Robinson: England’s Dan the man to light up sevens world

Posted on May 11, 2012 in England Sevens

World Cup winner Jason Robinson loves to be entertained and hailed England’s Dan Norton as the man who has lit up this season’s HSBC Sevens World Series.

Norton is the leading global try-getter going into the final leg at the Marriott London Sevens at Twickenham Stadium this weekend. No Englishman – in a list including Ugo Monye and David Strettle – has scored more heavily in a single season.

The 24 year-old from Bristol has touched down 35 times on big stages everywhere from Hong Kong to Las Vegas on a world tour in which the eight tournament titles have been shared by five different teams so far.

Former England wing Robinson – their try scorer in the 2003 World Cup final victory – admits he wants to see ‘speed, good feet and skills’ more than scrums and lineouts these days.

And the likes of England’s Norton and Mat Turner, and New Zealand’s Lomu-like wing Frank Halai, have provided exactly that since the series kicked off on the Gold Coast in Queensland six months ago.

The single snapshot highlight? Norton’s astonishing try in Hong Kong against Australia, starting from behind his own line before he beat three opponents to go the length of the field and snatch victory on the final play, might just be the best of the lot.

“When you’re playing 15s you are aware of sevens because everyone loves playing it but what I’ve seen this season has been amazing,” said Robinson, an HSBC Ambassador.

“I’ve been astonished going to the different legs as to how much interest has been generated. For guys like Norton, who’s just re-signed for England, it’s fantastic. The best players love big stages and the HSBC Sevens World Series gives them that worldwide.

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Premiership coaches visit USA

Posted on May 11, 2012 in Premiership Rugby

PREMIERSHIP RUGBY COACHES VISIT THE U.S.A. TO PROMOTE & DEVELOP RUGBY

Premiership Rugby is travelling to the United States of America at the end of May to play a key role in the development and promotion of rugby in the country.

12 coaches, one from each of the Premiership Rugby clubs, will be travelling to New York along with four members of Premiership Rugby’s Community Team to help promote the game.  The visit follows Premiership Rugby’s successful trip to Brazil in March to help in the development of rugby in South America.

The core values of rugby will be used by coaches in their work with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in New York to help improve self-esteem, community cohesion and other social outcomes.

The visit will run from 28th May to 2nd June and involves the following Premiership Rugby coaches:  Caryl Thomas from Bath Rugby, Marc Dibble from Exeter Chiefs, David Barley from Gloucester Rugby, Thomas Williams from Harlequins, Christophe Ridley from Leicester Tigers, Michael Crump from London Irish, Ian Isham from London Wasps, Gavin Beasley from Newcastle Falcons, Benjamin Mann from Northampton Saints, Richard Spencer from Sale Sharks, Max Malkin from Saracens and Tamara Taylor from Worcester Warriors, alongside Wayne Morris, Sophie Hartley, Helen Clayton and Scott Watson from Premiership Rugby’s Community Department.  

On Thursday 31st May Premiership Rugby coaches will help launch the Great Campaign Sports Festival, a touch tournament in Central Park, and then will be attending an end-of-season awards event in Harlem with youngsters’ friends and family.

On Friday 1st June, the Public School Athletics League High School Rugby 7s Final will be taking place in New York.  During the week leading up to the Final and for the Final itself, two Premiership Rugby coaches and one Play Rugby USA coach will be assigned to mentor each school.

On Saturday 2nd June, Premiership Rugby will be running fan engagement fitness testing sessions in the fans village at the 2012 USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship in Philadelphia, where the Aviva Premiership Rugby trophy will also be on display.

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Marriott London Sevens hits new heights at Twickenham Stadium

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Sevens

The Marriott London Sevens is set to hit new heights with another world record weekend at Twickenham Stadium in the final leg of this season’s HSBC Sevens World Series.

More than 90,000 tickets have been sold for the tournament – launched today at the EDF Energy London Eye and the London Marriott Hotel County Hall with coaches and captains from the competing nations – and this weekend’s total attendance is expected to climb past last year’s high of 100,094.

The Marriott London Sevens is also the final major event in the calendar before the sport is welcomed into the Olympic family after the London 2012 Games, and for the first time both men’s and women’s events will be staged at Twickenham.

New Zealand are close to completing the defence of their overall HSBC Sevens World Series title, with Fiji in second place. Dubai champions England are in third and aiming to finish on a high after their impressive performances at Glasgow last weekend.

