PREVIEW BIG MATCH FYLDE V SHEFFIELD RUFC
We are delighted to welcome the players, officials and supporters of Sheffield RUFC to the Woodlands today (ko 15.00), a meeting of the 4th and top placed team in National 2 (North). Our visitors had a splendid season in 2024-25 and have carried that form on in the initial weeks of the new season. Sheffield had a golden period last season putting together a run of 17 wins and just one defeat between Sept 2024 and Feb 2025, a fantastic achievement. They finished 3rd behind Rotherham and Leeds in 2023-24,2nd behind Leeds last season and their momentum suggests that they may well push on to the championship title when we reach April. They have beaten They will certainly test Fylde to the limits. Two very competitive squads should provide a fine spectacle in, hopefully, dry conditions made for running rugby. The attendance figures at the three home games at the Woodlands to date this season have been a tad disappointing so this is an opportunity for the rugby loving people on the Fylde Coast and more widely in the Lancashire environs to get to see excellent rugby in a great environment. Sheffield return to the Woodlands for only the fourth time in 30 years. There were regular fixtures between the clubs from the mid- 1970s season up until 1995, most often at level three in the RFU league system, then called National League Three. Fylde’s return to Sheffield’s well established multi-sport base in Abbeydale Park in November 2022, 29 years later, restored the friendly rivalry. Recent seasons have seen Sheffield competing in Northern regional leagues, most frequently at level five, in the North and Midlands Premier Divisions. Their promotion from Midlands Premier after finishing in 2nd place in 2021-22 via a play-off brought the clubs
facing each other once again in Nat Two (North) in 2022-23.
Sheffield’s promotion also brought them once again into direct competition with their local city rivals Sheffield Tigers. Both are located in the beautiful south west of the city, a few miles apart.
Matches between Fylde and Sheffield began in the 1970s and since Merit Table & league matches there were 15 in all up to 1995. Fylde shade the bragging rights by 11-10 but they will be mindful of the two defeats last season. Sheffield’s Head Coach since late 2021 is the very experienced former fly-half Anthony Posa whose son has succeeded him as number 10 in the current squad. New Zealand-born Posa, with a Croatian family background, has been a mainstay of the Croatian National squad and earned more than 50 international caps. He is also director of rugby at the University of Sheffield, previously set up the Doncaster Knights Academy and earned four promotions in four years while in charge of Beverley. Their most high profile signing ahead of the 2022-23 season was the accomplished and powerful backrower, Ryan Burrows, who had very senior experience at Rotherham Titans, Leeds Tykes, Newcastle Falcons (including Premiership appearances) and Coventry. The durable and indefatigable no 8 missed very few games in three seasons. Week in, week out, Ryan was one of the leading forwards in N2(North). He had another storming campaign last season and notched 14 tries. He left the Club for other pastures this season but has been replaced by another fine, powerful and very experienced no 8, Zak Poole, who has joined from Rotherham Titans. Top points scorer in recent seasons has been the outstanding scrum-half Elliot Fisher who is once again making his presence felt in N2N. He’s scored five tries, is partnered at halfback with Callum Posa, and with goal kicking responsibilities has 35 points in all. The startling form of winger Christian Hooper who has already run up 9 tries will be another serious challenge to the Fylde defence. Sheffield’s pack is extremely strong led by lock and Forwards Coach Dominic Parsons, formerly with Championship experience at Doncaster Knights, and props include Jake Hicklin and Ben Whitney, and Archie Crapper, brother Felix and Matt Adcock in the backrow. Another important acquisition for this season has been influential flanker Josh Redfern, ex-Macclesfield and Sheffield Tigers. Fylde will be checking out the fitness of players such as skipper Toby Harrison, prop Peter Altham, lock Mike Walton and utility back Alex Clayton.
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