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Canterbury Rugby Club’s Pilgrims Pre Match Lunch is fast becoming a fan favourite, and it’s easy to see why. With delicious food, great company, and a buzzing clubhouse atmosphere, it’s a fresh way to kick off match day in style.

Following the success of our Brighton fixture lunch, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who booked and joined us. It was a fantastic way to prepare for the game, and your support helped make the day extra special.

Next Up: Saturday 18th October 2025

Scrum Kitchen returns with another mouth-watering menu ahead of our next home game:

Main Course: Thai green chicken curry served with rice

Dessert: Coconut cheesecake with pineapple & passion fruit coulis

Price: £15 per head

Schedule: Welcome drinks at 1pm, lunch served at 1.30pm in the clubhouse

Whether you’re a regular or joining us for the first time, we’d love to welcome you to the table. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of club spirit, shared stories, and the build-up to kick-off.

Thank You to Our Partners

Special thanks to our event supporters: Marine Travel, Preston Family Butchers, and Foodari—your contributions help us deliver a top-tier experience every time.

Bookings are now open—don’t miss out on the next one! Email Scrumkitchen@cantrugby.co.uk

The Pilgrims are back and they’re bringing their appetite for victory to the table, literally.

Scrum Kitchen is proud to host the Pilgrims Pre Match Lunch, a delicious gathering that sets the tone for what promises to be another triumphant year. With the Pilgrims crowned champions last season, the energy is high and the plates are full.

🍽️ The Menu

Main Course
Shepherd’s Pie with Preston Butchers Lamb Shoulder
Slow-cooked lamb shoulder from Preston Butchers, layered into a rich shepherd’s pie and served with hot buttered cabbage and leeks from Boundary Farm, Wingham.

Dessert
Baked Creamy Madagascan Vanilla Rice Pudding
A warm, velvety classic infused with real Madagascan vanilla.

Pricing

• £13.95 for 1 course
• £15.00 for 2 courses

📧 Reserve your seat: scrumkitchen@canterbury.rugby

This event is more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of community, sport, and the enduring spirit of the Pilgrims. With support from our fantastic partners Marine Travel, Preston Butchers, and Foodari, we’re proud to kick off the season in style.

🔔 Stay Tuned

This is just the beginning. We’ll be regularly updating the Events Page with more matchday lunches with the Pilgrims’ journey. So bookmark the page, check back often, and come hungry, for food and for rugby.

Preseason Preparation 

Canterbury’s pre-season groundwork has set the tone for an energized return to Merton Lane. After six intensive weeks of strength and conditioning at The Archbishop’s School and Kent College, players are looking forward to the second block of their preseason programme.

Pitch Renovations and Member Support

Thanks to our dedicated members and generous sponsors, pitch renovations have continued apace.  The work done over the summer has been vital, and the improvements promise an even better playing surface as the season unfolds.

Preseason Training Kicks Off

The full club reunion arrives on 5th August, with training venues at The Archbishop’s School and Kent College having provided  ideal facilities for our first block work. Focus now shifts to teamwork and tactical shaping back at The Club.

Senior Coaching Team Revamp

Our senior setup welcomes fresh expertise alongside stalwarts Matt Corker (Head Coach) and Alex Veale (Attack Coach):

• Max Ganderton takes on Head of Performance role.
• Former player Mal Graves returns to the club to Pilgrims.
• Nathan Morris changes his role to become Senior Skills Coach.

Colts Integration into Senior Rugby

Under Colts Head Coach Cameron MacMillian, the transition pathway is stronger than ever. the colts section has become part of the senior playing group. Colts players have joined senior sessions to experience adult level intensity. Those breaking through this preseason include:

• Alex Carter (Centre)
• Alex Sullivan (Second Row)
• Andrew Thomas (Hooker)
• Ed Thompson (Centre/Back Three)
• Harry Lloyd (Scrum Half)
• Harvey Ingram (Utility Back)
• Paddy Parker (Fly Half)
• Ruben Kalonji (Blindside Flanker)

Women’s Section Developments

We have previously announced that Ryan Mitchell arrives as Women’s Head Coach with a clear brief: build on last season’s third-place finish in National 1 South. Ryan’s strategic vision and passion promise further elevation of our Women’s XV.

Scrum Kitchen Launch

Over the summer, we opened Scrum Kitchen, a flexible events venue that’s already hosting private bookings. Profits from this venture are ploughed back into club facilities. Next up: a welcome back session for coaches, hosted by our Scrum Kitchen team alongside incoming Mini & Youth Chair Ky Champion.

