Ben Gollings in fine form for England Sevens

England beat South Africa 21-7 to win the plate at the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens.

It was only the second time England had beaten the Boks in sevens on South African soil in what was a hyper-competitive plate competition.

England had to bounce back from their cup loss against winners New Zealand to beat Australia 24-5 in the plate semi final.

The last time an England side had beaten a South Africa side on their home patch was in 2003, but with Christian Wade (London Wasps), Worcester’s Jake Abbott, Ben Gollings (Gold Coast) and Isoa Damudamu (British Army) in inspired form Ben Ryan’s side ground out an impressive win, the biggest defeat Paul Treu’s side had faced in 80 matches.

England add 12 points to their World Series tally which puts them in third place behind Fiji and New Zealand respectively after reaching the Dubai cup semi final earlier this month.

England: Jake Abbott (Worcester Warriors), Kevin Barrett (capt, Saracens), Chris Brightwell (Birmingham & Solihull), Dan Caprice (Blackheath RFC), Chris Cracknell (Unattached), Isoa Damudamu (British Army), Ben Gollings (Gold Coast, Australia), Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby), James Rodwell (Moseley RFC), Nick Royle (Fylde RFC), Matt Turner (Bristol Rugby), Christian Wade (London Wasps)

England Sevens Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens results:

• December 11, England 42-0 Tunisia
• December 11, England 17-7 Argentina
• December 11, Scotland 19-29 England
• December 12, cup quarter final England 19-22 New Zealand
• December 12, plate semi final England 24-5 Australia
• December 12, plate final England 21-7 South Africa

Coach John Fletcher was always confident that his side had the talent to test the visitors and they fulfilled all his expectations in holding the whip-hand from the moment full-back Jonathan Joseph (London Irish) crossed for the opening try and fly-half Jake Sharp (Saracens) converted.

Sharp claimed the second after 19 minutes and converted his own score for a 14-0 lead and while Australian centre Matthew Garland cut the deficit with a 29th minute try to raise the visitors’ morale and make the interval scoreline 14-5.

However, a third try from wingman Earl Collins (Worcester Warriors) on 40 minutes opened up the lead once again, although once again the tourists refused to concede the struggle and rallied with a try by flanker Jack de Guingand that scrum-half and captain Matthew Lucas converted to bring his side within a score at 19-12.

Sharp then steadied the home team’s nerves with a penalty before leaving the field as a precaution ahead of an outing on the Saracens bench against Castres on Friday, but Joseph had the last word when he crossed for the final try after 68 minutes.

A cameo moment for the hosts came when 16-year-old replacement centre Mark Jennings from Lymm High School and Sale Sharks took the field when the management elected to use all their replacements.

The tourists now stay in the North West to prepare for their next game, an international against England Under 18s at Sale FC’s Heywood Road headquarters on Sunday (2pm), when coach Fletcher will once again be in charge.

“The game was very tough, physical battle,” said Fletcher: “We lacked precision at times and it was a bit scrappy but for us to score four tries against opposition of that calibre after only half a day’s preparation was a pretty good effort,” said Fletcher. “So far as the tourists are concerned, they compete well for the ball and they are very dangerous in broken play situations, as you would expect.”

England U19 Regional Academies 27 (Tries: Joseph 2, Sharp, Collins. Con: Sharp 2. Pen: Sharp) Australia Schools 12 (Tries: Garland, De Guingand. Con: Lucas)

England Academies squad: forwards: Harry Allen (Saracens), Pete Austin (London Irish), Ryan Bower (Leicester Tigers), Matt Everard (Leicester Tigers), Ben Glynn (Bristol Rugby), Tom Hicks (Northampton Saints), Sam Jones (London Wasps), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Jethro Rawling (Leicester Tigers), Ollie Steadman (Leeds Carnegie), Henry Thomas (Sales Sharks), Mako Vunipola (Bristol Rugby). Backs: Tommy Bell (Sales Sharks), Earl Collins (Worcester Warriors), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Ryan Glynn (Sales Sharks), Mark Jennings (Sale Sharks), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), Jake Sharp (Saracens), Andy Short (Worcester), Sam Stuart (Harlequins), Marcus Watson (London Irish).

Kevin Barrett in action for England Sevens

Kevin Barrett has been named captain for the Emirates Airline Dubai and South Africa Sevens (Dec 4-5 & 11-12).

After helping his club Saracens beat World Champions South Africa, 24-23 last month, the England scrum half will take the lead from last season’s IRB Sevens Player of the Year Ollie Phillips (Stade Francais).

Last season Barrett also helped England to win the cup trophies at the Wellington and London legs of the IRB Sevens World Series.

This Friday England will take on Russia, USA and Kenya on day one and Barrett is looking forward to leading his team to the field.

“I’m really excited. Ben (Ryan) gave me the news the other day and I felt very privileged but we have lots of leaders in this team like Ben Gollings (Gold Coast), Chris Cracknell, Isoa Damudamu (British Army) and James Rodwell (Moseley RFC) so I’m hoping I can call on all of them.” said Barrett.

