Last week saw the return of Sandbach Rugby’s Matt Davies to the 1st XV team. Matt, who scored a try in the match and it just shows how much his game has progressed.

Matt is one of the rare breeds at the club. He didn’t progress through Sandbach’s Mini and Juniors like many of the senior players. In fact, he grew up playing against Sandbach when he played for Oswestry RFC at junior level. Originally from Oswestry in Shropshire,Matt joined Sandbach last season and made his first team debut earlier this year against Penrith.

Day to day Matt is a Signaller and is based at Beacon Barracks in Stafford as part of the 16 Signal Regiment. Their role is to deliver forces at readiness to enable combat communications support to Operational and Theatre Sustainment Brigades and the Field Hospital.

In November, Matt played in the Inter Service Championship, which is an annual tri-service competition between the Army, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. The Army beat the RAF U23s 35-23 at Witney Rugby Club, near Oxford but went on to lose 19-6 against the Royal Navy’s U23s at the Army Rugby stadium in Aldershot. The Royal Navy were the overall winners of the first Inter Service Championship title of the season.

The selection process was gruelling and the final squad for the Inter Services was cut down from over 280 applicants to just 30. The process involved training and warm up games against Cardiff Met University, Esher RFC, Rams RFC and Sidmouth RFC. Players were then either retained or cut so it was an incredible achievement for Matt to make it into the final 30, let alone play in both Inter Services matches.

Matt, whose position is hooker, but he can also play at loosehead, got to play at Cardiff Arms Park against Cardiff Met University. Whilst there the squad shared training facilities with the Fijian team, who were preparing for their game against Wales at the Principality Stadium, which added massively to the experience. Some of the coaches for the Army squad have international and premiership experience, including forwards coach Ricky Reeves who was once a loosehead prop for Wasps.

Matt’s work in the forces was already commendable but to be selected and play for the Army rugby team is a fantastic achievement. Speaking about the overall experience Matt said, “I was over the moon to have been selected and this was an experience I will never forget. The level of coaching was immense and my game has come a long way because of this. I would like to thank the club for the support I’ve received and continue to receive. It is much appreciated.

Director of Rugby Andrew Bird said, “Since joining Sandbach, Matt has fitted into the club seamlessly. He understands what we are about and is very committed. He has brought physicality and skill to the group and played at both hooker and prop. As with every player their job comes before rugby, but Matt is unique in many ways as now rugby is very much part of his job.”