Spr Michael McDonald (RE) became the latest representative from the British Army to win international honours this weekend.
Spr Michael McDonald made his International 15s debut for Germany on Sunday.
Spr McDonald was a second half replacement in Germany’s Rugby Europe Championship Pool A clash with Spain in Heidelberg, seeing some 15 minutes of action.
The scrum-half, who has also won international Sevens honours for the country of his birth this season, was unfortunately not able to help Germany overcome the eight-point deficit they had against Spain when he joined the play, with the visitors – who sit 15 places above the Germans in the World Rugby rankings – going on to record a 32-14 win.
“We’re delighted for Michael and very proud that the British Army continues to be represented on the international stage,” commented Army Rugby Union Chief Operating Officer, Chris Fowke.
“On behalf of everyone at the ARU I would like to send all our congratulations to Michael for this achievement, and hope that he will win many more caps in the future.”
Elsewhere Rfn Vereimi Qorowale (Rifles) made the most of an opportunity to show how much he has learned in his few months in the 15-a-side game by scoring four tries for Newcastle Falcons in their friendly against Scottish outfit, Southern Knights.
Rfn Qorowale showed his pace and finishing quality by crossing twice in each half as the Falcons overpowered the Knights 68-19 at Kingston Park in a match that raised funds for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
“I was really pleased with how the lads went about that,” said Falcons’ Head of Academy, James Ponton.
“When things are coming a bit easily it can be tempting to go off-script and start doing your own thing, but I was happy with how the lads stuck to what we’d talked about doing in the first half.”
In Coventry, Gnr Senitki Nayalo (7 Para RHA) was cheered on by members of his regiment as he helped the blue and whites keep their Championship Cup hopes alive with a 33-24 win over Bedford Blues.
Coventry bossed the first half at Butts Park Arena to lead 26-5 at the break. But Bedford, as so often happens in matches between these two famous old clubs, battled back into the contest in the second half, and two tries in three minutes had Coventry on the ropes. But they held on to record the victory, even if results do need to go Cov’s way in the final round of matches if they are to reach the semi-finals.
Tickets for the 2023 Inter-Services Championship are now on sale.
CLICK HERE for information about the Army v RAF at Kingsholm, Gloucester, on Saturday, April 15th.
CLICK HERE for information about Army Navy at Twickenham on Saturday, May 13th.
Rfn Vereimi Qorowale had a flyer for Falcons on Saturday.
Image © Newcastle Falcons
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks
Header and Featured Image – Alligin Photography © Lee Crabb
