Oceania Qualification Process Set for Rugby World Cup 2015

Posted on May 2, 2012 in Rugby World Cup

The Oceania region qualification process for Rugby World Cup 2015 will kick off with the Oceania Cup in 2013, the International Rugby Board and Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU) announced today at the FORU AGM in Rarotonga, Cook Islands.

The announcement was made in the presence of the Webb Ellis Cup, won by FORU Member Union New Zealand at RWC 2011. It is the first time that the Game’s ultimate prize has visited the Cook Islands.

All Full Member Unions of the IRB in the Oceania region will have an opportunity to compete for a direct qualification place at Rugby’s showcase event, which will take place in England and provides the financial platform for the development of the Game across the IRB’s 117 Member Unions.

The popular Oceania Cup, FORU’s regional championship for Development and Targeted Unions, will again be the first step on the road to England 2015. American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu will battle it out at the 2013 Oceania Cup with the winner progressing to the next stage of qualification.

The Oceania Cup champion will then take on Fiji in a one-off match in 2014 with the winner gaining direct qualification to RWC 2015 as Oceania 1. Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga have already qualified automatically for RWC 2015 after finishing in the top three of their respective pools at RWC 2011 in New Zealand.

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Farrell to remain as Saracens First Team Coach

Posted on Apr 12, 2012 in English Rugby, Premiership, Saracens

Saracens have confirmed Andy Farrell will remain in his position as First Team Coach at Saracens for the foreseeable future, and will not be accepting any other position in rugby union.

Farrell said: “It has been a special privilege for me to be involved in the Saracens coaching staff for the past two-and-half seasons. We have made decent progress during this period but, in truth, as a club, we have barely scratched the surface of our potential. The job isn’t anywhere near half done, and I have decided I want to help finish the job.”

The RFU’s Ian Ritchie said: “Whilst Andy was clearly an important part of the coaching team during the course of the RBS 6 Nations, we fully respect his wishes to continue as a coach at Saracens.

“We will continue to work hard with Stuart Lancaster to build a world class coaching team as we look towards the Rugby World Cup in 2015.”

Japan to Host IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012

Posted on Apr 12, 2012 in IRB, Japan

Preparations for Japan’s staging of Rugby World Cup 2019 have been further boosted after the International Rugby Board announced that the 2012 IRB Pacific Nations Cup will be hosted by the Japan Rugby Football Union.

The awarding of the marquee international tournament demonstrates the JRFU’s commitment to successfully delivering major Rugby events in the run up to Rugby World Cup 2019. It also underscores the massive growth potential within Asia – a Region that has experienced an 18 per cent uplift in participation since 2007.

The announcement comes off the back of the JRFU’s successful hosting of the Tokyo leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series – the first international Sevens event to be hosted in the country in 11 years. It is also a strong endorsement of the Union’s operational and organisational skills as Rugby World Cup 2019 planning and preparation continues to advance on track.

It also provides a welcome and timely boost for Rugby across Japan after the 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup was reluctantly moved from the country to allow the Union to concentrate on assisting the Rugby community affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March last year.

Five of the six matches will be played in Japan with double-headers featuring in the first two rounds of matches giving fans the opportunity to see the stars from all four teams. The opening matchday on June 5 will see Samoa v Tonga (17:10 local time) and Fiji v Japan (19:10) in Nagoya while the second matchday will take place on June 10 in Tokyo with Fiji v Samoa (12:10) and Japan v Tonga (14:10). The final round will be split over two weeks to accommodate Scotland’s tour to the Pacific Islands with Samoa v Japan in Tokyo on June 17 (14:10) and Fiji v Tonga rounding off the action in Lautoka, Fiji on June 23 (15:40).

“We are delighted that Japan is to host this major international championship. The awarding of this event not only underscores the great appetite for showcase Rugby events in Japan, but also demonstrates the JRFU’s intentions to reach out to new Rugby fans across Japan and wider Asia as we look towards Rugby World Cup 2019," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“These are exciting times for Rugby in Asia and the Pacific Islands. The IRB Pacific Nations Cup was introduced in 2006 to provide an expanded high-level competition calendar for Fiji, Japan, Samoa and Tonga and therefore increase the competitiveness of Rugby World Cup. In that regard it has been a success story for the IRB and Participating Unions, demonstrating that our strategic investment programme is working. The IRB Pacific Nations Cup is now a hugely anticipated event in the Rugby calendar in its own right.”

