The limited edition England shirt from Nike will be worn against Wales

England and their shirt sponsor Nike are rolling back the years, with the squad taking on Wales in Twickenham’s Centenary Match on Saturday February 6 sporting a limited edition, traditional look jersey to commemorate a century since the two nations’ first encounter at HQ.

In the original match on January 15, 1910 England emerged the victors 11-6 and the pearl white shirt was inspired by the one worn by that winning team. The 2010 team will run out in the iconic jersey featuring authentic detailing and a stunning embroidered rose emulating that on the 1910 kit. Nike technology remains at the heart of the jersey with dri fit a feature and gripper patter on the chest to improve performance.

A replica shirt is available from today (January 5) together with a polo shirt, T shirt and limited edition centenary jacket. These are available at the Rugby Store at Twickenham Stadium and York Street, Twickenham and also online at rfu.direct.com.

Said Andy Ward, RFU Head of Retail, “This shirt celebrates 100 years of Twickenham Stadium and takes its inspiration from the shirt worn a century ago, whilst ensuring the players still have the performance they expect from a Nike shirt. The replica shirts are limited in supply and we expect there will be a big demand for them from England fans.”

Premier Rugby and ESPN have agreed a three year contract for exclusive live rights to 43 matches per season from the Guinness Premiership, beginning next season and running through to the 2012-2013 season, including exclusive live coverage of the Guinness Premiership Final and one of the two semi-final matches. The agreement also provides highlight rights for use on ESPN digital media such as ESPNScrum.com.

Jon Varney, Commercial Director of Premier Rugby said, “This deal with ESPN secures a partnership with one of the world’s leading broadcasters, who become yet another blue chip supporter of club rugby in England.

“Starting next season, our new television deals mean we have doubled the number of live televised Premiership matches, which will further raise the profile of the sport in the UK and overseas and will allow our clubs and sponsors to derive even greater exposure and value. It also means supporters have more chance to see their team on live television.

“ESPN are renowned for their innovation and we are all genuinely excited about the opportunity of working with them to drive value in both our businesses.”

Added Jeroen Oerlemans, Vice President, TV Channels Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “The Guinness Premiership is among the very best UK sports competitions, with a passionate fan base and top quality competition. We’re thrilled to add it to our programming schedule and know that it will deliver great value for fans, advertisers and our partners.”

The world’s most competitive rugby union competition, the Guinness Premiership is the top division for club competition in England. From its beginnings as the Allied Dunbar Premiership in 1998, the league has established itself as a top global rugby union league and evolved into its current format with relegation to and promotion from the second-tier Championship. It features the 12 leading clubs in the country. Its regular season runs from September to May and comprises 22 rounds of matches. The teams play each other on a home and away basis during the regular season with the top four sides qualifying for the semi-final. The top two sides are guaranteed home advantage in the last four with the final staged at Twickenham Stadium.

The agreement adds to ESPN’s coverage of rugby in the UK, where it also delivers live coverage of French Top 14 Orange Rugby. ESPN also recently announced an agreement to show archive matches and footage from each of the six Rugby World Cup tournaments to date on ESPN Classic in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa. The content will be featured on the channel in the coming months and will continue in the run-up to Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand, and beyond.

The Guinness Premiership joins an ESPN programming lineup that is rich in top-quality, exclusive sports. Launched in August, ESPN features top live football from around the world (Barclays Premier League, FA Cup, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, UEFA Europa League, Italian Serie A, Spanish Liga, German Bundesliga, Dutch Eredivisie, Portuguese Liga, Russian Premier League and MLS) as well as UFC – Ultimate Fighting Championship, Top 14 Orange rugby, Australian Rules Football (AFL), NHL, NBA, Major League Baseball and more.

The discussions between Mr Rossborough and his advisors and RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron, RFU Management Board Chairman Martyn Thomas and RFU Company Secretary Karena Vleck were productive and will be ongoing.

However, the RFU has yet to hear from Andrew Green further to his statement about his intent to put Coventry Rugby Football Club Limited into Creditors Voluntary Liquidation which is not proving helpful.

The move came after the West Midlands club received a winding-up order from the Inland Revenue because of an outstanding tax bill believed to be around £400,000.

