Head coach can’t wait to be back playing matches

Windsor RFC coach Jack Pattinson has said it will be a brilliant feeling to see all the club’s teams return to competitive action later this year, and says he feels emotional when he thinks about what it will be like to be back in the changing room ahead of a big game.

The Royals haven’t played a competitive match for more than a year now but were making big strides in the South West 1 East division before the season was brought to a premature conclusion by the coronavirus pandemic.

While the squad has returned intermittently for training throughout the past 12 months, Pattinson has been missing the sense of togetherness that comes from playing competitive matches.

He said: “It’s the lifeblood isn’t it?

“Of course, we all watch the international and Premiership games, but the lifeblood of rugby is the community game.

“It’s built on the grassroots. When that returns it’s going to be brilliant and such a good feeling.

“I can’t wait for that first game, to be stood in the changing room before and have that feeling of emotion prior to kick off.

“The connection with the group is going to be brilliant.”

Pattinson added: “It’s the feeling of being with those boys again and that belonging.

“When the men are back playing, when the women are too, and the boys and girls – when everyone is back involved, it’s going to be a really brilliant feeling.

“It’s a nice reminder of how lucky we are to have a sport like this which brings us so close to each other, and I have such good memories from it.

“Sorry if I’m sounding a bit emotional but it has been such a long time for all of us.”