Gomer-Davies joins Barbarians to take on Services
Newport Gwent Dragons Centre Rhodri Gomer Davies has been included in the Barbarians' squad for the annual Remembrance Match against Combined Services at Brickfields Stadium, Plymouth on 4 November (kick-off 7.15pm).
He will join seven test players; three members of Portugal's national team, including skipper Vasco Uva and Welsh internationals Chris Czekaj, Rhys Williams and John Yapp.
New Zealand born Cambridge Blue Mat Hocken, who played for Belgium against the Barbarians last season, is also included in a squad that will be seeking its eighth win in 11 matches against the Services since 1997.
Club president Micky Steele-Bodger said:
“The Remembrance Match is now established as an important part of our fixture calendar. It is a very special occasion for all of us as we appreciate the sacrifices being made by all our armed forces and it is very poignant to realise that every year there are players in the opposition team who only a few weeks earlier may have been involved in active service elsewhere in the world.”
Proceeds from the match will benefit the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. In addition, the Barbarians Rugby Trust will make a donation of £5,000 to the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.
The Barbarians will be coached by Rob Baxter of Exeter Chiefs, who played half-a-dozen times for the club and captained the side against Portugal in Lisbon in 2004.
Barbarians Squad:
(Backs) - Dougie Flockhart (Esher & Scotland A), Rhys Williams (Cardiff Blues & Wales), Rhodri McAtee (Cornish Pirates), Rhodri Gomer-Davies (Newport Gwent Dragons), Diogo Mateus (Belenenses & Portugal), Chris Czekaj (Cardiff Blues & Wales), Rhys Jones (Cornish Pirates), Mark Davies (Lydney), Will Runciman (Worcester Warriors), Richard Bolt (Exeter Chiefs)
(Forwards) – Joao Correia (Direito & Portugal), Chris Ritchie (Rosslyn Park), Tony Windo (Worcester Warriors), Brett Sturgess (Exeter Chiefs), John Yapp (Cardiff Blues & Wales), Mat Hocken (Brussels Barbarians & Belgium), Chris Gittins (Aberavon), Arthur Brenton (Plymouth Albion), Vasco Uva (Direito & Portugal), Danny Thomas (Plymouth Albion), Jamie Miller (Coventry), Kyle Marriott (Plymouth Albion)
