TOUCHLINE The Official Newspaper of The RFU May 2014 Issue 168 EUROPEAN CLUB RUGBY FUTURE SECURED The new deal on European club rugby signed by all nine “The RFU, and in particular Ian Ritchie, has invested significant stakeholders underlined their commitment to an invigorated time over the last few months in helping to find a solution to a competition meeting all the parties’ requirements. It is a problem that at one stage looked difficult to solve. We are very truly meritocratic tournament, with appropriate division of pleased that the challenges off the pitch are concluded so we finances, underpinned by a long-term agreement and strong can enjoy the joys of the game on it, creating more unforgettable governance, starting in the 2014/2015 season. memories for players and fans alike.” It features three cross-border club competitions: RFU CEO Ian Ritchie said: “This is an excellent outcome for all the European Rugby Champions Cup, the European concerned, most importantly the players and supporters who have Rugby Challenge Cup and a new competition called the made European rugby what it is today. This equitable, long term Qualifying Competition. agreement will provide the platform for rugby union to continue to RFU Chairman Bill Beaumont CBE said: “The benefits will be expand across Europe, increasing interest and involvement in the seen far and wide, from the clubs to the supporters, sponsors game at all levels. and everyone who has followed the fabulous mix of high “I would like to credit all parties, including BT and Sky Sports, class rugby and good natured rivalry - all played out in many for their efforts in reaching an agreement for the benefit of the spectacular towns and cities in Europe. competition and the future of the sport.” Continued on page 2… EXETER LV= CUP CELEBRATIONS NICOL McCLELLAND Exeter Rugby Club chief executive and civic reception for the Chiefs and city centre chairman Tony Rowe OBE says his club’s roads were closed to allow the buses through LV= Cup celebration parade through the city the packed streets. Not since 2010, when was a “fantastic occasion”. Thousands lined the Chiefs gained promotion into the Aviva the streets as two vintage buses carried the Premiership with victory over Bristol, had Chiefs squad, coaches, management Exeter rugby fans witnessed such scenes. and directors from St James’ Park to the “The victory parade has been a fantastic Guildhall to celebrate the club lifting the occasion,” said Rowe. “Four years ago we had LV= Cup. one and I told the guys to make the most of Rob Baxter’s side landed their first major it because you won’t do it again. It was just silverware in the club’s 143-year history when brilliant to see all these people come along, they overcame rivals Northampton Saints and not just rugby fans. Winning a Cup is a 15-8 on their own Sandy Park turf. The Lord significant achievement and to do it at home Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Rachel Lyons, hosted a was a fairytale.” ENGLAND U18 EUROPEAN HAT-TRICK STEFAN CURTIS England Under 18s won their third consecutive FIRA/AER European Championship last month (April) beating Ireland 30-14 in Wronki, Poland. Two tries from England’s Man of the Tour Taylor Prell and one apiece from Lucas Slowik and Josh Bainbridge set England on the road to victory, while Harry Mallinder added ten points with the boot. Club/Pinnacle Rugby pic Exeter credit Head Coach John Fletcher said: “We’re pleased to get the win, and I did think that we were the better side, particularly in the second half – but huge credit to Ireland, they made it extremely difficult. Our lads are a tight-knit group and it bodes well for the future. We’ve had a great tour in Poland, they want the game to grow and this tournament will have helped that. We’ve enjoyed every minute, which is what it’s all about.” England kicked off the tournament with a ten-try 62-5 win against Portugal, setting up a semi-final clash against Wales. In a rainswept Pobiedziska, England had to work hard for a tense 11-9 win against the Welsh, with replacement No. 10 Harry Mallinder – son of Northampton Saints Director of Rugby, Jim – slotting the crucial penalty. TOUCHLINE – MAY 2014 1 Continued from page 1 EUROPEAN CLUB RUGBY FUTURE SECURED An association in Switzerland, European The Qualifying Competition will comprise each of the leagues – namely the TOP 14, with a guaranteed minimum distribution for Professional Club Rugby (EPCR), will between 8 and 12 teams from Tier 2 Premiership Rugby and PRO 12. the clubs from the Pro12 in years 1-5. organise and manage the Cup Competitions. countries and Italian clubs as agreed by Competitions will be under the aegis of the BT and Sky have reached an agreement