The U18 makes Swiss rugby history!
After the qualification at the beginning of the month of the U20 for the RE championship, the U18 have also qualified for the first time in the history of Swiss rugby for the highest European 15-a-side competition of their category.
On the 15th of April, the U18 selection managed to win against Poland.
Right from the kick-off, the speed of the young Swiss team is difficult to handle for their oppenents, and they quickly score a first try by N°8 Gabriel ROUELLE MOUROT after a relay with the scrumhalf following a 5m scrum. However, despite the benefice of the wind, the Swiss selection does not manage to take a decisive advantage and only leads 8-0 at the break.
The first ten minutes of the second half sound the awakening of a powerful Polish team, which thanks to the wind and there physical domination stays in the Swiss camp. But right after a penalty quick scored by Poland, Switzerland reacts and scores a try on the opposite wing by N°14 Finlay HUGHES. After this, a generous and very organized defense by the Swiss team doesn't yield ground and allows to contain the Polish assaults. And, after 60 minutes of play, Switzreland scores 2 new tries on counter-attacks, by N°11 Cian DENNEHY, leading the score to 27 to 10 at the 65th minutes. A try by the Polish in the overtime will not change anything to the Swiss victory: final score 27-15.
Next autumn the players of managers Christophe Valentino and Yann Thierry, coached by Remi Boriasse, Julien Gratadoux, Olivier Jeandroz will participate in the Rugby Europe Championship where they should face Georgia in the first round. A new challenge for this team which progresses and surprises at each games.
(Thanks to Marta Jarecka @chrumczym_okiem for the pics)