The sides met two weeks ago in Tunis, where Namibia claimed a narrow victory, defeating the home side 18-13. The second leg of their challenge took place yesterday on Namibian homesoil in Windhoek where they defeated the visitors 22-10.

Namibia’s qualification now completes Pool D which includes Fiji, Samoa, South Africa and Wales.

“Our warmest congratulations go to Namibia on their qualification for RWC 2011. The completed line up for Pool D is very strong and will provide some exciting matches in 2011. In particular, I am looking forward to Namibia’s match against their African neighbours, South Africa,” said Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) CEO Martin Snedden.

In their first match on September 10, Namibia will face tenth-ranked Fiji at Rotorua International Stadium. They will remain in Rotorua for their second Pool Match on September 14 against Samoa.

Rotorua Mayor Mayor Kevin Winters extended his congratulations to Namibia on their qualification. “There is already a buzz of excitement here in Rotorua and RWC 2011 just can’t come soon enough for us. We’re planning to make it a big celebration befitting New Zealand’s most famous and iconic visitor destination. Rotorua International Stadium will be in great shape to host these matches and our Namibian visitors can be assured of the very warmest of Rotorua welcomes as our various cultures come together for the magnificent international sporting spectacular that is RWC 2011” he said.

The team will then travel to the North Shore to take on RWC 2007 Champions and current world number two team South Africa at North Harbour Stadium on September 22.

Said Michael Barnett, Auckland’s RWC 2011 political spokesman, “Congratulations to Namibia and we look forward to welcoming the team to Auckland in 2011. We will ensure that the Namibian team has a great Auckland experience while they are here. Their visit will also be a treat for local fans who will have the opportunity to see Namibia play their neighbours and arch rivals South Africa at North Harbour Stadium.”

In their final Pool Match on September 26, Namibia will come up against Wales at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth.

New Plymouth District Mayor Peter Tennent is looking forward to hosting the team in Taranaki: “It has taken passion and determination for Namibia to qualify, and it’s that drive to succeed that will make the Tournament such an exciting event for everyone,” he said. “We’re welcoming teams from around the world to this Rugby-mad nation, and when Namibia runs onto the ground at Stadium Taranaki they’ll know they’re playing in front of thousands of passionate fans.”

Namibia have competed in the past three Rugby World Cup tournaments and are currently ranked 22nd in the International Rugby Board (IRB) World Rankings.

Their qualification makes them the 16th team to join RWC 2011, leaving four more spots to be contested prior to 2011 – Europe 1, Europe 2, Asia 1 and the Play-off winner.

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

“There’s some continuity in our squad now. We’ve got Scott Forrest, Mike Adamson and Colin Shaw who have sevens as their main competition.

“It’s nice to have that backbone and also having Hefin O’Hare and Andrew Turnbull involved in the squad who were in London and Edinburgh last season. That’s five players there who have been involved in consecutive semi-finals.”

There are six new caps in the squad, among which are Bath scrum-half Mike Baxter, Sale Sharks back-rower David Tait and Glasgow’s formidable ball carrying flanker James Eddie.

However, despite the influx of new faces, all but Tait have been involved in the squad’s pre-season camps in Delhi and France, the first time the sevens squad has undertaken such a thorough pre-season regime.

Gemmell also announced the return of full-time professionals Hefin O’Hare and Andrew Turnbull, both of whom were involved in Scotland’s first ever semi-final spots in London and Edinburgh last year.

He continued: “We’ve had good support from both pro-teams again in getting release of Hefin [O’Hare], Turny [Andrew Turnbull] as well as James Eddie. I’m excited by the squad.

“All of the players in this squad, with the exception of David Tait, were either with us in Delhi or in France. The squad is selected on merit and David is someone we’ve been aware of in terms of being Scottish qualified playing at Sale.

“He’s been involved in the Guinness Premiership and the Heineken Cup this year. He’s a rangy ball carrying number eight so that gives us yet another string to our bow.

“We’ve maybe, in the past, not always had that strength in depth and I feel with this squad of 12 that we’ve got here that that we have got strength in depth.

“All of these players firstly will have to play, but secondly are more than capable of playing, and when we’ve had that in the past, we’ve done well.”

