England-based Zimbabwe senior XVs rugby team scrumhalf Charles Jiji is looking forward to another dance with the senior national rugby side following a dream season debut last year.
Jiji (21) was one of the stars of the Sables team which completed the whole of last season unbeaten.
Since relocating to Hartpury College in the UK on a rugby scholarship late last year, Jiji has been gradually establishing himself in the first team and believes his game has benefited a lot.
I feel like I have gained a lot of experience playing in the UK. The rugby here is a lot more physical and involves a lot of contact. I struggled a bit in the first few games because of the weather conditions which were very cold and wet.
I did manage to adjust to the conditions eventually and Im happy with the way Ive been playing. The biggest hurdle was to learn the type of play the coaches wanted me to play and with the support of my teammates, it was easy to adjust, the young star told NewsDay Sport from his base in the UK.
Hartpury has a rich history in British Universities and Colleges Championship, as it houses the academy for Aviva Premiership squad Gloucester.
The institution was also home to current Sables skipper Daniel Hondo and former Young Sables skipper Marco Mama, who is now playing for Bristol RFU.
His former teammates in the Young Sables team, Takudzwa Mandiwanza and Justin Coles are at the same institution. Jiji recently took part in the annual Manchester Rugby Sevens in May, where he helped his team reach the semi-finals.
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Im really looking forward to the preparatory match against Valke. I feel this is good preparation for the Victoria Cup and the Africa Cup and also good preparation for the World Cup qualifiers. I hope to be available for the Sables matches, added Jiji.
