The Commons and Lords Rugby Football Club has completed a successful season against their counterparts as part of the annual tournament that mirrors the 6 Nations.
Local MP Mark Pawsey has been a part of the team since he became Rugby’s MP and was elected as the Chair of the Commons and Lords team in 2012. During the current season, Mark played alongside his colleagues from the House of Commons, House of Lords and others who work in Parliament against teams from the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, the French XV Parlementaire and the Irish Dáil & Seanad XV.
These matches took place before the games played by the national sides of each country during the 6 Nations Championship, which eventually saw the Irish complete the Grand Slam to win the tournament.
The Commons and Lords Rugby Football Team managed to score a victory against the Scottish Parliament, were defeated by the Welsh Assembly and drew against the Dáil & Seanad XV and the XV Parlementaire.
Mark Pawsey, MP for Rugby and Bulkington, said:
“It is always a privilege to play for the Commons and Lords Rugby Football Club whether we win, lose or draw. We traditionally play ‘golden oldies’ rules, meaning that everyone has a chance to take part. I was particularly pleased that this year we had a number of parents and their children playing together, including 3 sets of fathers and sons playing across both teams in our game against the Scottish Parliament. My sons, Will and Tom Pawsey, were part of our team for this match and travelled up to Scotland to take part.”
Mark continued:
“As well as playing great games of Rugby, we also raise money to support a number of charities. The Commons and Lords Rugby Football Club has played games to raise money to support the Injured Players Foundation, which supports English rugby players who suffer life-changing injuries as a result of playing the game. This year we have played a game to support the Care of Police Survivors charity (COPS) in memory of PC Keith Palmer, who tragically lost his life defending Parliament from a terrorist attack in March 2017.”
Mark concluded:
“Sport is a wonderful way of bringing people together and the parliamentary rugby matches are no exception. We are able to form links between our different parliaments in a way that might otherwise not happen and build friendships that cross national and party boundaries.”