Meanwhile, as the senior Scotland team continues to inspire the nation through their winning performances in the Bank of Scotland Corporate Autumn Tests, Gemmell hopes that his charges can continue to enthuse rugby fans as the nation builds towards the Commonwealth Games in Delhi next year.

“I hope that through our performances on the World Series this year, we can enthuse people to get involved and interested in rugby,” said Gemmell.

“Scotland have put out a massive statement over the last couple of weeks with victories over Fiji and Australia and we’ve now got to follow that.

“If we want people to get behind Scottish rugby then we need to be performing. We’re just now all looking forward to getting on the plane, getting to Dubai and getting our preparation right so we’re ready to perform.”

The profile of rugby sevens has seen a sharp rise in recent months, not only due to the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, but its inclusion in the Olympic programme from the 2016 event in Rio De Janeiro.

Now Gemmell admits that there are numerous targets for his side as a huge season for sevens nears the start line.

“It’s a new World Series and it’s an exciting year to be a part of it,” he said. “The decision about the Olympics will have given everyone a new focus throughout the world.

“The unique thing about sevens is that the majority of the top teams are part of the Commonwealth. So there’s one eye on the World Series and, as we near the end of the World Series in Edinburgh next year, people will start to look towards Delhi.

“For the players, and everyone involved in Scottish rugby, it’s a massive opportunity to be involved in the Commonwealth Games.”

Scotland 7s squad to compete at the IRB Sevens World Series events in Dubai (5 & 6 December) and George, South Africa (11 & 12 December): Scott Forrest* CAPTAIN, Mike Adamson*, Grant Anderson (Ayr)**, Mike Baxter (Bath), James Eddie (Glasgow Warriors), Peter Jericevich (Glasgow Hawks)**, Lee Jones (Selkirk), Stuart McInally (Watsonians)**, Hefin O’Hare (Glasgow Warriors), Colin Shaw*, David Tait (Sale Sharks), Andrew Turnbull (Edinburgh)

* = Fulltime Scotland 7s player.

** = Member of Scottish Rugby’s Contracted National Academy

IRB Dubai Sevens, Pool B: Fiji, Samoa, Scotland, Zimbabwe

Scotland 7s’ Pool B fixtures on day one (Saturday 5 December) of the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens (5 & 6 December):

• Fiji v Scotland, 9.20am local time, 5.20am GMT
• Samoa v Scotland, 1.18pm local time, 9.18am GMT
• Scotland v Zimbabwe, 4.32pm local time, 12.32pm GMT

IRB South Africa Sevens, Pool D: Scotland, England, Argentina, Tunisia

Scotland 7s’ Pool D fixtures on day one (Friday 11 December) of the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens (11 & 12 December):

• Scotland v Argentina, 11.42am local time, 9.42am GMT
• Scotland v Tunisia, 2.48pm local time, 12.48pm GMT
• Scotland v England, 7.32pm local time, 5.32pm GMT

The premier 15-aside tournament in the women’s game, which will be played from next August 20 to September 5, will feature three pools of four teams with defending champions New Zealand, hosts and 2006 runners-up England and 2006 bronze medalists France all ranked top seeds in their pool.

The unprecedented qualification process, which saw 16 teams compete for the six places available outside the automatically qualified teams, was completed when Kazakhstan defeated Japan 43-5 to claim a place in Pool B, while Sweden join Pool C in their first appearance on the Women’s Rugby World Cup stage since 1998.

New Zealand, England, France, Canada, USA and South Africa all qualified directly, with Wales and Ireland qualifying through the Six Nations, Sweden and Scotland from the European qualifiers in May, Australia as the Oceania qualifier and Kazakhstan from Asia.

Newly appointed Scotland Women’s coach, Gary Parker, has just completed the first of the season’s training camps with the Scotland squad.

He said: “It’s a tough draw but there are no easy games in the World Cup competition.

“Fortunately we have a good opportunity to analyse each of our pool opponents by revisiting our 6 Nations preparation fixture against Sweden, which we won 32-0, while Canada’s match against France this week will also provide some useful footage.

