RFU PODCAST: Under 18s win in Madrid, Tom Rees on retirement & BMW on board

Posted on Apr 13, 2012 in English Rugby, RFU, RFU Podcast

In this week’s RFU Podcast we hear from England Under 18 coaches John Fletcher and Pete Walton, retired London Wasps flanker Tom Rees, RFU Chief Commercial Officer Sophie Goldschmidt and more.

But first to the U18s camp, the newest owners of the Justin Bridou trophy after beating Ireland 25-13 in the FIRA/AER European Championship final in Madrid on Saturday.

Having already achieved wins against France, Scotland, Georgia and Wales prior to the tournament, the victory rounds off a faultless season for John Fletcher’s side.

"We’re really pleased with all the effort throughout the season," said Fletcher. "They’ve all worked extremely hard and the lads deserve their win.

"Their effort, work-rate and commitment was great. But credit to the Irish, they never give in, they worked hard, they tackled hard, but it was a good performance from us, from a young squad."

Also on this week’s podcast:

• Walton backs forwards: England U18 coach Pete Walton says that there are a lot of talented young forwards coming through the system
• Rees on retirement: We catch up with retired London Wasps and England flanker Tom Rees on his retirement and plans for the future
• BMW Group UK on board: RFU Chief Commercial Officer Sophie Goldschmidt talks us through the benefits of the new deal

John Fletcher: That’s some of the best I’ve seen

Posted on Apr 18, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

After witnessing his England U18 side clinch victory with the last play of their FIRA/AER Championship semi-final, Head Coach John Fetcher has said that England played some of the best rugby he’s seen.

London Irish wing Anthony Watson went over the line with seconds left to play to secure a 38-34 win, and Fletcher said:

“For the last 15 minutes we were outstanding, It’s some of the best rugby any Under 18 team that I’ve coached have played. The game could have gone either way, but often when you finish games the strongest you come out on top.

“It was a close one – we cut it quite fine, but you have to play for the full 70-minutes. We started quite brightly, getting an early try, but we were second best for the rest of the half. I was really pleased with the second half effort though, we came out and increased the intensity and moved them around. We though that if we did that we’d create a few gaps, and fortunately that’s what happened.”

England will now face Ireland in the final after the Irish beat hosts France 19-17 in the other semi-final. Fletcher’s side have already played Ireland this season, beating them 29-12 in Dublin in December, but the former Newcastle Falcons Head Coach has said that England can’t take anything for granted:

“It’s irrelevant what has happened in the past," Fletcher said. "Ireland have beaten a strong French side and they’ll be up for the final. At this level it’s about who turns up on the day, the margins between the elite sides in the northern hemisphere are marginal but we’re confident that we can produce.”

England U18 name side to face France

Posted on Feb 18, 2010 in Rugby News

England Under 18 return to action on Sunday against the only side to have dented their impressive 14-match winning run. England, coached by John Fletcher and Peter Walton, haven’t been beaten in an international at this level since an 11-3 defeat against Australia in Brisbane in 2007.

But France – visitors to Newbury this weekend – edged past them in a training game last season and will threaten all over the field, according to former Newcastle Falcons boss Fletcher.

Fly half George Ford (Rishworth & Leicester Tigers) leads the side at Monks Lane and Fletcher makes seven changes to the team that beat Australian Schools 30-28 at Sale in December.

Injured Dulwich College and Harlequins lock Sam Twomey (knee) and Harrow and London Wasps flanker Billy Vunipola are replaced by George Merrick (Whitgift & Harlequins) and Will Skuse (Bryanston & Bath Rugby) respectively, while props Luke Cowan-Dickie (Truro Coll & Exeter Chiefs) and Anthony Brennan (Twyford CofE & London Wasps) make their first starts.

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England Under-19 Regional Academies beat Australia Schools

Posted on Dec 10, 2009 in Rugby News

England’s Under 19 Regional Academy opened a four-match touring programme by the Australian Schools by scoring four tries to two to claim a 27-12 victory at Lymm RFC this afternoon.

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.

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England captain Alex expands horizons with Canterbury pilgrimage

Posted on Nov 27, 2009 in Rugby News

One of England’s brightest back row talents has been working alongside Richie McCaw to develop his game during a three-month spell in New Zealand.

Athletic number eight Alex Gray has returned to Newcastle Falcons after three months with Canterbury and heads for a warm weather training camp in Portugal tomorrow with Mark Mapletoft’s England Under 20 squad.

Gray made his debut in England’s Under 18 side as a 16-year-old before leading them through two unbeaten campaigns that culminated in a thumping 45-13 victory over South Africa in Kimberley in August.

Instead of returning to the North East and straight into full-time rugby with the Falcons, the Newcastle-born teenager opted for a spell in Christchurch, playing for Canterbury’s unbeaten Under 20 side – prompting comparisons with the way current England boss Martin Johnson did so with King Country before launching his own international career.

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