EALING TRAILFINDERS v ZEBRE PARMA – CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS.

With our Championship opener against Doncaster Knights just a week away (buy tickets for the game here), we finally return home as we have our first runout at Trailfinders Sports Club of the season.

Up front, Kyle Whyte and Lewis Thiede will pack down either side of Alun Walker in the front-row. There is a new pairing in the engine room as Bobby De Wee comes back into the second-row alongside Danny Cutmore.

In the back-row, Rayn Smid is back in the number eight shirt after missing the first three preseason games due to injury. He comes in alongside Carlo Tizzano who comes off the back of scoring a brace away at Richmond last Friday. Rob Farrar will captain the team from blindside flanker after his standout performance away in Biarritz a fortnight ago.

The two Craigs reunite at half-back with Hampson and Willis looking to pull the strings from nine and ten respectively. Pat Howard and Max Bodilly combine in the midfield while Luke Daniels, Angus Kernohan and Jonah Holmes look to be a tasty back-three.

It is our last preseason game and therefore the last chance for many players in the squad to stake a claim to be involved next weekend. Because of this, Ben Ward and the coaching team have named a slightly larger squad, with 27 players being involved in order to give opportunities to as many people as possible.

Tickets for tomorrow’s game at Trailfinders Sports Club against Zebre Parma can be bought here.

Ealing Trailfinders team to face Zebre Parma (KO 3pm):


15. Jonah Holmes

14. Angus Kernohan

13. Max Bodilly

12. Pat Howard

11. Luke Daniels

10. Craig Willis

9. Craig Hampson

1. Kyle Whyte

2. Alun Walker

3. Lewis Thiede

4. Bobby De Wee

5. Danny Cutmore

6. Rob Farrar (C)

7. Carlo Tizzano

8. Rayn Smid

Replacements:

16. Jan-Henning Campher

17. James Gibbons

18. Jimmy Roots

19. David O’Connor

20. Will Montgomery

21. Jack Grant

22. Steven Shingler

23. Reuben Bird-Tulloch

24. Jack Digby

25. Ollie Newman

26. George Davis

27. Jack Metcalf

Ealing Trailfinders are delighted to announce that Bread Street Café in Ealing Broadway will sponsor the Player of the Match award for the upcoming season.

 

The restaurant, which came to Ealing Broadway almost a year ago, is inspired by Gordon Ramsay’s iconic Bread Street Kitchen in St Paul’s, London.

The restaurant prides itself on their impeccable service and offers a wide range of dishes from the classics with a modern twist, to Gordon Ramsay’s signature Beef Wellington.

At every home game in the league and in the cup, Bread Street Café will award the Player of the Match with a voucher for a free meal for two at their restaurant.

When speaking about their new sponsorship, Bread Street Café General Manager Paulo Teixeira said: “We’re so pleased to be sponsoring Ealing Trailfinders and the Player of the Match this season.

“Ever since we opened here, we always wanted to create bridges with the local community and we want all locals to feel at home in our restaurant. We’ve done that well over the last year but this sponsorship shows our further investment in the area and that we are behind the local community.

“We can’t wait for the season to get started and to welcome many Ealing players and supporters to Bread Street Café.”

Ealing Trailfinders Managing Director Ben Ward said: “It’s great to have a local business onboard sponsoring such a key aspect of our match-day experience.

“Bread Street Café is known for its quality and so it feels appropriate that we are partnering with another organisation with such high standards.

“The restaurant offers a great variety of dishes and I regularly see some of the boys and members of staff down here so I urge all of our supporters to follow suit.”

To learn more about Bread Street Café, or to make a table booking click here.

Bread Street Café’s first Player of the Match award will be handed out after the season opener against Doncaster Knights on Saturday 10th September. Make sure you buy your tickets for this game by clicking here.

 

Join us at Trailfinders Sports Club on Tuesday 6th September for an exclusive Q&A evening with Director of Rugby Ben Ward.

Commencing at 6pm in the clubhouse, Ben will preview the upcoming 2022/23 Championship season, provide an update on the league, our squad and new players, our preseason results and look ahead to our blockbuster league opener against Doncaster Knights (click here for tickets).

The Q&A is free to attend with the bar open from 6pm. You will have the opportunity to ask Ben questions in an open forum format from 6pm-7pm.

To register your place please email: info@etprm.com – confirming your name and the number of places you wish to book.

We look forward to welcoming you to Trailfinders Sports Club!

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.

The first Ealing Trailfinders Sports and Exercise Medicine Conference will take place on Wednesday 16th November 2022, hosted by the club’s medical team.

The event, organised by the club’s Head of Medical Services, Gruff Parsons, is designed to bring together Sports and Exercise Medicine and Performance Science professionals from a range of sporting backgrounds, to share knowledge and encourage learning and development. 
 
The theme this year is “Making robust and informed decisions”.

The topic is aimed at placing high value on making objective and evidence-based decisions not only to improve Performance outcomes but also to protect the individual and the organisation from medico-legal risk.

