Bristol Combination loose head prop, James Rickard, is excited at the prospect of making his debut against the Forest of Dean Bogtrotters on Friday evening.
The invitational side will play their first game of the season when they kick off at Cleve RFC, in a game raising money for Parkinson’s UK and Brain Research UK.
Rickard, who plays his club rugby for Broad Plain in Bedminster, is particularly excited ahead of the game after his experiences last season against the teams from the region.
“We’ve got a bit of history with the Forest of Dean clubs, so if I see a couple of boys that I recognise then I will definitely be sure to lay a shot on them.
“Players from up there are going to be big and going to be good but I am looking forward to it more than anything. It’s a charity match, so is for a very good cause and I can’t wait to throw the ball around and have a good time,” he said.
A bit different this one! Really pleased we've managed to sort a date with our friends from the Forest. This is all about coming together with the North of the County to support their charity work…..and we'll play in the appropriate style💥👌. pic.twitter.com/s5UrvPU6MN
— Bristol Combination Senior Representative Rugby (@SeniorBristol) October 28, 2024
The Bristol Combination team played twice last term, winning 12-8 away at Bath Combination in March, and losing heavily to an exuberant Bristol Bears team in May.
Coaching duo Andy Nethercott and Steve Ireland were in charge for both games last season and will continue in their roles this year.
After selecting their squad ahead of the Bogtrotters game, Nethercott and Ireland arranged two training sessions, one last week and the other this evening (Monday, November 11), to prepare the side.
Rickard said: “Obviously, we have only had a limited amount of time with the coaches, but both seem to really know their stuff.
“They are both kind of hard-nosed, old-school guys which is similar to the coaching I had at my old club, which is good to be getting on with.
“The first week of training has been good, it’s great to get to know the lads and start building towards the big game on Friday.”
19 grassroots Bristolian rugby clubs are being represented by the Combination team, ranging from players playing rugby at level five all the way down to players playing at level 10.
The loosehead prop explored the challenges of playing with people that he had not met before.
A really positive first get together last night for the squad for next Friday evening's match. Good to get the boys gelling and especially nice to welcome the new faces. 19 clubs involved at this point.
— Bristol Combination Senior Representative Rugby (@SeniorBristol) November 12, 2024
Combo v FOD Bogtrotters @Cleve_RFC #BrisCombo#BristolRugbyFamily pic.twitter.com/qTf4FzK14O
“It is interesting; I have been at Broad Plain for just over three years now and I get on with all the lads really well having formed a very tight group.
“Having to learn to communicate with boys, in a scenario where I don’t even know their names, is certainly a new challenge but one that I am enjoying.
“You can tell that there are going to be some big hits from the boys, even with our sessions being non-contact, so I am excited to see how we get on when we head down there,” he said.
The Combination side kick off at 7:30pm on Friday evening, with admission priced at £3.
