England's Tom Varndell in action at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne

England will face Australia in the pool stages of the Rugby Sevens at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi in what coach Ben Ryan describes as “the tastiest match in the qualifying round”. The 2006 silver medallists have been placed in Pool D with the Wallabies, Namibia and Sri Lanka for the tournament that takes place on October 11 and 12 this year. England were beaten 29-21 in the Melbourne final four years ago when New Zealand claimed their third gold medal following their wins at Manchester (2002) and Kuala Lumpur (1998).

“It brings it all to life now the draw has been made and it will concentrate our minds on the task in hand and what we need to do over the two days to finish top of the pile at the Commonwealth Games,” said England Sevens head coach Ryan.

“Over the years we’ve had the upper hand against Australia but this season just gone they’ve put together a side equal to any in the world. The scoreline from the last IRB Sevens World Series reads won two, lost two, drawn one which shows you how tight it’s been. It’s going to be an absolute ding-dong in Delhi and it’s the tastiest match-up in the qualifying round.

“It’s also good to be playing sides we haven’t met before in the pool stages. We’ve never played Namibia before as far as I know and last played Sri Lanka a couple of years ago in Hong Kong.

“One of the most exciting things is being part of a larger Team England. Building relationships, seeking advice and sharing knowledge with other sports is something we’ve been doing for a while and to be able to go to the Commonwealth Games with them all will be a great experience.”

New Zealand are in Pool A, where they will face opening matches against World Series regulars Scotland and Canada as well as Caribbean champions Guyana.

South Africa, the 2002 bronze medallists, head Pool B and face opening ties against Wales, Tonga and the host nation India.

IRB Sevens World Series champions Samoa top Pool C and take on Kenya, Uganda and Papua New Guinea.

England will announce their training squad for the Commonwealth Games later this month.

Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens, October 11-12

• Pool A: New Zealand, Scotland, Canada, Guyana
• Pool B: South Africa, Wales, Tonga, India
• Pool C: Samoa, Kenya, Uganda, Papua New Guinea
• Pool D: England, Australia, Namibia, Sri Lanka

Onwards and upwards for England

Rob Andrew has saluted the leadership of Steve Borthwick and hailed the arrival of England’s new generation. On the day the England Elite Player Squads were announced, the RFU’s Elite Rugby Director told the RFU Podcast, “Steve’s done a fantastic job in a difficult period of rebuilding. “He carried himself and the England team well and it was a very tough call (to leave him out of the senior squad).”

With Borthwick recovering from injury, the door opened for the likes of Dave Attwood and Courtney Lawes to shine and Andrew added, “We’ve tried hard to create real competition and strength in depth. With so many young players coming through, all the players know they have to perform to hang on to their shirt.”

There have been 11 changes to the EPS announced in January, including the elevation of Attwood and Dan Cole and addition of Lawes, whilst Borthwick has been included in the England Saxons EPS.

England’s five-match Australasia tour included three midweek matches. “Those midweek matches were just as important – if not more so – that the Test matches because they gave that next level of player the chance to play in some very competitive games,” added Andrew.

The England Podcast can be downloaded here

Wales' sevens coach - Paul John

John, who coached Wales to their Rugby World Cup Sevens triumph in Dubai in 2009, is all set to travel to the four corners of the country next week in a bid to spread the gospel of the small sided game ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

He will deliver technical and skills sessions to more than 100 PE professionals keen to use sevens within the school curriculum and will give them a unique insight into what it was like to coach a World Cup winning side, how competitive the IRB World Series has become and how excited he is to be taking a Welsh team to New Delhi.

“The Commonwealth Games is a major international competition and I’m sure everyone will want to play. Those players who helped Wales win the Plate final in Melbourne four years ago all said what a wonderful experience it was to be part of such a massive sporting event,” said John.

Wales hit back in the second half of the Plate final to pip South Africa29-28 with one of Wales’ 2008 Grand Slam heroes James Hook playing a key role with one of his side’s five tries and two conversions.