Community Section Updates

The club’s community arm evolves with Matt Pinnick stepping up as Head of Community. Replacing, Nathan Morris who will venture into Skills Coach.

Senior Team Preseason Fixtures

With less than two weeks until kick-off, our men’s side tests itself in four friendlies:

Please note Game 1 was originally scheduled for 3pm but has been moved to a 1pm KO.

Director of Rugby’s Perspective

Taff, our Director of Rugby, is under no illusions about the challenges ahead: like every other club in the league we are striving to strengthen our squad and provide continued improvement in not only the senior squad but importantly the pilgrims and canons to help drive our standards to be successful.”

Looking Ahead

As preseason intensity builds, watch this space for the latest news  around the senior squads. We are looking forward to the challenges ahead and the ambition is to create a successful and entertaining brand of rugby for all our members, supporters and sponsors.

Rugby fans, mark your calendars—The British and Irish Lions prepare to face off against the Wallabies in a thrilling series of Test Matches. Whether you’re a die-hard Lions supporter or just love the roar of competitive rugby, this is your chance to witness the action, camaraderie, and sporting spirit that defines the game.

📅 Match Schedule

Here’s what’s coming up:

• 1st Test – 19 July 2025 | Kickoff: 11:00 AM
• 2nd Test – 26 July 2025 | Kickoff: 11:00 AM (Outside screening only)
• 3rd Test – 2 August 2025 | Kickoff: 11:00 AM

All matches will be shown live, so bring your friends, grab a pint, and join the electric atmosphere that only Test rugby can deliver.

🍳 Fuel Up at Scrum Kitchen

Arrive early and treat yourself to a hearty breakfast at Scrum Kitchen, our go-to hub for pre-match fuel. Rugby and a full English—it doesn’t get better than this.

👉 Book your table in advance here to secure the best seats in the house.

🎉 Win Big with Our Lions Raffle!

Fancy taking home a piece of rugby legend? Enter our exclusive raffle for your chance to win a signed Huw Jones shirt. Tickets are just £10 per strip, and all proceeds go to supporting grassroots rugby programs. The raffle runs across all three Test matches—so don’t miss your shot!

Whether you’re here for the rucks, the raffles, or the rivalries, the Lions vs Wallabies Test Series promises unforgettable moments. Let’s make some noise. Let’s make some memories. See you there!

Today is the Day! Scrum Kitchen opens its doors from 8.00am this morning till 12.30pm – Monday to Saturday.

Here are your menus, bring your friends, bring your family, bring your colleagues, or just yourselves. You are all welcome!

Come and join us!

Canterbury 21pts. Gillingham Anchorians 2nd 36pts.

A much-depleted Zingari side took on this top of the table Gillingham Anchorians, who in the true spirit of the game agreed to match the numbers to play this fixture. The game started in a predictable manner with many Canterbury players struggling in their unfamiliar positions. Gillingham took full advantage breaking the Zingari defence in the twelfth minute for a converted try followed ten minutes later by another converted try. The Zingari were a little unlucky towards the end of the first half with a fumbled ball near their own line allowed Gillingham to touch down in the corner to give them a healthy nineteen-point lead going in to the second half.

Canterbury undaunted with the score line went onto the attack early breaking Anchorians defensive line to go under the posts for a converted try to break their duck. The city side upped their work rate with some impressive tackling, and soon had Gillingham on the back foot, and with the pack splintering Anchorians defence put the back line away for their second converted try. Gilliam replied with a well taken try on the outside, but the city forwards had the bit between their teeth and soon dominated the loose for their third converted try of the afternoon. All seemed to be going well with now only three points between the sides but they ran out of steam when fresh legs came on for the last ten minutes. The Zingari did well but could not hold the onslaught as Gillingham added a two more try’s, and a conversion to close out this well-contested game by both sides.

❄️ Due to frozen pitches, all scheduled rugby on grass at the Marine Travel Ground is off this weekend. But don’t worry—there’s still plenty of action and team line-ups to get excited about!

💪 What’s Still On:

Pilgrims: Their game moves to the Simon Langton 4G, kicking off at 2:00 PM.
1st XV: The away game against Worthing is still going ahead, with kick-off at 2:00 PM.
Old Colfeians: As of now, this game is still on, kicking off at 2:00 PM.
❌ Postponed:

Deacons v Vigo 2nds is postponed.

🏉 Mini & Youth Rugby:
The only sessions happening at Canterbury Rugby Club will be those already scheduled for the Simon Langton 4G.

Stay tuned for updates on our social media channels and club website. Thank you for your understanding—rugby stops for nothing, not even the cold! 💛🖤