BRICKFIELDS will host yet more representative rugby tonight when the Plymouth Combination take on the Plymouth Academicals.
The Plymouth Combination side has been going for years, but this evening there will be a first as a women’s team will also represent the city.
The women’s match will take place at 6pm, with the men’s game kicking off at 7.30pm.
The Academicals sides will be made up of the best players from Peninsula Medical School, University of Plymouth and Marjon University.
The men’s teams met last year in a good contest at Brickfields, which the Combination eventually won 36-7.
However, this year the Combination will be without any Services or Saltash players due to their big cup games on Saturday, but they are expected to include players from most clubs.
“We are trying to involve as many Combination clubs as we can,” said men’s team manager Shaun Bedford-Smith.
“We have got this game and then another next Saturday against Torbay Sharks.
“There will probably be changes in players as this weekend Services are in the Devon Cup final, Saltash have a Papa Johns Cup semi-final and OPMs are on tour.
“Against the Academicals is going to be players from levels seven to nine.”
“But is should be a good game. We know what we are going to get from the Academicals – they are going to be young, fit and they are going to throw the ball around.”
He added: “We did have a little get together on Wednesday just to have a bit of a run through and for players to meet up then rather than in the changing room before kick-off.”
In total between the two men’s and women’s games 13 Combination clubs will be represented and in the women’s game one of the Academicals players has just been selected for the England Universities sevens side.
Axel Hicks is the Combination women’s team manager. He said: “It’s an honour to be involved in the organisation of a first of its kind event for the area. It is a pleasure to bring together this group of players with the support of Rikki Bentham and Olly Whitfield.”
The women’s team will be based around players from Plymstock Oaks, Devonport Services and Plymouth Argaum’s new side.