“We have just completed an excellent two-day training camp where the intensity of the players was superb. We have a few adjustments to make to improve a few things but I’m confident in the players and the time we have that we will be able to challenge and develop the players for the 6 Nations, first and foremost, and the 2010 Women’s Rugby World Cup after that.

“The 6 Nations is the immediate challenge and priority for us which starts against France at home in February. All of our efforts and concentration will be geared towards that as it’s important that we get our preparation and performances right.”

• Pool A: New Zealand, Wales, Australia, South Africa
• Pool B: England, USA, Ireland, Kazakhstan
• Pool C: France, Canada, Scotland, Sweden

Rhino began supplying England with scrummaging machines and other training products in 1984 and the company is therefore currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of its relationship with the RFU. Founded in the early 1980s by Tim Francis, inventor of the original ‘Powerhouse’ scrum machine, his brother-in-law Derek de Glanville ( father of former England captain Phil ) and England 2003 Rugby World Cup winning scrum coach Phil Keith-Roach, Rhino can justifiably claim to be the manufacturer of the world’s first modern mass-produced scrummaging machine, and remains a world market leader.

Paul Vaughan, Business Operations Director, RFU said:

“At the RFU we pride ourselves on maintaining long term partnerships with our sponsors as we believe that is the best way for both sides to get value. The game has grown and changed hugely in 25 years and Rhino have constantly evolved along with it. It is a pleasure to be able to extend that relationship further.”

Graham Rowntree, England Assistant Coach, said:

“It you aspire to be the best team in the world then you need the best training equipment to help you. And with Rhino that is what we get. Precision engineering and power that helps us build our skills to be world class. When I was playing for England it was a Rhino scrummaging machine that I packed down on so it is fantastic news that they will be remaining involved with England for the next 4 years.”

Reg Clark, Rhino’s Chief Executive said, “Our association with England Rugby has existed almost as long as the company itself. It has been particularly inspiring to see our equipment helping to prepare England for rugby’s most prestigious tournaments, including two World Cup finals. With so many aspirations and values in common, we are delighted to continue our association with England and the RFU.”

Rhino was also Official Supplier to the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, and supplies the Welsh Rugby Union, London Wasps, Bath, Cardiff Blues and St Helens rugby league club. Their new Rhino Pure Rugby playing kit is currently being worn by Northampton Saints, Edinburgh and Llanelli Scarlets.

Saracens' Maggie Alphonsi returns to action for England

The England Women’s team to face world champions New Zealand for the first of three tests in November has today (Tuesday) been announced.

The reigning RBS 6 Nations and Nations Cup champions take on the Black Ferns for the first time since the 2006 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup final on November 14th at Esher RFC, kick off 4pm.

England narrowly lost their last encounter 25-17 but will be hoping to turn the tables ahead of the 2010 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup in London which is just nine months away.

England A will also take on the Black Ferns on November 17th at Esher RFC, kick off 7pm, and then England will back in action against New Zealand at Twickenham Stadium on November 21st, kick off 445pm, in the Investec Challenge Double Header, with entry to the stadium free after 415pm.

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

There are, however, still over 400 caps shared between the starting line-up, with Bristol’s Catherine Spencer captaining the side. Saracens’ hooker Amy Garnett looks set to win her 80th cap, while Wasps’ La Toya Mason could make her international debut if called off the bench. England also welcome back Saracens’ Maggie Alphonsi and Darlington Mowden Park Sharks’ Tamara Taylor who have been sidelined with long term injuries.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: “Because we have a fantastic international programme, over the last few seasons we have been able to prepare for injury situations like this. It is disappointing that we have so many players injured for this very important period but we do have depth in our squad, and these games will certainly give us the chance to test ourselves against the best opposition in the world ahead of world cup next year.

“Despite losing these players I am delighted to welcome back Maggie Alphonsi and Tamara Taylor who are world class players, and natural leaders. They both played against New Zealand in the last world cup final so they will certainly add an important dimension to our squad.

“Having three games in seven days is going to be a demanding period of rugby for both us and New Zealand. I know they have some new caps in their squad, and I am sure they will be a very talented and determined side. We, however, can’t wait to show them how we have moved on since our last meeting three years ago.”

England Team

• 15 Charlotte Barras Saracens
• 14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
• 13 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
• 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 Claire Allan Richmond

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