England have been training hard since arriving in Dubai last week and this season Ryan welcomes the likes of U20s speedster Christian Wade (London Wasps) to his side as well as the return of Dan Caprice (Blackheath) and Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby).

Continued Barrett, “We have benefitted from coming out a bit earlier this year and today’s training session was one of the best we’ve had since we arrived.

“I’ve been playing sevens for a while now but to go out as captain on Friday will be a proud moment and I’m really looking forward to it.”

“Kev has been an integral part of the squad for the last two seasons and deserves the captaincy, he’s a model professional and an outstanding player.” concluded Ryan.

England Sevens squad for Dubai and South Africa

Jake Abbott (Worcester Warriors)

Kevin Barrett (capt, Saracens)

Chris Brightwell (Birmingham & Solihull)

Dan Caprice (Blackheath RFC)

Chris Cracknell (Unattached)

Isoa Damudamu (British Army)

Ben Gollings (Gold Coast, Australia)

Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby)

James Rodwell (Moseley RFC)

Nick Royle (Fylde RFC)

Matt Turner (Bristol Rugby)

Christian Wade (London Wasps)

Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens fixtures:

December 4, England v USA, kick off 10.04am local time (GMT+4)

December 4, England v Russia, kick off 1.40pm local time (GMT+4)

December 4, England v Kenya, kick off 6.52pm local time (GMT+4)

Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens fixtures:

December 11, England v Tunisia, kick off 12.04am local time (GMT +2)

December 11, England v Argentina, kick off 3.10pm local time (GMT +2)

December 11, Scotland v England, kick off 7.32pm local time (GMT +2)

The international match has been switched from the Vale Resort and will now be played at St Helen’s, Swansea, kicking off at 1pm.

Sweden will pose an early test for Wales as Lewis and his fellow coaches prepare for the forthcoming Six Nations Championship and then the World Cup.

The Swedes have also qualified for the World Cup where they have been grouped with France, Canada and Scotland whereas Wales face the daunting prospect of taking on New Zealand along with Australia and South Africa.

“We’re looking forward to the game. We’ve not played at Swansea before so that will be a new experience for the players,” said Lewis. “They have been working hard as a group since July and I’m hoping they can transfer a number of facets from the training pitch onto the field.

“There’s no doubt that just like in the men’s game, the ability to manage the contact area is vitally important. We have to be clinical in that area.”

He added Wales have applied new structures in attack while also incorporating a new defence system so the encounter against Sweden comes at an ideal time for the Welsh side which will be led out once again by Mel Berry.

Lewis is also keen that his side maintain a level of intensity which will be required for bigger challenges which lie ahead.

The World Cup may not be until August 2010, but the Welsh coach is already thinking of the bigger picture by giving hooker Becky Newton, fly-half Elinor Snowsill and winger Caryl James their international bows while another newcomer, backrower Lisa Newton, starts from the bench.

Wales vs Sweden – 28th Nov 09 – St Helens (KO 1pm)

• 1. Catrin Edwards (Cardiff Quins)
• 2. Becky Newton (Cardiff Quins)
• 3. Hannah Roberts (UWIC)
• 4. Gemma Hallett (Pontyclun)
• 5. Claire Donovan (Saracens)
• 6. Rachel Taylor (Cardiff Quins)
• 7. Catrina Nicholas (Cardiff Quins)
• 8. Mel Berry (capt) (Blaydon)
• 9. Amy Day (Bristol Ladies)
• 10. Elinor Snowsill (Loughborough)
• 11. Caryl James (Cardiff Quins)
• 12. Clare Flowers (Bristol Ladies)
• 13. Rachel Poolman (UWIC)
• 14. Lou Rickard (Woodbridge)
• 15. Non Evans (Cardiff Quins)

Replacements

• 16. Jenny Davies (Waterloo)
• 17. Claire Horgan (Saracens)
• 18. Louise Horgan (Saracens)
• 19. Lisa Newton (UWIC)
• 20. Laura Prosser (Cardiff Quins)
• 21. Awen Thomas (Unattached)
• 22. Aimee Young (UWIC)

The majority of the selected players were involved in the side last season with only four players, Cory Hill, Joseff Griffin, Callum Thomas and Harry Robinson (all Blues academy) hoping to get their first cap at this level.

Rhodri Jones and George North hail from Gwynedd and Anglesea respectively and will be desperate to run out in front of some local support if they get the nod next week.

King said, “It’s a great opportunity for all of us to be able to play against a national southern hemisphere side.

“As with the senior side, the more regular contact we have with these teams, the better. When these players come up against the same players at a later stage, they will be more confident having already met them.

“We are looking forward to playing at Parc Eirias. A number of players have come through our side from north Wales in recent years, such as James King and Joel Galley and it is important other young players from the region are able to watch top quality rugby and aspire to follow in those players’ footsteps. George North and Rhodri Jones played well for us last season having come through the North Wales Under 16 set-up. They have shown a great deal of commitment so far in their rugby careers in travelling to training and moving to Llandovery College and I’m sure they will relish the chance to play in front of a north Wales crowd. Their development shows the good work being done in north Wales.”

