RAMS’ Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds believes his side’s two-match tour to Ireland will benefit their National One campaign despite suffering a brace of defeats.
Having fallen 10-0 behind to Lansdowne on Thursday night, an Ellis Jones effort converted by Rowan Grundy proved to be merely a consolation in a 17-7 reverse at the Aviva Stadium before a 24-12 reverse at Cork Constitution two days later.
Rams took the lead on this occasion as Calum Scott crossed on the right, but after 24 unanswered points, Fraser Honey’s conversion of a Finn Matthews score was also too little, too late.
Despite the double setback, Reynolds remained upbeat as he said: “To come and get the quality of rugby we faced is brilliant – if we’d had two easy games you can start thinking you’re rock stars, but we wanted tough games and both were good.
“Cork Con and Lansdowne are brilliant clubs who play some brilliant rugby and it was great to go somewhere new.”
There were some impressive performances across the two games, with debutant Ed Hoadley setting up Scott for the score in Cork, while youngsters Matthews and Alex Sparkes did well after recovering from long-term injury.
The Dor continued: “Ed had an instant impact with communication, organisation and game management and showed skills any young player can learn from.
“He chose his moments of when to tap, and with the try, we’d gone to the corner a number of times, but he saw the chance and while he was fast, he didn’t rush it.”
“With Finn and Alex, it’s great to see them back and young players who’ve come through adversity.
“I know there was an occasion where Sparkey was questioning what to do when he had a double ACL reconstruction and you start rehab in a wheelchair – with Eminem dyed hair – but 15 months down the line it’s great to see him back and instantly playing well.
“Finn’s worked incredibly hard and it was great to have him back out there. He’s a high-speed player so there’s another extra element of recovery which involves getting back to your natural game, but you can see it coming which is great.
“Until the injury he was pushing to be in the 15 jersey and I can see him re-establishing himself.”
“Another youngster who caught the eye was former Reading Abbey flanker Mikey Duda, with Reynolds adding: “He showed up well, he’s full of energy, a brilliant tackler and his next step will be to just integrate into the systems of what the coaches need.
“But he’s a fast learner, he picked things up from Thursday into the Cork game and I’m very pleased for him.”
Rams have a rest this weekend before starting their National One campaign at home to Birmingham Moseley on Saturday, September 2, and the DoR believes his squad will be more united than ever after the trip.
He ended: “First and foremost a huge thanks must go to the club for investing in doing it and as coaches and players we’re extremely grateful.
“It’s been huge for the squad – it’s so nice to be able to come out and bring the team even more together.”