Players were ordered not to turn up for training on Tuesday and directors were told to lock up the Butts Park Arena ground, which is not owned by the club, with all staff being sent home.

In addition the RFU has not heard from, nor been made aware of, any legal advisors being appointed to complete the liquidation process and so, at the current time, the legal status of the club remains unclear.

It is the current view of the RFU that until legally confirmed otherwise the club continues to trade and is obligated to play its game against Bedford Blues on Friday night.

The club’s players have vowed to play on if a deal can be sorted out. Coventry, now the third Championship club to face a financial crisis this season following the problems at London Welsh and Birmingham and Solihull, are due to play Bedford on Friday night. If the club fail to fulfill the fixture, they could face expulsion from the RFU.

The players have agreed to play the game and the support is being offered by Coventry City Council. The offer by the Ricoh Arena and its shareholders, Coventry City Council and the Alan Edward Higgs Charity, to host the Bedford Blues game, was also welcomed and it is hoped they will continue to be so supportive until the situation is resolved.

Francis Baron said: “We are very keen to do whatever we can to maintain rugby in Coventry where there is a great history and tradition. We are hopeful that Peter and other interested parties can put in place a plan of action that assures the legal status of the club and can deliver long term certainty to the club. We will be working with Peter to help him where we can and are in dialogue with the other Championship clubs to ensure we maintain the integrity of the league.”

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe launches the Women's Rugby World Cup 2010

England’s Women will head into next year’s World Cup with a historic win over the Black Ferns and a ringing endorsement for rugby from Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe.

Catherine Spencer led her team to a 10-3 win in front of 12,500 at Twickenham Stadium and was back at Twickenham Stadium 48 hours later to launch the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010.

Also in the cast was Sutcliffe who told the RFU Podcast: “We are trying to make sure that we can attract world class events and the World Cup is a significant event.

“What we want is for that to inspire young women and girls into rugby. We are already pleased with the increasing participation figures for women’s rugby (35 per cent percent growth) and we believe that a tournament of this nature will help that continue.

“There’s been great thought gone into the event so yes, we will stage a wonderful tournament of rugby, but behind that there will be a legacy about how we increase people’s social and education skills and health benefits by making sure there are programmes around the competition.”

Spencer meanwhile is putting behind her the euphoria of her player of the match winning contributioin for a first victory over New Zealand in eight years to focus on the challenge in South West London next August.

We hear from Spencer as well as:

* Martyn Thomas – on hosting two Rugby World Cups in a decade of sport

* Rob Andrew – on England’s Investec Challenge series

* Dan Vickerman and Dan Rosen – of Cambridge and Oxford universities ahead of the December 10 Nomura Varsity match at Twickenham

Listen to the RFU Podcast here

Extensive flood damage to a bridge in the Feltham area means no direct train services are currently running between Feltham and Twickenham.

As a result, special arrangements have been put in place for rugby fans travelling to the match on Saturday 21 November 2009.

Customers travelling from London Waterloo

Eight trains per hour will run direct from London Waterloo to Twickenham. However, passengers should be aware that these trains are likely to be extremely busy and are advised to allow additional time to get to and from the game.

Customers travelling from Reading and the West Country

Customers are advised where possible to travel on First Great Western services via Reading to London Paddington. From Paddington take London Underground services to London Waterloo (Bakerloo line) or Richmond Station (District line). South West Trains tickets will be accepted on First Great Western services at no additional cost.

Customers travelling from stations west of Feltham on South West Trains services

All South West Trains services from Reading will terminate at Feltham Station. It is not possible to convey passengers direct to Twickenham by bus due to road closures in the Twickenham area, so arrangements are being made to transfer customers by bus from Feltham to Kempton Park Station. For two hours before the game and for two hours after the game four trains per hour will run direct from Kempton Park to Twickenham. Outwith those times there will be two trains per hour running from Kempton Park to Twickenham. Please note that buses and trains are likely to be extremely busy.

