TOUCHLINE The Official Newspaper of The RFU June/July 2014 Issue 169 RUGBY WORLD CUP TROPHY TOUR The Webb Ellis Cup left on a 15 country Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour recently, flying out from East Midlands Airport to its first stop in Japan. Delivered in partnership with Land Rover and DHL – two long term supporters of the game and Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide Partners – The Trophy Tour sees rugby’s most coveted prize on a 12 month journey in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2015, hosted in England. At East Midlands airport in Leicestershire to see the Cup off to Tokyo were Rugby World Cup 2003 winner and England 2015 Ambassador, Will Greenwood, Land Rover Brand Experience Director, Mark Cameron, DHL UK and Ireland Marketing Director, Shannon Diett, together with children from the local area. More information about the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour at www.rugbyworldcup.com/trophytour Follow the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour on Twitter @rugbyworldcup #CelebratingRugby or on Facebook /rugbyworldcup Don’t forget tickets are currently on sale through the Rugby Community Ticket programme – if you haven’t received details speak directly to your club. Tickets go on general sale on September 12, 2014 – Join the Front Row for more information on tickets and tournament news www.rugbyworldcup.com/frontrow ADULT COMPETITION RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED PAULA ROWE The RFU Council has approved the recommendations of the Adult Competition Review that will see adjustments to the structure of competitive rugby. The changes take account of player welfare concerns and will help to reduce the financial burden on clubs, while providing meaningful competition. LONDON WELSH CLAIM Bill Beaumont, RFU Chairman said: “The decision by Council to accept the recommendations of the CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE Adult Competition Review is a major step forward in NICOL McCLELLAND determining the future of our great game, to deliver London Welsh produced a superb defensive performance to beat Bristol Rugby 48-28 on accessible and healthy competition for generations aggregate in the 2013/14 Greene King IPA Championship final and earn promotion back to the to come. Aviva Premiership. On an emotionally charged evening, Bristol were denied a winning farewell “It is vital that the changes work from the bottom to the Memorial Stadium, their home of 93 years, after Welsh claimed a 21-20 victory. Welsh now and that principle has been fully endorsed look forward to a return to the Premiership after a one-year absence. by Council. Chasing down a 19-point deficit from the first leg in Oxford and cheered on by a sell-out 12,000 “The review brought together extensive research crowd, Bristol threw everything at Welsh but late tries from Exiles flanker Carl Kirwan and wing and diverse views into a set of recommendations Seb Stegmann and 11 points slotted by Gordon Ross ensured Welsh step up to replace relegated that we believe best serve the changing needs of our Worcester Warriors. game. The RFU Council has endorsed that belief London Welsh head coach Justin Burnell said, “It’s just fantastic for London Welsh; it’s a fantastic and provided a mandate for work to proceed to club. Next year it will be Leicester, Northampton and Saracens – we’re absolutely over the moon.” implement the changes.” The revised structure offers clubs a balanced number of home games per season and a varied diet of league and Cup rugby within a 35-week season. The maximum number of matches played by most John Douglas clubs at levels 3 and below between September and Review Steering Group Chairman April will not exceed 30. Continued on page 2… TOUCHLINE – JUNE/JULY 2014 1 Continued from page 1 Work will begin immediately on team’s travel time and distance to away matches: Recognising the importance of providing from other sports and leisure activities, in implementing the recommendations, with the · Level 4 – will consist of three leagues of meaningful competition and more addition to the demands of travel and cost. exception of changes to the league structures 15 teams with no Cup competition opportunities to play rugby at second XV Adjusting the league programme will help to (recommendations 8 and 9), which will take · Level 5 – will consist of eight leagues of and below, the RFU will further strengthen reduce the cost to clubs. effect from 2016/17. This will ensure that there 12 teams with a compulsory National and support this key area of the game with “Every effort has been made to provide as is sufficient time for the detailed planning and Cup competition increased resources. many opportunities as possible for feedback preparation necessary at all levels, giving clubs · Level 6 – will consist of 16 leagues of 12 teams John Douglas, Chairman