King believes Wales have every chance against the touring side.

“It’s a great one-off challenge. We competed well with an outstanding England side that put 40 points on South Africa last season and the Premiership experience gained by the majority of our players this season will have prepared them well for this game.”

The game will be the Australians’ third match of a seven-match tour of the UK and Ireland which kicks-off in Dublin on Friday (27 November) against Irish Schools and ends with a Test against England Under 18 on Saturday, 19 December.

An Australian Schools side, together with all three Ella brothers, played a North Wales side in Llandudno in 1977, winning 66-0.

King will name his team next Thursday before travelling to Colwyn Bay.

Wales Under 18 training squad:

Backs:

Tom Prydie (Ospreys/ Swansea), Dale Ford (Scarlets / Llanelli), Harry Robinson (Blues academy), Ben John (Ospreys / Aberavon), Jack Gadd (Exiles / Bristol), Eli Walker (Ospreys academy), George North (Scarlets academy), Lewis Robling (Dragons / Newbridge), Joseff Griffin (Blues academy), Aled Davies (Scarlets / Llanelli), Daniel Davies (Ospreys / Aberavon)

Forwards:

Rhodri Jones (Scarlets / Llandovery), Rowan Jenkins (Scarlets / Llanelli), Trystan Davies (Scarlets academy), Lewis Smout (Blues / Pontypridd), Ieuan Davies (Blues / Glamorgan Wanderers), Gareth Harvey (Ospreys / Aberavon), Macauley Cook (Blues / Pontypridd), Lloyd Peers (Ospreys / Bridgend), Cory Hill (Blues academy), Luke Hamilton (Scarlets academy), Edward Siggery (Scarlets / Llandovery), Thomas Young (Blues academy), Callum Thomas (Blues academy), Dan Baker (Ospreys academy), Ben Thomas (Ospreys / Aberavon)

Tickets for Wales U18 v Australia Schools XV are £7 for adults and £2 for Under 16s in the Grandstand and £5 for adults and free entry for Under 16s in the Terrace. Tickets are on sale at Colwyn Bay Leisure Centre and through Venue Cymru – www.venuecymru.co.uk and by calling 01492 872000.

Workington born, Mark joined Sale Sharks in 2000 and made his debut on the wing at Bristol in 2001. He has since been one of the most consistent wingers in the Premiership and is one of only three players to have scored over 50 tries (now stands at 67 tries in 137 games). One record Mark shares with Chris Oti is that in 2005 he scored a try in eight consecutive Premiership games.

Mark said, ” I have played all my professional rugby at Sale Sharks and want to finish my career here too. I have some great times and want to help Kingsley and Jason to bring more trophies to the club.”

However Mark has been keeping a watchful eye on his home county of Cumbria over the last few days and said, “I saw the footage of Cumbria on television last week whilst I was on England duty and all the landmarks I remember were completely under water. I then spoke to the Sharks Media Manager Dave Swanton, who has family connections up there whether there was any fund raising being done. Dave did some checking and said that the Cumbria Community Foundation, based in Cockermouth had set up the ‘Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund.’

Mark continued, “On my return to Manchester I asked Sharks CEO James Jennings if there was anything we could do as a club and we agreed that a bucket collection at the game against London Wasps on Friday would raise some much needed money and enhance the awareness about the flood victims plight.”

CEO James Jennings said, “Sale Sharks is the biggest Rugby Union Club in the North West and several players who have played for the Sharks are from Cumbria. We have fans who travel down from Cumbria to watch our games and when Mark approached me about holding a bucket collection, I instantly agreed. Our Jets and Members of the Supporters Club have volunteered to give up their time before the game and hopefully we can send a sizeable cheque to the flood victims straight after the game on Friday night.”

The address of the appeal is Cumbria Community Foundation, Dovenby Hall, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 0PN

Please write Cumbria Flood Recovery Fund on the back of your cheque.

The newly created British & Irish Cup, involving teams from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, kicked-off last next weekend. In this, the second of a series of regular Media Updates that will be issued to keep everyone up to date on the tournament, you can hear from Munster coach Anthony Foley, Bedford Blues coach Mike Rayer and Leinster Academy Director Colin McEntee about their first impressions of the new tournament. Please feel free to use any of this copy ahead of Round 2.

NENAGH NEXT STOP FOR MUNSTER

Munster are expecting a crowd of around 4,000 to roar them on in their first home game in the British & Irish Cup against Bristol in Nenagh on Friday night.

And Munster coach Anthony Foley is expecting an even bigger step up against the former Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership outfit than his young side experienced in their bonus point, 20-13 victory at Coventry on the opening weekend of the exciting new tournament.

“As a coach, I was very happy with the way the players acquitted themselves at Coventry – it was a step into the unknown for them and they handled the pressure very well,” said Foley.

“At this stage of the year these players are normally kicking their heels at the training ground, doing weights, drills and other skills work because of the Autumn internationals. So for them to have some meaningful, competitive action is fantastic.

“We didn’t really know what to expect from Coventry – or from our own team. They had to prepare for a team we knew little or nothing about, play at a venue they had never seen before and cope with the travelling.