Passengers are advised to allow at least an extra hour for their journey

South West Trains Managing Director Andy Pitt said: “We are aware that a significant number of people will be traveling to the rugby international at Twickenham and we are working hard to try and minimize any inconvenience caused by the impact of the extensive bridge damage on our services. We would like to apologise to fans for the extra time it will take to get to and from the game and we would like to thank them in advance for their patience.”

Full details of the alternative travel arrangements are available on the South West Trains website at www.southwesttrains.co.uk

London Wasps lock Simon Shaw, flanker Joe Worsley and Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle come into the starting line-up and there is a positional switch at full back where Mark Cueto trades places with Ugo Monye.

Shaw takes over from Louis Deacon and wins his 53rd cap at the age of 36, former Wasps and Leicester centre Erinle makes his first start in place of Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints) and experienced Wasps flanker Worsley replaces Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) in the back row.

Deacon, Croft and Geraghty are all named on the bench with Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks) coming into the 22 for the first time this autumn.

England team

• 15 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
• 14 Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
• 13 Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers)
• 12 Ayoola Erinle (Biarritz)
• 11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
• 10 Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
• 9 Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
• 1 Tim Payne (London Wasps)
• 2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
• 3 Duncan Bell (Bath Rugby)
• 4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps)
• 5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, captain)
• 6 Joe Worsley (London Wasps)
• 7 Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers)
• 8 James Haskell (Stade Francais)

Replacements

• 16 Steve Thompson (Brive)
• 17 David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
• 18 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers)
• 19 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
• 20 Danny Care (Harlequins)
• 21 Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints)
• 22 Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks)

England Women name team to face NZ

England Women have named their starting line-up for Saturday’s Investec Challenge Double Header against world champions New Zealand, kick-off 445pm at Twickenham Stadium.

England Head Coach Gary Street has brought in Richmond centre Rachael Burford to the starting line-up with Lichfield’s Emily Scarratt moving to full back. Saracens’ Charlotte Barras also moves to the wing.

RBS 6 Nations champions England head into the match looking to avenge their 16-3 defeat to the Black Ferns last Saturday, and secure an all important win against the world champions just nine months before the Rugby World Cup kicks-off in London.

Street said: “We have made some changes to freshen up our midfield, and bring something new to the table for this final clash against New Zealand. We learned some important lessons last week, and we know we need to be more disciplined and more effective in everything we do this Saturday. If we do that then we know we have the potential to win this game.

“Playing at Twickenham stadium is a massive opportunity for us to show how good this side is, and how skilful women’s rugby is. Certainly being at home for this crucial match is going to give us that extra five percent on the pitch. We are relishing this opportunity.”

England are without six first choice players for the autumn series with Team Northumbria’s Rochelle Clark (hand) and Katy Storie (back), Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter (arm) and Sarah Beale (back), Worcester’s Karen Jones (knee) and Danielle Waterman (acl) all sidelined with injuries.

Entry to the stadium is free at 4:15pm.

England Team

• 15 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
• 14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
• 13 Claire Allan Richmond
• 12 Rachael Burford Richmond
• 11 Charlotte Barras Saracens
• 10 Katy Mclean (VC) Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
• 9 Amy Turner Richmond
• 1 Claire Purdy Wasps
• 2 Amy Garnett Saracens
• 3 Sophie Hemming Bristol
• 4 Rebecca Essex Richmond
• 5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
• 6 Heather Fisher Worcester
• 7 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
• 8 Catherine Spencer (C) Bristol

Replacements:

• 16 Sam Reeve Worcester
• 17 Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield
• 18 Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
• 19 Jane Leonard Team Northumbria / Army
• 20 Georgina Rozario Bristol
• 21 Alice Richardson Richmond
• 22 Fiona Pocock Richmond

England Women will have to wait until Saturday November 21st to have a second chance of conquering the reigning world champions New Zealand after today (Saturday) succumbing to a 16-3 defeat at Esher RFC.

In their first meeting against the Black Ferns since the 2006 Rugby World Cup final England produced a determined and gutsy performance but were let down by ill discipline in the first half which then left them playing catch-up in the second half.

England, however, will not get a better stage than Twickenham Stadium to reek their revenge when they compete in the Investec Challenge Double Header in a week’s time. The rematch kicks off immediately after the men’s match at 445pm, with entry to the stadium free at 415pm.

