Combined Channel Islands rugby team to play Poland

A combined Channel Islands rugby side will play Poland in July.

The side played their first-ever match last year when they beat Sweden 66-28 at Footes Lane in Guernsey.

The fixture, which is due to be played on 25 July, will take place at St Peter in Jersey.

Poland are currently second in this year's Rugby Europe Trophy - the second tier of non-Six Nations rugby in the continent.

But they lead the two-year table after results from last season are taken into account and could earn promotion to the top-tier Rugby Europe Championship.

"Poland are ranked a couple of places higher than Sweden in the international rankings, so in theory, it could be harder," Jersey RFC chairman Dan McAllister told BBC Radio Jersey.

"They would have seen the Sweden game, they'll know where we're at as a combined side, so I think they'll be bringing a full side and be fully aware of what the Channel Island side can bring."

Jersey RFC player Eryk Swiech was recently called up to Poland's squad for their game against Croatia and has been part of the island side that won the Regional One South Central title on Saturday.

They have earned promotion to National Two level - the same tier that Guernsey Raiders play in.

The Raiders are currently eighth of 14 teams in National Two East having won 10 of their 21 games this season.

The Channel Island side was formed last year to give the island not hosting the Siam Cup - the annual clash between Guernsey and Jersey - a marquee fixture at the end of the season.

This year's fixture will take place in pre-season due to the Siam Cup being relatively late in the calendar on 16 May.

"It's another echelon above and they had an absolutely fantastic experience, so it was something that we were keen to try and repeat this year in Jersey," added McAllister.

"Last year against Sweden there was a two week gap after the Siam, so they were pretty much arch adversaries two weeks before.

"But we've got a longer gap between Siam Cup and the Channel Island game, so they can let some of their rivalries dissipate so they can be even stronger when they come together in July.

"I know sort of some of the sort of dyed in the wool Jersey and Guernsey people don't always condone the sides coming together, they should be separate.

"But from the player side the feedback was great because they all came together, it was something very novel, so hence why we really, really, pushed hard to get a fixture for July."