Perse rugby players ready to tackle season after Italy tour

Perse rugby players warmed up for the new season with a sensational summer tour to Italy.

The group of 28 Sixth Form players were based in Verona during their stay, training in the high-performance facilities at Verona Rugby Club.

They were given a real test of their mettle in a fixture with the U18 team of Rugby Parabiago, a strong club based near Milan, before playing an impromptu game against The Edinburgh Academy, who were also on tour in the region.

Away from the pitch, the students were kept busy seeing the sights of northern Italy, from visiting the Roman amphitheatre in Verona to the racetrack at Monza and the San Siro stadium, home to football giants AC Milan and Inter.

Perse Head of Rugby Simon Thomas said: “The tour provided a fantastic opportunity for the squad to come together and grow closer as a team.

“Hopefully, it will have prepared them for the demands of the upcoming rugby season and the shared memories and experiences from the tour will have bonded them tightly as a team.”