SMUrugby Set To Leave For France

In less than a week's time, SMUrugby will be flying off to France to represent the school as well as the nation in the “Tournoi des 5 Ballons” organised by ESSEC (École supérieure des sciences économiques et commerciales) Business School. The 30th edition of the T5B, “Tournoi des 5 Ballons”, will take place in Cergy-Pontoise, France, from April 19th to April 24th 2009. This is the first time a sports team from SMU will be travelling to Europe. This also marks SMUrugby's first trip out of the Asia/Oceania region.

The tournament will last for 5 days: arrivals on Sunday, qualification games and playoffs at ESSEC and in Cergy’s facilities from Monday to Wednesday, Finals and closing ceremony on Thursday evening, and departure on Friday morning.

SMUrugby will be Asia's sole representative and will be up against 5 other teams from France, Spain and Russia. Having recorded their first overseas victory in Australia back in December 2008 during IRAUG 2008, the City Boys will be looking to build on that and come home from France with some victories under their belts.

The City Boys were put through their paces in their last training at Gotham City on Thursday morning as they make their final preparations for the 7s Tournament in France under the watchful eyes of Coach Rong Jing Xiang. The boys looked sharp as they were working through their moves under the hot sun.

Inspirational skipper Daniel Marc Chow has been appointed the tour captain in his final swan song for SMUrugby. When asked how does he rate the team's chances for the TB5 tournament, he said:

"Even. We know we will be facing bigger players from France, Spain and Russia. But we will give them a hard time because we have nothing to lose. We have the right mix of youth and experience in this team - the old guards who have aged very well and the freshmen who are knocking at the door and eager to show their ambitions."

Derek Chan, recently named as the Player of the Season by the SMUrugby Players' Association in his first season at SMUrugby, has been named as the tour's vice captain. When asked what style of rugby can we expect to see from the team, he answered:

"The City Boys always feel better attacking than defending. We'll play the beautiful game. We'll give a show in every match!"

The squad of 14 representing SMUrugby in France:

1. Daniel Marc Chow (Captain)

2. Derek Chan (Vice Captain)

3. Vickneswaran s/o Sellathurai

4. Sherman Yeo

5. Nicolas Hwang aka Panzer

6. Alex Chew

7. Chew Yin Xiang aka Mouth

8. Daniel Lee

9. Melvin Teo aka Mok's Bro

10. Wang En Jian

11. Bryan Ng

12. Chong Wei Nurn
13. Matthias Lim
14. Benjamin Teong

We wish the 14 players all the very best in France.

Flight Details:

Air France

Changi Airport, Terminal 1

18th Apr - Singapore to Paris (AF 0257)

Departure/Arrival: 2255/0605

1st May - Paris to Singapore (AF 0256)

Departure/Arrival: 2330/0605