Balreask Old boys face big test in Bruff

Bruff is a well-known name on the Irish rugby landscape if only for the fact it's the home club of Irish tighthead legend John Hayes.

Ten years ago Hayes helped Ireland to a memorable victory over England in the Six Nations at Croke Park in a game which included a try from Meath man Shane Horgan.

Now Bruff, like Navan, are seeking to make an impact in the AIL Div 2C and so far they have had moderate success. They find themselves in mid-table and just about clingining onto their hopes for a place in the play-offs.

Another defeat or two could end their ambitions and that's one of the main reasons why Navan coach Alan Kingsley will be wary as he takes his troops down to Bruff next Saturday for their lastest instalment of their AIL Div 2C adventure.

Navan will travel with confidence after defeating fellow high-flyers Rainey Old Boys 12-6 in their last outing.

In that game Kingsley's men put down a marker and reinforced the growing belief that they are real contenders for the crown. No longer pretenders.

One of the most potent weapons Navan will take down to Limerick is their powerful pack. Not only are they powerful, they have some superb ball-carriers in the shape of Conor Ryan, Bryan McKeever and Leigh Jackson.

The backs also contain men who can make the hard yards most notably the enterprising South Africian Riaan van der Vyver. When he gets the legs pumping and builds up a head of steam it is very difficult to stop him; a force of nature.

Yet Navan cannot afford to be complacent. While they are 14 points ahead of the Limerick side in the league table recent results suggest Bruff are on something of a roll. In their last game they defeated Tullamore (13-10), a very impressive result.

Before that they defeated Kanturk 37-0. Very few teams at this level do not concede a score.

Bruff, it seems, can score freely yet defend staunchly. A source of optimism for Navan is that they have already defeated Bruff (32-22) earlier this season, but that was at home.

On Saturday it's Navan who will be out of their comfort zone against a resurgent home side and a bonus point defeat might be a decent outcome.

AIL DIV 2 C FOCUS

Navan results - Sligo 22, Navan 26; Navan 19, Bangor 23; Navan 10, Tullamore 17; Kanturk 37, Navan 47; Navan 32, Bruff 22; Rainey Old Boys 13, Navan 17; Navan 34, Boyne 6; Midleton 9, Navan 7; Navan 50, Seapoint 3; Seapoint 10, Navan 42; Navan 45, Midleton 3; Boyne 17, Navan 30; Navan 12, Rainey Old Boys 6.

NEXT UP

Saturday 4th March - Bruff v Navan; Rainey Old Boys v Sligo; Boyne v Seapoint; Kanturk v Tullamore; Midleton v Bangor.