“We will be training in August and are hoping to go to the Middlesex Sevens and arrange some practice matches with the Scottish and English squads. We are currently looking to finalise our squad and we have a solid base to build on from last season’s World Series,” added John.

“We scored 10 more points in the series and moved up to ninth place, so we showed some progression with a new squad. The Commonwealth Games tournament will attract massive publicity and it will be a real showcase event for the players.

“The sevens game is getting bigger and bigger on the world stage and in 2016 is set to be included in the Olympic Games for the first time. That has meant countries like Russia have really taken a new look at the sport and the IRB World Series gets stronger and stronger every season.

“We have been drawn in a tough Pool with the South Africans and Tongans, but it will be a great opportunity for the Welsh players to prove themselves on a major stage.”

John’s ‘Sevens Road Show’ will begin in Conway on Monday, 5 July before moving on to the four Welsh regions.

“The WRU sees Sevens rugby as a valuable tool in the development of rugby players of all levels. The players-to-space ratio in Sevens hones not only players’ fitness levels, but increases game awareness, decision-making, and improves skills and precision both in attack and defence,” said John.

“With Rugby Sevens an Olympic sport for 2016, we are constantly looking to improve the standard and competitiveness of our Sevens players, while sevens also provides a great platform to improve skills and technical ability for the 15-a-side game.”

It was a try from the then fledgling James Hook that helped Wales pip South Africa 29-28 to clinch the Plate at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games four years ago and since then he has gone on to help Wales win the Grand Slam in 2008, play for the British & Irish Lions and play for the Ospreys in a Magners League Grand Final victory.

“Sevens certainly benefitted my game hugely in both attack and defence. It gives you a great awareness of space, and gives you the confidence to take on and beat players,” said Hook

“Once you have done that in international sevens, you know you can do it in the 15-a-side game. From a defensive point of view, it’s similar to the senior international game – if you miss one tackle, players are under the post scoring a try against you so your defensive skills improve too.”

Reigning Commonwealth Games champions New Zealand, who have won all three previous gold medals, have been drawn with Scotland, Canada and the Caribbean champions Guyana in Pool A.

They have included flying wing Hosea Gear, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the New Zealand Maoris’ win over England recently, and the star of the IRB Junior World Championships, Julian Savea, in their squad for India.

The recently crowned IRB World Series champions, Samoa, head Pool C, where they will be joined by Kenya, Uganda and Papua New Guinea, while the silver medallists in Melbourne four years ago, England, head Pool D with Australia, Namibia and Sri Lanka.

England team manager Martin Johnson

England today named the 32-man Senior and Saxons Elite Player Squads for the 2010/11 season.

The changes made to the Senior EPS since the last announcement in January include the elevation of forwards David Attwood, George Chuter, Dan Cole, Paul Doran-Jones, Hendre Fourie and Tom Palmer. The backs promoted are Chris Ashton, David Strettle, Mike Tindall, Dominic Waldouck and Ben Youngs.

Players who appeared in the 2010 RBS 6 Nations stepping down into the Saxons EPS include Steve Borthwick, who led the side against Wales, Italy, Ireland and Scotland, Ugo Monye, Mathew Tait and Louis Deacon.

England Team Manager Martin Johnson said: “This was undoubtedly the most difficult EPS selection we’ve had to make in my time in the job. I think we’ve picked the best players and the fact that some experienced guys have missed out goes to show the depth we’ve now got.

“Leaving Steve Borthwick out was a very hard decision. He’s done a fantastic job for England over the last couple of years and it’s the most difficult call we’ve had to make. It is very tough on Steve but it goes to show the depth of talent we’ve got in that area.

“We want to build on what we’ve done this summer and a Southern Hemisphere tour that was hugely beneficial and a really positive experience for the group. We were able to give lots of opportunities to players and expose them to a high level of rugby.”

New faces who have won call-ups to the Saxons EPS are forwards Jon Golding, Luke Narraway, Geoff Parling and Tom Wood, and backs Anthony Allen, Charlie Hodgson and James Simpson-Daniel.

England have a week’s training camp at Twickenham from August 8 and four Investec Internationals this autumn against New Zealand (November 6), Australia (November 13), Samoa (November 20), South Africa (November 27).

