A second international encounter across continents: game EPXV vs Japan

The heat was stifling as the European Parliament rugby team (EPXV) played its second

consecutive international match on Saturday 10 June. After its inaugural match against the

French parliamentary XV in March 2023, the European XV facedi a team made up of

Japanese expatriates working in Europe. Having travelled specially for the occasion from

London, Paris, Amsterdam and Düsseldorf, some of whom play regularly. The meeting

took place at the beginning of the afternoon in a prestigious venue: indeed, the Nelson

Mandela stadium in Brussels, used by the Belgian national rugby team.

Under new eyes, the usual warm-up took place. Deputy coach Romain Moortgat was

accompanied for the day by Théo Millet, a professional player from Oyonnax in France

who will be playing in the Top 14 next season, but who is also the son of Patrice Millet, a

no less famous player from EPXV. The training session was monitored as well by a

journalist from Le Soir, while friends and family of players from both teams filled the

stands.

The match got off to a very committed start, with neither team able to gain an advantage

over the other. The Japanese played a lively and dynamic game, with many players

showing great agility. For their part, the European XV managed to keep their defence tight

and carry out a few attacks close to the try line, demonstrating the great progress they had

made in the previous weeks. Finally, it was Sébastien Reed who scored the first try of the

game shortly before the break.

However, it was at the restart that the Japanese team put their experience to good use.

One, then two, then three tries were slammed into the back of the European defence, as

the bodies began to show signs of fatigue. The match ended 15-5 in favour of this very fine

Japanese team, which was also remarkable for its fair play. For their part, the men and

women of the European team made undeniable progress, in particular with a very united

defence and some fine attacking moments, which augur well for their potential in the run-

up to the Parliamentary World Cup.

To continue the afternoon in good spirits, the meeting was followed by a touch rugby

match between the two teams. As the name suggests, touch rugby is a version of rugby

without tackling, where the ball carrier simply has to be touched in order to be stopped,

making for an even more dynamic and particularly entertaining game.

After exchanging trophies, the two teams met up in the European quarter to spend the

evening, strengthening links between continents over a few drinks and giving full meaning

to the expression "friendly game".

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A donation was made to the association Douche Flux in Brussels who helps homeless people.