A Match to Remember, A Game to Forget
For Jack Basher the day must hold bittersweet memories. Having made his first ever International match day squad he went on to make his debut for Malta after 33 minutes in their European Nations Cup tie at home to the Netherlands. A first international cap is a great honour for any player but unfortunately for Jack he had his work cut out keeping the exciting Dutch backline under wraps. Eventually the Netherlands confirmed their pre match status, as favourites, clinching promotion back Division One from what is currently an unbeaten season 33 - 10.
For Navy Rugby followers it is another International in the Senior XV squad. Jack has already had a season of firsts. Back in September he made his first RNRU Representative debut for the U23 XV and scored his first try in the match against Portsmouth University. He won his U23 XV colours in the home game against the Army. His good form the U23 Xv was rewarded with a call up to the Senior XV squad and he made his first Senior XV start in the match against Cambridge University. With competition for the openside flanker shirt particularly fierce, Jack knows that he will have to work hard, and make the most of his opportunities, if he is to win a first Senior XV cap later this year. But that must surely be his next goal.
Congratulations on a first Malta cap, a game in which he played alongside two capped Navy players in Harry Collins and Kyle Mason.
Images by Alligin Photography / © Geraint Ashton Jones