Rugby: Fallen Kiwi Sergeant Matt Ratana to be honoured before England's clash against Georgia

New Zealand-born Matt Ratana was killed while on duty in London in September. Credit: Photo - Getty; Video - SNTV

England will pay tribute to fallen London-based Kiwi Sergeant Matiu 'Matt' Ratana as part of a series of 'moments' before their Autumn Nations Cup opener against Georgia. 

Ratana tragically lost his life in September, when a handcuffed, 23-year-old suspect reportedly shot him five times, before turning the gun on himself.

The 54-year-old had a huge passion for rugby and was head coach of the East Grinstead club in Sussex. 

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) will pay tribute to Ranata and others before their match against Georgia at Twickenham, their first match on English soil since the coronavirus pandemic began. 

No fans will attend, with England currently in lockdown. 

"After the team run out, there will be a moment's applause to celebrate the lives of some of those in the rugby community who were lost to their families and the game during recent times," says the RFU.

"Their names and photographs will be shown on the big screen, while also celebrating key workers who have worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As part of this tribute, there will be a special mention for the life of Sergeant Matt Ratana, head coach of East Grinstead Rugby Club, who was tragically killed in the line of duty.

"We pay further tribute to Matt Ratana with two police officers - Sergeant Paul James and Sergeant Dan Humphreys - flanking in England and New Zealand shirts, with a Metropolitan Police uniform in the centre."

To mark this year's Remembrance Day, a moment's silence will be observed before kick-off.

Players will also have the option to 'take a knee' in support of the Black Lives Matters movement. 

"This will take place after the anthem, during a moment of silence," says the RFU. "Players will make an individual choice about taking the knee.  

"Black Lives Matter and Rugby Against Racism branding will be within the stadium bowl. 

"The RFU launched a documentary to educate fans on the origins of the 'Swing Low' song in late October, and made commitments to improving diversity and inclusion in rugby union."

England: 1-Ellis Genge, 2-Jamie George, 3-Will Stuart, 4-Charlie Ewels, 5-Joe Launchbury 6-Maro Itoje, 7-Jack Willis, 8-Billy Vunipola, 9-Ben Youngs, 10- Owen Farrell (c), 11-Jonny May, 12-Henry Slade, 13-Ollie Lawrence, 14-Jonathan Joseph, 15-Elliot Daly

Reserves: 16-Tom Dunn, 17-Mako Vunipola 18-Kyle Sinckler, 19-Ben Earl,  20-Tom Curry, 21-Dan Robson, 22-Max Malins, 23-Joe Marchant

Georgia: 1-Mikheil Nariashvili, 2-Shalva Mamukashvili, 3-Beka Gigashvili, 4-Lasha Jaiani, 5-Grigol Kerdikoshvili, 6-Beka Saghinadze, 7-Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 8-Beka Gorgadze, 9-Gela Aprasidze, 10-Tedo Abzhandadze 11-Sandro Svanidze, 12-Merab Sharikadze, 13-Giorgi Kveseladze, 14-Akaki Tabutsadze,15-Lasha Khmaladze

Reserves: 16-Jaba Bregvadze, 17-Guram Gogichashvili, 18-Lexo Kaulashvili, 19-Otar Giorgadze, 20-Tornike Jalagonia, 21-Vasil Lobzhanidze, 22-Deme Tapladze, 23-Sandro Todua

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