John Steel says third is not good enough for England

Posted on Jan 24, 2011 in Rugby News

John Steele, the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU’s) CEO, today outlined his thoughts on the progress made by the current England team as it approaches the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations during the Sportsweek programme on BBC Radio 5 Live.

In a wide-ranging interview, he talked about his background before taking up the role and his experiences and decisions made since starting on September 6 last year.  Among other topics,he touched on the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations which starts in under two weeks.

To further expand on his points made in the interview, John Steele was keen to clarify the RFU’s expectations for the tournament, saying: “This year’s tournament is tighter than it has been for a number of years. Almost all sides are in with a chance winning certainly one game and possibly the title. So while we are the bookies favourite and highest ranked European side in the world, that does not count for much in the Six Nations where only three times in the last eight years has the highest ranked side won the title.

“The Six Nations is unique in world rugby due to its heritage and traditional rivalries and we cherish that competitiveness and history.

“We know that Martin and the team will be striving to win every game but it is important to outline what we think is realistic. Given we have three matches at home and have some momentum from the autumn we believe finishing in the top two of the Championship is a realistic expectation. Coming third or below would be disappointing given our current position.

“Alongside that, we are also looking to see the development of our young players continue and our playing style evolve further as we build to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand later this year, where we are fully expecting to be in the mix after the group stages.

“We will ensure that Martin and his coaches get everything they need to ensure they are given the best possible chance to deliver against our ambitions.”

RFU Podcast: Matt Stevens can’t wait to get back

Posted on Jan 21, 2011 in Rugby News

Former England prop and Saracens new boy Matt Stevens has said that he can’t wait to get back onto the rugby pitch after returning to the game from a two-year enforced absence.

Stevens, 28, tested positive for cocaine in 2008 but says that he’s now in a much better place and is ready to jump in with both feet:

“I’ve got unfinished business with the game, I’ve still got ambitions to win silverware and although the thought of quitting did cross my mind in the early days of the ban, I’m delighted to be back.

“I’ve had my initiation with the Sarries boys already; it involved an eating contest and a ‘sing-off’ against Kelly Brown, but the boys have got a really good work ethic and I’ve been welcomed with open arms.

“The past two years have been tough, but I’ve had two children, I’m in a strong relationship and I’ve been given the chance to play rugby again, so I’m happy.”

With 32 England caps to his name, Stevens freely admits that he still harbours the ambition to pull on the white shirt once more:

“It’s a huge honour to play for England and something that I want to do again, but at the same time I know that I need to play well for Saracens before anything like that can happen.”

Also on this week’s RFU.com podcast:
Life in the front-row – England coach Graham Rowntree talks about the importance of the scrum at the launch of the Scrum Factory at Tiffin School, in Kingston
The joy of Saxons – Stuart Lancaster analyses the exciting mix of players at his disposal in this season’s Saxons squad and the opportunities they’ll get
Captain McLean – New England Women’s skipper Katy McLean admits that although the news came as a bit of a shock, she’s delighted to take on the role of captain heading into the 6 Nations

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

Armitage disciplinary hearing

Posted on Jan 19, 2011 in Rugby News

Delon Armitage of London Irish has been summoned to appear at an RFU Disciplinary Hearing charged with conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Union and/or the Game contrary to Rule 5.12 of the Rules of the Rugby Football Union 2010-11.

Armitage is alleged to have pushed and used threatening and/or abusive and obscene language towards a Doping Control Officer from UK Anti-Doping during a routine test immediately after the Aviva Premiership game against Bath Rugby at the Madejski Stadium on January 1, 2011. The test was negative. 

The Disciplinary Panel will meet at the Offices of The Judge Advocate General at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, January 20 (4pm) and comprise RFU Disciplinary Officer Judge Jeff Blackett (chair), Peter Budge and Robert Horner.

Lewis Moody – RFU reaction

Posted on Jan 18, 2011 in Rugby News

Martin Johnson, England Team Manager, commented, “It is always disappointing to lose a player and leader of Lewis’ calibre but as I have consistently said good teams adapt to injuries and that is what we intend to do. While this could still mean Lewis plays a role in the RBS 6 Nations it does mean that another player gets the chance to step up and make it hard for him to get the shirt back.”

An injury replacement will be named on Monday 24^th January, along with all other injury replacements, once the outcome of round 6 of the Heineken European Cup has been played. The England captain will be chosen and announced in the week leading up to the first game in line with the usual approach. Lewis will remain with his club for his rehabilitation which will happen in close consultation with the England medical team.

