Cover Stories
A message to the game from RFU President John Owen
This month the RFU will be announcing it’s programme to re-establish the Core Values of our sport – a timely underlining of what rugby union does and should stand for. We have all, I know, been disheartened by recent high profile media coverage showing our sport at its very worst. For all of you giving your time and energy to rugby union up and down the country, I want to stress that our sport is something of which to be proud and I am certainly proud to be your President. It is important to remember all the positives, the tremendous work going on in inner cities and rural areas, the drive to include everyone and to provide what rugby has to offer to those who were never included in the past. We are the world’s largest rugby playing nation and provide sport for some 686,000 players and the game has grown hugely since the 2003 Rugby World Cup. We have 41% more volunteers, 74% more coaches, 61% more referees and I am grateful to each and every one of you for all your hard work. For some time before the recent widely publicised events our Union has been working to identify what all of us involved in rugby union believe to be its Core Values, the values we want to promote and protect. Wide ranging consultation over the last two seasons undertaken by the Core Values Task Group, under the chairmanship of Past President Bob Rogers, identified five predominant features which we all believe make our sport unique. Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline & Sportsmanship These five values are what brought us into the sport and what keep us part of it. They are what rugby union has to offer and go way beyond the pitch and the clubhouse. Image of the Game Task Group Because this is what our Union stands for we have established the Image of the Game Task Group, which I am chairing. Set up in response to the recent high profile events in professional rugby and their impact on the entire game’s reputation, this group draws on expertise and insight from across the world of professional and amateur rugby and includes representatives from the RFU, Premier Rugby Limited (PRL), the Professional Rugby Players Association (PRA) as well as current and retired players. David Barnes, Lawrence Dallaglio, Cecil Duckworth and Andrew Coppel have all accepted the invitation to join the Task Group. We will carry out a wide ranging and thorough review of all issues in the game – both professional and amateur – and establish a clear roadmap for addressing them, with a timeline for doing so. The first meetings of the Task Group will have taken place by the time you read this and progress will be reported to you – the game. We want to achieve a series of clear recommendations by the 30th September to put to the RFU Management Board for approval and action. I came into our sport at the age of 11 at Penrith Grammar School, and what rugby gave me has stayed with me through life. Rugby’s discipline and camaraderie enriches young people’s lives, brings responsibility and a positive impact on education and future employment. For all levels of the game and all age groups involved it is important that the RFU acts to ensure that recent events are never repeated. The Image of the Game Task Group will work closely with the International Rugby Board (IRB) and focus on the issues at hand and solutions. I want to assure you that on behalf of everyone in the game we will do whatever it takes to rebuild the reputation of our sport. The terms of reference and membership of the group appear Image of the Game Task Group Members: John Owen, President of the RFU (Chairman of the Task Group) Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the RFU Management Board and IRB representative Francis Baron OBE, RFU Chief Executive Cecil Duckworth OBE, Chairman and Owner of Worcester Warriors, PRL board member Andrew Coppel CBE, Chairman of London Irish, PRL board member David Barnes, Bath RFC player and Chairman of the PRA Lawrence Dallaglio OBE , retired player and Board Director at Wasps, a PRL club His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, RFU Disciplinary Officer Bob Rogers, RFU Past President and Chairman of the RFU ’Core Values’ Task Group Peter Baines, Chairman, RFU Governance Standing Committee Rob Andrew MBE, RFU Elite Rugby Director Andrew Scoular, RFU Community Rugby Director Peter Thomas, RFU Corporate Communications Director Terms of reference: 1. To review the impact of recent disciplinary cases on the standing, reputation and image of rugby union. 2. To consider any other evidence of ’cheating’ or ’gamesmanship’ supplied to the Task Group involving any of the following: - Fabricated blood injuries; - Feigned injuries to enable substitutions or gain an unfair advantage; - Other medical interventions with players to gain an unfair competitive advantage; - Events of ’gamesmanship’ to gain an unfair competitive advantage; - Unfair interference with the opposition team’s operations. 3. Assess the impact of recent events on the game in England and on our commercial partners who support it; 4. Review the recommendations of the ’Core Values Task Group’ and recommend any additions necessary to incorporate any matters arising out of the above issues; 5. Review the management reporting lines in professional clubs and recommend a model for club governance to ensure proper accountability for implementing the Task Group’s recommendations; 6. Review and update all existing ’Codes of Conduct’ in the light of recent incidents; 7. Review any professional or ethical issues for doctors, medics and physios arising out of recent events; 8. Consider the need to incorporate any additional provisions into the Standard Player Contract and EPS Player Contracts; 9. Incorporate as appropriate the findings and conclusions of the Illicit Drugs Forum recently established by the RFU; 10. Review our Regulations in the respect of the above issues and recommend any changes or additions necessary to the RFU Council; 11. Produce a detailed action plan with target dates for delivery of each element. This action plan will detail clear outcomes, proposed strategies to counter inappropriate practices and any proposals for changes to RFU rules and regulations.