“Mick Galwey, the former Munster captain, is part of our management team and he was likening the trip to our first away game in the Heineken Cup way back in November, 1995. There was a similar raw edge of excitement about the whole thing.

“Coventry were very competitive and very big and hard up front. They had a lovely outside half in Joe Carlisle and came back strongly at us in the second half.

“It was so different for the players playing against a side from England, rather than going up against players they know so well in another friendly against another Irish province.

“It was certainly a step up from that and we know that we will have to improve ahead of Friday’s fixture with Bristol. They had a good win at Neath, which is never an easy place to go, and will be looking to build on that.”

Nenagh Ormond RFC are celebrating their 125th anniversary this season and it will be the second time Munster have played a fixture at Ormond Park in recent years. They beat a Russian side in front of 3,000 fans before and are looking for similar backing against Bristol.

“With only one team to qualify for the semi-finals from each Pool it is vital to win your home games. That’s something we’ve learned over the years in the Heineken Cup,” said Foley, who skippered Munster to their first European triumph in Cardiff in 2006.

“Our Pool is particularly competitive with three English sides, Coventry, Bristol and Nottingham, as well as Neath and Heriot’s FP. We want to go as far as we can and the first target is to get out of this Pool.

“It’s going to be a great night at Nenagh and everyone connected with this team is looking forward to the next step in the British & Irish Cup.”

LONDON WELSH EXCITED ABOUT ‘COMING HOME’

You won’t find anyone at London Welsh taking their first truly competitive fixture in Wales for more than 20 years anything other than deadly seriously.

An opening day victory at Moseley, 38-27, was the perfect start to their campaign, but managing director John Taylor knows that will count for nothing at Aberavon on Friday night when they venture into ‘home’ territory for the first time.

“Because of our strong Welsh heritage and tradition we have agreed that we will target our two Welsh fixtures to try to show everyone that London Welsh is still a strong club,” said Taylor, who was one of the key components in the Exiles’ great sides of the seventies.

“I’ve been telling all the players what it used to be like travelling down to Wales to play in the old days. Over Easter we’d play Aberavon on the Saturday, Newport on the Monday and Pontypool on the Tuesday.

“The other big game was the Boxing day fixture with Llanelli at Stradey Park. They were great days for the club and the players and I think it is marvellous that the British & Irish Cup is giving the current squad the chance to play competitively in Wales once again.

“We’ll be putting out our best team possible and we know that it is going to take a huge effort to make it two out of two. Aberavon have got an exciting young side, are well coached and showed what they are capable of by beating Llanelli at Parc y Scarlets last weekend.

“For me, it will be nice to go back to the Talbot Athletic Ground and not have to worry about whether or not Omri Jones is going to try to take my head off or try to find a way to stop Max Wiltshire and Billy Mainwaring rampaging everywhere.

“This is a very important game for London Welsh and I believe the home fixture with Llanelli in the New Year will potentially be our biggest game at Old Deer Park this season.”

Skipper Nathan Bonner-Evans is unlikely to recover in time to lead the side, but two of the Wales World Cup Sevens winning side, Lee Beach and Aled Thomas, could well start.

Other familiar fasces to south Wales fans will be former Ospreys lock Mike Powell and centre Greg Evans, ex-Scarlets centre Paul Mackey, back row man Jon Mills, hooker Dan George and prop Dorian Williams, former Celtic Warriors scrum half Allen Chilten and ex-Dragons scrum half Rob Lewis.

“We still have a very strong Welsh contingent within our squad and this tournament is a huge opportunity for those players who have played regional rugby before to showcase their talents,” added Taylor.

“We know that the key to progressing in this competition is to pick up points on the road and we are targeting an away win at Aberavon.”

DEMPSEY SET FOR B&I CUP DEBUT

One of Leinster and Ireland’s modern greats, Girvan Dempsey, has been added to the Dubliner’s squad for their first home game in the British & Irish Cup against Cornish Pirates on Friday night.

The 33-year-old, 81 times capped full back will add some experience to a squad containing 13 Academy players which is aiming to follow up last weekend’s 16-13 away win at Plymouth Albion.

Leinster Academy Manager, Colin McEntee, was delighted at the grit shown by his side against the powerful English Championship outfit and is hoping for more of the same at Donnybrook.

“A number of the Academy players impressed and it was particularly pleasing to see that we were dominant up front. It was clear from watching our opponents in the B&I Cup that there weren’t going to be any easy games,” said McEntee.

“Winning away from home in any competition is no mean feat and we showed real grit to hang in there in the last few minutes. That was pleasing – as was the composure and maturity we displayed in the closing quarter to seal the win.

“With a few more players coming into the mix for Friday’s game we want to keep on improving. We know the Cornish Pirates are going to be tough opponents and the focus this week will be on driving forward.”

KING FULL OF PRAISE FOR HIS YOUNGSTERS

Aberavon coach Simon King is going to stick with his plan of investing in home spun youngsters as he tries to steer his side into the knock-out stages of the British & Irish Cup.