England Head Coach Gary Street is certainly adamant that England can be second time lucky in seven days time. He said: “This game was a real fact finder for us ahead of the World Cup in 2010, and more immediately next Saturday. We are not a side that lose often, and despite that I am upbeat. We have found out today that they are not super human and we are certainly ready to fight again next Saturday.

“I would have liked better playing conditions today. The wind was problematic and it would have been good if we could have got our solar power backs going, but that’s no excuse. For 30 minutes of the game we were only 3-0 down, and if we had matched that I think it would have been a different story. Instead we made errors and they added a second penalty and a try just before half time. Then we were left chasing our tails.”

England and New Zealand were evenly matched for most of the first half, and both sides made a ferocious start. England captain Catherine Spencer led by example and made a good break from the back of a scrum. Worcester flanker Heather Fisher took it on and made a superb break to get the home side in New Zealand’s 22 but the tourists held firm and closed the opportunity out. Instead, New Zealand soon had their first chance at goal but the wind this time played to England’s advantage and their fly half Rebecca Mahony couldn’t convert. She did however just moments later on 14 minutes.

England again showed how powerful they can be in attack with another good pick up from Spencer. Fisher again showed her pace, and with the ball then moving through the midfield Richmond centre Claire Allan was pulled down just short of the line.

New Zealand continued to match England’s efforts though, and clawed their way to a 6-0 advantage with a second penalty goal after half an hour. They were not deterred either when they lost flanker Justine Lavea to the sin-bin, and their No. 8 Casey Robertson minutes later. England, however, didn’t take advantage of the two man advantage and in fact it was New Zealand that crossed for the one and only try of the afternoon. A well worked line-out in England’s 22, with a ruck following, saw the ball popped out to centre Amiria Rule who found a space and dived over the line. Mahony added the conversion to take a 13-0 lead into the break.

England came back out strongly and continued to threaten with some powerful runs by Saracens full back Charlotte Barras, and some great tackles by scrum half Amy Turner and flanker Maggie Alphonsi. Allan was also tight in defence but England had too much work to do, and dropped to a 16-0 deficit after another penalty goal on 46 minutes.

Vice captain Katy McLean had her first chance at goal on 57 minutes, but the wind proved the deciding factor for that kick. She was able to add three points minutes later, but a third kick also went astray on 66 minutes. Instead England held firm and kept pushing in attack, but their efforts went unrewarded.

England Team

15 Charlotte Barras (Saracens), 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 13 Claire Allan (Richmond) , 12 Alice Richardson (Richmond), 11 Fiona Pocock (Richmond), 10 Katy Mclean (VC) (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 9 Amy Turner (Richmond), 1 Claire Purdy (Wasps), 2 Amy Garnett (Saracens), 3 Sophie Hemming (Bristol), 4 Rebecca Essex (Richmond), 5 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps)

6 Heather Fisher (Worcester), 7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), 8 Catherine Spencer (C) (Bristol). Replacements: 16 Sam Reeve (Worcester), 17 Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield), 18 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 19 Jane Leonard (Team Northumbria / Army), 20 La Toya Mason (Wasps), 21 Rachael Burford (Richmond), 22 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)

Tries:

Conversions:

Penalties: McLean

Substitutions: Burford for Richardson (49), Taylor for Essex (60), Leonard for Fisher (62), Reeve for Garnett (68), Mason for Turner (71), Crowley for Purdy (76).

New Zealand

15 Kelly Brazier (Otago), 14 Victoria Grant (Auckland), 13 Huriana Manuel (Auckland), 12 Amiria Rule (Canterbury), 11 Carla Hohepa (Otago), 10 Rebecca Mahony (Wellington), 9 Emma Jensen (Auckland), 1 Ruth McKay (Manawatu), 2 Fiao’o Faamausili (Auckland), 3 Stephanie TeOhaere-Fox (Canterbury), 4 Kimberly Smith (Canterbury), 5 Victoria Heighway (C) (Auckland), 6 Linda Itunu (Auckland), 7 Justine Lavea (Auckland), 8 Casey Robertson (Canterbury). Replacements: 16 Claire Rowat (Wellington), 17 Beth Mallard (Otago), 18 Vita Robinson (Auckland), 19 Olivia Coady (Canterbury), 20 Kendra Cocksedge (Canterbury), 22 Anika Tiplady (Canterbury), 21 Renee Wickcliffe (Auckland)

Tries: Rule

Conversions: Mahony

Penalties: Mahony (3).

