RFU Podcast

Posted on Aug 12, 2011 in England, English Rugby, RFU

RICHARD Wigglesworth makes his first start for England in three years as they take on Wales in the second of three build-up games to the Rugby World Cup.

We were inside the England camp this week to speak to the Saracens scrum half about his mission at the Millennium Stadium, where there are 13 changes to the side that won 23-19 at Twickenham last weekend.

"It’s a proud moment to start again and I’ve spent a lot of time working hard to get to this point," said Wigglesworth, who made his last start against France in 2008. "I think I’m a better player than I was then and I’ll keep trying to improve."

Also on this week’s Podcast:

• Chris Ashton and Tom Wood meet the fans as England open the doors to supporters at Twickenham
• Hooker Steve Thompson talks rollerskating and bacon butties as he answers your Twitter questions
• We visit the Rugby Players Association their annual Academy Induction Day to meet the next generation of young stars
• And we wrap up the JP Morgan Premiership Sevens campaign with Newcastle’s Luke Fielden after he helped the Falcons snap up the title

England Rugby stars’ recipe for success

Posted on Aug 2, 2011 in England, English Rugby

O2 today launched Get Up For England with O2, which will see up to 50,000 free England Rugby Breakfast Packs delivered to fans across the UK this autumn.

When Martin Johnson’s men fly to New Zealand to take on the world in September, fans in the UK are faced with the prospect of early morning starts in order to catch each game live on TV.  To help bleary-eyed supporters get up and ready for the action, O2 – sponsors of the England Rugby team – have created special England Rugby Breakfast Packs for customers to enjoy from the comfort of their sofa.  The packs – which contain specially created Pieminister Breakfast Pies*, Greene King IPA beers, an England flag and a message from the team – will be delivered to thousands of homes during the tournament.

The England Rugby Breakfast Packs build upon the longstanding success of the free pie and a pint for O2 customers at Twickenham. For the past six years O2 customers have been able to enjoy this unique rugby experience and the England Rugby Breakfast Packs now extend this benefit to fans across the UK.

The England squad launched Get Up For England with O2 with a bake-off at their Pennyhill Park training base on Monday, where they tried their hand at making a pie of their own with the help of TV food expert Gregg Wallace.

Haskell said: “A few of the lads fancy themselves in the kitchen, so it was nice to finally put their talent to the test. Some of the pies on show definitely wouldn’t have made the grade for the O2 Breakfast Packs, but the guys had a great time with Gregg.

“Everyone in the camp is now looking ahead and trying to secure their place on the plane to New Zealand. We’re very appreciative of the fantastic support that the English public give when we play at home and abroad.”

Gregg Wallace was on hand to guide the team through the perfect pie technique.

He said: “I love rugby and food is my life. It’s a real honour to play my part supporting the England Rugby team, encouraging fans across the country to Get Up for England with O2.

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Given the time differences with the games in New Zealand, it’s also the one where fans will be getting up out of bed, having a bite to eat and watching the action together.

“I’ll be one of the many thousands to Get Up for England this autumn. I think we’ve got a great chance this year.”

Sally Cowdry, Marketing and Consumer Director, O2, said: “Get up for England is all about putting our customers first and helping make their rugby watching even more enjoyable. We know how much our customers value the free pie and pint at Twickenham and we hope our breakfast packs will encourage as many fans as possible to set their alarms and get up early to show their support for the team.”

Fans on O2 can be in with a chance of getting their hands on an England Rugby Breakfast Pack by visiting www.GetUpForEngland.co.uk or texting PIE to 2020**  Each entry is also automatically submitted into a draw to win a once in a lifetime trip to New Zealand to have breakfast with the England team.

*Packs contain one meat pie and one vegetarian pie

**Limited numbers. Over18 only. Terms and geographic restrictions applyo2.co.uk/terms

Pic: James Haskell, Chris Ashton and Ben Foden behind the stove to launch Get Up For England with 02 – with a little help from TV food expert Gregg Wallace

Chris Ashton wins Try of the Year

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 in Rugby News

A wonderful individual try scored by England’s Chris Ashton at Twickenham against Australia in November has been named the International Rugby Players’ Association Try of the Year 2010.

The England international’s try won the public vote having fought off stiff competition from some outstanding scores finished by Mils Muliaina, Felipe Contepomi, Shane Williams and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 star Danielle Waterman.

Ashton’s memorable try, his second in the match, combined pace, power and panache as the wing raced clear to finish off a superb counter-attack that started near his own try-line.

The try received the most votes following an online poll at www.irb.com which saw the global Rugby family select his score from a shortlist of 18 from the RBS Six Nations, Tri Nations, Women’s Rugby World Cup, Pacific Nations Cup and IRB Nations Cup as well as the June and November internationals.

“It’s a fantastic accolade to win the IRPA Try of the Year Award, and it means a lot to me that so many people took the trouble to vote for me ahead of so many other great players,” said Ashton.

“Even though I had the job of putting the ball down over the whitewash it was a team effort with the whole team playing its part in defending and forcing the turnover before Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes gave me the ball. They all deserve the credit too – it wouldn’t have happened without all of us working together.”

IRPA Chairman Damian Hopley said: “The IRPA Try of the Year is a highly prestigious Award featuring world-class Rugby action from players representing seven nations. Chris Ashton’s outstanding try will live long in the memory of those of us fortunate enough to be at Twickenham that day, and he is a very deserving winner.”

“We had great difficulty narrowing the field from our original 230 entries to the 18 nominees which were presented for the public vote as there were many spectacular tries scored in 2010. The public vote proved equally close with Danielle Waterman and Israel Dagg polling considerable votes, before Chris emerged as the winner.”

The full shortlist was: Shane Williams (2), Ben Foden, Dan Carter, Felipe Contepomi, Gonzalo Tiesi, Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, James O’Connor, Danielle Waterman, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Huriana Manuel, Chrysander Botha, Nikola Matawalu, Juan Jose Imhoff, Chris Ashton, James Hook and Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Ashton follows in the footsteps of 2009 winner, South Africa centre Jaque Fourie, Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll in 2008 and Takudzwa Ngwenya of the USA who claimed the inaugural award in 2007.

Tait challenges Falcons to deliver

Posted on Feb 17, 2010 in Rugby News

Newcastle first team coach Alan Tait has challenged his players to turn words into deeds on Saturday, as the Falcons look to regain their place in the top half of the Guinness Premiership table against London Irish.

The Exiles travel to Kingston Park for a 5.30pm kick-off, with Tait insisting that a victory is the absolute minimum requirement for his side to fulfil its top six ambitions.

“The players are talking the talk at the moment about finishing in the top half of the league, but now’s the time to see if they can back it up with their actions,” said the dual-code Scotland and Lions star.

“We can all sit here and say we’re going to finish in a Heineken Cup place, but if you don’t go out and win games then it’s just words.

“If the players are going to talk big about things like the top six then they need to bring in at least four points this weekend, it’s as simple as that.”

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