An opening day victory over arch-rivals Llanelli at Parc y Scarlets was achieved with seven Ospreys Academy players and 20 players out of the 22 who are from the Aberavon catchment areas.

“It was a great experience going down to Llanelli to play in a different tournament. There was a real edge to it and I believe that moving forward the British & Irish Cup is going to be a very good competition,” said King, who also coaches Wales Under 18.

“It was a real arm wrestle and the boot of Matthew Jarvis proved the difference as he kicked four penalties and a conversion in the 19-16 victory. I was really pleased with the way the youngsters stood up on the night.

“I truly believe that if the Regional Academies embrace this tournament then it will prove to be a great way for younger players to progress. It offers them a higher level of competition than they are used to in our Premiership and can help to move their game forward.

“We’ve got London Welsh next and that is going to be a great experience for us all. We’ve played them in pre-season friendlies in recent seasons, but this time it will be for real.

“They, like so many of the other teams in this tournament, are fully professional and that is going to give the players a marker by which to assess themselves.”

BEDFORD NOT BLUE AFTER OPENING DEFEAT

Bedford Blues coach Mike Rayer may have been concerned to see his side concede four tries in the first-half against Ulster Ravens at Ravenhill in their opening British & Irish Cup tie, but he was delighted at the whole experience.

“Ulster paid us the huge compliment of playing a really strong team and they dominated field position, territory and the scoreboard in the first half,” said Rayer.

“But for 45-50 minutes we were comfortable at their level and were competitive. That’s what pleased me most.

“It was a great experience for our players to have to get onto a plane and travel to a game and then play at a ground like Ravenhill. It really was something different and the tempo and pace at which they played was higher than anything we come up against in our own league.”

Having gone down to a 29-3 defeat in Ulster, Rayer’s Blues now switch their attentions, and colours, to the Scarlets of Llanelli. They were beaten 19-16 in their opening game at Parc y Scarlets by Aberavon and will be looking to similarly pick up their cup fortunes in round two.

“It’s going to be a big home fixture for us and there are plenty of links with Llanelli. They were the club who opened the floodlights at our ground and our President, Gareth Davies, is from Cefneithin,” added Rayer.

“Once again, we will know little or nothing about them, but that will give me the chance to assess my players capabilities of playing what they see in front of them.

“Llanelli have a long standing reputation for playing attractive rugby and we like to play a bit of rugby ourselves. It has all the makings of a great game.”

BRITISH & IRISH CUP

• POOL A: Cornish Pirates, Exeter Chiefs, Gael Force Leinster, Newport, Plymouth Albion,
• POOL B: Bristol Rugby, Coventry, Heriot’s, Munster, Neath, Nottingham
• POOL C: Aberavon, Bedford Blues, Llanelli, London Welsh, Moseley, Ulster
• POOL D: Ayr, Birmingham & Solihull, Cardiff, Doncaster Knights, Pontypridd, Rotherham Titans

ROUND 1 RESULTS

Friday, 20 November

• Pool A: Newport 21, Exeter Chiefs 14
• Pool B: Neath 11, Bristol Rugby 18, Coventry 13, Munster 20
• Pool C: Llanelli 16, Aberavon 19, Moseley 27, London Welsh 38, Ulster 29, Bedford Blues 3
• Pool D: Pontypridd 16, Cardiff 22 (played at Arms Park)

Saturday, 21 November

• Pool A: Plymouth Albion 13, Leinster 16
• Pool B: Heriot’s FP 0, Nottingham 5
• Pool D: Doncaster Knights 32, Ayr 7, Rotherham Titans 52, Birmingham & Solihull 10

Sunday, 22 November

• Pool A: Cornish Pirates 29, Gael Force 8

FIXTURES

ROUND TWO

Friday, 27 November

• Pool A: Leinster v Cornish Pirates (16:00), Newport v Plymouth Albion (19:30)
• Pool B: Coventry v Heriots FP (19:45), Munster v Bristol (19:30)
• Pool C: Aberavon v London Welsh (19:15), Moseley v Ulster (19:30)
• Pool D: Ayr v Rotherham Titans (20:00), Pontypridd v Doncaster Knights (19:30)

Saturday, 28 November

• Pool B: Exeter Chiefs v Gael Force (15:00)
• Pool C: Bedford Blues v Llanelli (15:00)
• Pool D: Birmingham & Solihull v Cardiff (14:00)

Sunday, 29 November

• Nottingham Rugby v Neath (15:00)

ROUND 3

Friday, 12 February

• Pool A: Newport v Gael Force (19:30)
• Pool C: Aberavon v Moseley (19:30), Llanelli v Ulster (19:15)

Saturday, 13 February

• Pool A: Exeter Chiefs v Leinster (15:00), Plymouth Albion v Cornish Pirates (15:00)
• Pool B: Munster v Nottingham
• Pool C: London Welsh v Bedford Blues (14:00)
• Pool D: Ayr v Birmingham & Solihull, Rotherham Titans v Pontypridd (14:00)

Sunday, 14 February

• Pool B: Heriots FP v Neath (14:00), Bristol Rugby v Coventry (13:00)
• Pool D: Doncaster Knights v Cardiff (15:00)

