Last Friday was another brilliant one for Barnes Rugby Club, kicking off with 21 teams taking part in the annual Barnes Rugby Club Golf Day at Kingswood before hot footing it back to the clubhouse (resplendent in 3 new green and gold awnings) just in time to see the opening Lions game in Dublin, and celebrate the Colts and Under 17's end of season awards - what a cracking Barnow day that way!

You may want to know that all of the three Lions tests will be shown in the Barnes Clubhouse live on 19th July, 26th July, and for the last test on 2nd August.

Before I focus on pre-season training and games, I am pleased to say that both our Women’s and Men’s 1st XV squads have returned complete, and physically intact (well almost!) from their respective end of season tours to Prague and Serbia respectively. Outstanding trips away by all accounts as Barnow flew the green and gold flag well in Eastern Europe.

The picture attached to this article shows the novel use of Zorbs by some of our players as they tone themselves up for the stresses and strains of the season ahead!

And whilst that has been going on, our girls have never stopped training (they just love it) and the Mammoths, a legendary Barnes 7’s team from 30 years ago, have been resurrected buy our Colts and played recently in Worthing.

Here is some information for you about our return to pre-season training and games that our Men and Women will be playing in July and August:

• The Men and Women kick off their pre-season training on Monday 30th June, and it is running Monday and Wednesday throughout July and the 1st week of August. Thereafter back to Tuesdays and Thursdays for the rest of the 2025-2026 season.
• Whilst the Men are currently still resting, the Women have the following 7’s tournaments coming up:
o Chiswick 7’s - 12th July.
o Lit 7’s (at Wasps) - 19th July.
o Wimbledon 7’s - 26th July.
o Yeovil 10’s - 29th August.
• Then then Men are back playing 3 pre-season games:
o Men’s 1st XV squad vs CS Rugby - Friday 8th August @ Chiswick RFC.
o Men’s’ 1st XV squad vs Blackheath1st and 2nd XVs - Saturday 16th August @ Blackheath Rugby Club.
o Men’s 1st XV squad vs Wimbledon – 21ST August @ Wimbledon Rugby Club.
• And then we kick off the season proper with our Men’s 1st XV playing their first National 2 East league game of the season against Canterbury at Barn Elms on Saturday 6th September 3pm KO.

What a season we have ahead, and of course don’t forget, the clubhouse will be open early for all three Lions Test - 19th July, 26th July and 2nd August.

See you all soon.

Rhino x