August 2007. Issue 93

HQ News

Daily Podcast for Rugby World Cup

By Nicki Drinkwater RFU Media Manager

The Gillette Rugby podcast will go daily from Monday 3 September, the date Brian Ashton’s England squad fly to France to kick off their defence of the Webb Ellis Cup.
Previously a weekly service, the RFU’s official podcast will go out from France every day throughout the tournament to ensure fans keep up to date with the latest news from inside the Team England camp. The Gillette Rugby Podcast will also bring you the low down on the rest of the news hitting the headlines throughout the 2007 RWC.
You can listen free every day from

Bob Taylor

Bob Taylor, who took up the reins as President of the RFU last month (July), has been East Midlands Council member since 1999.
A former England international, Bob won 16 caps playing flanker or Number 8. His first England match was against Wales in 1966 and his last against France in 1971. Against France in 1970, Bob captained the England team.
He played for the Lions in 1968, in all four Tests in South Africa. Bob’s playing career also encompassed the Barbarians, Midlands, East Midlands, Hampshire, Northampton and Old Northamptonians.
He coached Northampton for five years, was a member of the East Midlands Coaching Panel and from 1981 – 85 was a referee for East Midlands.
Hon Secretary of Northampton RFC from 1995, Bob was also their President from 1993 – 95 and has been a Committee member of the club since 1970. He has been Northampton’s representative on the East Midlands Committee since 1975, was County President in 1992 – 93 and has been County Chairman since 1998 as well as chairing centenary events, competitions and the Mobbs Memorial Match. Bob is also East Midlands representative on the Division Committee.
At national level, Bob is Chairman of the RFU Nominations Committee and was on the National Clubs Association committee from1988-95 and the RFU representative from 1994-95. He was also a member of the RFU Commission when rugby union went open, is former Chairman of the Laws Advisory Committee and is a RFU Disciplinary Panel member.
A school master for 31 years, Bob taught Maths and PE at Wellingborough Grammar School and at the former Lings Upper School, Northampton, during which time he coached thousands of schoolboy rugby players. He has also been a magistrate on the Northamptpon Bench since 1978 Now retired, Bob has been married to Carol for 40 years, they have a son Andrew and two daughters Caroline and Elizabeth.

Varsity Match Moves

By Sally Price Event PR & Marketing Manager

The 2007 Lehman Brothers Varsity Match has been confirmed as Thursday 6th December 2007 at 4.00pm. The Under 21s match will kick off at 12 noon. The decision to break away from the traditional time and date of a Tuesday comes following extensive research and feedback from supporters of the match which is now in its 126th year.
The 2006 Men’s Varsity Match at Twickenham Stadium last December attracted 41,000 spectators including students, alumni and school children. Cambridge took the spoils last year beating the dark blues 15-6. Oxford will this year be captained by Australian Rugby World Cup winner Joe Roff, who is studying at the university.
Tickets are priced from £18 (students from £10) and are on sale now from www.Ticketmaster.co.uk Stay up to date with news about the match at www.varsitymatch.org

Betfair Now RFU’s Official Betting Partner

Leading betting exchange Betfair recently signed a two-year deal to become the official betting partner of the RFU.
The new deal will make provisions for Betfair to be featured in match day programmes and on half-time scoreboards at all the RFU’s Twickenham fixtures for the duration of the deal. It also includes support from Betfair for English rugby at club and grass roots level.
Betfair were celebrating the signing of the deal by running a series of competitions during the Investec Challenge matches at Twickenham, giving the chance to win tickets to follow England at next year’s RBS 6 Nations Championship.
Betfair’s Director of General Sports, Lee Cowles, said: “Rugby’s popularity amongst our customers has consistently grown since Betfair started out in 2000 and there’s a real buzz of excitement amongst Betfair’s rugby fans with the World Cup just round the corner. We have had a data sharing agreement with the RFU since February 2006 and this arrangement further strengthens our relationship and our support for English rugby from grass roots level all the way up to the England team.”
The RFU’s Commercial Director Paul Vaughan said: "Not only will Betfair enhance the Twickenham matchday offering later in the year by providing betting facilities at the stadium, they will also help to market the sport to a broad audience."

Smoke Free Twickenham

By Sally Price

In line with the government’s introduction of a smoking ban in all offices and enclosed or partially enclosed public places, Twickenham Stadium has become a entirely No Smoking venue, covering seated areas around the stadium, all offices, corporate areas, hospitality boxes and concourses.

