Assembly takes on Westminster in annual charity rugby match        

3 February 2011

The fifth annual charity rugby match between the National Assembly for Wales RFC and the Commons and Lords RUFC will take place on Friday 4 February at Cardiff High School Old Boys Harlequins RFC in Whitchurch at 2pm.

The annual match is played prior to the Wales versus England match in the RBS Six Nations.

The National Assembly team will include four Assembly Members - Andrew RT Davies AM, Dai Lloyd AM, Alun Davies AM and Alun Cairns AM/MP. Alun Cairns will play for both teams at this match, starting for the Assembly team before moving to play for the Commons and Lords. It will be his last game for the Assembly team as he takes up his role of MP on a full-time basis following the Assembly election in May. Other team members include National Assembly staff and Welsh Government officials.

The team from the Commons and Lords is captained by Lord Dominic Addington and also includes Stephen Crabb MP, Chris Bryant MP, Mark Pawsey MP and Chris Heaton-Harris MP. Other team members are made up of civil servants and MPs’ staff.

The match is played to raise funds for the Assembly rugby team’s chosen charity, Bowel Cancer UK. Bowel Cancer UK aims to save lives by raising awareness of bowel cancer, campaigning for best treatment and care and providing practical support and advice.  

Chair of the National Assembly RFC, Andrew RT Davies AM, said: “We warmly welcome our opposition from Westminster to Wales today for what should be a highly entertaining encounter. As the most eagerly anticipated match in our calendar, we look forward to playing in the true spirit of parliamentary rugby union whilst also raising money to support the important fight against bowel cancer.

“We thank the organisers of today’s match for making what will be the fifth meeting between our two teams possible, and special thanks to Cardiff High School Old Boys RFC for hosting.”