ROUND 4

Friday, 26 February

• Pool A: Leinster v Newport (15:00), Gael Force v Plymouth Albion (19:00)
• Pool C: Ulster v London Welsh (19:30)

Saturday, 27 February

• Pool B: Neath v Munster (14:00)
• Pool C: Bedford Blues v Aberavon (14:00), Llanelli v Moseley (14:30)
• Pool D: Ayr v Pontypridd (15:00), Cardiff v Rotherham Titans (14:30)

Sunday, 28 February

• Pool A: Cornish Pirates v Exeter Chiefs (14:00)
• Pool B: Bristol Rugby v Heriots FP (15:00), Nottingham v Coventry (15:00)
• Pool D: Doncaster Knights v Birmingham & Solihull

ROUND 5

Friday, 5 March

• Pool C: Moseley v Bedford Blues (19:30)

Saturday, 6 March

• Pool A: Plymouth Albion v Exeter Chiefs (15:00)
• Pool B: Munster v Heriots FP, Neath v Coventry (14:30)
• Pool D: Birmingham & Solihull v Pontypridd (15:00), Cardiff v Ayr (14:30), Rotherham Titans v Doncaster Knights (14:00)

Sunday, 7 March

• Pool A: Cornish Pirates v Newport (15:00), Gael Force v Leinster (19:00)
• Pool B: Nottingham v Bristol Rugby (15:00)
• Pool C: London Welsh v Llanelli (14:00)

Friday, 12 March

• Pool C: Ulster v Aberavon (19:30)

Semi-Finals: 24 April; Final: 15 May

THE CONCEPT

24 Teams

-12 English Championship clubs (Bedford, Birmingham & Solihull, Bristol Rugby, Cornish Pirates, Coventry, Doncaster Knights, Exeter Chiefs, London Welsh, Moseley, Nottingham, Plymouth Albion, Rotherham Titans)

- top 6 Welsh Principality Premiership clubs (Aberavon, Cardiff, Llanelli, Neath, Newport, Pontypridd)

- 3 Irish provinces (Munster, Leinster, Ulster)

- 3 Scottish teams – top two finishers in Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division 1 (champions Ayr and runners-up Heriot’s) and the Gael Force, a team drawn from Edinburgh and Glasgow and members of Scottish Rugby’s National Academy

Pool Stages

- 4 Pools of 6 playing once (5 matches)

- Pools based on travel/geography with the aim of maximising local interest and minimising cost to teams and supporters

- 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus point for either a) scoring 4 or more tries or b) losing by 7 points or less

- Pool matches scheduled for November 27 and 28, February 13, February 27, March 13 (all dates to be confirmed)

- Pool winners progress to knockout stage

Semi Finals and Final

- 4 Pool winners progress to semi finals and final

- Semi finals scheduled for April 24, final for May 15

England Women recorded their first victory over world champions New Zealand in eight years  in the Investec Challenge Double Header at Twickenham on Saturday with an impressive 10-3 win.

England, who last defeated the triple world champions in 2001, bounced back from a 16-3 defeat seven day ago to record the historic win just nine months before the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 in London.

The Red Roses, playing in front of a record crowd of 12,500, were in impressive form, scoring the only try of the match courtesy of skipper Catherine Spencer. The Bristol No.8, on her 50th cap, also went on to win the Investec Women of the Match award. Vice-captain Katy McLean also stoked over the conversion and a second half drop goal.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: “It’s brilliant to win here at Twickenham in front of our biggest ever crowd. Hopefully we have showed the people watching here today and watching on sky what a fantastic sport this is, and how skilful the women’s game is at this level too.

“We won this game because of our physicality, our defence was tremendous and we really believed in ourselves. Catherine Spencer today put on one of the great Twickenham performances. To come out and play as well as she did being captain and earning her 50th cap is amazing. She is a tremendous athlete and brilliant leader of this team.

“From here now the important thing is that we keep moving forward and improving. We know that winning the world cup is not a pipe dream anymore, we can do it and that is our goal for the next nine months.”

Just like seven days ago both New Zealand and England went into the match firing on all cylinders. The opening stages were tense with the tourists close to a score early on when Emily Scarratt’s clearance kick was charged down. Centre Rachael Burford was in support though and England were let off the hook.

New Zealand continued to dominate territory and went close to scoring after a good line-out deep in England’s 22 but they couldn’t get over the line and instead opted for the drop goal which fly-half Rebecca Mahoney stroked over after 12 minutes.

England continued to be clinical and after a good line-out which saw the ball passed through McLean and Burford, Wasps prop Claire Purdy made a tremendous break up-field. Winger Kat Merchant took it on with another great run on the left but was tackled to the ground. England retained possession and recycled the ball out into the midfield with flanker Heather Fisher then taking her chance. A clever ankle tap brought her down, but again England kept the momentum going through Amy Turner, McLean and then Spencer. Spencer then found the space to score. With McLean adding the conversion England went into a 7-3 lead with 25 minutes gone.

