November 2008. Issue 107

HQ News

O2 PRIORITY benefits at England matches

To celebrate the new season, O2 revamped their Twickenham blueroom in the West Car Park, installing an iconic giant blue bubble where O2 customers can receive PRIORITY benefits at the upcoming Investec Challenge matches. Customers can get out of the cold and bring a friend along to the blueroom to enjoy a free pre-match pie and pint, courtesy of O2. They’ll also have the opportunity to rate themselves against England players on BATAK, a state of the art training system designed to test reaction skills and stamina. Those who are good enough will also have the opportunity to win a day training with the England squad later in the season. After the final whistle, fans are invited back to the blueroom for a Q&A session with England players from the matchday squad. There are also vouchers for an additional 1000 free pies, pints or programmes per matchday to give away to O2 customers. To find out more visit o2.co.uk/terms or speak to an O2 angel on a matchday.

RFU wants your view on experimental laws

By Dave Barton | National Media Manager

The Rugby Football Union is giving everyone involved in English rugby the chance to have their say on the Experimental Law Variations being trialled this season. A website survey will be used as part of the RFU’s report to the International Rugby Board, who will vote on whether to implement the ELVs into rugby law in May 2009. The RFU believes that some of the 13 ELVs could fundamentally change the nature of the game as it is currently known and that all those potentially affected by their introduction should be consulted. The survey, which will be open until December 16, is for players, coaches, referees, administrators and supporters and follows last season’s initial survey before the ELVs were introduced, which prompted a massive 18,000 respondents in just three weeks. RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron said: “As these Experimental Law Variations could potentially result in major changes to the Laws of the Game, the RFU believes it is important to consult those involved in the game at every level and give them an opportunity to express their views. “This online survey will form a major part of our report to the IRB on what impact the ELVs have had on English rugby this season. Judging by the responses last time, there are many people who care passionately about this game of ours. “I would urge everyone with an interest in the future of our game to go to www.rfusurvey.co.uk and spend ten minutes completing the questionnaire so we can paint as accurate a picture as possible of people’s views in England.” The questionnaire can also be accessed from the RFU website homepage at www.rfu.com

RFU PODCAST

By Nicki Drinkwater | Media Manager

As England continued their campaign against the cream of the southern hemisphere, the latest news reached fans first via with the rfu.com podcast. From inside the England camp, weekly previews combine all the news and views from the England players as well as the opposition camp. Already featured this season were exclusive interviews with England Team Manager Martin Johnson and new England captain Steve Borthwick. And as next summer approaches, the focus will be on the British and Irish Lions. There will big interviews too with the key players as the Guinness Premiership unfolds. Throughout November a unique Talking Eds feature gives listeners the opportunity to put all their refereeing to Ed Morrison, the RFU’s Elite Referee Manager. To discover how to log a query visit www.rfu.com/podcast The rfu.com podcast covers the grassroots to the elite. In this season’s Road to Twickenham one strand of the EDF Energy National Trophy draw will be followed all the way to the final at Twickenham in April, starting at Webb Ellis Road, the home of Rugby Lions. To get your weekly rugby fix go to www.rfu.com/podcast every Thursday from 4pm. Here, you can listen to the weekly podcast or subscribe to itunes and have it delivered straight to your inbox each week.

RHINO WORLD CUP WINNING SCRUM MACHINE ON OFFER

The Rhino 2000 scrum machine used by England in Australia during the victorious 2003 Rugby World Cup campaign is on offer for sale by Rhino Rugby. The England pack famously never took a backward step during the tournament and was in every way the foundation of the team’s success. On its return from Australia the machine was used again by England and subsequently London Wasps. It has been tidied up for further use, and now features a plaque commemorating its role in the England World Cup victory. The machine is a hybrid, being a roller machine fitted with vertical pads. Any club wishing to purchase it both for current use and to acquire a piece of England rugby history should contact Rhino for further details on 0208 995 5965.”

