Continuing the tradition of Bombers on international tours (aka John Kyle), two Bomber legends represented the St. Louis team while attending the Rugby World Cup in Japan in September. Jim “LC” Dierker (Bomber HOF member, player 1972 – 1980, USA Eagles v France 1976) and Jeff Curran (Bombers 1979-84), through total kismet, found themselves both in Osaka for the Rugby World Cup. Both were with their daughters on individual adventures and got together for a VIP breakfast with the USA Eagles.

Dierker and Curran had not seen each other since playing together on the Bombers Missouri Rugby Union Championship team in 1980, when the Black dethroned the infamous and now defunct St. Louis Falcons RFC. Dierker played backrow that game and Curran orchestrated play at scrumhalf. The two athletes also were selected to play on the infamous St. Louis Ultimate Touring Side, aka SLUTS in Little Rock, Arkansas back in 1979.

The VIP breakfast with the Eagles was hosted by USA Rugby and included guest players and dignitaries for a tasty breakfast and Eagle presentation, including a Question and Answer period. At the breakfast, the two Bombers visited and relived the glory days of Bomber history. At the event, Curran and Dierker presented Dave Hodges, Eagles Manager, with a Bombers T-Shirt. They also visited with World Cup Eagle squad members, scrumhalf Nate Augspurger, prop Paul Mullen and Eagle Legend Todd Clever. The Eagles that evening would be playing England in Kobe. Both Dierker and Curran witnessed this mismatch which saw England school the Americans 45-7.

Needless to say, it was a fantastic reunion of two aging Bombers that renewed and relived (even for just a few hours) the euphoria of this incredible sport. Curran recalled coming over to the Bombers and replacing legend Kip Bennett at scrum half.

 “I wanted to play with the best team and win a championship.”  He continued, “I wasn’t a fan of the Falcons. I felt I fit well with the Bombers and we did win a MRFU championship in 1980. That felt really good!”

“Jeff looks great.” Dierker reports, “He always was a fit athlete and could make plays happen.”

LC stated, “No matter how life separates us, Bombers are always brothers.”  He continued, “Bottomline, rugby establishes a family of special-pedigreed individuals who are God’s gift to the sporting world…for that matter…the entire planet. The miracle that is morphed from rugby produces a cultural offspring of unity, peace and hope.” Although Dierker lives in San Diego now, with Curran in Phoenix, both bleed St. Louis Bomber Black.

Dierker actually took this euphoric occasion to the next level and played a game for the Bald Eagles in Kyoto the next day. He reports that the “stoke” is still there, despite being old and slow.  JK (John Kyle) would have been proud. Merry Christmas, St. Louis Bombers from Jim Dierker and Jeff Curran. Paint it Black!!