Where Eagles Dare - SU Agen winger Kevin Swiryn flying the flag

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Exclusive Feature: Where Eagles Dare - SU Agen winger Kevin Swiryn flying the flag

By Colin Spiro, www.frenchrugbyclub.com

Soaring Eagle: Agen's American winger Kevin Swiryn in action Photo: Eric Vincent / SU Agen

Seven years ago Kevin Swiryn was a talented American footballer pursuing his sporting dreams courtesy of a scholarship at St Mary’s College in California. As a wide receiver he had pace, nimble feet, good hands and a knowledge of the game – all valuable attributes - but then fate played its card. St Mary’s were boxing above their weight and couldn’t afford to continue funding their successful but over-stretched team. The football budget was terminated, the entire programme closed down and the dream appeared to be over.

As 19-year-old Kevin pondered his future, and considered switching universities, he took up an offer from two friends to join them for an afternoon of rugby – a sport he had never seen, let alone played. Within a week he was hooked, within a year he was touring with America’s combined universities side, and by the age of 24 he was a fully-fledged international after making his debut for the US against Ireland in Santa Clara.

Two years later and he has come to the end of his first season with SU Agen, the historic French side which has managed to retain its status in Top 14 at the first attempt after gaining promotion as ProD2 champions.

Rugby Night at the French Embassy, Washington DC, Saturday, 3/12

The French will be hosting their 3rd Annual Rugby Night at the French Embassy in Washington DC on Saturday, 3/12.  Tickets are $40 per person and all are welcome.

Full details of the event can be found at  www.rugbyroosters.com/specialevents/

Churchill Cup Finale hits the East Coast

The Churchill Cup rolls into Harrison, New Jersey this Saturday June 19th for the finals of the plate, bowl, and cup.  Taking place at the recently opened and stunning Red Bull Arena, the competition promises fans a gloriously full day of international rugby.

Kicking off at noon, Russia will take on Uruguay for the Bowl.  The main event at 2:45pm will see the England Saxons  attempting their fifth Cup victory, while Canada makes its debut.  Last but not least, the Plate final has USA taking on France at 5:30pm.

Tickets are still available, so if you're in the New York metro area and fancy working on your tan while catching some top level rugby, head on over to the Red Bull website to pick them up! 

If you can't make it out, don't fret: NBC/Universal Sports has got you covered!  They'll be broadcasting all three games live. Get full details at their website or check your local listings for details.

I'll be at the event so come over and say hello or feel free to tweet me @arugbylife with you thoughts on the games.

Photos from Sunday - French vs Village Lions in Central Park

Here are some photos compliments of the Consulate General of France in New York, taken at the game and social.  Comprenez-vous le français? Then you might enjoy this post on the event.

Churchill Cup returns to America in 2010

The Red Bull Arena in New Jersey will host the 2010 Churchill Cup finals Hot off the press...USA Rugby have announced the return of the Churchill Cup to the US.  Excited to see the games are making it to the East and my home turf. Big thank you to Sara Johns at USA Rugby for passing it on. USA RUGBY BOULDER, Colo. - The Churchill Cup makes its return to U.S. soil this summer, once again stopping in the City of Glendale, Colo. before making its East Coast debut at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, N.J. The 2010 lineup showcases the USA Eagles, Canada, England Saxons and tournament newcomers France A, Russia and Uruguay in three rounds of doubleheader pool matches at Infinity Park, Glendale on June 5, 9 and 13. The pool stages lead into a tripleheader finals day at Red Bull Arena, the new home of the New York Red Bulls Major League Soccer side, on June 19.

The French are coming! Sunday 21st Feb, New York

A French select side from the South West of France will be taking on the local lads of the Village Lions in Central Park this Sunday.  The French side are reputed to be packing a some quality retired professionals... Eric Bonneval, Christian Califano, Denis Charvet, Arnaud Costes, Jean-Louis Jordana, Christian Labit,  Emile N'Tamack, Jean-Pierre Rives, Cedric Soulette, Patrick Tabaco, Franck Tournaire to name a few!

The game will take part in the field across from Tavern on the Green at the 66St and Central Park West and kick off is at 1pm.

The Lions also invite you to come help soften up the opposition Saturday night at Mason Dixon (on Essex between Stanton and Rivington) at 8pm.

Should make for a great warm up for a cracking game of rugby!

Nations Cup - Final Roundup

Today was the final day of the Women's Nations Cup. Congratulations to England, who won the cup undefeated by beating Canada 22 - 0. For the full story, click here.


The US Eagles took second place after a hard-fought game in heavy rain against France. Final score ended in a draw (15 -15). Click here for the full story.

Nations Cup Update #4

Here's a quick round up of yesterdays matches:

England 25 - 0 South Africa
South Africa's final match ends in defeat to the English. Click here for the full story

Canada 10 - 15 USA
Last minute try by the Eagles denies the home side a draw. Click here for the full story

The final matches will now take place on Saturday with the US taking on France at 2pm and Canada versus England at 4:30 pm

Nations Cup Update #3

Here's a quick round up of yesterdays matches:

Canada 7 - 12 France
The French kick their way to a win over Canada. Click here for the full story

USA 39 - 0 South Africa
The Eagles dominate South Africa with a pounding win. Click here for the full story

Nations Cup update #2

Here's a quick round up of yesterdays matches:

Canada 35 - 17 South Africa
Solid win for the home side in their first game of the tournament. Click here for the full story

England 43 - 8 France
England continue their winning streak with a win over the French. Click here for the full story

Nations Cup update

Here's a quick round up of yesterdays matches:

France 17 - 17 South Africa
Last minute try by the french gets them the draw. Click here for the full story

England 36 - 7 USA
Tough game for the Eagles as they go down to England. Click here for the full story

Womens Nations Cup kicks off next week

The US Womens National team head off North next week to take on Canada, England, France and South Africa in the Nations Cup. This is the 2nd Nations Cup tournament and will be played in Oakville, Canada from August 10th through 22nd. For more details, head on over to Rugby Canada and if you can make it in person to see the games, you catch them live online at ustream.tv

The schedule of the games are as follows (all kick off times are GMT -4 hours EDT i.e same as EST)

August 10th

France vs South Africa 4:30 PM

England vs USA 6:30 PM

August 13th

France vs England 4:30 PM

Canada vs South Africa 6:30 PM

August 16th

South Africa vs USA 2:00 PM

Canada vs France 4:00 PM

August 19th

England vs South Africa 4:30 PM

Canada vs USA 6:30 PM

August 22nd

USA vs France 2:00 PM

Canada vs England 4:00 PM