As Wales looks forward to the start of the Rugby World Cup, Ynys Môn Assembly Member Rhun ap Iorwerth is looking forward to representing his country as he joins the Assembly’s rugby team for the launch of their bid for Parliamentary World Cup glory this weekend.

The Welsh side play their first game on Sunday at Rugby School – on the very pitch that the game was invented. The team’s opponents will be announced on Saturday at the Opening Ceremony and draw.

The House of Commons and Lords RFC play hosts, welcoming reigning champions New Zealand and parliamentary teams from around the globe – including Australia, France, Argentina, South Africa and Japan.

Assembly Rugby have been raising funds for the charity Bowel Cancer UK for ten years now and earlier this year raised more than £6,000 in a stunning victory over a Commons & Lords XV.

Mr Ap Iorwerth said:

“After coming to terms with Warren Gatland’s refusal to pick me for the Wales squad this summer, this is now the nearest I will come to representing my country at rugby and I can’t wait to get started.

“The team are raising money for a very good cause and I hope we can do the country proud and raise some money for Bowel Cancer UK.

“This will be the first time that Assembly Rugby have competed in the tournament and we are looking forward to promoting parliamentary rugby, a range of good causes and awareness of the work that Bowel Cancer UK do.”