Hungary’s only expat rugby team is once again competing for the championship title

Budapest Exiles RFC start their season away to current champions Esztergom Vitezek in the Hungarian top rugby division – NB 1. The previous season was cancelled due to COVID-19, when the current hosts were second in the league. Despite no final match, the Exiles coached by Venezuelan Thomas Aponte did claim an away victory against Esztergom in Autumn 2019, and hope to repeat the same feat on Saturday.

There will be some changes in the team, as Frenchman Joris Auger will take over captain duties from fellow countryman Will Feunteun. The ex-skipper who is now vice-captain will be leaving the team at the end of 2020. Apart from that there are a few additions to the squad including former London Welsh player Richard Roberts, who plays as hooker, or Congolese international Pascal Acquemin.

The team didn’t have much time to prepare for this game, with the fixture list being announced at the very last minute, and full contact training only resuming during the last week of August. Despite this the team has stayed fit, playing touch rugby at Margit Sziget, and competing in the Hungarian 7s championship and an international 7s tournament in Budapest.

Budapest Exiles RFC

The current NB 1 season will comprise of 6 teams: Budapest Exiles RFC, Esztergom Vitezek RAFC, Battai Bulldogok, Fit World Gorillak Academy Szeged, Debrecen Universty RC and Kecskemeti ARC. Teams will play each other in a round-robin system, with the two top teams competing in the final for the championship. The Exiles have won the league on 3 times in a row (2016-2018), losing the title to Esztergom in 2019, so want to start the season with a strong statement.

The club has ambitions to win the league in 2021, which marks the 30th anniversary of the clubs founding.

“I’m feeling really excited about the upcoming season, as I was like a lot of people, I believe, a bit frustrated with the cancellation of the previous season. I can’t wait to get back to business. Next year will be the 30th anniversary of our club, so the objective is nothing else but being the champion and celebrating with all former Exiles players” said the captain, Joris Auger.

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