A 19-man tour group representing English Colleges has arrived in the Czech Republic to play two games against the Czech U20s in Vrchlabí.
The first match is tonight (Friday, 18:00 kick-off) with the second on Sunday (14.00 kick off) after which there will be an official, commemorative dinner.
The tour celebrates a landmark for the CZRLA as they celebrate their 10th birthday and national coach Antonin Berk noted the significance.
“This is an important year for us,” he said on the tourist’s arrival. “We have established a junior competition which is very important for the development of rugby league in Czech Republic. We played our first U20 international in 2012 and lost 70-0 to BARLA Youth from the UK – for many players that was their first real taste of the sport - but last season beat Latvia U20’s twice, which is a measure of our progress.
“We know these games will be a really tough challenge but it is what we need.” English College Lionhearts’ squad sees players selected from 11 colleges, having had regional trials, a two-day residential camp and a tough fixture against Scotland U19’s.
Coach James Massara said, “We have worked hard to prepare as a squad, the players have set themselves high standards. I am sure that the tour will be a successful and we will achieve the objectives we have set as a group.”
CZECH U20
Roman Wais, Daniel Uhlí (Lokomotiva Beroun), Tomáš Valenta, Aleš Pour, Martin Kubát, Lukáš Mejvald, Jan Zámrský, Jakub Hudrlík, Michal Matyska (Mad Squirrels Vrchlabí), David Štastník, Roman Prokop, Lukáš Pinc, Milan Pešout (Orli Havlíckuv Brod), Filip-Daniel Kittl, Antoním Berk, Patrik Zendeli (Dragons Krupka), Patrik Koliska, Jaroslav Koliska (Rabbitoh), Roman Strbabka (Roosters Mikulov), Adam Vojtich, Jan Říha (Slavie Hradec Králové)
ENGLISH COLLEGE LIONHEARTS
Charlie D’Arcy, Bradley Spriggs, James Wright (Bishop Burton), Jordan Baldwin, Billy Gaylor, Jordan Syme (Calderdale), Michael Handol (Calderdale College), Fraser Boldy (Gosforth Academy), Alex Jobson, Sam Mason, Brandon Mcintosh (Hopwood Hall), Jarrod Simm (Mysercough), Tom Egen (New College Pontefract), Hakan Cimen (Runshaw College), Joshua Stafford-Smith (South Gloucester and Stroud), Adam Reading (St Mary’s), Luke Stephens (The Crypt), Kyle Hayes, Daniel Makin (Wigan Warriors Education Academy)