December 2007. Issue 97

HQ News

RFU welcomes anti-doping code

Dave Barton

THE Rugby Football Union has welcomed the revision of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Code as part of the union’s commitment to drug-free rugby. RFU Anti-Doping Officer Gavin Dovey has worked with UK Sport and the International Rugby Board on the 18-month review processes which culminated in the Third World Conference on Doping in Sport approving the revisions in Madrid earlier this month. The Madrid Resolution is scheduled to come into force on January 1 2009 and includes: 

• Four-year sanctions instead of two where there is ‘aggravating circumstances’ such as the athlete being part of a sophisticated doping ring 

• Potential for reduced sanctions for certain specified substances, e.g. if the athlete can prove how the substance entered their body and that it was not taken for performance enhancing reasons

• Reduced sanctions by up to 75% for those athletes who provide ‘substantial assistance’ to doping authorities catching other drug cheats

At the Conference, more than 1,500 representatives of public authorities,  sport, the anti-doping community, athletes, observers, and the media, convened to review the major advances that have been made in the fight against doping since WADA's inception in 1999, and what strategies will be needed in the future. Dovey, who attended the conference and is the only full-time Anti-Doping Officer appointed by a union of the IRB, said: “We have felt for a long time that the Code should focus more on those who intentionally dope to enhance performance and the revised Code reflects this approach. “We have been actively involved in the review process, liaising with the IRB and UK Sport in putting our views to WADA and we look forward to continuing to do so in the important areas of athlete whereabouts and Therapeutic Use Exemptions. “We were also encouraged to see the Code place increased importance on education and as such we are committed to further supporting UK Sport’s 100% ME programme, which provides high-quality information and advice on anti-doping and promotes the positive attitudes of drug-free athletes, such as our ambassadors Jonny Wilkinson and Simon Amor, who have reached the highest level.”

2008 Prohibited List Reminder

All players are reminded that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2008 Prohibited List comes into effect on the 1st January 2008. The 2008 List outlines the classes of substances and methods that are prohibited in sport, including rugby union. The 2008 List is available for download together with a summary of the major changes at www.rfu.com/antidoping. The RFU Anti-Doping Regulations adopt a principle of strict liability, meaning players are solely responsible for any prohibited substance found in their body, irrespective of whether the player intentionally or unintentionally used the substance. Players are encouraged to take extra care and re-check the status of any substances they may be taking; particularly medications and they can do this by logging on to the Drug Information Database at www.didglobal.com. For further information please contact RFU Anti-Doping Officer, Gavin Dovey via email on gavindovey@rfu.com.

RFU reappoints rights agency

The RFU has reappointed Copyright Promotions Sport (CPS) as their exclusive worldwide rights agency, responsible for developing the RFU brand through successful commercial partnerships. The decision comes while the existing contract still has a year to run and continues an eight year relationship. Chris Protheroe, Managing Director of CPS, says “The fact that the RFU has re-appointed us almost a year early speaks volumes about the great relationship we have.” CPS has worked in close partnership with the RFU to deliver a hugely successful and diverse licensing programme across many categories, including a boyswear license with Marks & Spencer, the official tailor for the England team. The relationship has also brought to market Hope & Glory, a rose specially bred for England Rugby, which launched at Hampton Court Palace International Flower Festival. The popularity of rugby was confirmed during the recent World Cup when ITV attracted an audience of 16.8 million for the final between England and South Africa. “As World Champions in 2003 and runners up in 2007 the future is bright for the England Rugby brand and we at CPS will play our part in working with the RFU to realise this” says Protheroe. Said Paul Vaughan, RFU Business Operations Director, “CPS are experts at leveraging commercial partnerships to the benefit of the brand and the consumers. They also know the England Rugby brand better than anyone else out there and we feel confident that they help to confirm the RFU as world leaders in every aspect of the game.” Twickenham Stadium will be rebranded as a stadium in its own right from early next year and as a destination brand within the RFU portfolio. CPS is looking to build a strong licensing programme that accurately encapsulates the unique attributes and values of Twickenham.

Christmas Appeal

Boots For All provides social and life changing opportunities by giving South African youngsters the chance to take part in rugby and other sports The charity, which recycles boots and kit and sends it out from the UK, brought 16-year-old Olwethu Tom to Britain for the Barbarians v South Africa match at Twickenham. He attends Isilimela Comprehensive High in Langa, Cape Town, South Africa, having gained a place thanks to achieving at rugby, something he could never have done without boots to play in. Many more youngsters could benefit from being given the chance to play sport and you, your club or school could help by donating boots and kit or by fund raising to help with transport costs. For more information email andy@bootsforall.co.uk

When it comes to concussion - use your head

Dr Karen Hood

Concussion is a temporary impairment of brain function usually caused by a blow that has shaken the brain within the skull. Failure to assess, evaluate and manage a player with a concussion can have serious adverse consequences, particularly allowing a player with concussion to continue to play, or to return too early to training or playing.  There is a need for medical assessment in cases and before return to play, this is stated in IRB Regulation 10 (www.irb.com/lawregulations) The RFU have therefore produced a series of resources to help with the recognition and management of concussion:

• A wallet-sized Pitch Side Concussion Assistant is available and has been sent out with previous issues of Touchline. If you would like more for your club please contact health@rfu.com.