The pressure remained and New Zealand went close to scoring before the break but England held firm in defence and kept their lead going into half-time.

England immediately put the Black Ferns under pressure after the restart with a good kick-off that saw the tourists fail to collect the ball. England pounced on the loose ball and Turner got it out to McLean who, in fine kicking form, stroked the ball over for an easy drop goal.

At 10-3 that was where the score stayed for the remainder of the match but the level of intensity never dropped. With the pitch and the ball getting more and more slippery in the wet conditions England couldn’t take advantage of a great break by speedster Merchant who made it 25 metres up-field before being brought down.

New Zealand too had their chance to close the gap with two penalties but Mahoney couldn’t convert, and as their spirits dampened England dominated more and more territory and although they couldn’t convert the pressure into points they had done enough to earn the victory.

England Team

15 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 13 Claire Allan (Richmond), 12 Rachael Burford (Richmond), 11 Charlotte Barras (Saracens), 10 Katy Mclean (VC) (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 9 Amy Turner (Richmond), 1 Claire Purdy (Wasps), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol), 4 Rebecca Essex (Richmond), 5 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps),

6 Heather Fisher (Worcester), 7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), 8 Catherine Spencer (C) (Bristol). Replacements: 16 Sam Reeve (Worcester), 17 Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), 18 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 19 Jane Leonard (Team Northumbria / Army), 20 Georgina Rozario (Bristol),

21 Alice Richardson (Richmond), 22 Fiona Pocock (Richmond)

Tries: Spencer

Conversions: Mclean

Penalties:

Drop goal: McLean

Substitutions: Richardson for Burford, Taylor for Essex (HT), Pocock for Barras (53), Crowley for Purdy (61), Leonard for Fisher (65), Reeve for Garnett (67), Rozario for Turner (74).

New Zealand Team

15 Kelly Brazier (Otago)

14 Victoria Grant (Auckland), 13 Huriana Manuel (Auckland), 12 Amiria Rule (Canterbury) VC, 11 Carla Hohepa (Otago), 10 Rebecca Mahony (Wellington), 9 Emma Jensen (Auckland), 1 Ruth McKay (Manawatu), 2 Fiao’o Faamausili (Auckland), 3 Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox (Canterbury), 4 Vita Robinson (Auckland), 5 Victoria Heighway (C) (Auckland), 6 Casey Robertson (Canterbury), 7 Justine Lavea (Auckland), 8 Linda Itunu (Auckland). Replacements: 16 Claire Rowat (Wellington), 17 Kimberly Smith (Canterbury), 18 Beth Mallard (Otago),

19 Olivia Coady (Canterbury), 20 Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), 21 Renee Wickcliffe (Auckland), 22 Anika Tiplady (Canterbury)

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties:

Drop Goal: Mahoney

Half-time score: England 7 New Zealand 3

London Wasps lock Simon Shaw, flanker Joe Worsley and Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle come into the starting line-up and there is a positional switch at full back where Mark Cueto trades places with Ugo Monye.

Shaw takes over from Louis Deacon and wins his 53rd cap at the age of 36, former Wasps and Leicester centre Erinle makes his first start in place of Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints) and experienced Wasps flanker Worsley replaces Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) in the back row.

Deacon, Croft and Geraghty are all named on the bench with Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks) coming into the 22 for the first time this autumn.

England team

• 15 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
• 14 Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
• 13 Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers)
• 12 Ayoola Erinle (Biarritz)
• 11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
• 10 Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
• 9 Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
• 1 Tim Payne (London Wasps)
• 2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
• 3 Duncan Bell (Bath Rugby)
• 4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps)
• 5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, captain)
• 6 Joe Worsley (London Wasps)
• 7 Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers)
• 8 James Haskell (Stade Francais)

Replacements

• 16 Steve Thompson (Brive)
• 17 David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
• 18 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers)
• 19 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
• 20 Danny Care (Harlequins)
• 21 Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints)
• 22 Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks)

England Women name team to face NZ

England Women have named their starting line-up for Saturday’s Investec Challenge Double Header against world champions New Zealand, kick-off 445pm at Twickenham Stadium.

England Head Coach Gary Street has brought in Richmond centre Rachael Burford to the starting line-up with Lichfield’s Emily Scarratt moving to full back. Saracens’ Charlotte Barras also moves to the wing.

RBS 6 Nations champions England head into the match looking to avenge their 16-3 defeat to the Black Ferns last Saturday, and secure an all important win against the world champions just nine months before the Rugby World Cup kicks-off in London.

Street said: “We have made some changes to freshen up our midfield, and bring something new to the table for this final clash against New Zealand. We learned some important lessons last week, and we know we need to be more disciplined and more effective in everything we do this Saturday. If we do that then we know we have the potential to win this game.

“Playing at Twickenham stadium is a massive opportunity for us to show how good this side is, and how skilful women’s rugby is. Certainly being at home for this crucial match is going to give us that extra five percent on the pitch. We are relishing this opportunity.”

England are without six first choice players for the autumn series with Team Northumbria’s Rochelle Clark (hand) and Katy Storie (back), Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter (arm) and Sarah Beale (back), Worcester’s Karen Jones (knee) and Danielle Waterman (acl) all sidelined with injuries.

