London Irish triumph in London rugby clubs’ "battle of the fans"

Posted on Feb 16, 2012 in London Irish, Premiership

Aviva and the University of Bath’s quest to find the Aviva Premiership’s “most passionate fans” continues

Harlequins and Saracens edged out their rivals London Irish and London Wasps respectively in an epic Aviva Premiership weekend. However, while they might have lost out on the pitch, Irish and Wasps fans can take pride from the fact that their fans have been scientifically shown to be more passionate than their opposition on the day.

Premiership Rugby’s title sponsor Aviva has partnered with the University of Bath to scientifically investigate which Aviva Premiership Rugby club has the most passionate fans to settle the debate once and for all.

The research team undertook a variety of experiments on a sample set of 48 fans (12 from each club) who applied to take part. Their anxiety and testosterone levels were measured, as well as their heart rate throughout the match.

The university has devised an equation for passion, which is calculated from the interaction of four variables:

1) fan loyalty (commitment to the team)
2) fan match evaluation (before and after the match)
3) fan psychology (mood and anxiety levels)
4) fan physiology (hormone and heart rate changes)

The results are weighted alongside an independent review of the match by a former England player, to allow all 6 ‘crunch’ matches, and 12 sets of supporters, to be compared. So far, 8 clubs have now been analysed, with 4 left to play.

Here is a summary of the fans’ results from the London derbies:

The figures from each test section were combined into a passion equation and then scaled so all four categories have a possible maximum of 100.

London Irish fans were more passionate than the Harlequins fans and the Wasps fans were more passionate than the Saracens fans. Overall the London Irish fans just edge it, but currently lie 2nd in the Aviva Premiership Passion Table, behind Gloucester.

The project continues on March 30 when Newcastle Falcons host Sale Sharks, and finally Worcester v Exeter on April 14. At the end of the season, the Aviva Premiership Passion League Table will be revealed on www.avivapremiership.com/passionate

A researcher from the University of Bath said: “Aviva’s ‘Most Passionate Fans’ project represents an interesting opportunity to examine fan’s passion scientifically. There will always be arguments about how this can be done, but we believe we have devised the most objective way to identify and quantify passion.”

Louisa Cheetham, Senior Sponsorship Manager at Aviva, said: “Our most passionate fans project shows that rugby truly is a fans game. Aviva want to get fans as close to the action as possible, and this experiment does just that. The two matches last weekend between the four London clubs were close affairs, and that is reflected in the results of the experiment. It’s interesting that the two losing clubs showed more passion!”

Win a weekend in Edinburgh!

Posted on Jan 14, 2011 in Rugby News

We are launching a competition with bmibaby and Visit Scotland which gives you the chance to win a trip to the Six Nations Wales V Scotland match on Saturday February 2011 in Edinburgh.

To be in with a chance at winning a pair of tickets to the big match, flights from Cardiff to Edinburgh and an overnight hotel stay in Edinburgh, all you need to do is prove your love for the game! Join the scrum and head over to the bmibaby Facebook page. Give their page a like and let them know why you are Wales’ biggest rugby fan and you could find yourself embracing the game in all its glory at Edinburgh in February! It’s the ultimate weekend away for any fan!

Terms and Conditions apply.

All entries to be received by 6pm on 26th January 2011. Winners will be announced shortly after.

For full T&Cs, please request via email to bmibaby@therabbitagency.com.

Entrants must be able to travel from Cardiff Airport to Edinburgh 11 February 2011 AM and return on 13 February 2011 PM. Transfer costs are not included.

All entrants must live in the U.K. and have a valid passport.

Good luck – we look forward to receiving your entry!

Sale Sharks deliver Christmas presents to young cancer patients at The Christie

Posted on Dec 22, 2010 in Rugby News

England International and Sale Sharks players made a special visit to The Christie, one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, to deliver Christmas presents to young cancer patients.

Stars from the rugby union premiership side Mark Cueto, Andrew Sheridan, Matthew Tait, James Gaskell and Neil Briggs visited the teenage cancer unit and handed out Sale Sharks shirts and gifts.

Long standing supporter of The Christie, Mark Cueto, who plays for Sale Sharks, England and the British Lions, said; “It was a real honour to visit the teenage cancer unit at The Christie and a pleasure to hand out presents.

“We players face tough challenges on the rugby pitch but nothing compared to the challenges these youngsters face on a daily basis – they are truly inspirational.”

Andrew Sheridan added; ““If our visit can go some small way to putting a smile on their faces at Christmas then it is tremendously worthwhile.

“We hope this is the first step in a partnership between Sale Sharks and The Christie.”

Young patient Adam Garswood, 13, from Wigan, who is undergoing radiotherapy at The Christie got to meet the players and fulfil his dream of interviewing Mark Cueto and Andrew Sheridan for Sky Sports News, his favourite channel, who were covering the visit.

Sports fan Adam said; “It was really exciting and great to meet the players. I’m looking forward to seeing myself on TV.”

Christie patient Nathan Grimes, 21, from Leigh, added; “It was amazing to meet the players. As a rugby fan, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the professionals.”

The Christie’s award-winning teenage cancer unit is one of only ten dedicated cancer units in the country providing specialist care and facilities for young patients between 16 and 24 years of age.

In the Rugby Rebels forum

Posted on Feb 18, 2010 in Rugby News

The vexed question of which team should Warren Gatland pick to play Italy is a talking point in the Welsh Message Board (WMB). RR poster “Hook”, poses this question and offers Gatland the following advice:  “I think its important we don’t make the same mistake as Gats did last year but I would make a couple of changes and give some players a chance.” His team for Italy is: Byrne, Halfpenny, Shanklin, Roberts, James, Biggar, Phillips, Jones, Williams, Warbuton, Davies, J Thomas, Jones, Rees, Gill.

HorridM takes issue and says: “I hope we put out a good team for two reasons: 1) We need to build some confidence, 2) I’m going to that game. I can’t see us putting out too weak a team, because if we win our next two games we’ll be playing for the championship, if we don’t win them we’ll need to regain some pride.

Over in the England forum, Sharks fan Tiggers says: Back to proper rugby! Dafydd James makes his home debut and Gavin Kerr starts against his former club. Jones said, “Leeds will be hard to beat. They’ve got a good set piece and they’re desperate for a win. It’s a game that a lot of things hinge on so we really need to improve our discipline in our game. Leeds showed us back in November that they are a good side, but we have trained well this week and my players are ready and prepared for the challenge.”

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Wales get foxy before they face Pumas

Posted on Nov 19, 2009 in Other News, Welsh Rugby

An urban fox has been spotted on the Millennium Stadium pitch just days before Wales take on the might of the Pumas.

Staff are hoping the arrival of the four legged intruder is an omen of good luck ahead of Saturday’s clash with Argentina.

The fox was photographed by security staff who have been on the look out after several late night sightings of the elusive animal in the shadows around the pitch.

It is not known whether the fox has adopted the iconic stadium as its home or pays visits from its lair elsewhere in the capital city.

The photograph was taken late on Tuesday night after most of the Millennium Stadium staff had left for the day.

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