ENGLAND EPS

Forwards

• David Attwood (Gloucester Rugby)
• George Chuter (Leicester Tigers)
• Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
• Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
• Paul Doran-Jones (Gloucester Rugby)
• Nick Easter (Harlequins)
• Hendre Fourie (Leeds Carnegie)
• Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
• James Haskell (Stade Francais)
• Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
• Lewis Moody (Bath Rugby)
• Tom Palmer (Stade Francais)
• Tim Payne (London Wasps)
• Simon Shaw (London Wasps)
• Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks)
• Steve Thompson (Leeds Carnegie)
• David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
• Joe Worsley (London Wasps)

Backs

• Delon Armitage (London Irish)
• Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints)
• Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
• Danny Care (Harlequins)
• Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
• Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)
• Riki Flutey (London Wasps)
• Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)
• Shontayne Hape (Bath Rugby)
• David Strettle (Saracens)
• Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby)
• Dominic Waldouck (London Wasps)
• Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
• Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

ENGLAND SAXONS EPS

Forwards

• Steffon Armitage (London Irish)
• Duncan Bell (Bath Rugby)
• Steve Borthwick (Saracens)
• Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
• Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers)
• Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers)
• Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)
• Jon Golding (Newcastle Falcons)
• Lee Mears (Bath Rugby)
• Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
• Luke Narraway (Gloucester Rugby)
• Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
• Tom Rees (London Wasps)
• Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
• Andy Saull (Saracens)
• Dan Ward-Smith (London Wasps)
• Rob Webber (London Wasps)
• Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Backs

• Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby)
• Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers)
• Brad Barritt (Saracens)
• Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints)
• Alex Goode (Saracens)
• Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers)
• Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
• Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks)
• Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
• Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)
• Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
• James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester Rugby)
• Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks)
• Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)

Director of Rugby Russell Earnshaw has secured the signatures of no less than nine new forwards, spearheaded by two Tongans, prop Nglau Tau and backrow forward Semisi Taulava. The imposing Taulau, who was a classmate at school with Leo Halavatau, has made a big impact for National 2 Division side Worthing Raiders and is an exciting prospect. The veteran ex Doncaster Knights prop Tau cuts an imposing figure at 6ft tall and with a 24 inch collar size.

The front row has been further strengthened with the recruitment of prop Rob Dugard, who has been with the Bath Academy and most latterly Coventry and two hookers – Dan Oselton and Ben Gerry.

A familiar name to many Bees fans already, 28 year old Ben previously played in the backrow but has developed into a formidable No.2 over the last two years at Stourbridge, where he skippered the side. Prior to his first spell with the Bees he was part of the squad at Welford Road as well as spending a season with Bristol.

Catterick-born Dan Oselton joins from Moseley and already has England U18 and English Universities representative honours to his name.

At lock, on the recommendation of Pete Bucknall, the Bees have signed Alex Ball (21) from Leeds. The Barnsley-born highly rated-prospect is equally at home as a blindside flanker. He will be partnered in the second row by 22 year old product of the Bath Academy Adrian Griffiths, who has been coached by Russell Earnshaw at Sevens level and has also featured at England U18s and English Students levels.

Former Bees favourite Chris Brightwell makes a welcome return to the Club after a brief spell at Bedford. Able to play at either flanker or No.8, Brightwell was an integral part of the England Sevens side in the most recent IRB series.

He will joined in the backrow by Mike Denbee, an ex Plymouth Albion flanker who spent last season playing for Spanish premiership side Club de Rugby La Vila, near Alicante and Rupert Cooper from Stourbridge.

In the backs, the Club has recruited two specialist fly halves – Sam Robinson and George Crook. Sam Robinson (24) is a highly promising prospect who has had a spell at Worcester and, most recently at Stourbridge. Sam has represented England at U16, U18 and U21 levels.

A product of Bromsgrove School, he has come to the Bees on the back of strong recommendations from both Jim Jenner and Nigel Redman. Vying with him for the No.10 shirt is another exciting prospect George Crook, two years behind Sam Robinson at the same school. Crook has been part of the Worcester Warriors set up and was on loan to Coventry last season.

