The squad for Sunday is below. If you are on it, and now can't play - let us know immediately please. There are only 22 slots available (league rules). If you don't show on the day then you're hurting the team and denying a place to another player.

Assemble at 11:30 for a 12:30 Kickoff. I know nobody likes these later times, but we at Wimbledon are almost unique in having pitches available at the same time as the Minis. Blue shirts if you have one, change of clothes, waterproofs if it's raining, warm fleece if it's cold, gumshields... do I need to remind you 17 year olds of all this? - it seems I do :)

If you are not in the squad - this is emphatically NOT a fixed league squad for the season with everyone else frozen out. You all have a shot - we used a lot of different players last year - 28 in the end I think. We do not expect players to turn up and not play, but anyone who wants to come down to Ruts to support the squad is of course very welcome indeed. Next week training at home.

Date for your diary - 9th December is our home league game against Chobham, which will be followed by the Youth Christmas Lunch in the clubhouse. It will be great to see as many people as possible down for that event, especially the 'injury list'.

Lastly - I've been asked both on the sidelines and on Facebook, by the players, about our opposition so far this year (i.e. we've lost 4 friendlies). I know this is a concern for some parents too. As I said to some of the players - friendlies have to be arranged a long time in advance to guarantee a fixture, and therefore the rapid rise of (say) Guildford to the top of D1 is something we could not have anticipated. But in general, we have played sides that we have either beaten or had close games with in the last year. I think the step up to U17 rugby has been a tough one for a lot of players. Can I emphasise again how important it is that we get most of the squad down to training regularly, so that everyone is familiar with the moves and calls. Having said that, we remain confident that we have a strong squad of players who are overdue a good team performance, and we are more than capable of beating Ruts this Sunday. As long as we don't chuck away a lead like we did last year that is!

Directions for Old Ruts (let me know if you need a lift arranged)
Old Rutlishians' Association
Poplar Road, Merton Park
London SW19 3JS
t: 020 8542 3678

This message from their coach:
"Parking will be a bit tight. Besides the U13s, there is an adult football match as well, with a 10:30 kick-off. The football match will mean some crossover in the changing rooms, but the timing should be such that we'll be able to get the boys changed before the football match ends, and they footballers should be out well before our match ends.
We'll have food for the lads after the match.

League Squad for Sunday 18th July at Old Ruts

Conor Coleman
Ellis Morgan
George Batchelor
Jack Gleeson
Joe Woodward
Aidan O'Brien
Louis Hogan
Dom Bellenger
Angus Bonner
Dom Suckling
James Hole
Charlie McKibben
Alfie Jervis
Alex Paul
Max Tomlinson
Rob Davies
Chris Robinson
Matt Shaw
Lucas Strauss
Sam Codling
Rory Merz
Archie Watkins