Richard Knight, Stadium Director, said, “It makes sense for Twickenham Stadium to fully embrace the Government’s no smoking policy and ensure we promote the healthy lifestyle that is so integral to our sport. We have decided to take the Government policy one step further and include both the inner and outer stadium concourses. As a sports governing body we have a duty of care to not expose people to second hand smoke.”

Smokers coming to Twickenham are advised that they need to leave the stadium before smoking, taking their ticket with them, but some events (notably concerts) may not allow readmission. For more information on the RFU No Smoking policy please visit www.rfu.com/twickenham

England players support Find Madeleine campaign

By Dave Barton | National Media Manager

THE England Rugby squad showed their solidarity with the family of missing Madeleine McCann by wearing T-shirts showing the toddler's face at their training camp in Portugal.
In support for parents Kate and Gerry, the players and management dispensed with their usual training tops in favour of the T-shirts for their session at Browns Sports Training Centre at Vilamoura in the Algarve. The centre is east of Praia da Luz where four-year-old Madeleine disappeared from the family’s holiday apartment on May 3.
The white T-shirts were specially made for the squad and showed Madeleine's face on the front and the Look for Maddie logo and www.findmadeleine.com website on the back.
Kate and Gerry met England Head Coach Brian Ashton privately and thanked him for the squad’s gesture.
England Head Coach Brian Ashton said: “It was the second month anniversary of Madeline's disappearance and the England squad wanted to show their support for Madeline and her family at training.”
Kate and Gerry said: “This is a wonderful, unprompted public demonstration of support from England’s elite rugby players. We are very grateful for their encouragement and support. The most powerful resource we have are the millions of eyes all over the world, looking for our lovely daughter, Madeleine. This generous gesture from the England squad we hope, will remind sports fans that Madeleine is still missing.”

Black market tickets crackdown hits hundred

By Dave Barton

The RFU has imposed sanctions on 65 clubs, constituent bodies, schools and individuals who were found to have contravened the 2007 RBS 6 Nations ticket terms and conditions.
The measures form part of the Union’s continued strategic plan objective to reduce the number of tickets sold on the black market and brings the number of sanctions handed out in the past seven months to 124. This latest round of penalties follows those announced in December 2006 and March this year. RFU Business Operations Director Paul Vaughan said: “The fact that we have now imposed well over 100 sanctions shows our commitment to reducing the number of tickets reaching the black market. We are determined to take action against those who breach our ticketing terms and conditions by reselling to unauthorised operators or even advertising tickets to resale.”
The RFU’s ticket terms and conditions allow member clubs to sell allocated tickets on to official licensed operators only.
The sanctions are judged against the severity of each case in terms of the number of tickets, how they got onto the black market and whether or not this is a repeat offence.

Clubs/Constituent Bodies
The following clubs received a 10% loss of allocation for England’s home internationals for 1 year from January 1 2008, but the loss of allocation was suspended for 1 year: Coventry Football Club Ltd; Leeds Rugby Limited; Tabard RFC; Middlesex County RFU; Rayleigh Wyverns RFC; Mitcham RUFC; Kenilworth RFC; Birchfield RUFC; Broadland RFC; Bromyard RFC; Coventrians RFC; Penrith RFC; Sale Sharks; Hampshire RFU;Preston Grasshoppers RFC; Berwick RFC; Folkestone RFC; Portsmouth RFC; Biggleswade RUFC; and Market Bosworth RFC.
Castleford RUFC and Bishop Auckland RUFC received a 25% loss of allocation for England’s home internationals, but the loss of allocation was suspended for 1 year.
Wheaton Aston RFC received a 10% loss of allocation for England’s home internationals for 1 year from January 1 2008.
The following clubs received a 15% loss of allocation for England’s home matches for 1 year from January 1 2008:Hope Valley RFC; Nestle Rowntree RFC; Paviors RFC; Rochford Hundred RFC; Leeds Medics and Dentists RFC;Gentlemen of Moore RUFC; Bishopstown RFC; Gnosall RUFC; Farnborough RFC; and Whitehall RFC.

The following clubs received a 25% loss of allocation for England’s home internationals for 1 year from from January 1 2008: Bishop Castle and Onny Valley RFU; Coventry Football Club Limited; and Devonport Services RFC.

