WELSH politicians will lead from the front as the Assembly’s rugby team prepares to launch its bid for Parliamentary World Cup glory this weekend.

The Welsh side play their first game on Sunday at Rugby School – on the very pitch that the game was invented. The team’s opponents will be announced on Saturday at the Opening Ceremony and draw.

Welsh Conservative Leader and club chairman, Andrew RT Davies, will be joined on the pitch by Plaid Cymru’s Rhun Ap Iorwerth as the Assembly team pursue silverware in the sixth Parliamentary World Cup.

The side have been getting ready for the tournament with a series of training sessions with the Dragons’ coaching team at their facility in Ystrad Mynach.

The House of Commons and Lords RFC will host the tournament, welcoming reigning champions New Zealand and parliamentary teams from around the globe – including Australia, France, Argentina, South Africa and Japan.

Assembly Rugby have been raising funds for the charity Bowel Cancer UK for ten years now and earlier this year raised more than £6,000 in a stunning victory over a Commons & Lords XV including Secretary of State, Stephen Crabb MP, and former England Rugby League international, Ikram Butt.

Mr Davies said: “I know that there has been a lot of anxiety amongst the public but I can confirm that I am 100 per cent fit to represent my country on Sunday, and the team will be going all out to bring the trophy home to Wales.

“The Parliamentary World Cup is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and much needed funds for Bowel Cancer UK and the White Ribbon Campaign."

Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive of Bowel Cancer UK commended the teams and the tournament organisers on their work.