Soul Phoenix, from North Creake, has returned to Norfolk with team-mate Neil Davies after a successful campaign at the European Touch Championships which were held in Treviso, Italy.

Despite losing to Spain and claiming a silver medal in the final of the Men’s 40s, the most tightly contested category, the points accumulated from this along with the points from the women’s, mixed and other age grade categories made England the overall winners of the tournament and they were crowned European Champions 2012.

“I certainly don’t see this achievement as just mine, everyone who has supported me towards this deserves credit,” said Phoenix. “From my local team-mates Wymondham Badgers to the Oasis Bodyworks in Hunstanton and especially Norfolk RFU, Fakenham RFC, the Krusty Loaf Bakery and my mum, who all backed me financially. I really could not have done this without any of them.”

The focus now turns towards the Home Nations tournament in Dublin in June 2013 where England will seek to maintain their winning momentum.