Old Otliensians RUFC has lost 2 tickets for England’s home internationals for 1 year from January 1 2008

Amber Valley RFC received a 40% loss of entitlement for 1 year for England’s home internationals from January 1 2008 as a previous suspended sentence has now been invoked.

Marist RUFC and Runcorn RFC received a 50% loss of allocation for England’s home matches for 1 year from January 1 2008 as it was their second offence:

Schools
The following schools lost their entire ticket allocation for England’s home matches from January 1 2008: Repton School; Ellesmere Port Catholic High School; Our Lady of the Visitation School; Collingwood College; and Canford School.

Universities
The following universities have been sanctioned: the University of Middlesex has lost their entire ticket allocation for both England’s home and away matches for 2 years from from January 1 2008; the University of Manchester and Worcester Students (University of Worcester) RFC have both lost 15% of their entitlement to England’s home matches for 1 year from January 1 2008.
Debenture Holders
Debenture holders Mr Andy Saitch and Mr G J Tayson have been sanctioned with loss of 2 debentures for 1 year from January 1 2008, but the loss of tickets has been suspended for 5 years:
Mr Nick Maingay has been sanctioned with a loss of 2 debentures for the RBS 6 Nations 2008, but this sanction has been suspended for 1 year.
Mr Anthony Wrighton and Mr Sean O’Brien have been sanctioned with a loss of 2 debentures for the RBS 6 Nations 2008.
The following debenture holders have been sanctioned with a loss of 2 debentures for 1 year from January 1 2008: Mr Gerry Quinn; Mr Philip Glanfield; Mr M D Bradley; and Mr Robert Jones.
Mr A C Aljoe has lost 6 debentures for 1 year from January 1 2008.
Mr Hiram Richards has lost his debentures for a further 2 years (up to and including the 2011 RBS 6 Nations) as it was a second offence

RFU Council
RFU Council Member for Cornwall David Martin has lost the right to receive 2 of his Council allocation of Twickenham international match tickets for 1 year from January 1 2008.

Clubs/Schools/Individuals
The following clubs/schools/individuals lost their entitlement to tickets to England away RBS 6 Nations matches from January 1 2008 following ticket misuse involving the Ireland v England match (February 24 2007): St Columba & Torpoint RFC and Andover RFC – loss of entitlement for 4 years; RAF Cosford RFC – loss of entitlement for 2 years;Bristol Grammar School – loss of entitlement for 2 years, but the sanction will be suspended for 2 years; Joe Worsley – loss of entitlement for 2 years
.

Regulations Review 2007

The annual Regulations review concluded in June with the RFU Council approving the following changes to Regulation.

RFU DEFINITIONS
The main changes in RFU Definitions are concerned with England Academy Players, Rugby First (Player Registration) Level Transfers, Loan Players and Technical Areas. These have been amended to aid in helping the reader better understand the area of regulation that they are following.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS (GAR)
There are a number of changes to the General Administrative Regulations. Firstly a Section one club (Club in Membership of RFU) will now lose it membership status with the RFU if it ceases to play in a RFU league or play 20 fixtures for two consecutive seasons rather than if this happens for just one season (GAR3.2.1). New regulations have been inserted imposing conditions on RFU funding to clubs or club organisations (GAR4). We have also established a whole new scheme for the licensing of Agents (GAR7). This has been done in conjunction with the PRA and PRL. The new regulations put this scheme into place. A new regulation (GAR9) has been created relating to betting and wagering to assist the RFU in taking action if there is inappropriate behaviour in relation to such matters. A new regulation has been inserted giving Council the right to approve any minimum standards criteria being imposed for a league (GAR10).

GAME REGULATIONS (GR)
The England Academy Player Scheme has resulted in the Game Regulations having a number of changes. These include the areas of Player Eligibility whereby these players are exempt from being Cup Tied (GR13.6), they cannot result in a team postponing a match if they are called up to a representative team (GR13.5) and that there is no limit to the number of England Academy Players a club can select or play in a match (GR13.5). Loan Players remain separate. The other major policy change in the Game Regulations is with regard to Level Transfer (GRappendix2E) and also a compromise to allow off-shore clubs to play home drawn cup competitions at their own ground if both clubs agree and the home club covers the expense. Other non policy changes include approaches to Match Officials during half time to avoid inappropriate attempts to influence a match (GR8.5) and the re-writing of GR17.2 which covers Technical Areas to enhance the interpretation.

