DARTMOUTH RFC 1st XV captain Karl Caunter has an exciting trip to Japan around the corner as part of England’s Deaf team for the upcoming World Cup 7s tournament.

Despite having very little experience with the format, Caunter has impressed the national side’s coaches and is one of 12 players heading for Tokyo at the end of October.

Caunter admitted that he “didn’t really know that it was a thing”, playing deaf rugby at the elite level.

In one of his first few games for Devon deafs, he was taking on England and later that day, he was asked to go to training sessions and trials up in Milton Keynes and “here we are now” he says.

His first taste of international rugby came against Jamaica in March and the Red Roses secured a narrow victory.

A 7s tournament followed later in the year and Karl labelled this as “a shock to the system.”

He continued, “With fitness levels, reaction times and speed, it is a massive difference [from 15s]. It was a reality check in what I’d need to work on heading into the World Cup.”

In a refreshingly honest fashion, the Rivermen’s skipper said that he was “nervous but equally excited” when he heard the news.

Caunter added: “I’m still nervous now truth be told, I’ve never flown that far before so to be going to Japan, away from family for nine days, is a lot.

“I don’t think I’ve ever spent nine days away from my partner in the last 14 years and having two little girls as well, being on the opposite side of the world, I’m a little bit nervous about that.”

At the same time, “If we come home with a World Cup medal then it’ll all be worth it in the end and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity also.”

There has been plenty of support displayed for Caunter and the rest of his team on social media, including from Dartmouth RFC.

On Facebook, they wrote: “This is an incredible achievement and a testament to Karl’s hard work, dedication, and talent.

“We couldn’t be prouder to have him leading our club and representing both Dartmouth RFC and England on the international stage.”

He has been their 1st XV captain for six years now, leading them to league titles along the way, and has only ever known Dartmouth, joining in his teens and quickly fitting into their men’s set-up. During the season just gone, he surpassed the 200-appearance mark in the green and red.

That positive feeling is clearly very mutual with Caunter commenting: “I’m very grateful to those at the rugby club and everyone who has donated to me, it all goes a long way.”

“It has been a good learning curve” for Caunter, picking up things both as a player and as a captain.

He noted that “It’s helped me massively with my own game” and that, “No doubt I’ll be making friends for life.”

Whilst the team are operating under the England Rugby umbrella, the entire trip is self-funded, prompting a recent charity drive. The men’s and women’s teams united to run and cycle over 6,000 miles, simulating the journey from London to Tokyo and then some.

You can donate to help the England deaf team here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/tokyo2026-deafrugby.