“Scotland will tour Samoa and Fiji as the 10-year IRB tours and test schedule kicks off which highlights the IRB’s commitment to providing the likes of Fiji, Tonga, Samoa and Japan with more tests than ever before in a calendar year. In total we have invested more than GBP 15 million in Rugby in Oceania between 2009-2012."

Growing the Game in Asia is a key priority for the IRB ahead of Rugby World Cup 2019 and the JRFU continues to make significant progress towards hosting Rugby’s showcase event. The IRB Pacific Nations Cup 2012 follows successful hosting of a record-breaking IRB Junior World Championship in 2009 and Tokyo’s debut as a HSBC Sevens World Series venue.

Japan Rugby Football Union Chairman Tatsuzo Yabe said: "These are exciting times for Rugby in Japan and throughout Asia and I am delighted that the Japan Rugby Football Union will host this year’s IRB Pacific Nations Cup, one year after the difficult decision was taken to relocate the tournament following the Tohoku earthquake. This will be a tournament for the people of Japan in memory of all who tragically lost their lives and were affected."

"We are fully committed to delivering a very successful tournament that will showcase international Rugby as we continue to build towards Rugby World Cup 2019. Working in partnership with the IRB and RWCL, the JRFU has a long term plan to grow Rugby and host major international Rugby events that will continue to lay the operational and management foundations for a successful Rugby World Cup 2019 that will be the gateway to Rugby’s boom across Asia."

"The IRB Pacific Nations Cup will also provide valuable opportunities for the Japan national team, led by newly appointed head coach Eddie Jones, to compete with top level Rugby nations," added Yabe.

Eddie Jones commented: "This is a new era for Japan Rugby and the Japan national team as we build towards Rugby World Cup 2019. The hosting of the IRB Pacific Nations Cup on home soil represents a great opportunity for us to move forward – to develop a truly Japanese style of Rugby with a young squad full of talent.

"We are looking forward to competing in the competition and bringing top class international Rugby to the Japanese people. Samoa and Tonga are ahead of us in the IRB World Rankings and we respect Fiji greatly. It will be very competitive."

The IRB Pacific Nations Cup dovetails with the sister IRB Pacific Rugby Cup to deliver a local player and coach development pathway for the Pacific Island Nations. This year A sides from each of the three nations have played against Super Rugby development team opposition in Australia and New Zealand. The competition resumes in October with the final round robin matches between the Island teams.

Andrew Cosslett appointed as Chairman England Rugby 2015

Posted on Mar 21, 2012 in England, England 2015, English Rugby, IRB

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) today announced the appointment of Andrew Cosslett as Chairman England Rugby 2015 (ER 2015). Cosslett, the former Chief Executive Officer of InterContinental Hotels Group plc, who has held the post of Interim Chairman, takes up the role in April 2012.

After a comprehensive selection process, Cosslett was chosen for his international business experience and leadership skills built over 30 years in consumer facing industries. In addition to his role as Chief Executive Officer of InterContinental Hotels Group, between 2005-2011, Cosslett was a Board member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council, a member of the President’s Committee of the Confederation of British Industry and a Board member of the International Tourism Partnership.

Before this Cosslett spent 14 years with Cadbury Schweppes in roles including: Chairman, Australia; Chief Executive, Asia Pacific; Managing Director, Great Britain and Ireland and President, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Cosslett, together with Paul Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer ER 2015, will lead the ER 2015 Board which includes: RFU Chief Executive Officer, Ian Ritchie; RFU Chief Financial Officer, Stephen Brown; Professional Game Board Chairman, Ian Metcalfe; Injured Players Foundation Chairman and former RFU President, John Owen; RFU Council member and Chairman of the Championship Clubs Geoff Irvine and Permanent Secretary in the Cabinet Office and the Government’s Chief Operating Officer, Ian Watmore.

Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive Officer Rugby Football Union, said, “Andy Cosslett’s attributes and experience will no doubt bring huge benefits to the role of England Rugby 2015 Chairman. The Rugby World Cup in England provides a unique and very exciting opportunity and we look forward to working closely with Andy, England Rugby 2015 and Rugby World Cup Limited to help create a legacy that will benefit the sport for generations to come.”