REGISTRATION OF PLAYERS REGULATIONS (RR)
The main changes take into account RugbyFirst, England Academy Players and some minor matters. The active compliance of player contract regulations (RR10.6 & RR10.16) must now be observed as players at levels 1 – 4 will be automatically de-registered if the club does not register the contract with the RFU or declare that a player is amateur. Loan Players may now return to the Club with which they hold a contract after the Transfer Deadline (RR2.1.5)

DISCIPLINARY REGULATIONS (DR)
The main changes with the Disciplinary Regulations flow from the amendments to IRB 17 which were approved by the Management Board in December 2006 and implemented by Disciplinary Officer Practice Note on 1 January 2007. These changes simply incorporate that Practice Note into the body of the Regulations. Other major changes are:
• The inclusion of Terms of Reference for the Disciplinary Officer (DRappendix11)
• The introduction of a new short form of written judgment for CBs. CB Disciplinary Panels have found the requirement to write a judgment in each case quite burdensome. The new judgment form essentially enables CB Disciplinary Panels to tick boxes and write a very short commentary in all cases so that they will only need to write fuller judgments when the offender appeals to the RFU (DRappendix4).
• Changing the timescale for citings in the Premiership. The current Regulations state that a citing must be brought within 36 hours of the receipt of the video by the citing officer or 4 days of the conclusion of the match whichever is earlier. Problems arose over Christmas 2006 when a citing was made outside these periods because of bank holidays, and there may be problems where a match is played on a Friday night. The change (which was agreed by PRL and PRA and brought into effect by Disciplinary Officer Practice Note in January) is that to be effective a citing must now be made within “four working days of the end of the match”.

SCHOOLS & YOUTH REGULATIONS (S&Y)
A considerable amount of work has been done on the Schools & Youth Regulations. These have now been re-drafted with the clear separation between Regulations and Guidelines.

RUGBY CONTINUUM (CR)
There have been minor amendments to the Rugby Continuum. Due to an omission last year the Special Dispensation for Clubs with Small Number of Players (approved in 2005) has been included and the previously approved regulation relating to Players wearing specially designed and manufactured “goggles” has also been included.

The new Rules & Regulations will be available by the end of August in the RFU Handbook 2007/08 and also on the new Rules & Regulations website. For any Regulatory queries please contact the RFU Regulations Manager, Andrew Rogers on email at: andrewrogers@rfu.com

Leicester v Bath clash EDF Energy Cup opener

By Julia Hutton | South West Press Officer

Leicester Tigers will kick-off their defence of the EDF Energy Cup against old rivals Bath Rugby at the Recreation Ground on the weekend of October 26-28th, 2007. The Tigers, who defeated the Ospreys 41-35 in the Twickenham final in April, face a tough group with two of last season’s semi-finalists, Cardiff Blues and Sale Sharks, also in their pool.
The Ospreys will also be on the road for their first cup clash with an interesting away tie to Worcester Warriors while newly promoted Guinness Premiership side Leeds Carnegie will make their return to Anglo-Welsh cup rugby with a home tie against Saracens.
The EDF Energy Cup, in its third year, will again be contested by the 12 Guinness Premiership clubs and the four Welsh Magners League regions. Three rounds of matches will be played in the four-team group stages at club grounds before the EDF Energy Cup semi-finals and the EDF Energy Cup Final on Saturday March 22nd and Saturday April 8th, 2008 respectively.
The BBC will televise the Worcester Warriors versus Ospreys round 1 match on Saturday October 27th and Leicester Tigers versus Cardiff Blues on November 3rd in round 2. Further EDF Energy Cup fixtures to be broadcast by the BBC will be announced later.
“After two stirring Anglo-Welsh Finals at Twickenham and the excitement of the double-header days at the Millennium Stadium, we have been eagerly awaiting the 2007/08 competition draw,” said Terry Burwell, the RFU’s Tournament & Competitions Director.
“Group B features three of last season’s semi-finalists and is bound to produce some fantastic matches before the Pool winner is decided. There is also the opportunity for Phil Davies to welcome his old club Leeds, now Leeds Carnegie, to the stirring atmosphere of Stradey Park as well as Mike Ruddock's new club, Worcester Warriors entertaining the Ospreys, whom Ruddock coached when they were Swansea. Anglo-Welsh rivalry in the EDF Energy cup will be much in evidence.”
Mark McCafferty, Chief Executive of Premier Rugby, added: "With different pools to last season, this season's EDF Energy Cup once again promises to be a thrilling Anglo-Welsh contest."
Louise Poole, EDF Energy’s Head of Brand, said: “There were some great open matches last season, with more tries per game than in any other domestic competition, and I’m sure this season will be a fascinating and exciting contest.”

