RFU Podcast: the future of English Rugby

Posted on Mar 25, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

The future of English rugby from international teams to the grassroots game is the focus of this week’s RFU Podcast.

Team manager Martin Johnson reviews an RBS 6 Nations Championship that saw three England teams claim titles before looking forward to the battle for selection for this year’s Rugby World Cup.

And RFU chief executive John Steele introduces two key appointments at Twickenham in new Rugby Operations Director Rob Andrew and Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger.

"We’ve taken quite a few big steps in the last year and been through some really high pressure games," Johnson told RFU.com.

"There are lots of positives, far more than the negatives. Losing to Ireland was a big disappointment to us and it should be, but overall in the tournament we’ve done a lot of good things.

"Now there are some players about who are really going to threaten and come into a World Cup camp in June and press for places. A World Cup is a special thing to go to."

We also hear from Catherine Spencer, the former England Women’s captain who retires from the international game celebrating another Grand Slam but with a marathon challenge ahead, and Elliot Daly, the England Under 20 centre, talks us through the conclusion of their Six Nations clean sweep.

New Zealand’s Dan Carter is preparing for Super 15′s poignant first sortie into the Northern Hemisphere with the Crusaders facing the Sharks at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday in a game that will help raise money for the Red Cross’s New Zealand Earthquake Appeal.

And sevens legend Ben Gollings tells us what’s so special about the Cathay Pacific Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens as England prepare to launch their bid for more silverware.

For the full interviews, check out today’s RFU Podcast. Here you can listen to the weekly podcast or subscribe to itunes and have it delivered straight to your inbox each week.

The RFU Podcast takes you inside English rugby from the grassroots to the elite.

RFU Podcast: Minister Sutcliffe salutes benefits of rugby

Posted on Nov 27, 2009 in Rugby News

England’s Women will head into next year’s World Cup with a historic win over the Black Ferns and a ringing endorsement for rugby from Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe.

Catherine Spencer led her team to a 10-3 win in front of 12,500 at Twickenham Stadium and was back at Twickenham Stadium 48 hours later to launch the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010.

Also in the cast was Sutcliffe who told the RFU Podcast: “We are trying to make sure that we can attract world class events and the World Cup is a significant event.

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England women score impressive victory over NZ

Posted on Nov 23, 2009 in Rugby News

England 10 New Zealand 3

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.

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England Women must now wait for Twickenham to conquer Ferns

Posted on Nov 17, 2009 in Rugby News

England 3 New Zealand 16

England Women will have to wait until Saturday November 21st to have a second chance of conquering the reigning world champions New Zealand after today (Saturday) succumbing to a 16-3 defeat at Esher RFC.

In their first meeting against the Black Ferns since the 2006 Rugby World Cup final England produced a determined and gutsy performance but were let down by ill discipline in the first half which then left them playing catch-up in the second half.

England, however, will not get a better stage than Twickenham Stadium to reek their revenge when they compete in the Investec Challenge Double Header in a week’s time. The rematch kicks off immediately after the men’s match at 445pm, with entry to the stadium free at 415pm.

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England Women’s team announced for New Zealand test

Posted on Nov 4, 2009 in Rugby News

The England Women’s team to face world champions New Zealand for the first of three tests in November has today (Tuesday) been announced.

The reigning RBS 6 Nations and Nations Cup champions take on the Black Ferns for the first time since the 2006 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup final on November 14th at Esher RFC, kick off 4pm.

England narrowly lost their last encounter 25-17 but will be hoping to turn the tables ahead of the 2010 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in London which is just nine months away.

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