US touring team celebrates 250th Independence Day at Angus rugby event

Angus rolled out the star-spangled banner as a touring US team celebrated their country’s 250th Independence Day with a weekend appearance at a Forfar rugby event.

The Sunday Morning Rugby Football Club (SMRFC) arrived from St Louis in Missouri at the Inchmacoble Park home of Strathmore Rugby Club.

SMRFC was founded in 1974 and has a touring team of 40 which travels internationally, including past visits to other parts of Scotland. On Saturday they joined a day of rugby and fun organised by Strathmore Community Rugby Trust and Strathmore Rugby Club.

It began with a walking rugby tournament hosted by the trust featuring teams of all ages, abilities and genders.

The aim was to encourage more locals to take part in twice-weekly sessions run by the trust. The free hour-long sessions take place on Mondays at 6pm at Strathmore RFC and Fridays at 9.30am at Strathmore Cricket Club.

Saturday’s event also included a women’s touch rugby tournament and a regular rugby match between Strathmore Rugby Club and the US team. The guests enjoyed live entertainment into the evening.

Community trust manager, Maggie Lawrie, said:

“The walking rugby project has helped ensure we provide opportunities for people of all ages and ability to be more active and therefore improve their health and wellbeing, so everyone is welcome.

“The social aspect is as important as the rugby element.

“Rugby is a sport built on values and friendships are established and retained for life.

“Come along to make new friends while having fun and gentle exercise.”

The award-winning trust was founded in 2017. It works in partnership with Strathmore RFC, Brechin RFC, Scottish Rugby, Strathmore Cricket Club, Angus Council and Angus Alive.

This article appeared in the Courier on 6 July 2026