• Training is available for coaches and volunteers through the 1 day RFU Sports First Aid Course (many standard courses do not contain this information). Ask your RDO about courses in your area

In addition, please find enclosed with this issue of Touchline a poster to help highlight the signs and symptoms of concussion and the procedures to follow in the event of a suspected injury. More information is also available at www.rfu.com/health.

• Concussion guidance is also included in the RFU’s “Start Rugby” Coach resource pack, available from www.communityrugbyshop.com

England Saxons to get Welford Road welcome

Nicki Drinkwater

England Saxons will kick off this season’s campaign against Ireland A at Welford Road on Friday 1 February (7.45pm, live on Sky Sports). The Saxons is the final stepping stone to full honours and fans will see some of the country’s finest emerging talents hoping to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Nick Abendanon, Nick Easter, David Strettle, Shane Geraghty, James Haskell and Mike Brown who all stepped up to senior honours after pulling on the Saxons shirt last season. Rugby World Cup star Paul Sackey also secured his place in France on the back of his performance in the Barclays Churchill Cup final in June. The Saxons will then play Italy A in Sicily on Saturday 9 February, before travelling to Canada to defend their Barclays Churchill Cup crown from 7-21 June 2008. Said Conor O’Shea, the RFU’s Director of the National Academy, “The England Saxons set-up plays a crucial role in developing future internationals. “After the England Under 20s, England Sevens and the Guinness Premiership, the Saxons is the final step of the development pathway which enables us to identify those players with the capability and mentality to play international rugby. Last year’s squad firmly re-established the Saxons within this pathway and we will be looking to continue that progress throughout this coming season.” The England Saxons squad will be selected following the announcement on January 9 2008 of the Elite Player Squads for the 2008 RBS 6 Nations. Under the guidance of then National Academy coaches Jim Mallinder and Dorian West, last year’s unbeaten England Saxons squad recorded victories over Italy A (24-5) and Ireland A (32-5) before claiming the Barclays Churchill Cup by overcoming the New Zealand Maori at Twickenham 17-13.

Tickets for the first England international at this level to be held at Welford Road for 10 years are on sale now from the Tigers ticket on 08701 28 34 30 or www.leicestertigers.com priced from £20 for adults and £8 for juniors.

England Saxons fixtures 2007/8

Six Nations

England Saxons v Ireland A, Welford Road, Leicester, Friday 1 Feb, kick off 7.45pm (live on Sky Sports)

Italy A v England Saxons, Stadio Aldo Campo, Ragusa, Sicily, Saturday 9 Feb, kick off tbc

Barclays Churchill Cup

England Saxons v USA, Twin Elm, Ottawa, Saturday 7 June, kick off 2pm

England Saxons v Ireland A, Fletcher’s Field, Toronto, Saturday 14 June, kick off 2pm

Finals Day, Sat 21 June, Toyota Park, Chicago, 11.30am, 2pm and 4.30pm

Rhino answer SOS

As part of their role as official suppliers of scrummaging machines and training equipment to England, Rhino Rugby supplied kit to the national squad training sites for the Rugby World Cup on an unbranded basis to comply with IRB rules for the tournament. On its return, with the agreement of England, Rhino decided to donate this equipment together with a gift of other kit to SOS IRB Kit Aid, the charity which encourages recycling of rugby kit and equipment to emerging rugby nations. “Rhino are a great supporter of our charity,” said John Broadfoot, who founded SOS IRB Kit Aid five years ago “and we will be making sure that the lucky recipients of this equipment realise that it has been used by England during the World Cup”.

England U20s World Championship

Simon Mills

England’s Under-20 team will face Australia, Fiji and Canada in the opening stages of this season’s inaugural IRB Junior World Championship in Wales. All England’s Pool C games will take place at Rodney Parade in Newport before the final stages with the title decided at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea on June 21 next year. The programme sees England play No.11 seeds Fiji on June 6 (7pm), then Canada (14) on June 10 (5pm) and Australia (3) on June 14 (5pm) to determine qualifying places. The top two sides in Pool C then face either South Africa or Samoa in the play-off stages in Cardiff or Swansea. England, who are coached by former internationals Nigel Redman and Mark Mapletoft, are seeded sixth in the tournament based on their showing at the last IRB Under-19 World Championships in Belfast. They also have a full programme of Six Nations games in February and March with home games against Wales and Ireland at Gloucester on February 1 and March 14. New Zealand are the No.1 seeds after beating South Africa 31-6 in the Under-19 final at Ravenhill last April.

IRB Junior World Championship in South Wales

Friday, June 6: England v Fiji (Newport, 7pm)

Tuesday, June 10: England v Canada (Newport, 5pm)

Saturday, June 14: England v Australia (Newport, 5pm)

Wednesday, June 18: Match Day Four

Saturday, June 21: Finals Day

Tournament participants

Pool A: New Zealand, Argentina, Ireland, Tonga

Pool B: South Africa, Samoa, Scotland, USA.

