It was a good turn out last weekend at the Barnes RFC clubhouse to see England narrowly lose to the Boks 17-22. There was the entire family Kirby, the male side of the Orr family, a smattering of minis (and their Dads!) as well as a flying visit all the way from Oz from ex-Chairman, 1st XV player, Vet and hell raiser Neil Hay and clubman of the year Martin Conway to boot!

This weekend we move onto round two in Jo’burg and it is with great pride that I can tell you that one of England’s players this weekend actually played for Barnes RFC 1st XV in half a dozen games in the 2009/2010 season. Jonathan Joseph was on loan to us for a few games before he broke into London Irish’s 1st XV as a regular and actually took part in one of our most memorable victories in recent years, over arch rivals Richmond under floodlights - it was the night the green army took Richmond by storm and even ten he looked a class act.

So why not come and have a couple of pints and enjoy the rugby and some inane banter this Saturday in the Barnes RFC Clubhouse at 4pm?

See you on Saturday.

Michael “Rhino” Whitfield

P.S. Don’t forget to come and see us at Barnes Fair – 14th July