Tower of strength at Marsh for RFU Scrum Factory

Posted on Jan 18, 2011 in Rugby News

Marsh today hosted the launch of the Rugby Football Union’s Scrum Factory programme at its offices in the City of London.

The insurance experts are supporting key programmes for grassroots rugby in England, including Scrum Factory, which aims to recruit and train front row players together with developing all players in the scrum.

Pupils from Tiffin School, Kingston, attended  the launch at Tower Place, supported by RFU community rugby coaches and England scrummaging coach Graham Rowntree.

Gary Henderson, the RFU’s Head of Coach and Player Development, said: “Scrum Factory is about recruitment and retention of players, underpinned by coaching development. The truly competitive scrum is unique to rugby union and we need to train people who can play in the front row safely and regularly. The Scrum Factory is an over-arching programme that’s supported by continuous personal development for coaches.

“We’re very good at recruiting young people but the challenge is to retain them and a lot of that boils down to good coaching and appropriate competitions. With that in mind the RFU has developed a number of short courses, over two or three hours, which complement our normal qualification structure and are designed for coaches who may want to develop their own knowledge of scrum or lineout play. We are extremely thankful that Marsh are supporting this important programme.”

Rowntree said: “Props and hookers are vital to every team and to play in those positions requires a huge amount of skill and technique. Marsh’s support of Scrum Factory enables us to extend the coaching of those techniques up and down the country and recruit more players into the front row which, for me, is great news.

“I was lucky enough to have had some very talented coaches throughout my playing career and without those guys I wouldn’t be here today. I’m sure the players involved in Scrum Factory will find the expert coaching just as beneficial.”

Martin Rayfield, Executive Director, Marsh UK, said: “As official insurance broker to the RFU we are delighted to strengthen further our excellent relationship with the Union in this way. We particularly welcome the opportunity to support programmes for grassroots rugby, of which the Scrum Factory is a part, as well as the RFU’s 2,000 member clubs.”

Marsh’s association with the RFU also includes the RFU’s Emergency First Aid Course, Concussion Awareness Programme, Injury Surveillance Project and Leadership Academy.

The programmes:

Scrum Factory
The scrum is unique to rugby union, as are the players who play in it. The sport needs continually to produce capable and skilled players particularly in the front row and second row to participate safely in the scrum. By developing the numbers of front row players, we will also ensure fewer games are cancelled. The Scrum Factory is a coach and player development programme running nationwide and incorporating some of the best know ‘scrummagers’ in the country. A new scrum coaching DVD resource will be developed to run alongside the programme.

RFU’s Emergency First Aid Course
To provide a safe environment in which the game can be enjoyed by all, the course is open to clubs to encourage members, coaches and volunteers to attend a first aid training course so they can respond to basic first aid situations with confidence. This unique first aid qualification ensures that a nominated individual can take charge of any first aid need and incident, calling in the emergency services when required.

Concussion Awareness
To raise awareness and the dangers of concussion via an education programme for coaches, players, and parents of youth players.

Injury Surveillance
In association with the Sport and Exercise Science Research Group at the University of Bath, the project is funded by the RFU Injured Players Foundation and is designed to monitor trends in injury over time, gain the necessary insight into the possible causes and patterns of injury to enable more detailed research into these and to enable implementation of measures to prevent injury. The study, now in its second season of full data capture, records physiotherapist interactions with players on match days from 86 grassroots clubs in England.

Leadership Academy
The RFU Leadership Academy aims to identify, support and develop the next generation of talented, enthusiastic and skilled leaders for clubs, referee societies and constituent bodies. It complements existing club and constituent body succession plans by helping potential leaders develop the skills and confidence to step up to the next level of leadership. The programme seeks to use best practice in leadership development in the context of the voluntary rugby environment including facilitating networking opportunities to allow participants to share experiences and solutions on similar rugby issues.

About RFU
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the National Governing Body for rugby union in England and supports participants and fans from the grassroots to the national team.
About Marsh
Marsh, the world’s leading insurance broker and risk adviser, has over 24,000 employees and provides advice and transactional capabilities to clients in over 100 countries. Marsh is a member of Marsh & McLennan Companies, a global professional services firm with over 50,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue of $10 billion, which is also the parent company of Guy Carpenter, the risk and reinsurance specialist; Mercer, the provider of HR and related financial advice and services; and Oliver Wyman, the management consultancy. Its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) is listed on the New York, Chicago and London stock exchanges