Luxembourg announce line-up to face Norway in Rugby Europe Conference

Two key opponents stand out in Pool A for Luxembourg: Latvia and Norway. The men’s XV will face the latter in a hotly contested first fixture.

James Kent has named a strong starting line-up and plenty of talent coming off the bench. Amidst the many familiar faces comes a new captain in Hugo Bertani, who plays his rugby in Barcelona and will be leading the team from full back. Bertani, a constant feature in the squad since his first selection in 2019, was the first player to complete the full secondary curriculum at the Sportslycee as a rugby product – paving the way for future players such as Fintan Lawlor. He has 17 caps under his belt and despite being only 25-years-old he now counts as one of the more experienced heads in the squad. A testament to the young and growing squad that Kent has at his disposal.

On receiving the captaincy Bertani said: "It's a great honour, I'm very proud. It was unexpected when I got the call-up. I'm very grateful for the trust that has been placed in me by the coaches, and by the players who have reached out and stand behind me."

He was named co-captain alongside Joss Gaspalou, who will be unable to travel to Norway but brings a wealth of experience from his professional playing days.

They will be facing a physical Norwegian team with plenty of players plying their trade in the United Kingdom and Ireland, who have spent the past few seasons at this level but are eager to gain promotion to the Rugby Europe Trophy. It's sure to be a thrilling encounter near the fjords of Norway.

The game will be streamed on youtube and on the rugbyeurope website at 2pm.

Starting line up
1. Matthew Dennis-Soto (RC Luxembourg)
2. Anton Agassi (RC Luxembourg)
3. Domenico Orsino (CSBJ)
4. Gael Pujadas (FC Villefranche de Lauragais)
5. Pete Barton (RC Luxembourg)
6. Kai Sweetnam (Cardiff Metropolitan University)
7. Guillaume Kimmel (Rugby Club Metz)
8. James Wheeler (RC Luxembourg)
9. Lucas Schmitt (TSV Handschuhsheim)
10. Adrian Mendez Elola (Amsterdamse Atletiek Club Rugby)
11. William Verrinder (Bedford Tigers RFC)
12. Alexandre Piquet (RC Walferdange)
13. Liam Carroll (Stirling RFC)
14. Stuart Logier (Northampton Casuals RFC)
15. Hugo Bertani (FC Barcelona) – Captain

Replacements
16. Julian Clavien Timon (RC Walferdange)
17. Thomas Verlaque (Vale of Lune RFC)
18. Denis Logelin (RC Luxembourg)
19. Edward Graybrook (University of Essex RFC)
20. Noe Tropiano (RC Luxembourg)
21. Fintan Lawlor (Rugby Club Jacou Montpellier Nord)
22. Yared Ketema (RC Luxembourg)
23. Luke Ng Yan Kwong (Club de Rugby d’Illkirch-Graffenstaden)
24. Joshua Gillespie (RC Luxembourg)

Rugby Europe Conference – Pool A

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