Substitutions:

Half time score: England 0 New Zealand 13

England Playing Schedule:

• November 14th England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 4pm
• November 17th England A v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 7pm
• November 21st England v New Zealand, Twickenham, KO 445pm

Richmond's Fran Matthews starts for England A

The England Women’s A team to take on the world champions New Zealand on November 17th, kick off 7pm at Esher RFC, has today (Tuesday) been announced.

England A take on the Black Ferns as part of a three test series for the New Zealanders. New Zealand will also play England on November 14th at Esher RFC, kick off 4pm, and at Twickenham Stadium on November 21st as part of the Investec Challenge Double Header. Entry to the game at Twickenham is free after 415pm. Kick off is at 445pm.

England A Head Coach Mike Barnett has selected a strong squad which includes Bristol’s Kim Oliver, Wasps’ Michaela Staniford and Richmond’s Fran Matthews who share 70 caps between them. Saracens’ Sonia Green will captain the side. In total there are 11 players in the 22 who have all been capped.

England A Head Coach Mike Barnett said: “I am really pleased with the quality of players we have been able to select for this match. This is a massive game for England A so it’s great to be able to call on such experienced players. Sonia is captain, but our capped players will also be able to offer her leadership support. At the same time we have some very talented younger players such as Laura Keates, Marlie Packer and Charlotte Male. They are stepping up from the under 20s so this is a big opportunity for them, as it is for all the players with the 2010 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in London just around the corner.

“New Zealand will no doubt come over here as a very experienced side. Their players will be very comfortable on the ball, and will have a great game understanding. They have a rugby culture which is second to none, so it’s up to us to match them and cause them as many problems as we can, and at the same time keep our defence very tight.”

England A

• 15 Georgina Roberts Darlington Mowden Sharks
• 14 Francesca Matthews Richmond
• 13 Michaela Staniford Wasps
• 12 Kimberley Oliver Bristol
• 11 Amber Penrith Worcester
• 10 Danielle Knight Lichfield
• 9 La Toya Mason Wasps
• 1 Laura Keates Worcester
• 2 Olivia Poore Lichfield
• 3 Monica Lewinska Bristol
• 4 Natalie Binstead Wasps
• 5 Rowena Burnfield Richmond
• 6 Marlie Packer Bristol
• 7 Gemma Sharples Worcester
• 8 Sonia Green Saracens Captain

Replacements:

• 16 Emma Layland Richmond
• 17 Charlotte Male Bristol
• 18 Sara Anastasi Richmond
• 19 Isabelle Noel-Smith Bristol
• 20 Georgina Rozario Bristol
• 21 Abi Chamberlain Richmond
• 22 Natasha Hunt Bristol

Smith, the game’s fifth most capped player, has swapped roles with the Western Force 21-year-old David Pocock from last week. He will play in his 107th Test.

Ioane plays his sixth Test match, but his first at centre, after making a successful return from injury on the wing last weekend against the All Blacks. The powerful 24-year-old converted to the midfield for the Queensland Reds this year, making 10 appearances at centre before his efforts were curtailed by a shoulder injury that required surgery to correct.

He teams up with his state colleague Cooper, who has won selection for his eighth Test, but just his second at inside centre, after starring with 16 points from the flyhalf position during Tuesday night’s 36-5 win over Gloucester.

The 21-year-old features in the run on side for just the second time, and both have been in the number 12 jersey, after he started from that position during Australia’s 34-12 win over Italy at Melbourne in June. Cooper also played inside centre during the Queensland Reds’ final match of this year’s Investec Super 14, scoring a try against the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium.

The re-positioning of Ioane in the number 13 jersey has opened the way for Drew Mitchell, who scored two tries on Tuesday night at Kingsholm, to return on the wing after he was unused from the bench in Tokyo.