Pool C: Australia, England, Fiji, Canada.

Pool D: Wales, France, Japan, Italy.

2008 Six Nations games

Friday, February 1: England v Wales (Gloucester, 7.45pm)

Friday, February 8: Italy v England (Genova, 3pm)

Friday, February 22: France v England (Grenoble)

Friday, March 7: Scotland v England (TBC, 7.30pm)

Friday, March 14: England v Ireland (Gloucester, 7.45pm

Hertfordshire School of Rugby

The Hertfordshire School of Rugby was officially launched recently at Old Albanian RFC with The RFU, Herts RFU, Saracens Ltd and Weston Homes Plc coming together to form an official partnership. The objective is to develop generations of well tutored and skilled rugby players, with the School of Rugby having the responsibility for delivering a core rugby curriculum in the U13 – U16 age groups, focused towards high performance, elite players. Ben Skirving, Bishop’s Stortford RFC, Saracens, England U18/20 and recently gaining his first full England cap, has been promoting the game with these potential young stars of the future, with the School of Rugby a key step towards joining the academy’s Elite Player Development Programme. Said Saracens’ Dave Hesketh,“For players to make it at the very highest level of the game they must be able to perform basic skills well, and make good decisions consistently under pressure. Through the new Schools of Rugby young elite players have the opportunity to spend more time focussing on such skill development and game understanding in a highly competitive environment. “Saracens are excited by the prospect of seeing elite athletes develop from a young age, some of whom might go on to play premiership or even international rugby; some of whom will play in the community game, driving up skill levels throughout the sport in England. “The School of Rugby will provide Saracens with further opportunities to view players from a young age with the possibility of inviting some to join the club's Academy and Elite Player Development Programme”. Stuart Thomas, Financial Director of Weston Homes said, “At Weston Homes we take our obligations within the communities in which we build very seriously and we are therefore delighted to be able to support the Hertfordshire School of Rugby.”

Up for the cup

EDF Energy is hoping to bring players and fans of every rugby club together on Cup Final day at Twickenham. The energy company is giving 6,000 free tickets to the 912 English clubs involved in the five knock-out competitions it sponsors at every level of the game. The ticket offer means players, grassroots club members and fans of the game will be able to enjoy a feast of rugby when the EDF Energy Cup, EDF Energy National Trophy and EDF Energy Intermediate Cup are played back-to-back at Twickenham, home of English rugby, on Saturday April 12 next year. Louise Poole, EDF Energy’s Head of Brand, said: “The romance of the cup holds true at every level, whether you are a fan of an amateur or professional club. At the grassroots, rugby is all about community and getting different generations involved. We want to capture that by getting fans of every side together at Twickenham Stadium on Cup Final day.” The aim is to get players and fans of clubs, ranging from Aylesford Bulls to Workington, together for the day of non-stop action. The idea is backed by Cornish Pirates captain Tim Cowley, whose side lifted the EDF Energy National Trophy after a thrilling 19-16 win over Exeter Chiefs last season. He said: “I think it’s a fantastic idea. The hundreds of rugby clubs and their supporters are vital to the vitality and long-term future of the sport. Bringing together fans of so many clubs shows just how strong and deep-rooted rugby is in so many parts of the country.” The second rounds of the EDF Energy National Trophy, EDF Energy Intermediate Cup, EDF Energy Senior and Junior Vase were played on Saturday (Nov 17). Round three of the EDF Energy Cup, the highest scoring top-level domestic competition per game last season, is the first weekend in December. Already this season, 762 points have been scored in the first two rounds of the EDF Energy Cup, over 47 points per game. Paul Vaughan, RFU Business Operations Director, said: “The EDF Energy Cup Finals Day is a fantastic celebration of rugby at all levels. In making these tickets available to the domestic clubs EDF Energy will ensure that even more supporters are able to enjoy a great day out at the home of England Rugby.”

Hundreds of clubs started out in this season’s competitions including:

• Junior Vase - Halifax Vandals, Law Society, London Media, Merseyside Police, Old Elizabethans, Rolls Royce, Stanley Rodillians, York Railway Institute

• Senior Vase - Bank of England, Barnet Elizabethans, Blackburn, London Cornish, Puddletown, Sheffield, Twickenham, Widnes

• Intermediate Cup - Bury St Edmunds, Derby, Durham, Hartlepool Rovers, Newton Abbot, Taunton, Tunbridge Wells, Vale of Lune

• National Trophy - Barking, Hull, Ipswich, Launceston, London Nigerians, Luton, Peterborough, Preston Grasshoppers, Rosslyn Park, Swanage.

Go to www.edfenergyrugby.com for more information. Early Bird Catches the Final If you would like to purchase tickets to the EDF Energy Cup Final at a preferential price an Early Bird half price offer until December 31st by visiting ticketmaster.co.uk

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