This week prop forward Gareth Smith will not be training with the rest of the London Scottish squad as he will link up with the UK Armed Forces side as they prepare to take on Bristol United on Wednesday.

Smith joined Scottish just after the start of the Greene King IPA Championship season and has been training with the 1st team squad ever since. He joins fellow serviceman Pete Austin and Owain Davies in the Scottish squad.

Smith made his London Scottish debut coming off the bench as a replacement against the Dragons Premiership Select in the British and Irish Cup in October

The game will take place at Bristol’s home stadium, Ashton Gate, this Wednesday evening. The match will mark the 100-year anniversary of the end of the battle of Passchendaele. Over 245,000 allied causalities are thought to have fallen during the 103-day War. This game will be held in memory of those who have fallen in service to Great Britain.

The UKAF comprises of the best of the best selected from The Army, Navy and Royal Air Force rugby sides. Previously the UKAF side had played The Barbarians, then the game was held against Bath at the Recreation Ground for a few years. This year will be the first time the UKAF have gone up against a Bristol side.

Smith has been selected after being put forward by his Army coaches and then being chosen as one of 3 prop forwards for the game.

Smith spoke of his excitement of being selected for the UKAF side, “it’s a great privilege to have been selected for the game and I’m looking forward to going up against some of the Bristol players. Running out at Ashton Gate will also be pretty special.”

We wish Gareth and his fellow UK Armed Forces teammates the best of luck this Wednesday!