Samoa to warm up for England at Kingholm

Samoa will play a warm up game against the Combined Services ahead of their Test Match against England at Gloucester Rugby’s home stadium Kingsholm.

Gloucester supporters are more than familiar with the strength and skill that adorn the South Sea Islanders’ game with the likes of Junior Paramore and Terry Fanolua having graced the Kingsholm turf in the past and Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu currently maintaining the tradition.

In addition, current Fijian international Apo Satala is another to have delighted the Kingsholm faithful in recent seasons and is likely to feature for the Combined Services side which draws from the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. Apo has recently moved to the Imjin Barracks based in Innsworth, Gloucestershire.

Given that it is the first time that Samoa have ever played at Kingsholm and only the second time for the Combined Services have played, it’s a unique opportunity to watch a game of this kind.

Ken Nottage, Managing Director of Gloucester Rugby welcomed the match,”Over the past years we have developed a fantastic reputation for staging additional matches here at Kingsholm and we look forward to welcoming both the Combined Services and Manu Samoa for what promises to be a great occasion.”

“I am sure that the armed forces will put on a great show both before and during the match and we hope that the Gloucester fans will come along in great numbers to lend their legendary support as international rugby again comes to Kingsholm.”

Chairman of Combined Services Rugby, Major General Lamont Kirkland said,”This is a key fixture in the Combined Services calendar and our men are very much looking forward to facing up to Samoa. It will be a thrilling match and we hope that we can raise considerable funds for the British Legion.”