Guernsey Touch is taking three teams to represent the island at this weekend’s 7th European Touch Championships.

Having taken just a mixed team to the 2004 Euros in Jersey and a mens and a mixed to Scotland for the 2006 Euros, there will be a mixed, mens and womens team travelling to Paris for the three-day competition.

‘Being able to take three representative teams away demonstrates just how established touch has become in Guernsey and how dedicated people are. We have been training for more than four months and so it’s going to be fantastic to put all that hard work into action,’ said Guernsey captain Andrew Hutton.

Guernsey, who were recognised as a full member of the Federation of International Touch following the last Europeans in Scotland in 2006, will now compete in the main competition come finals day on Sunday.

Guernsey Mixed, which is captained by Hutton, have been drawn in Mixed A and will play against CE Barbarians, England, Ireland, New Zealand Academy, Italy, Spain and Wales.

Guernsey Mens, captained by Ollie Ward, are in the same group as Jersey, England, Colonials and Scotland and Guernsey Womens, captained by Anna Matthews, will play against France, Germany, England, Scotland, Scotland 30, Wales and Jersey.

‘Guernsey has been to two Europeans as a developing nation and so although we’re delighted that this year we are now in the main competition, it does also mean that we have been drawn against some very experienced teams and so the standard of touch will be extremely high,’ said Hutton.

‘Having been to the Green Stone Hook competition, we do have some experience of playing against some of the teams but some are completely unknown to us and we simply won’t know what we are up against until we get there.’

The 44-strong Guernsey team, which includes two support staff and two referees, leave Guernsey on Thursday for the competition which is played on Friday and Saturday with semi-finals and finals taking place on Sunday.

This year the team has new kit which has been specifically designed for Guernsey and is in the island’s national green.

‘The kit looks fantastic and we’re grateful to our sponsors Ernst & Young for their continued support which allows us to go away to these tournaments and run the leagues as well,’ said Hutton.

‘The whole team is looking forward to playing at an international level in what is a well-respected competition.’