Why stop in Cardiff when we can go to Sydney?
- Roccu Garoby
- Jan 12
- 3 min read
On 22 November 2025, the European Parliament Rugby Team (EPXV) took to the field in Cardiff to face the Senedd XV, the Welsh Parliament’s rugby team - exactly one year after a similar encounter in Edinburgh against the Holyrood XV.
These fixtures followed an even more remarkable milestone. In November 2024, the EPXV embarked on its first great adventure on the world stage, competing in the prestigious Parliamentary Rugby World Cup in France. There, we lined up against some of the strongest parliamentary teams in the game - notably France, New Zealand, and England - and recorded a historic first-ever victory against the UK Commons and Lords XV.
One might say that we have travelled far already - if not always in kilometres, then certainly in experience and ambition. On the pitch, we have played among the very best parliamentary rugby teams in the world. Off it, we have proudly represented the European Union, its colours, its traditions, and its core values. In doing so, we have experienced the best of both worlds: rugby and parliamentary democracy. We have also proven something else. The EPXV - composed of MEPs and staff from across the EU institutions, men and women, newcomers and seasoned players alike - has earned its rightful place within the international parliamentary rugby fraternity. And yet… one could say this is still not enough.
It is not enough merely to have tasted the best of both worlds. It is not enough to be satisfied with what we have achieved so far. Because the full landscape of parliamentary rugby has not yet been explored. Battles still await us against proud, long-established teams from Argentina, Ireland, South Africa, and Australia - teams against whom any parliamentary rugby player would dream of being a rival on the pitch and a friend off it.
Fortunately, the opportunity to turn that dream into reality may be closer than we think.
In September 2027 - just 18 months away, almost tomorrow - the next Parliamentary Rugby World Cup will take place. And not in Wales again… but in New South Wales, Australia.
Ahead of the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, hosted by Australia and bringing together 24 nations from across all continents, parliamentary rugby teams from around the globe will gather to contest the 9th Parliamentary Rugby World Cup in the Great Southern Land. It is a unique opportunity: to raise our level of rugby, to strengthen bonds with fellow parliamentary teams, and - above all - to deepen friendships that extend well beyond the final whistle.
So the ultimate question before us, to paraphrase our beloved William Shakespeare, is simple: “To be part of it, or not to be part of it - that is the question.”
If you want to be part of it, if you want to help make this ambition a reality, join us. Join the EPXV - the first-ever EU inter-institutional team to compete in an international parliamentary tournament, and one that is ready to do so again.
Australia 2027 is just around the corner.
The journey has already begun.
So lace up your boots - and answer the call.
