King’s House Sports Ground in Chiswick will host the 2023 British & Irish Cup this Saturday 24th June.
The tournament will be the final opportunity for the sides to test themselves at international level before the World Cup in August and also offers the British sides an opportunity to avenge losing the 2022 tournament by the narrowest of margins.
After the completion of last year’s two-day competition, Great Britain and Ireland found themselves tied on categories won. The tie meant the tournament was decided on total games won across the six eligible categories, Ireland edging this by a total of 13-11. Had just one of those Irish wins gone the other way, the cup would have ended up in British hands due to their superior overall points difference.
Unlike last year’s tournament, which saw teams play five tests each across two days, Saturday’s event will be a shorter, supercharged version of this historic contest. Seven of the eight categories will count towards the British & Irish Cup, with the nation that wins the most taking the overall crown. If, like last year, Britain and Ireland find themselves level on categories, the first tiebreaker will be the number of games won.
Will Shepherd, Great Britain Programme Director, said: “To date our only overall win in the British & Irish Cup came in London in 2019. We have come so close the last two years and I know that all the players selected are fully committed to getting over the line with their hands on the trophy. We are looking at it as the perfect springboard into the World Cup this summer and are excited that the location gives our supporters the opportunity to cheer us to victory in Chiswick.”
The British & Irish Cup is the oldest international Tag Rugby tournament to take place in the northern hemisphere. Hosted alternately by the two countries since 2013, Ireland have won seven times with Great Britain achieving their sole victory on home soil in 2019.
The Great Britain Women’s 35s are in their inaugural year of training and competition, and will play an exhibition contest just as the Men’s 40s did last year.
Friends, family and spectators are all welcome to attend the event – entry is free and the onsite bar will be open till late for a well-deserved post-tournament social.
WATCH IT LIVE
If you can’t make it to King’s House Sport Ground on Saturday, here’s how you can watch selected games from the British & Irish Cup live.
Rounds 2-6 on Pitch 1 will be streamed live (with scores and commentary) on Try Tag Rugby’s YouTube channel and Great Britain Tag Rugby’s Facebook page with coverage starting at 11:05am.
Pitch 2 will be steamed live (without commentary or scores) in full on Try Tag Rugby’s Youtube Channel from 10:30am.
Coverage of Pitch 1 switches exclusively to the RFL’s Our League from 3.30pm for Rounds 7, 8, 9 & the final presentation. OurLeague is free! It works worldwide and can be downloaded via the App or Play store. You can also create an account here https://www.rugby-league.com/ourleague.