Groups
Group A: Newport Gwent Dragons, London Wasps, Gloucester Rugby, Newcastle Falcons
Group B: Cardiff Blues, Bath Rugby, Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers
Group C: Ospreys, Harlequins, Worcester Warriors, London Irish
Group D: Llanelli Scarlets, Leeds Carnegie, Saracens, Bristol Rugby

Haag joins England Under 18s for Australia tour

By Julia Hutton | England U18 Press Officer

The coaching team for this month’s England Under-18 tour to Australia includes Coach Chris Kibble and Assistant Coaches Ben Ryan and Martin Haag. Conor O’Shea, the RFU’s National Academy Director, said: “We’ve selected a very strong coaching line-up led by Chris Kibble. Martin Haag will be a real asset having come to us straight from the Guinness Premiership with Bristol Rugby and Ben Ryan is now a full-time coach with the RFU, having led the England Sevens squad on a part-time basis last season. In addition to touring with the U18 squad, Ben will resume his England Sevens duties on his return to England at the end of August.”
Kibble said: “The tour is the culmination of a year’s work with the players and will act as a good barometer to see how far the squad has come in the last 12 months. Part of their development is exposing them to the test match environment and seeing if they can learn how to win big matches. All the games are very important but our test against Australia will form the focus of the tour for the squad.”
Haag added: “I’m really looking forward to working with some very talented players. I hope that the experience I have gained coaching in the Guinness Premiership with Bristol will be of benefit to the squad.”
The tour marks the tenth anniversary of the England U18 trip to Australia in 1997, which included Steve Borthwick (Bath Rugby), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons), David Flatman (Bath Rugby), Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby) and Iain Balshaw (Gloucester Rugby) amongst its members and O’Shea said: “That was obviously a very strong squad and we’d be delighted if the same calibre of players came through from this group to the senior squad over the next few years.”

England Rugby unveils new coach

By Nicki Drinkwater Media Manager

As the England team make their final preparations for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the RFU has teamed up with National Express to provide fans with dedicated services to Twickenham Stadium. The services were up and running for this month’s Investec Challenge matches and will operate across the country for all major matches and concerts.

England Rugby and Little Britain want that one!

By Nicki Drinkwater

England Rugby’s Heritage clothing range has been nominated for one of the licensing industry’s top accolades. The Rugby Store’s range of fashionable casual wear, produced by Brandco, is one of five finalists for the Best Licensed Adult Apparel title at the 2007 Licensing Awards.
Over 4,000 products were entered into the four Product Category finals and the range will face stiff opposition from the likes of Betty Boop Chic Classique range by Fashion UK and Little Britain costumers Smiffy’s. Priced from just £6.99, the Heritage range features modern t-shirts, polo shirts and hoodies designed to appeal to the late teens to mid twenties market.
The winners will be announced at this year’s Licensing Awards event at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on Thursday 13 September.

Boks take on Baa-Baas at Twickenham

They epitomise the union in rugby union, the famous Barbarians whose membership of that elite squad comes only by invitation. Their spirited contest with the Springboks dates back to 1952 and so far honours have alternated in these closely fought battles.
At Twickenham on Saturday December 1st the Baa-Baas could make the standing 3 -3, having beaten the South Africans in Cardiff and Dublin but never on Twickenham Stadium’s hallowed turf. Says Baa-Baas’ President, Mickey Steele-Bodger, “The last time we played at Twickenham, in 1970, the team was captained by Gareth Edwards and we went down 12 – 21. We must put that right.”
Be there for the battle of the Titans and the only major international fixture at Twickenham between the 2007 Investec Challenge matches and next year’s RBS 6 Nations.
Tickets from Ticketmaster on 0870 902 0000 or ticketmaster.co.uk

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