15 Callum Meek, York Templars, Full Back

Callum played rugby for five years but took a break from the sport after suffering a serious injury to his ear during a tackle. The full back returned to rugby (with a scrum cap) to support and play with his older brother who decided to take up rugby in July 2019.

14 Christian Pabis, South London Stags, Winger

Christian first played touch rugby at middle school though stopped as he was too scared to play. However after playing Aussie Rules for a season the winger decided to give rugby another chance and joined the South London Stags. Enjoying the camaraderie among the team and the adrenaline rush when stepping out on the field before a game he finds no other sport has the same amount of energy and believes it is a sport that brings people together in a fun and engaging way.

13 Michael Clarke, Leeds Hunters, Centre

Michael started playing rugby in August 2019 after encouragement from his twin brother, Lewis (who plays 2nd Row for the Caledonian Thebans in Edinburgh), and the Ross, the Club Captain at the Leeds Hunters. Despite being athletic with an aptitude for sports, the centre preferred not to participate at school. Drawn to rugby for the camaraderie, the oval ball has given Michael the opportunity to play and express himself in ways which have alluded him until now.

12 Mark Cliffe, Aberdeen Taexali, Centre (vc)

Mark started playing rugby in August 2019. Hailing from Ireland he moved to Aberdeen and joined the Aberdeen Taexali for social reasons and the centre has watched the club grow with a new member almost every fortnight.

11 Max St Pere, York Templars, Winger

Unable to find an inclusive team at home in France, Max stated playing rugby two and a half months ago when he joined the York Templars. The contact loving right wing appreciates the team spirit and camaraderie and states the sport has given him more confidence.

10 Tom Edgar, South London Stags, Fly Half

Tom started playing rugby when he moved to France and played for an inclusive team seven years ago. Having previously played for Los Valents, in Montpellier, and the Kings Cross Steelers, in east London, the fly half was a founding member of the South London Stags in February 2019, looking to create a community for his LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters focused around the sport. Tom hasn’t found the camaraderie, ingrained in rugby, in any other sport he’s played. "The game requires the full trust and loyalty of team mates to play safely and successfully".

9 Rob Watts, Worcester Saxons, Scrum Half

Rob started playing rugby at high school but a combination of lack of proper instruction and being trampled into the mud by studs of bigger players led to a lack of confidence which resulted in a break from the sport. Having decided to return to the sport in May 2019 with the Worcester Saxons the scrum half has been on a mad adventure thus far; regardless of sexuality and capability a newly found confidence from the acceptance of the rugby community his given him the opportunity to throw himself into learning new skills and learning to accept himself more too.

1 Terry Baker, Lancashire Typhoons, Prop

Terry played rugby at school but lost his passion for the sport after being bullied. After finding himself in a rut with his mental health he joined the Lancashire Typhoons two years ago in an effort to meet people. The sport has helped with his confidence and body positivity to the extent the prop asks himself, ‘Why did I wait so long?’

2 Perry Clarke, Worcester Saxons, Hooker

Perry started playing rugby while at school almost 20 years ago and, as a nightclub manager responsible for four venues across the country, played for a number of different village and town teams. However he took time away from the sport after an injury involving his face and a bar stool. The hooker returned to the sport, with the Worcester Saxons in October 2019, and as part of the ‘One Club’ at WRFC is also able to support fellow players in mixed ability games. Perry believes rugby is more than just sport due to its values, such as shared respect and teamwork.

3 Shea O'Hara, Belfast Azlans, Prop

Shea started playing rugby two years ago. Whilst at school he didn’t enjoy team sports but loved the try outs with the Belfast Azlans. The prop continues to take to the pitch having survived a brain haemorrhage while driving at the end of 2019.

4 Gareth Anderson, Belfast Azlans, 2nd Row

Gareth has played rugby for 30 years, 20 of which has been with Ophir RFC, one of the oldest clubs in Ulster. The 2nd Row has been the Belfast Azlans coach for the last four years.

5 Andrew McDonough, Worcester Saxons, 2nd Row

Andy started rugby at university in 2012 and has played intermittently since then. In January 2018 the 2nd Row decided that Worcester needed it’s own gay/ inclusive team and went about setting one up himself. The Worcester Saxons are a fully integrated team of the Worcester Rugby Football Club, whose motto is ‘One Club’, and Saxons players have featured in the club’s 2nds and 3rds teams.

6 Jon Bramhall, York Templars, Back Row

Jon started playing rugby in September 2019 after moving to York. The blindside flanker says the reasons behind joining the Templars was both social and fitness inspired. Having initially found the rules of the sport infuriating, his knowledge of the game is such he now explains the rules to his friends.

7 Neil Fox, Caledonian Thebans, Back Row

Neil has played rugby for nine years. A Caledonian Theban for the entirety of his rugby career thus far the No.8 joined the club when he moved from the West Highlands to Edinburgh a decade ago and has been hooked ever since.

8 Ross Barr, Leeds Hunters, Back Row (c)

Ross started playing rugby aged 5 years old but took a break from the sport for a decade. The No.8, who can also scrum down at prop, returned to the sport with the Leeds Hunters two and a half years ago and hasn’t looked back. As club captain he’s responsible for 60 Hunters and aims to keep growing the club and promoting inclusive rugby.