The Grove family’s association with the Club has been further extended by the recruitment of Centre/Wing Ollie Grove from Worcester. Out on loan from Sixways at Coventry last year, Ollie is the younger brother of ex-Bee Alex and like his brother has achieved representative honours with Scotland – in the case of Ollie at U21 level.

Ben Barkley, who featured in the Midlands Team of the Year for last season also joins the Bees at Centre from Stourbridge.

In addition to the new signings, the Bees squad will also benefit from a tie up with Northampton Saints, which will see a number of their academy players featuring during the forthcoming season.

Commenting on the announcement, Russell Earnshaw said, “Working within our budget parameters, we have made some excellent signings who are all bought into what we are trying to achieve. In a number of cases, players have come on the back of recommendations from people who know what we are about.”

He added, “The new recruitment programme has brought the current squad up to 28 players, so there are still 3-4 players to be added yet until we are up to full strength. Our pre season preparations have started this week and we have three pre-season friendlies already lined up in August against Pontypridd, Carmarthen Quinns and Cardiff RC, ahead of the Championship opener away at Worcester on the 28th August.”

NZRPA CEO Rob Nichol also welcomes the formal agreement

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) have signed a new Collective Employment Agreement for professional rugby players in New Zealand from 2010 to 2012.

Formal signing of the agreement follows the December announcement that they had reached agreement on the major issues raised during collective bargaining, and detailed contract drafting and ratification by the NZRU Board, Provincials Unions, Franchises and the NZRPA members and its Board.

As signalled last year, the new Collective Agreement includes:

• an on-going commitment by all parties to work in partnership to ensure the growth and success of New Zealand rugby
• the continuation of the revenue sharing model at a revised level,
• the introduction of a new player contracting and payment model that will see:
  • Super Rugby Franchises (working in conjunction with the NZRU) directly contracting Super Rugby players to their squads (regardless of which Province they choose to play for);
  • Super Rugby Squads expanded to between 30 and 32 players with an ability to include two overseas players subject to certain criteria and NZRU approval from 2011 onwards;
  • Provincial Unions subject to a revised Salary Cap model that includes a cap on what any individual player can be paid by a Province
• the incorporation of the new format for the Super Rugby and ITM Cup domestic competition from 2011; and
• confirmation of initiatives relating to Players at Provincial Union and academy levels being unable to assemble for rugby requirements between the hours of 9am and 5pm outside of the competition period and required as part of their contract to undertake some form of meaningful work and / or study.

The new agreement replaces the existing Collective Agreement and is effective from 1 January 2010.

NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen welcomed the new agreement as a significant milestone for professional rugby in New Zealand which, when taken together with the new broadcasting arrangements and the extension of the adidas contract through to 2019, will provide the professional game with a significant amount of certainty about the future.

“It has taken significant work to get here but there has been tremendous goodwill and effort by all those involved. Today marks the culmination of that work from players, the NZRPA, Provincial Unions, Franchises and the NZRU.

“The new agreement is one that achieves a positive result for the New Zealand rugby community at large. The NZRU and Players can be proud of it as the agreement positively reflects the strength of the relationship we have with our professional players. We are confident it will provide a basis for the sustainability of Professional Rugby at all levels of the game,” Mr Sorensen said.

NZRPA CEO Rob Nichol also welcomed the formal agreement noting that it dealt with a number of challenging issues.

“The Agreement provides a level of certainty around the competitions and the overall contracting model that will provide a better platform for the game to move forward.

“The Players are proud of the results the process and final agreement has produced for rugby in New Zealand but we know we still have on-going challenges and opportunities to address to ensure rugby’s long term growth and success. We will now look forward to some exciting competitions, performances and success stories on the field and working with New Zealand rugby to ensure the game’s health off it.” Mr Nichol said.

The squad will be led by co-captains Sonia Green and Michaela Staniford. Both are experienced 7s specialists with Wasps wing Staniford involved in last year’s Rugby World Cup 7s campaign in Dubai, which saw England win the Plate.