Entry to the stadium is free at 4:15pm.

England Team

• 15 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
• 14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
• 13 Claire Allan Richmond
• 12 Rachael Burford Richmond
• 11 Charlotte Barras Saracens
• 10 Katy Mclean (VC) Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
• 9 Amy Turner Richmond
• 1 Claire Purdy Wasps
• 2 Amy Garnett Saracens
• 3 Sophie Hemming Bristol
• 4 Rebecca Essex Richmond
• 5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
• 6 Heather Fisher Worcester
• 7 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
• 8 Catherine Spencer (C) Bristol

Replacements:

• 16 Sam Reeve Worcester
• 17 Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield
• 18 Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
• 19 Jane Leonard Team Northumbria / Army
• 20 Georgina Rozario Bristol
• 21 Alice Richardson Richmond
• 22 Fiona Pocock Richmond

John led the age-grade side to a fourth-placed finish in the 2009 6 Nations, defeating Wales (18-17), Italy (14-10) and Ireland (35-20) on home soil before acting as assistant coach for the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship in Japan.

He said: “We were pleased with our performance in the 6 Nations last year and I’m hoping we can continue in that vein.

“To win three out of five was no mean feat and it was credit to the group of players that delivered that; we were really pleased and proud of that group but every year brings a new challenge.

“We didn’t win away on the road last year in the 6 Nations and if we’re going to be successful then it’s something that we’re going to have to do and that’s what we’ll be looking to do with the next crop of players to move forward.”

Following his appointment, John proceeded to announce the initial squad selection of the 2009/10 Scotland under-20 6 Nations – which will see the crucial 2009 6 Nations fixture against the auld enemy held at the home of Glasgow Warriors, Firhill – followed by the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.

Opportunities are still available for anyone who has not received an invite to the first session to gain entry to the squad as the squad is continually assessed with selections ongoing right up until the 2009 6 Nations.

SCOTLAND UNDER-20 INITIAL SQUAD SELECTION

FORWARDS

Stuart McInally (Watsonians)*, David Denton (Edinburgh Accies)*, Grant Gilchrist (Stirling County)*, Robert Harley (West of Scotland)*, Nicky Little (Hawick)*, Alun Walker (Currie), Craig Owensen (Heriot’s)**, Euan Dods (Gala), Michael Fedo (Watsonians), Jason Hill (Heriot’s)**, Aaron Hall (Newcastle Falcons), Matthew Reid (Heriot’s), Andrew Fraser (Leeds Carnegie), Lindsey Gibson (Melrose), Anthony Kent (London Wasps), Chris Thomson (Loughborough University), Callum Stidston-Nott (London Scottish), Ross Sutherland (Stewart’s Melville), Callum Taylor (Glasgow Hawks), Sam Blackwood (Stewart’s Melville), Luke Pettie (Melrose), Mungo Strachan (Edinburgh Accies), Adam Fedorciow (University of Bath), Michael Maltman (Watsonians)**

BACKS

Tom Brown Edinburgh Accies)*, Michael Tait (Newcastle Falcons), Alex Dunbar (Selkirk)*, George Watkins (Bristol Rugby), Alex Blair (Edinburgh Accies)*, Dougie Fife (Currie)**, Matthew Scott (Currie)**, Sam Hughes (Loughborough University), Callum Williams (Stewart’s Melville), Callum MacBurnie (Moseley), Max Learmonth (Watsonians), Kris Hamilton (Caithness), Rory Drummond (Edinburgh Accies), Oliver Grove (Worcester Warriors), Ross Aitken (Howe of Fife)**, Paddy Boyer (Glasgow Hawks), Alex Black (Leeds Carnegie), James Johnstone (Currie)*, Jonny Kennedy (Sale Sharks), Seamus McKenzie (Stewart’s Melville), Russell Weir (Loughborough University)

* Denotes a member of the Scottish National Contracted Academy

** Denotes a member of the Scottish Rugby National Academy supported by the Scottish Institute of Sport

Scotland under-20 head coach Eamon John

With over a decade of coaching experience for Scotland age-grades, Eamon John is currently Scotland’s longest serving age-grade coach beginning his tenure in 1996/97.

Having come through the Welsh youth system and Eamon played senior rugby for Cardiff before leaving his native Wales for Scotland in his late 20s to work with Scottish Rugby as a development officer before accepting a role managing sport and leisure for East Lothian Council, while staying on as an age-grade national coach.

Over the years Eamon has coached Scotland under-18 and under-19 – working alongside Henry Edwards to steer Scotland under-19 to their first ever victory over France and their highest ever World Cup finish before joining the under-20 set-up in 2007/08 as assistant coach and taking on the mantle of head coach for the 2008/09 season.

Eamon John was also the head coach of Scottish Hydro Electric Premiership Division One side, Boroughmuir. Eamon joined the club 2006/2007 where he stabilised the club staring relegation in the face before dominating the same league as run-away champions in 2007/2008 before stepping down from the role the following season to focus on other commitments.