Cardiff University Physiotherapy Team supports Wales at European Touch Rugby Championships
28 August 2026
Cardiff University physiotherapy staff, students, recent graduates and alumni travelled to Vichy, France, from 21 to 25 July 2026 to support Wales Touch Rugby teams competing at the European Touch Rugby Championships.
The team set up an on-site physiotherapy clinic at the tournament venue and provided pitch-side cover for nine Wales squads across four days of competition. Their role included injury assessment, treatment, rehabilitation support and post-match recovery, helping players stay fit and perform at their best throughout the tournament.
The initiative also provided a valuable placement experience for Pre-Registration MSc Physiotherapy students, who worked alongside experienced clinicians in a high-performance sporting environment. Recent graduates and alumni gained further exposure to sports physiotherapy while developing their clinical and professional skills.
The Cardiff University team included Senior Lecturer Tim Sharp, Lecturer Dr Kathleen Walker and Emeritus Professor Nicola Phillips OBE. Professor Phillips brought extensive experience from professional rugby, Welsh and British Weightlifting, and multiple Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
They were joined by MSc Physiotherapy students Anwen Thomas, Molly Schofield and Marcus Biagi, recent graduates Matthew Ward and Henry Fagan, and alumni Lloyd Thomas and Hannah Foulkes.
Feedback from Wales players was overwhelmingly positive, with all matches successfully covered during the championships.
The experience was fantastic. It was rewarding to see the students develop so quickly and grow in confidence throughout the tournament. By the end, they were working independently with players while supporting each other’s learning. It also reinforced the value of physiotherapy teams at major sporting events, from injury assessment and treatment to supporting player recovery and wellbeing.
Student Anwen Thomas described the trip as “an incredible experience which gave us hands-on clinical experience in the sporting world”.
Marcus Biagi added: “Many players said that we kept them running and moving. One player told me they felt safe with us there because they trusted us to solve anything. It really helped solidify my interest in sports physiotherapy.”
The experience gave students, graduates and alumni valuable skills in communication, teamwork, organisation and adapting to challenging environments, while ensuring Wales Touch Rugby players received a high standard of care throughout the championships.