Co-Captain Michaela Staniford

England will be coached by Barry Maddocks and Susie Appleby. Head Coach Maddocks said: “We have got a nice blend of experience and up and coming players in this squad. Both Sonia and Michaela are proven 7s players and they will lead the team well while the likes of Fran Matthews and Kim Oliver are England regulars. This will also be a great opportunity for the likes of Hannah Field and Rose Fong from the England Under 20s. Although this is our one and only 7s tournament of the season we are determined to retain our title.”

In the pool stages, England will play Sweden, Italy and Germany on Saturday July 10th. They will also play France on Sunday 11th in the final pool match before the knock out stages commence that day.

England 7s

• Sonia Green ~ Saracens
• Gemma Sharples ~ Worcester
• Michaela Staniford ~ Wasps
• Hannah Field ~ Wasps
• Sarah Guest ~ Worcester
• Georgina Roberts Darlington ~ Mowden Park Sharks
• Jennifer Edwards Darlington ~ Mowden Park Sharks
• Francesca Mathews ~ Richmond
• Kimberley Oliver ~ Bristol
• Rose Fong Darlington ~ Mowden Park Sharks

Winn rejoins Pirates

The Cornish Pirates have confirmed that centre Steve Winn will be making a quick return to the club, having been offered and having signed a new contract.

Bridgend born, the former Wales A and Gwent Dragons player, aged 32, has been involved playing rugby since the introduction of professionalism.

An experienced performer, who first joined the Pirates in 2006 and has played over 100 games for the club, Steve joyously touched down the first of two tries scored by the Pirates against Munster in the British & Irish Cup final.

Parks, who won three RBS 6 Nations Man of the Match awards during the 2010 Six Nations Championship on his return to the Scotland team, steered the Warriors to their highest ever finish in the Magners League and the inaugural semi-final play-offs.

During the season, Parks became the first player to top 1000 points in the Magners League and he also surpassed 1500 points for the Warriors – another record.

Today Dan said: “I am delighted to receive such an award and It is humbling to have received it ahead of so many other cracking players that have stood out this year. I am sad to be leaving the Warriors having loved every minute of my seven years and I wish the team all the best for the future.”

Warriors chief executive Kenny Baillie added: “Glasgow Warriors thank Dan for his contributions and tireless efforts over the last seven years and we wish him all the best as he heads off to take on a new challenge at Cardiff Blues.”

Two other awards were presented at the party, paying tribute to some of the club’s highest achievers.

A breathtaking try from Hefin O’Hare against Leinster in Dublin secured the Welsh-born winger the Try of the Season award.

The final award went to prop Jon Welsh, who was named Breakthrough Player of the Year. Welsh, a recruit from GHA who went on to feature in almost every game this term, also won his first Scotland A cap against Tonga at Netherdale last November.

Head coach Sean Lineen and his Glasgow Warriors will look forward to building on this season’s success. During the close season they will move into their new training facilities at Scotstoun in Glasgow’s west end and four new signings have been recruited – centre Alex Dunbar, stand-off Duncan Weir, lock Aly Muldowney and flanker Chris Fusaro.

Baillie continued: “With our move to Scotstoun imminent, and the excellent training and medical facilities on-site, I believe that we will remain competitive in season 2010/11 and beyond.

“At the end of the season, on behalf of captain Al Kellock and the players and coaches, I want to thank all our supporters for the tremendous atmosphere that they have created both at Firhill and on the road.

“It would be great to build on that for next season. Season tickets are on sale now and I can’t wait to welcome supporters back to Firhill in August.”

Speaking on the announcement, Wasps Director of Rugby Tony Hanks said, “Tom had a very difficult season coming through two shoulder operations and working extremely hard to return to play before the close of the season. Whilst he enjoyed some strong form on his return, injuries of this nature need continual monitoring and a summer spent strengthening the shoulder will be hugely beneficial and ensure prevention of further damage. We all know Tom is a player who gives 100% to everything that he does, and whilst he is disappointed not to tour, he will continue the hard work demonstrated this season to ensure he can lead the team through the pre-season period in preparation for 2010/11.”