WHO CAN PLAY ADULT RUGBY? WHAT THE RFU REGULATIONS SAY

There have been three confirmed cases so far this season (08/09) of underage players playing in games of adult rugby. In one case the young player concerned was, unfortunately, injured and taken to hospital. The RFU regulations around this issue are very clear and are there to ensure the medical and emotional safety of all concerned as well as to protect club management committees. No player at 16 years or younger may train with adults or play in adult games (i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd XV etc) At 17 years, a player who is deemed both physically and mentally capable by the person(s) best suited to make this decision (parents/coach) is permitted to ‘play up’ in adult games. However they are not permitted to play in any of the front row positions. Any player assuming any front row position (ie. prop or hooker), during adult training or competition, including replacements, must have reached their 18th birthday. However, a 16-year-old (ie U17) can play up two age grades and in order to play in Colts (U19) matches, U19s are governed by U19 Law Variations and Adult Disciplinary procedures. It is recommended that clubs and CBs record in writing the decision to play a 17 year old player in adult rugby in the minutes of an official club meeting Failure to abide by these regulations WILL result in disciplinary action taken against the club management. The exact wording of the RFU Regulations can be found in the RFU Handbook 2008/09 (page 407) and online at www.rfu.com/regulations

NATIONAL UNDER 17 COMPETITION

Clubs are reminded that to ensure that all players are eligible to participate they must have been effectively registered with the club they are representing on the Rugby Football Union RugbyFirst database on or before 31st December 2008.

England Under 20s make Sixways home

By Simon Mills | England Under 20s Media Manager

England’s Under 20 team will defend their RBS Six Nations title at the home of Worcester Warriors this season. Sixways will stage all three of England’s home internationals on Friday nights, kicking off with an opening game against Italy on February 6 at 8pm. France are the opponents on March 13 with the tournament completed by the visit of Scotland on March 20 and both these games will be shown live on SkySports. England Under 20 coach Mark Mapletoft said: “We hope rugby fans will turn out in force to watch us. The recent developments at Sixways make it a magnificent stadium to visit and the crowd has always generated a fantastic atmosphere. “Worcester fans will know that Miles Benjamin and Matt Cox were two of the players who helped England make such an impact at this level last season and now the challenge is for the next group of young international players to follow in their footsteps.” England completed a clean sweep of Six Nations victories in 2008 before reaching the final of the IRB Junior World Championship in June. In all they won nine out of 10 games and scored 41 tries in the process. Worcester Warriors General Manager Charlie Little said: “It is a great honour and privilege for Worcester Warriors to be hosting England this season as the team looks to successfully defend its RBS Under 20 Six Nations crown. We have one of the largest mini/junior sections in our amateur club as well as the thriving Academy section which has produced players like Miles Benjamin, Matt Cox, Jonny Arr and Greg King who have all represented England at this level. We are delighted that Graham Kitchener is in the England Under 20 set-up and wish him all the best on home soil playing for his country. “This is also recognition for the recent development of Sixways Stadium and our facilities. With the new Slick Systems Stand our capacity is now over 12,000 and we would encourage fans to support all three games and the England squad.” England’s other RBS Under 20 Six Nations fixtures see them travel to face Wales in Bridgend on February 13 before taking on Ireland in Athlone on February 27. The Six Nations is followed by the IRB Junior World Championship in Japan next June.

Varsity Match Banking on Nomura

By Jessica Chambers | RFU Press Officer

Nomura, the pre-eminent Asia-based investment bank, is to sponsor the Oxford v Cambridge Varsity Match for the next four years. The next match, which is the 127th, will be known as The Nomura Varsity Match and will be held at Twickenham Stadium on Thursday December 11, 2008 (kick off 2.00pm). The University of Cambridge has won the challenge 60 times and the University of Oxford 52, with 14 draws in the tournament’s history. Nomura will also sponsor the women’s Varsity Match played on Saturday March 7, 2009 in Cambridge. Paul Vaughan, RFU Business Operations Director said, “The annual Varsity Match is a huge occasion in the build up to Christmas and an important part of the Twickenham fixture list. And we are excited about our new partnership with the Nomura.” Sadeq Sayeed, Chief Executive of Nomura’s acquired businesses added, “We’re delighted to be building on our existing relationships with two of the world’s top universities and look forward to continuing this in the future.” England Attack Coach, Brian Smith, who represented Oxford in the 1988 and 1989 matches said, “Playing in the Varsity Match is a really unique experience. You could play 40 times for your country but you may only ever get to play two Varsity Matches and that’s if you’re lucky. I captained Oxford in 1989 and I remember the fans were so passionate and energetic and a real mix of people from students to city bankers. For the players and fans it’s a massive fixture in the rugby calendar.” Tickets for the Varsity Match on December 11, 2008 (kick off 2.00pm) are available from Ticketmaster on 0844 8472492 www.Ticketmaster.co.uk or from Cambridge University Rugby Club 01223 354131 and Oxford University Rugby Club 01865 432000. Students can also buy tickets from Varsity vendors at their respective university. Tickets from £20 for adults, £10 for students (in possession of a valid NUS card).

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