RUGBY’S MP is back on the ball as MPs tackle the Parliamentary Six Nations.
The tournament, which runs in parallel to the annual Six Nations rugby tournament, sees teams from the Houses of Parliament, Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament, Irish Dáil and French Parliament compete against each other in a series of friendly matches ahead of the international fixtures. The Italian team is not taking part this year.
Rugby MP Mark Pawsey joined colleagues from the Commons and Lords XV on the rugby pitch in Dublin last weekend for the first game of 2019, against the Irish Dáil & Seanad XV.
The Commons and Lords team, of which Mr Pawsey is chair, were unable to replicate their professional counterparts’ 32-20 success and ended up on the losing side.
Mr Pawsey said: “It’s always a great pleasure to join colleagues from our Parliament and our international counterparts on the rugby pitch. Congratulations go to the Dáil & Seanad XV who were the better team on the day.
“As well as playing a great game of Rugby, these matches are an excellent opportunity to build links between our different parliaments in an informal and relaxed setting. It enables us to not only discuss some of the challenging issues we all face at the moment, but also bond over a shared love of the game of rugby and create friendships.
“As well as playing rugby, we also work together to raise funds for worthy causes. We have previously raised money for Hitz, the longest running UK Sport for Development Project. They work with young people not in education, training or employment (NEET) back into education, training, apprenticeships and/or employment, and currently runs just down the road from Rugby with Wasps Rugby Football Club.”
