Pte Ratu ‘Siva’ Naulago (Yorks) makes his long-awaited return to rugby this weekend, having been named among the replacements for Bristol’s Champions Cup clash with Scarlets.
The rapid winger earned plaudits and headlines alike for his performances in the Premiership and Europe last season, but an arm break sustained in pre-season resulted in a lengthy lay-off.
However Pte Naulago can put that all behind him by helping the Bears secure a place as the highest-ranked team within the Champions Cup, having already booked a spot in the playoffs.
Bristol were awarded a 28-0 walkover in December due to Scarlets not being able to fulfil the fixture, but while that result came in the middle of a poor run for the Bears they have turned things around in the last two weekends with strong wins over Sale and Stade Francais.
Saturday’s game at Parc y Scarlets kicks off at 1730hrs with live coverage on BT Sport.
Other big news from an Army Rugby perspective is the inclusion of Capt Gemma Rowland (RA) in a Wales Women training squad for a three-day camp over the weekend, a selection which means she misses out on Wasps’ rearranged Premier 15s fixture against Loughborough Lightning.
With Wales having both a Six Nations in the next few weeks and a World Cup campaign later in the year, Head Coach Ioan Cunningham says that the camp will be invaluable in building strength in depth at national level, commenting: “We have a big year ahead and there are certainly opportunities this weekend and in the coming weeks for players to put their hands up for inclusion in Six Nations and Rugby World Cup squads.
“We are building strength in depth across the board which will be key this year.”
Meanwhile LCpl John Davetanivalu (Royal Signals) continues his rapid education in Rugby League in a Wakefield Trinity squad which will play Oldham in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, the winger having signed a short-term deal with the Super League outfit.
Words © New Dogs, Old Tricks, Header and Featured Image © Army Rugby Union – Andrew Fosker