Andrew Cosslett, newly appointed Chairman England Rugby 2015, added, “I am passionate about the game and delighted to be able to play my part in delivering Rugby World Cup 2015.  England 2015 is a great challenge but a tremendous opportunity and I look forward to working with Paul Vaughan, England Rugby 2015, the Rugby Football Union and Rugby World Cup Limited to deliver what we intend to be the best Rugby World Cup yet.”

Bernard Lapasset, Chairman of Rugby World Cup Limited, commented: “Rugby World Cup Limited welcomes this key appointment which represents an important step in the delivery of Rugby World Cup 2015. The successful delivery of one of the world’s largest sporting events is founded on partnership, teamwork, vision and strong leadership. Andy certainly possesses all the necessary attributes to oversee the delivery of what promises to be a special tournament. We are looking forward to continuing to work in partnership with Andy, Paul Vaughan and the England Rugby 2015 team to deliver an outstanding Rugby World Cup in 2015.”

Paul Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer England Rugby 2015 added, “I am sure Andy Cosslett will make a great Chairman for England Rugby 2015. The international business and marketing skills that he brings to the Board will continue to be invaluable in his new role as Chairman. He has great empathy with the game and I think we will make a great team.”

IRB anti-doping campaign success ~ 54 offenders netted in 2010: up 86% on 2009

Posted on Mar 5, 2012 in Latest Rugby News

The International Rugby Board has underscored its continued commitment to the fight against doping in Rugby by undertaking a record programme of testing and education during 2011.

With Rugby continuing to break new markets with global exposure and participation at unprecedented levels, the Game’s governing body undertook 1,714 tests (587 In Competition and 1,127 Out of Competition) across Fifteens and Sevens in every continent during a year that also saw a record blood testing programme at the flagship Rugby World Cup. The testing programme operated across Rugby World Cup 2011 (989 tests), Rugby Sevens (489 tests), Age Grade (138 tests), other IRB Fifteens tournaments (58) and regional championships (40 tests).

Despite the rigorous testing programme, there were eight Anti-Doping rule violations in 2011. That amounts to 0.46 per cent of the total testing programme. Four violations were for stimulants (Methylhexaneamine found in nutritional supplements), two were for anabolic agents (Testosterone), one for a diuretic (Probenicid) and one for a narcotic (Oxycodone) used for pain relief. There were no positive results recorded in Sevens.

The extensive testing regime was supported by the IRB’s Outreach and Keep Rugby Clean education programmes, which are run in partnership with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), with the first-ever dedicated Rugby World Cup Keep Rugby Clean Day held during New Zealand 2011.

Commenting on the record programme, IRB Anti-Doping Manager Tim Ricketts said: "The IRB and its Member Unions are committed to the fight against doping in sport."

"This record IRB testing programme, combined with over 4,000 controls administered in 2011 by our Member Unions and their respective National Anti-Doping Organisations as well as a dedicated education programme, underlines our collaborative commitment to this critical area of the Game."

"While Rugby continues to be at the forefront in the fight against doping in sport, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that our players, physicians and administrators have access to the very best educational framework."

"This includes the education around the dangers of failing to check nutritional supplements and medications thoroughly and awareness around recreational drugs and support mechanisms. All of the violations that were recorded in 2011 could have been avoided if players and their physicians had checked the ingredients of the products against the WADA Prohibited List prior to taking them."

The IRB focused on increased educational programmes in 2011, including the delivery of Keep Rugby Clean awareness campaigns at Rugby World Cup 2011 and IRB Age Grade and Sevens events delivered to over 1,000 players during the year.

The key to player education resource is the IRB’s interactive Anti-Doping website www.keeprugbyclean.com, designed to inform the global Rugby community on all aspects of Anti-Doping.

The year also saw Argentina star and Rugby World Cup 2007 Bronze medallist Felipe Contepomi appointed to the WADA Athlete Committee. Contepomi is one of seven IRB Keep Rugby Clean Ambassadors representing men’s and women’s Fifteens and Sevens.

Editors notes:

Total global programme per year (including Union and NADO tests)

2005: 4,053 tests, 48 violations
2006: 4,782 tests, 36 violations
2007: 4,127 tests, 34 violations
2008: 5,023 tests, 54 violations
2009: 5,725 tests, 29 violations
2010: 5,618 tests, 54 violations
2011: available June 2012