Cooper’s elevation from last week’s Test reserves allows Adam Ashley Cooper to return to fullback – the position he was originally selected for last week, before the injury to team vice captain Berrick Barnes prompted a late backline reshuffle. Ashley-Cooper scored Australia’s try, from fullback, during the Wallabies’ most recent visit to Twickenham last year.

While the selection of Smith is the only change from last week’s starting forward pack against the All Blacks; there are three changes in the backline as well as Ashley-Cooper’s relocation, with fullback James O’Connor and centre Ryan Cross dropping back to the bench.

Hooker Stephen Moore, who was originally named on the bench last week before being drafted into the run on side when injury troubled Tatafu Polota-Nau, has retained his place, with Polota-Nau selected to back him up.

Moore was the man of the match during the Cook Cup Test 12 months ago.

Australia’s 28-14 win over England last year was just its second success from its five most recent visits to London.

However, such is the level of the transition that has taken place within the Wallabies; just eight of that starting side will be back again in the run on team this Saturday.

Four are backs: Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Mitchell and Matt Giteau, while Smith, lock Mark Chisholm, Moore and prop Benn Robinson remain from the starting forward combination.

The match will be refereed by Bryce Lawrence of New Zealand.

The Qantas Wallabies team to play England in the Cook Cup Test at Twickenham Stadium, London, on Saturday 7 November, 2.30pm kick off (1.30am, Sun 8 Nov, AEST), is:

• 15. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)
• 14. Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds)
• 13. Digby Ioane (Queensland Reds)
• 12. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
• 11. Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)
• 10. Matt Giteau (Brumbies)
• 9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds)
• 8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
• 7. George Smith (Brumbies)
• 6. Rocky Elsom (Brumbies, captain)
• 5. Mark Chisholm (Brumbies)
• 4. James Horwill (Queensland Reds)
• 3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
• 2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
• 1. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs)

Run on reserves:

• 16. Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs)
• 17. Matt Dunning (Western Force)
• 18. Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs)
• 19. David Pocock (Western Force)
• 20. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
• 21. Ryan Cross (Western Force)
• 22. James O’Connor (Western Force)

This is the 37th Test match between Australia and England. Australia has won 21 and England 14 while the 1997 contest in London resulted in a 15-15 draw.

England holds a narrow 10 wins to eight advantage with one drawn, from the 19 matches played on English soil. This includes victories in three of the last five matches played.

Flanker George Smith will advance ahead of Chris Latham, with 12, as the second most capped Australian player against England, behind George Gregan who featured on 16 occasions.

The two teams compete for the Cook Cup, which was established in 1997. The cup is named after Captain James Cook and is currently held by Australia.

Although the links between the countries are undoubtedly close, the intensity of the rivalry between the two is a relatively modern phenomenon. This is evidenced by the fact that only six Tests had been played prior to the 1970s. Australia and England have twice met in Rugby World Cup finals, sharing the spoils one apiece, each having prevailed on the other’s home turf.

The partnership with Nintendo, set to run until September 2010, will see commercial rights apply to key rugby events over the year at Twickenham including The Investec Challenge Series matches (England versus Australia, Argentina and New Zealand), The Nomura Varsity Match, The RBS 6 Nations, The Emirates Airline London Sevens and the England versus Barbarians match.

Partnership activity promoting key titles Wii Sports Resort and Wii Fit Plus, will manifest itself in an integrated marketing campaign across perimeter signage, CRM, big screen advertising, pitch side competitions, consumer sampling plus high impact fun and creative animations on the scoreboards.

Paul Vaughan, Business Operations Director, RFU said:

“Our partnership with Nintendo is an exciting development for the RFU and one we hope will grow beyond the initial year. The partnership will see Nintendo’s gaming expertise deliver an enhanced entertainment experience to rugby fans. We will be working closely together to maximise the opportunity for both parties and providing a new dimension to rugby at Twickenham in the process.”

Ben Taylor, Nintendo UK, said:

“We hope our partnership with the RFU will add even more excitement to match days at Twickenham. Working alongside the RFU is a great opportunity for us to talk to a family audience, not just through traditional advertising methods but through a more experiential, hands on approach through product sampling.”