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Poland come calling for Tom Fidler

Poland come calling for Tom Fidler

STEVEN TRENCHARD20 Nov 2019 - 19:46
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The Chinnor Prop is set for his 2nd international appearance.

Chinnor RFC forward Tom Fidler has again been named in the Poland national team squad for their upcoming Rugby Europe Trophy match against Switzerland this Saturday (November 23rd).

Fidler, who qualifies to represent Poland through his grandfather, is delighted to be playing rugby at international level.

“To be even considered to play for your country is a massive honour, so it’s still all settling in. It’s something that I never really expected and is something I’m massively proud of.”

On making the step-up from domestic to international rugby, the Chinnor prop commented: “International set-up is full time when you’re there, so that’s the biggest difference. Getting this old body back used to multiple training sessions a day was an interesting feeling to say the least.”

“With the curtain slowly drawing to a close on my rugby career, it’s something that’s helped drive me and prove that there is life in the old dog yet.”

Poland, ranked 37th in the World Rugby Rankings, have been seeded in the Trophy division for the 2019-20 Rugby Europe International Championships, the second-highest division of the five.

Placed in a group alongside Lithuania, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and Ukraine, the team top of the table at the end of the campaign will gain promotion to the Championship, the top tier of European rugby outside of the Six Nations, featuring RWC participants Russia and Georgia.

The match in Yverdon this weekend will be Fidler’s second appearance for Poland, having played 64 minutes in their opener against up-and-coming Germany, where the Red-Whites were defeated 35-15.

“The first game was a strange affair,” remarks Fidler ahead of Poland’s final game of 2019. “We matched and got the edge of the Germans up front but ended up going down to them by a few sloppy errors.”

Competing on the international stage has been a whirlwind experience for the 33-year-old, who has featured in all but two of Chinnor’s league games this term.

“The most memorable moment so far was having to learn the national anthem in four days, with the coach adamant that everyone must sing the anthem.”

“We were told that we would have to learn the whole three verses as well, so me and the other new lads set out on the journey to learn. We had to sing it in front of the boys first to prove we had learn it.”

“Then when it came to game day, we only sang the first verse and chorus, so there was me ready to belt out the second verse and the music stopped! I’d easily say that we bumped the lady who taught people how to sing the national anthem online up a good couple of thousand views – you’re welcome!”

Fidler and Poland’s match against Switzerland kicks off at 14:30 GMT on Saturday, with highlights available to be watched on the Rugby Europe website.

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