U.19 Tour to Sweden

Ok tour hungry people of Saracens let me begin by telling you a little story about 18 boys from the Saracens Colts team that went to Sweden and after 8 days and 6 games came back as men. In fact, this whole story is going to be about the journey they took and the experiences they had, so if you have a burning desire to discover how Sean Hughes Snr. managed to create this Scandinavian masterpiece of a tour, you have come to the right place.

Since I believe that it is the people that make any tour memorable, people are the subject of the day.

'Tourists', I first met the group, led and coached by Sean Hughes and Pete Kenny, at Stanstead airport, a few familiar faces but a few not so familiar. I was soon to get to know them as the tour developed, names like Podge, Rawls, Streddy, Tom, Jack and Gav will go down in Saracens tour history as being part of the famous Boyz to Men Sweden Tour 2007. It would be wrong to single out anyone player or coach in particular for special attention as they all made me proud to be a Saracen.

The Swedes. Perhaps calling to mind ridiculous stereotypes of long-legged busty blondes, ice-blue eyes and blinding toothpaste smiles, the Swedes are commonly perceived to be a social anomaly of devastating attractiveness. I am here to tell you that these generalizations are all true. This tour has probably been one of the prettiest rugby experiences these players have ever had. In the eight days I was in Sweden with my mate Sean and these Saracens colts, I could hardly keep the drool off their chins.

Other than their physically pristine beauty, the Swedes are a friendly bunch of people for the most part. They have a rock-solid rugby ethic and seem intent on excelling at everything they do. I saw no fights, heard very little cursing, and had no unpleasant experience with any Swede I met. Perhaps this is retribution for the equally devastating winters these people have to deal with...they have to stay inside from November to March but at least they're inside with human works of art!

Like all good tours this one was built on good experiences on the park and good beer and banter off it. We were placed in a fine hotel in Stockholm only a short walk from the venue of our first game and the prestigious Stockholm Tens Tournament and as important, only a short tram ride from down town Stockholm. The Hotel filled up with rugby teams as the weekend drew nearer. I recall names like Susies Saloon, The Boudacca Ladies, Pink Ba Bas and too many others to mention.

Thursday evening brought the first game of tour against the Stockholm Exiles Select XV. This was made up the best U20 players from the Stockholm Region. The colts swept this side away in a comprehensive 3-35 win.

It was a good opportunity to overcome any rustiness before the tournament started at the weekend. The fact that the hooker scored two tries and had one disallowed and another was scored by a prop is an indication of the coaching style of Sean and Pete.

The game was watched by the Technical Director of Swedish Rugby and a large crowd packed the stands for this fine display from this very talented English team coached by two Paddies.

When the stands had cleared the normal post match formalities were undertaken, in an informal atmosphere, on a balmy night, outside the majestic Stockholm Exiles Clubhouse, it was then off down town for the boys.

Sean and Pete yours truly sloped off for a quiet few beers and an authentic Swedish Kebab to round off the evening.

Friday was a day off for the boys when they were able to rest, relax and recover for the start of the festivities which began on Friday evening with a trip to the Tournament welcome party at the Dublin Bar on Southside. As I entered the bar it felt like a busy night at Bramley Road. I was surrounded by rugby people, to my surprise many of them Sarries on tours with other teams.

The party went on long into the night. It was not till the next morning that I realised that Swedish beer is a bit like embalming fluid because I felt like death the next day. Training was a very quiet experience for everyone.

The main tournament, vets and ladies was in full swing. The boys spent the day cheering on all their new friends in the women's tournament and parading around in their new Sarries kit, like real professionals, making new contacts and arrangements for the coming nights.

We packed the boys off to an early night in preparation for the U19 games which started on the Sunday. Hughes Snr and Pete remained at the rugby ground until they shut the bar at about 1am. It was then my job to make sure they both got back safely to our hotel.

Sunday arrived; Sarries played three, won three and were through to the final against the Swedish Academy. The final was played in front of a packed stadium;
The Mexican waves reverberated around the stadium as Sarries took to the field, A whole section of the crowd got to there feet and began chanting 'Sarries' 'Sarries'. The Swedish crowd were stunned into silence, thinking are these young men good enough to be the future of the famous 'Saracens'.

Women in the crowd were screaming, it reminded me more of a pop concert than a rugby game. Could these young Saracens walk off this pitch as confident as had they walked onto it? By Half time the game was won, the Swedes were in disarray and the Saracens were rampant. Full time could not come quick enough for the Swedes. The Final whistle blew; Sarries had won the Stockholm 10's U19 Competition!

As the team made there way to the large section of the crowd full of jubilant Saracens followers, many of them women, the shirts were peeled off as a final treat for all the crowd to admire what Saracens are made of, crowd pleasers in everyway.

The party at a sophisticated night club was dominated by these young Saracens and their admirers, clambering for souvenirs. Intimate items of clothing were offered for anything with a Saracens badge. Many of these young guns saved sleeping for the long bus journey to Gothenburg. Many of those stories destined to stay in the archive entitled *what goes on tour stays on tour*.

Monday morning came and we were missing one of our group, Pete Kenny had slipped off under the cover of darkness, giving the lame excuse that he had an important meeting back in London. I believe the real reason was that he could not keep up with Sean Hughes Snr's. appetite for Swedish beer. It was rumoured that he was golf balled seven times at the end of tournament party and drunk each pint in less than 4 seconds. This feat left Sean Jnr full of pride and admiration for his Dad and was overheard to say "At least when he is drinking he is not talking".

Seven hours later and 700 Km's down the road we reached our next destination, Gothenburg. After checking into our new accommodation it was time to explore. We were slap bang in the centre of Gothenburgs Cultural Quarter. The area reminded me of a cross between Temple Bar, Covent Garden and Greenwich Village. Sean had done it again dropped us into a purpose built rugby tour dream, with everything you would want on a rugby tour!!!!!!!!

...............Gothenburg report to follow soon. The final chapter a game against a Gothenburg select side, Tour awards and the final party .........watch this space and see the photos in the tour album