in Twenty clubs will qualify through their EPCR & FIRA-AER. IRB and run according to the IRB Laws and principle concerning the European Rugby league finishing positions from the preceding EPCR will be managed through a Board Regulations. A working party will discuss Champions Cup and the European Rugby season, with the play-off over two dates of Directors representing all parties and an and propose the principles of an integration Challenge Cup competitions, both being and the competition taking place over nine Executive Committee, with an Independent of European competitions within an all- broadcast jointly by BT Sport and Sky weekends. The Pool phase, in three blocks of Chairman. The EPCR Executive will comprise encompassing European rugby framework. Sports. The pool matches would be shared two weekends, will be completed by the end the Independent Chairman, Director-General, Equal distribution of funds will see a third equally, each showing two quarter-finals, of January, the final taking place at the latest who will manage the day-to-day operations, go to TOP 14 teams, a third to Premiership one semi-final and the final broadcast by on the first weekend of May. and three voting representatives, one from Rugby teams and a third to PRO 12 teams, both live. SPORTS GOGGLES FOR U13s & BELOW In response to concerns raised regarding the prohibition of Do not substantially restrict any normal field of vision and are sports goggles in all contact rugby at all ages, the RFU has suitable for use in evasion contact sports been liaising closely with the Association of British Dispensing Do not constitute a physical danger to the player or other players Opticians to develop a practical solution for younger players (c) The match referee is entitled to object to the player who are not able to wear contact lenses. wearing the sports goggles if the referee reasonably The RFU has introduced a trial in England to enable players believes that they are unsafe. Clubs must notify the at the Under 13 age grade and below to wear sport goggles RFU Legal Officer of all players participating in the trial by dispensed under professional supervision. This trial is a variation emailing [email protected] of the RFU’s current regulations prohibiting goggles in contact (d) Clubs must report any injuries caused as a result of the sports rugby. The trial has commenced already and will last until the end goggles to the RFU Community Medical Team by emailing of the 2014-15 season, when the position will be reviewed. [email protected] and the player’s parents Those playing contact rugby at Under 13 and below can now must report the injury to the ABDO dispensing optician who RUGBY FANS wear specially designed and manufactured sports goggles prescribed the goggles. subject to the following conditions (all of which must be met): Opticians registered with the Association of British Dispensing (a) The sports goggles must be dispensed by a registered Opticians will be listed on the General Optical Council’s list TOGETHER dispensing optician who is a member of the Association of of registered members available at http://www.optical.org/. Tournament organisers ER2015 are keen to give clarity around British Dispensing Opticians* (“ABDO”) Please check the list by inserting the name of the individual any speculation in recent media concerning fans and where (b) The player must have written confirmation from the ABDO optician or opticians practice. they sit at the World Cup matches. “We have never and will dispensing optician that the sports goggles: Are required never have any plans to separate or segregate fans at RWC to correct the vision of the player or are required to protect Any queries or further clarification and guidance in relation 2015. Rival fans sitting together is what makes rugby special, the player’s eyes due to a medical condition, to enable the should be directed to the local Constituent Body or Alys Lewis and we would never seek to change that,” said a spokesperson. playing of rugby union on [email protected]. SAFEGUARDING OFFICER DONNA BRINGS AWARD TO WORTLEY CHRIS HUDSON Wortley RUFC has put a huge amount of effort and resource Wortley’s Secretary Steve Brown said: “Donna has never into its mini/junior section, earning the Dennis Cobbold had to be asked to do anything – she has thought about it Memorial Shield, awarded annually by the Yorkshire RFU to first and is doing it. She volunteered to take on the role of the club whose mini/junior section has been outstanding in Safeguarding Officer and has raised the profile of this issue providing a safe and secure environment in which young people within the club and encouraged others in the role. Donna is can develop and play the game.