Club begin pre-season with 64-0 victory

Millwall RFC’s new Director of Rugby Warren Abrahams has only been in the job for two months, but is already having a positive effect on the club.

The Isle of Dogs outfit played their first pre-season friendly of the summer on Saturday against Phantoms RFC and returned with a 64-0 victory.

However, South African Abrahams is refusing to get carried away.

“It was a good result at the weekend but all I am concerned about is the performance,” he said.

“I have only been here for two months and this is all very new to me and I am still getting to know the team.

“We took a squad of 24 players and there were some good performances.

“However, because I came in so late in the pre-season, we are behind schedule, but we will make it up as much as we can.

“There are new challenges at the club, but the guys have been fantastic and they are really keen and working hard.”

Last season, Millwall finished second in Essex One, but didn’t play their Play-Off game for the chance to get promoted to London Three North East.

Abrahams though remains unsure as to whether the club can replicate that form.

“I am told that we have lost a number of key players,” he said.

“This doesn’t concern me though, as it gives me a chance to rebuild the squad and stamp my mark on it.

“We have had a few new faces too, but the majority of players now at the club have been here for a season or two.

“As a coach, obviously I want to win everything.”

Abrahams, who works as a community coach for Harlequins has been involved with rugby for the majority of his life.

“I have been coaching for the past nine years, but I have been playing for a lot longer,” he said.

“Back in South Africa I played for Western Province, as well as playing sevens rugby for the Springboks.

“I have also played for Samurai Sevens, who are an invitational team that play on the international circuit.

“In England, due to visa issues I have only been allowed to play to National Three standard, but I hope to use all of my experience as a player in my coaching.

“After suffering a bad injury last year, I am going to take this season off from playing completely, so I can focus on the job in hand here at Millwall.”

This weekend, Millwall take on May & Baker in their second pre-season fixture.