Fylde scrum-half in international call-up

Fylde rugby club scrum-half has been called up into the Namibian World Cup squad and will miss matches for the Woodlands club in late October and November.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Oct 2014, 08:03 BST
De La Harpe - World Cup bound?De La Harpe - World Cup bound?
De La Harpe - World Cup bound?

Namibia has warm-up matches against Germany at home in Windhoek (October 31) before taking on Canada in Colwyn Bay (November 7), the French Barbarians in Toulon (November 14) and Portugal in Lisbon (November 21).

This is yet another honour for De La Harpe six months after he was the first Namibian to represent the world Barbarians. He represented Namibia in the 2011 World Cup and is in contention for selection for next year’s tournament.

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De La Harpe is in his third season at the Woodlands following spells with West Park (St Helens), Sale Sharks and Moseley.

He has made 59 first team appearances and scored 21 tries for Fylde.

He has also represented Lancashire on many occasions - he also coaches at Myerscough College.

Fylde president Michael Brennand said: “We are all tremendously proud of Ryan’s achievement in being selected for his country of birth.

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“We will miss him for four National One league matches after next Saturday’s match at Darlington Mowden Park but this is nothing compared with supporting him on the Namibian European tour.

“He will be losing his match fees for the club during his month away as well as other income from coaching. So we will be holding a fund raising event to help him and his family in these circumstances.”

Fylde coach Mark Nelson said: “We’re delighted for Ryan.

“This is another indicator of the quality of players that we have attracted to this club and the shop window that we provide for representational honours.

“It is very satisfying that Ryan cites the approach to the game at Fylde as one of the main factors in his selection.

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“He feels that he has been able to express his natural talents within our game and this has been very important in his catching the eye of the Namibian selectors.

“We are hopeful that this tour will lead to his selection for the World Cup squad and, whilst there is a very long road between now and then, wouldn’t it be great to read in the World Cup programme New Zealand v Namibia - nine Ryan De La Harpe (Fylde RFC).”

Related topics:FyldeWoodlandsGermanyCanada