World Footy News

Three players from the Huddersfield Rams have been included in the European Legion under 23 squad to face the AFL / AIS under 23 representative team.

Sixteen year old schoolboy Sam Gill, who has impressed selectors with some outstanding performances for the Rams, was one of the first named in the squad. The centre will be joined by twenty-three year old Great Britain and England half forward Danny Armitage, who can now add this experience to his list of domestic and international honours.

Huddersfield Rams club founder and president, current England skipper Karl Haigh, has been drafted in as assistant events manager as part of the back room staff.

The trio head to London on Wednesday 20th April where they will have three days of intense, gruelling training before facing the AFL in Barn Elms, London, on the Saturday.

Thanks to Oliver Hughes from the Huddersfield Rams for this report.

This is an historic event for Aussie Rules as the AFL have never toured Europe before, opting for South Africa, China and America amongst other countries on their previous tours.

Their squad consists of the cream of Australia’s young talent, who are ready to step up into the AFL in what is arguably the toughest league in the world and the Holy Grail of Aussie Rules.

The European management team are no strangers to the AFL. The Head Coach, Glenn Lovett, is a former AFL player who debuted for his hometown club Melbourne back in 1987. His assistant Brett Kirk is the legendary ex Sydney Swans player who captained his side between 2006 – 2010, and lead them to a Grand Final. They will be joined by Daniel McLaer, a veteran of Swedish and European footy.

The curtain raiser to the big game will see Ireland face the Great Britain Bulldogs. Again the Huddersfield Rams have players included in the British side, with Ally Delooze, Matt Whitely and Karl Haigh all featuring for the Bulldogs, whilst a few other Rams members are on the fringe of Coach Mark Pitura’s side.

The Huddersfield Rams kick off their coming season up in Scotland at the Haggis Cup, a European tournament held in the Scotstoun stadium, Glasgow, in just over three weeks time and judging by the talent they have in their squad they will surely be having an interesting season this time around.