With both the First and Second U19s Teams of Rugby Club Luxembourg (RCL) topping their respective pools, the U19s players have taken the first steps towards achieving objectives set out at a September pre-season training camp for the 2015/16 season, at the halfway stage of the competition.

The 1st XV won 7 out of 7 games, scoring 527 points and conceding 18 in the process, whilst the 2nd XV won 5 out of 6, scoring 182 and conceding 60. The 2nd team now move up to the 3rd division. The 1st team enter a qualifying pool where they will meet local club CSCE. This will set up a first as the clubs have never played this local derby at U19s level.

The RCL U19s claimed top spots on Saturday with “wins” for both teams: Racing Jet Brussels was forced to give forfeit for their game against the 2nds which meant an automatic 25-0 win, whilst the 1st team travelled to Liege to record a 76-0 victory.

With the 2nds’ game off, RCL took a squad of 21 to Liege which included 10 first year U19s. The game against Liege was then a perfect opportunity for a number of second team players to stake a claim and they did not disappoint: Last week’s captain of the 2nds, Ruben Albstmeijer played second row for the first time this season, was a force in the dominant RCL scrum, and threatened in the loose and the line outs. Birthday boy Tony Drennan, playing on the blind side flank, was forceful in the contact situations, making some big tackles and scored the final try of the day. On the wing, Archie Williams had some good runs and came close to scoring on a number of occasions, whilst Cyprien Schepens at full back was solid under the high ball and his kick returns, from either foot, were impressive.

The RCL forwards were dominant all day, ably led by captain David Wright. His backrow partner, Man of the Match and omnipresent Nathan Pierron-Troubac linked in attack or pressured in defence, and assured a constant supply of possession for scrum half Francisco Costa-Nunes. The backs had a field day as a result, and varied play well. A cross field kick from fly-half Josh van Zeeland was collected by winger Justin Seghers who left his opposite man for dead to stroll over for a try. A little chip over the onrushing defence was collected by Alex Lhoest, who outpaced all to score under the post.

 At times the pace of the backline was sufficient to outplay the Liege team, with Paul Truchot collecting a handful of tries. The forwards also had a say in the scoring, apart from the before mentioned Tony Drennan, Matthew Dennis-Soto hit the line well and at pace to claim a try from close range. In all 12 tries were scored, 8 of which converted by Josh van Zeeland who also touched down for a try himself. The substitutes all made an impact, with Zack Howat sniping well around the fringes of the rucks, scrums and line outs, and Thomas Mahe who won some important turn overs.

At the later stages of the game, Nicolas Burton came on, as well as Michael Wright to join his brother in the forwards, replacing another set of brothers, Alex and Sebastian Romao who had been their usual rock solid selves in the front row. With Lou Rousseau coming on in the 2nd row, 7 out of the 8 forwards were first year U19s, which bodes well for the future. The final result of 76-0 meant that Liege will go down, and will meet the RCL 2nds in division 3 in the second half of the season.

RCL thanked Kneip, Gentoo Financial Services, Sales Lentz and LuxGateway for their continued support of the U19s. New players are welcome, and for those interesed training times are available at www.rcl.lu.

Photos by Rugby Club Luxembourg