The IRB Women’s Challenge Cup sees England aiming to add more silverware to their collection after lifting the Hong Kong title with hot competition expected from the likes of World Cup winners Australia and Dubai title-holders Canada.

The tournament’s ‘70s Disco theme will attract thousands in fancy dress and create a carnival atmosphere with house band Love Train playing live inside the stadium and a Funky Town fan village in the West Car Park as well as a host of other entertainment for supporters of all ages.

Rob Andrew, RFU Professional Rugby Director, said: “The Marriott London Sevens continues to grow and get bigger and better each year both on and off the pitch, which is a testimony to the strength of the event and the appeal of the sport.

“This weekend, for the first time, Twickenham Stadium is the finale of what may be the most competitive HSBC Sevens World Series of them all.

“The athleticism and skill levels of the players are astonishing now and that goes for the women’s game as well as the men’s, with two competitions running alongside each other throughout the weekend.”

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Falcon’s Pilgrim re-signs

Posted on May 9, 2012 in Newcastle Falcons, Premiership

Chris Pilgrim is the latest player to pledge his future to the ambitious Newcastle Falcons after signing an extension to his contract.

Pilgrim, 26, who joins Jimmy Gopperth, Ally Hogg and Rob Vickers on the committed list, reveals he is excited at the prospect of developing his game under the stewardship of incoming director of rugby Dean Richards.

He told the Falcons official website: “I am delighted to have signed a new contract and I am really looking forward to working under Dean Richards.

“The fact that Dean Richards is coming in has had a massive bearing on my decision to stay in the North East and there is certainly a very bright future for the club.

“I want to be a part of something special here – now my aim is to get my head down and keep working hard in training.”

The Birkenhead-born No.9 has competed with Will Chudley and latterly Peter Stringer for a starting berth this campaign.

Pilgrim admits Ireland international Stringer has had a significant impact on his game since joining the Falcons on loan from Munster.

“Peter [Stringer] has really helped my game both on and off the field,” said Pilgrim.

He added: “The way he goes about his business from a game management point of view and how he interacts with the forwards is world class.

“I have learnt a lot from him in recent weeks and I cannot wait to develop my skills in pre-season. Since Gary [Gold] came in things have also improved for me.”

Joining the Falcons in the summer of 2009 from Championship outfit Nottingham, Pilgrim played a key role in helping his side lift the J.P Morgan Premiership Rugby 7’s trophy last year.

The former Loughborough student believes the Falcons can go all the way to the top with the backing of owner Semore Kurdi.

He said: “Semore is very passionate about rugby in the North East and he wants the Falcons to go all the way to the top.

“He has signalled his intent with a number of changes such as the restructuring of the academy, the new medical suite and of course the appointment of Dean.”

RFUW appoint first ever full time England Women’s Sevens Head Coach

Posted on May 8, 2012 in England Sevens, England Women

Barry Maddocks has been appointed to the newly created position of full time England Women’s Sevens Head Coach.

Maddocks, who has been coaching the England Women’s Sevens team on a sessional basis, will now join Gary Street and Graham Smith as part of the England Women’s coaching team which is overseen by RFUW Head of Performance Nicola Ponsford.

45 applicants from around the world applied for the position, which will see the England Head Coach lead England into the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Russia, participate in an IRB Women’s World Sevens Series next season and help build towards Rugby Sevens’ inclusion in the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The shortlisted candidates underwent a rigorous interview process with Gary Street, England Women’s Head Coach, Nigel Redman, RFU Elite Coach Development Manager and Ben Ryan, England Men’s Sevens Head Coach on the interview panel.

“Following a very thorough and competitive interview process I am pleased to announce that Barry Maddocks has been appointed as the full time England Women’s Sevens Head Coach,” said Ponsford. “The level of applicants for this role was very high and we are delighted that Barry has agreed to join us. Barry was outstanding in the interview process and was the stand out candidate for us, demonstrating his excellent in depth knowledge of Sevens.

“This fulltime appointment underlines our commitment to Sevens as well as XVs Rugby. Barry will be joining a well-established EPS team and his specific in depth knowledge in Sevens will certainly help shape our team.”

Ryan added: “Barry was an outstanding candidate in a very competitive field and I’d like to wish him and the England Women’s sevens team every success in the coming years. They’ve made great progress this season and their performances in Dubai and in Hong Kong were outstanding. There’s a strong bond between our two teams and we look forward to continuing to work closely with Barry, his staff and players.”

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