We are delighted to announce the line-up has now been confirmed: 

Nick Worth – (Sports Physiotherapist with extensive experience in the Medico-legal field)

Topic: ‘The medico-legal challenges facing Physiotherapists in Sport’

Steve Wright (Head of Medical Services at Southampton Football Club)

Topic: ‘Pre-signing Medical exams: learned considerations and pitfalls from a Physiotherapist in Football perspective’

Ben Ashworth (Former Arsenal Senior Physiotherapist and developer of the ‘ASH’ test)

Topic: ‘Athletic Shoulder: Testing and Monitoring’

Dan Howells (Former Strength and Conditioning Co-ordinator at Houston Astros and founder of Collaborative Sports)

Topic: ‘The use of Force Decks to shape decision making on lower limb return to play’

Emma Gallivan (Senior Physiotherapist at Sale Sharks)

Topic: ‘Achilles Tendon Rupture & Repair – Return to Performance’

Simon Ball (Consultant Knee Surgeon at the Fortius clinic, London) 

Topic: ‘The complexity of managing career ending knee injuries in sport’

Stuart Lancaster * Via Video Link – (Former England Rugby Head Coach and current Senior Coach at Leinster Rugby) 

Topic: ‘What makes a World Class Medical Team?’

Tickets prices:

Standard Admission: £65

Early Bird Admission (valid until 16 Sept 2022): £55

Students (limited availability): £40

To book a place at the conference please click here.

For any further queries, please contact Gruff Parsons, Head of Medical Services on: gruff.parsons@etprm.com.

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.”

Ben Ward has named another strong squad for tomorrow night’s preseason trip to the Athletic Ground as we face fellow Championship side Richmond.

The fixture is the third of four preseason games for the Trailfinders, after last week’s trips to Biarritz and Rosslyn Park. The final match is a week Saturday (3rd September) as Zebre visit Trailfinders Sports Club before the Championship season starts at home against Doncaster Knights a week later.

Tomorrow, David O’Connor will skipper the side from the second-row where he will partner Simon Linsell in the engine room. James Gibbons and Jan-Henning Campher start up front, while George Davis slots in at tighthead after impressing off the the bench in the Basque Country.

Jack Digby gets an opportunity to start in the back-row alongside Carlo Tizzano and Simon Uzokwe.

In the half-backs, Ollie Fox and Dan Lancaster both get their first starts after making an impact off the bench in both of last week’s encounters.

Pat Howard and Reuben Bird-Tulloch will partner in the midfield while Welsh International Jonah Holmes makes the shift to full-back. Angus Kernohan will slot in on the left wing while Jack Metcalf will look to add to his three tries last week when he starts on the right wing.

Being a preseason game there is a jam-packed bench with 27 players being involved in the match day squad. Among them is Ollie Newman who will be looking to get his first minutes for the club.

Ealing Trailfinders team to face Richmond:

15. Jonah Holmes

14. Jack Metcalf

13. Reuben Bird-Tulloch

12. Pat Howard

11. Angus Kernohan

10. Dan Lancaster

9. Ollie Fox

1. James Gibbons

2. Jan-Henning Campher

3. George Davis

4. David O’Connor (C)

5. Simon Linsell

6. Jack Digby

7. Carlo Tizzano

8. Simon Uzokwe

Replacements:

16. Kevin O’Byrne

17. Will Davis

18. Ross Kane

19. Danny Cutmore

20. Will Montgomery

21. David Douglas Bridge

22. Ollie Newman

23. Jack Grant

24. Craig Willis

25. Steven Shingler

26. Max Bodilly

27. Luke Daniels

Match details

Richmond v Ealing Trailfinders

Date: Friday 26th August

Kick-off time: 7.30pm

Location: Richmond Athletic Ground

Tickets: £10 (buy here), U16s are free. It is recommended you buy your tickets in advance to avoid delays and queues on the gate.

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

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.”

Ealing Trailfinders are pleased to announce a new formal partnership with Henley Hawks.

Trailfinders have developed a strong relationship with Henley over a considerable number of years. This new agreement will strengthen all areas of the club, benefitting the Men’s, Women’s and Academy programmes.

The partnership includes, Henley Hawks providing loan opportunities for Ealing Trailfinders and Trailfinders Rugby Academy players and creating a women’s academy pathway, among many other exciting opportunities for both clubs.

When speaking about the new partnership, Nigel Dudding, Director of Rugby at Henley Hawks said: “I am really excited for the future of our partnership with Ealing Trailfinders. We have had a great relationship over the last five years, and this makes it official. They operate as a conduit for many players that go on to play for us, and I couldn’t be more pleased that we have secured this relationship.”

Simon Sinclair, Chief Operating Officer of Trailfinders Rugby Academy and Women’s Programme, said: “We are delighted to confirm this exciting agreement with Henley Hawks. We have enjoyed working with the club over a number of years, and this partnership furthers our commitment to providing excellent pathways and development opportunities for our players.”

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.