Following the initial months of 2023 Great Britain training the coaches have picked their teams to play in the British & Irish Cup on Saturday 24th June in Chiswick.
The tournament will be the final opportunity for the sides to test themselves at the international level before the World Cup in August. It will also present an enticing rematch for the British sides after losing the 2022 tournament by the narrowest of margins.
Unlike last year’s tournament which saw teams play five tests each across two days, the upcoming iteration will be a short, supercharged version of the historic contest. Seven of the eight categories seen in action will count toward the British & Irish Cup with the nation that wins the most taking the overall crown. If, like last year, the two countries find themselves level on categories the first tiebreaker will be the number of games won.
The Great Britain Women’s 35s are in their inaugural year of training and competition and therefore will play an exhibition contest as the Men’s 40s did last year.
Friends, family and teammates can show their support for the Great Britain teams in more ways than ever this year. Players can register for the social grade International Cup tournament which will run alongside the British & Irish Cup for the first time. This is the perfect opportunity to pull on your country’s jersey, get your tag fix and guarantee yourself a front row seat for the concluding round of games!
Supporters not able to play are welcome to attend as spectators on the day and can kit themselves out in official GBTR supporters jerseys on the sideline, while the tournament live stream will be carried on GBTR and TTR social media for those not able to be there in person.
Will Shepherd, Great Britain Programme Director said: “To date our only overall win in the British & Irish Cup came in London in 2019. We have come so close the last two years and I know that all the players selected today are fully committed to getting over the line with their hands on the trophy. We are looking at it as the perfect springboard into the World Cup this summer and are excited that the location gives our supporters the opportunity to cheer us to victory in Chiswick.”
The Great Britain squads for the 2023 British & Irish Cup are:
Saturday’s tournament will kick off at 10.30am and you can watch the action on Try Tag Rugby’s YouTube channel or Try Tag Rugby’s Facebook page before coverage switches exclusively to Our League from 3.30pm.