Championship Underway
by Dave Barton, National Media Manager
ENGLISH Rugby’s new Championship was launched last month with the ultimate prize a place in the Guinness Premiership. The 12-club tournament, formerly National Division One, was unveiled at Twickenham Stadium – where the final will take place on May 8, 2010 with a new trophy and promotion on offer. RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron said: “The RFU Championship will be a vital part of the structure of rugby in this country. Significant investment from the RFU and Premier Rugby Ltd, coupled with more matches and television coverage under the SkySports contract, will give the clubs more financial security than ever before and create a vibrant and viable structure to take the game forward.” RFU Elite Rugby Director Rob Andrew aded, “The Championship will provide quality rugby for spectators as well as developing players, coaches and referees in a competitive and professional environment. Ten of England’s Under-20 squad at this year’s World Championship in Japan, including captain Calum Clark (Leeds Carnegie) and Henry Trinder (Moseley) played in this league last season so it plays a vital role in the future of the England team.” A fixture list dovetailing with the British & Irish Cup will give the clubs a season-long competitive fixture list culminating in the Championship play-offs. RFU Tournament and Competitions Director Terry Burwell said, “This is an important development in taking league rugby in England to a new level and has multiple benefits for everyone involved. “We have worked hard with the clubs to get to this stage and we are looking forward to the inaugural Championship season.” Geoff Irvine, RFU Council representative for the Championship Clubs, added, “This is a new and exciting concept. The clubs are throwing themselves wholeheartedly into making this competition a success. “All the teams have recruited well and if we thought it was tough league last year it’s going to be even tougher this season – there will be no place to hide.”
How the Championship works
Reduction from 16 to 12 clubs Bedford Blues, Birmingham & Solihull, Bristol Rugby, Cornish Pirates, Coventry, Doncaster Knights, Exeter Chiefs, London Welsh, Moseley, Nottingham Rugby, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans
League programme (22 matches) * all teams playing 22 matches (11 home & 11 away) * 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less * top 8 teams from league progress to promotion play-offs * teams 9-12 from league progress to relegation play-offs
Promotion play-offs (8 matches) * 2 pools of 4 teams playing 6 matches (3 home & 3 away) * 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less * teams ranked 1, 4, 5 & 8 from league play in Pool A * teams ranked 2, 3, 6 & 7 from league play in Pool B * after 6 pool matches, top 2 teams from Pools A & B progress to semi final and then the winners to the final * semi final draw – 1st Pool A v 2nd Pool B & 1st Pool B v 2nd Pool A * promotion play-off matches scheduled March 13 – April 17 * semi finals May 1 & final May 8 at Twickenham * winner of Championship final promoted to Guinness Premiership subject to fulfilling entry criteria Relegation play-offs (6 matches) * 1 pool of 4 teams playing 6 matches (3 home & 3 away) * 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring * 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less * relegation play-off matches scheduled for March 13 – April 17 * after 6 pool matches played, lowest ranked team is relegated to newly-named National Division One (level three)
