Luxembourg’s National Touch rugby team achieved a credible 5th place in the Men’s over 30’s division behind England, France, Switzerland and Wales this week.
Under the guidance of head coach Nicholas Matenga, the team made a huge leap in the playing platforms, processes and mindset required to be successful at this elite level.
Winners and World Cup 2024 gold medal contenders England praised Luxembourg's performance, as their coach said: “Versus our game at last years Euro’s, Luxembourg surprised us with their level of structure, forcing us to up our game in both defence and attack”
The French silver medallists commented, “Today there was a massive improvement in attach strategies and really robust defence from the joint training camp we had at Marcoussis in March."
With over 1,100 players and 100 match officials, including Luxembourg representatives Dany Fahy and Laurence Cortey, there were 252 matches played within 8 age divisions for men, women and mixed teams. Played over 4 days, with each game lasting 40 minutes. This is one of Europe’s largest mass-participation sporting events.
"To continue our journey to elite levels of performance, we will continue to focus on our juniors and women participation," said Touch Luxembourg Fédération President Nick Frank. "We have found Touch to be increasingly popular with kids and especially girls where this year RCL Lightening under-15s junior touch team had an all-girls interclub match: a first for rugby in Luxembourg. Together with the Rugby Club de Luxembourg we initiated two very successful women’s days events, aimed at boosting girls & women’s participation in rugby-based sports."
Touch originated in the 1960’s as a non-contact form of Rugby league, as a fast, dynamic 6 a-side game played on a 50x80m pitch. Because the game is not based on physical contact, but on speed, skill and strategy, it is played by both sexes, and very often in mixed teams.
In Luxembourg, Touch is played from Social to Elite level by women, men, and juniors in both single sex and mixed teams. Touch Luxembourg is the national body responsible for the sport of Touch in Luxembourg and is affiliated to the Federation of International Touch (FIT) and a member of the Luxembourg Field Sports Federation and COSL. To find out more, check out their Facebook page.