of the Review and comment throughout the review process, at least one season’s notice of the changes: with an optional National Cup competition Steering Group said: “The aim of the review and we are most grateful to everyone across the Level 3 will remain a national league, · Level 7 – composition and operation of league was to provide competitive rugby that will game who has contributed.” reduced in size to 15 teams (from 16 teams) with rugby at Level 7 and below will continue to be encourage maximum player and supporter no Cup competition. determined and managed locally, Level 7 with participation and to grow and sustain our clubs, For full list of recommendations From Level 4 downwards the league pyramid optional National Cup competition organised in a world that will continue to change. www.rfu.com/reviewrecommendations will be flattened, with a view to reducing each by Divisional Organising Committees “More than ever rugby faces competition Henry Slade STEPPING UP AT TWICKENHAM When a Barbarians team with over 700 caps claimed a 29-39 victory over a young England XV at Twickenham it was not just the score that made a difference. The match against the Baa-Baas gave aspiring England players opportunities to develop and take a step up said their Head Coach John Callard. “A lot of the players who had finished their season joined the senior squad in camp and worked with the senior coaches,” he said. “They gained from being around the senior players, the infectious nature of their determination and enthusiasm and the intensity, which they brought it to our camp “We have campaigned for this group of young players to come through and have the opportunity of playing at Twickenham and this gave the likes of Sam Hill and Henry Slade the opportunity to step up again and show what they can do. They were fantastic in the U20s set up and have done well in the Premiership when they’ve had the opportunity at Exeter. Representing England is another level for them. “Our senior coaches are not frightened of picking young talent for England, players like Jack Nowell, Jonny May and Anthony Watson. The Barbarians game gave the opportunity to play senior roles for some like Graham Kitchener, Henry Slade, Joe Simpson. It was a great opportunity to develop leaders as well as players.” THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES KICK OFF IN GLASGOW ON 23TH JULY. WATCH FULL COVERAGE ON THE BBC INCLUDING TEAM ENGLAND COMPETING IN THE RUGBY SEVENS ON 26-27TH JULY. NATWEST RUGBYFORCE 2014 IS HERE! PAULA ROWE NatWest RugbyForce 2014 is now only days away and more clubs than ever are getting ready for this year’s DIY weekend extravaganza. If your club has not yet signed up to take part, there is still time as they have until the 20th June to register. Speaking at the launch of the NatWest RugbyForce Pride of the Nation competition which had a record 45,000 votes, former England and British Lions international Phil Vickery said: “Every international rugby player started their career playing for their local club. For me, Bude is where my passion and love of the game was built. “The role grassroots rugby plays in establishing our love for the game is vital, by signing up for NatWest RugbyForce you’re helping strengthen the foundations of your local club for years to come. There’s absolutely no excuse not to get involved!” To get all the news and latest information, go to www.rfu.com/natwestrugbyforce. You can also find out more by going towww.facebook.com/natwestrugby Nowell, Jonny May and Anthony Watson. The Barbarians game gave the opportunity to play senior roles for some like Graham Kitchener, Henry Slade, Joe Simpson. It was a great opportunity to develop leaders as well as players.” A MILLION MILESTONE FOR ENGLAND RUGBY FACEBOOK The England Rugby Facebook page (www.facebook.com/OfficialEnglandRugby) has passed the one million fan milestone, reflecting the growing interest in the team as well as the work that has gone into building a strong England Rugby community on the platform over several years. Not only does the page help connect fans to the senior England team but it also offers additional coverage of England Women’s and age-grade sides as well as RFU community rugby activities. Facebook, together with similar social media platforms, helps England Rugby reach a new younger audience with 45% of those who like the page aged 24 and below. 2 TOUCHLINE – JUNE/JULY 2014 SUPERMARINE’S SPREADERS PIXIE PRESIDENT Teresa Bickell, or Pixie as she is better known, joined TAKES CHARGE Supermarine ladies as a teenager in 1993, just three seasons after the ladies section was formed and as GARETH MILLS she reached her 20th year at the club she was elected Tony Spreadbury has been appointed RFU Head of President at their recent AGM. Professional Game Match Officials having led the referees’ She has been both a captain and a vice captain at the department this season.