OAs flanker continues to shine for Sweden

WHILE England and New Zealand were doing battle at Twickenham in the Investec Autumn internationals on Saturday, one Old Albanians star was helping his national side to a 26-22 win over Lithuania.

OAs’ flanker Andrew Daish earned his fifth cap for Sweden in Trelleborg on Saturday and also added to the two tries he’d already notched for the side with an important score in the narrow victory over Lithuania.

Daish, a summer recruit at Woollams, is hoping to help the Swedes gain promotion to FIRA League 1B, the level two steps below the RBS 6 Nations.

“Rugby in Sweden is getting bigger, there are more people playing each year,” Daish told the Herts Advertiser.

“There is currently six teams in the Elite league with lower leagues as well.”

Daish qualifies for the Scandinavians through his grandfather and has also represented the northern Europeans twice in 7s rugby.

The former Birmingham and London Welsh star says he enjoys the challenge of playing international rugby and also the opportunity to sample a different culture even if it means he has to take unpaid leave from his day job teaching PE.

“I enjoy it a lot,” said Daish. “It is very physical and intense. Off the field, it has its bonuses such as seeing new places, meeting new people and enjoying the Swedish culture.

“I teach PE so it is difficult, the games sometimes fall in the holidays but I usually have to take time off unpaid but it’s worth it.”

The Swedes currently top pool 2A in the European Nations Cup, with two wins from two.

Daish has played his part in both of the team’s victories scoring in the 32-13 victory over Croatia in Zagreb and also in Saturday’s defeat of Lithuania.

The Swedes now have a six month break until their next action when they entertain Malta in May before travelling to Latvia for their final match.