Dai Burton

HAVING experienced the ups and down of inter-insular competition in the Siam Cup as coach of Jersey Rugby Club, rugby stalwart Dai Burton is positively rubbing his hands in glee at the thought of beating the Sarnians at St Peter tomorrow afternoon.

This time, however, it will be a completely new experience for Burton, who was CI Coach of the Year for 2004, as he has been guiding an Island Select XV – a team made up of Junior Club players – in their bid to beat a similar select side from Guernsey.

‘That I’m not coaching a Jersey 1st XV is irrelevant,’ he said. ‘As with the Siam Cup, I live in Jersey and if we lose to Guernsey I want to win it back. Jersey Select lost (14-10) to Guernsey in 2009 before I became involved with the JRA and I want to help them regain the trophy.

‘At the start of the season the junior clubs’ win over a strong Jersey 2nds team was a good result for local rugby and also showed that the boys can do it at a higher level. We’ve only had two training sessions for Sunday’s match, but the players have been raising their game and we’ve picked a squad of players who, over the season, have consistently proved their ability.’

Kick-off is at 12.30 pm.