Bideford youngster is an international rugby player

When the Czech Republic international rugby team defeated Luxembourg 40-16 in a recent European Trophy fixture, few would have noticed the name of Matt Lewis among the home nation’s replacements, and even fewer the connection to North Devon.

Lewis was born in Prague before moving to Instow at the age of seven, quickly joining the Bideford RFC junior set-up. Fast forward around 15 years, and the talented fly-half has now graduated to play for the Czech Republic, gaining eligibility through his mum Karolina.

It is an incredible success story for Matt, who studies at the superb rugby university of Hartpury, while plying his trade on the international rugby circuit.

“I was born in Prague and lived there until the age of seven, I was probably one of the only kids in the city with a rugby ball in the house,” he said. “My parents used to holiday in North Devon and decided this was where we wanted to live after returning to the UK.

“I had a rugby ball from the 2003 World Cup and can remember crying my eyes out when England lost to Ireland in a Six Nations decider, so it was always going to be the game for me.

“As soon as we settled in the UK, I joined Bideford Rugby Club and just loved playing in their junior teams, eventually progressing to the Colts and then senior rugby.

“I used to train with the Colts and the seniors and actually found that transition ok. Colts rugby is so fast and frantic, whereas the senior game felt more structured, which I suppose is normal for all sports.

“My dad spoke with someone involved with the Latvian national rugby team and he advised me to contact the Czech Republic. I sent the first email to the head coach but didn’t get a reply, so followed up with another email that included some footage of me playing rugby.

“Thankfully, they asked me to come along to some trials and training sessions, and obviously an incredible moment when I was picked in the squad.

“As a replacement, you never know if you will get any game time, so I was obviously immensely proud to get on the pitch. It was a very special moment for me and my family, and nice to win as well.”

The Czech team is currently third in the Rugby Trophy table, behind Poland and Sweden. Promotion from this tier would take them into the group that includes the likes of Georgia, Romania, Portugal and Spain, nations that have competed in the Rugby World Cup.

Tony Picillo, one of Matt’s coaches at Bideford from the age of seven, echoed the pride felt by everyone at the club.

“I would love to say I taught him everything he knows but he always had brilliant talent,” said Picillo. “We could all see he was going to be a good player.

“I worked with people like Dave Leworthy, Simon Mathers and Carl Owens in helping Matt, but we could all see the natural magic within him. He was very good at a very early age.

“When he sent me the sheet to say he would be on the bench for the Czech Republic, I had a tear in my eye. I love him like he is one of my own and so proud to see him earn an international cap.

“He is good enough to play for his country and that takes a lot of talent. It is something that will always be on his CV and, most of all, Matt is an absolutely wonderful lad. He has been brought up spectacularly well and they should all be very proud.”

Congratulations to Matt and everyone involved with Bideford RFC.