Fylde RFC is delighted to stage the clash between the England Deaf and Welsh Deaf squads on Sunday, 26th February (ko 13.00) at their Woodlands Memorial Ground. The English squad is organised by the English Deaf Rugby Union (EDRU).

England have yet to beat Wales in a Deaf international but have gone close in each of the past two seasons, losing narrowly at Broadstreet the last time they hosted them in 2010 and going down 21-9 at Pontypridd 12 months ago.

Players are eligible to play for England Deaf if they have  a combined average hearing loss of 25dB or more in both ears. This roughly translates to a minimum hearing loss in both ears or a moderate hearing loss in one ear but can hear normally in the other.

Not all of the players wear hearing aids or only communicate by sign language. This has never stopped all the players communicating and playing rugby as a squad.

England Deaf Rugby Union can offer Deaf Awareness advice to clubs and schools, integrate deaf and hard of hearing players to clubs and liaise with club members to ensure players are managed correctly.

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Oxford Harlequins scrum half Graham Sage will become the 100th player to be capped by England Deaf when he lines up against Wales.

Sage is one of five new caps in the England squad but will be the 100th to be awarded his cap since the England Deaf Rugby Union was formed nine years ago.

Wharfedale flanker George Altham is another of the newcomers and his first appearance for the England Deaf side will be a family occasion as he packs down alongside his brother Peter, an established England Deaf player, who is a popular member of the Fylde squad, and a community coach employed by the Club.

The Althams are the second brothers to be capped by England Deaf after Brett – who will play at hooker against Wales – and Leigh Pruce.

Centre Jack Haddock and wing Liam Roads are the other newcomers in England’s starting line-up which was announced by Director of Rugby Tony Stoyles today. Paul Cooper is the only uncapped player among the replacements.

England, who are seeking their first win against Wales since 2004, will be captained for the first time by Sevenoaks flanker Ian Collins with centre Guy Lavery as his deputy.

 

1 Nick Todd (Buckinghamshire New University RFC), 2 Brett Pruce (Aylestone St James RFC), 3 Peter Altham (Fylde RFC), 4 Daniel McAllister (Luton RFC), 5 Ryan Arbon (Hitchin RFC), 6 George Altham* (Wharfedale RFC), 7 Ian Collins (Captain, Sevenoaks RFC), 8 Kris Mannering (Richmond RFC); 9 Graham Sage*   (Oxford Harlequins RFC), 10 Craig Orrick (Ruskin Park RFC); 11 Adam Faulkner (Wharfedale RFC), 12 Jack Haddock* (Harpenden RFC), 13 Guy Lavery (Vice-Captain, Tunbridge Wells RFC), 14 Liam Roads* (Princes Risborough RFC); 15 Charlie James (Ely RFC).

Replacements: 16 Tom Cowdale (Wolverhampton RFC), 17 Len Fincham (South Leicester RFC), 18 Paul Cooper* (Thames RFC), 19 Truter Bothma (KCS Old Boys RFC), 20 Robert Turner (Old Leamingtonians RFC), 21 Simon Cottom (South Leicester RFC), 22 Lee Woollard (Sidcup RFC).

* New Caps