Servicemen Matthew Dwyer and Ifereimi Boladau will be at the heart of the action when the British Army kicks off its defence of the ‘Forces World Cup’ on Friday.
The duo have been named in the starting XV for the Army’s opening fixture in Aldershot, against Australia Services, kicking off at 4pm, having both featured in the successful 2011 campaign where the British Army lifted the first ever International Defence Rugby Competition, which was held in Australia and New Zealand.
As well as Australia, the Army will also face the Canadian Armed Forces (October 12th) and French National Military (October 15th) in their pool. The competition runs until October 29th, when the final is held in Twickenham Stoop.
Dwyer, who holds the rank of Lance Sergeant in the Welsh Guards, is selected at hooker, while Lance Bombardier Boladau (Royal Artillery) of Bridgend Ravens starts on the blindside, a week after making his PRO12 debut in the Ospreys’ defeat to Edinburgh.
Among some familiar faces in the Army line-up is former Ospreys prop Ken Dowding who made one appearance for the region, against Leinster, in November 2011.
Good luck to the British Army team from everybody at the Ospreys.