Subs: A Westgarth, M Hall, B Bootman, J Davidson, G Dunn, P Weightman, O Walker
Referee – Wayne Falla (RFU)
Assistant Referees – Brendan Fitzmaurice and Don Helme (Both RFU)
4th Official – Graham Crozier (Northumberland Referee Society)
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England Women announce summer tour squads for New Zealand and America
As the countdown begins to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in France in August 2014 England Women are embarking on their busiest ever summer of international rugby.
England will play the reigning world champions New Zealand over a three-test series in New Zealand in July before heading to Denver to defend their Nations Cup title where they’ll take on Canada, the USA and South Africa in July and August.
England coaches Gary Street and Graham Smith have picked their squads for the tours which include a very strong 26 to travel to New Zealand where England will play the Black Ferns on July 13 at Eden Park, at Waikato Stadium on July 16 and at the ECOlight Stadium on July 20.
Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter continues her captaincy reign after England’s third place finish in the Six Nations whilst England also welcome back 12 players from the England Sevens programme following the Rugby World Cup Sevens in June.
England will, however, be without Margaret Alphonsi, Danielle Waterman, Hannah Gallagher, Georgina Gulliver, Amy Turner and Fiona Pocock who are all not considered because of injury.
England head to New Zealand on the back of two consecutive series wins against the Black Ferns in 2011 and 2012 but England have not played on their turf since 2005, or won a game in New Zealand since 2001.
Street said: “With a handful of players out injured this is the strongest squad I have available. It is an exciting squad and one I think who will relish the chance of playing the world champions in New Zealand, something we have not done in eight years.
“Unquestionably this is a hugely important series as we countdown to the Rugby World Cup. It will be the last time that we play them before that tournament whilst it will also provide a massive mental challenge for our squad. Playing at large stadiums like Eden Park and in front of big, passionate, rugby mad crowds as well as taking on the world champions will provide me with an invaluable opportunity to access where we are 12 months out from the World Cup.”
The Nations Cup squad will also be captained by Hunter who will this time lead a new-look developing England squad. In total there are eight players set to make their England debuts, including England U20s captain Megan Goddard and fellow U20s players Charlotte Keane, Leanne Riley, Abbie Scott and Amy Wilson-Hardy. A notable ten players are graduating from the RFU’s successful Divisional Programme.
England Assistant Coach Graham Smith will act as Head Coach for this tour with Simon Middleton, former Leeds Carnegie player and Defence and Skills coach, stepping in as Assistant Coach. They’ll be relying on the experience of Hunter, Claire Purdy, Rochelle Clark, Emma Croker, Rowena Burnfield and Claire Allan to guide this young squad against some tough opposition.
Street added: “The Nations Cup is a fantastic opportunity for some of our fringe or Elite Playing Squad members to gain some invaluable experience ahead of a very important season for us. This tournament will certainly help to assist our strength in depth ahead of a very busy season and that is largely down to our player pathway working so well and the work of the RFU’s Divisional Talent Development Officers.”
England squad for New Zealand series
Emily Braund (Lichfield)
Rachael Burford (Thurrock)
Rochelle Clark (Worcester)
Emma Croker (Richmond)
Heather Fisher (Worcester)
Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield)
Sophie Hemming (Bristol)
Natasha Hunt (Lichfield)
Sarah Hunter (C) (Lichfield)
Laura Keates (Worcester)
La Toya Mason (Wasps)
Francesca Matthews (Richmond)
Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)
Joanne McGilchrist (Wasps)
Katy McLean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Katherine Merchant (Worcester)
Harriett Millar-Mills (Lichfield)
Kate Newton (Bristol)
Marlie Packer (Bristol)
Amber Reed (Bristol)
Alice Richardson (Richmond)
Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)
Michaela Staniford (Wasps)
Tamara Taylor (Lichfield)
Sally Tuson (Bristol)
Joanne Watmore (Worcester)
England squad for Nations Cup
Claire Allan (Richmond)
Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)
Lauren Cattell (Saracens)
Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond)
Rochelle Clark (Richmond)
Fiona Davidson (Richmond)
Rebecca Essex (Richmond)
Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield)
Fiona Fletcher (Lichfield)
*Mercedes Foy (Thurrock)
*Megan Goddard (Worcester)
Sarah Hunter (C) (Lichfield)
*Charlotte Keane (Worcester)
Laura Keates (Worcester)
Ceri Large (Worcester)
Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
*Justine Lucas (Lichfield)
Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield)
Kate Newton (Bristol)
Isabelle Noel-Smith (Bristol)
Claire Purdy (Wasps)
*Leanne Riley (Saracens)
Georgina Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
*Zoe Saynor (Bristol)
*Abbie Scott (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Emily Scott (Thurrock)
Lydia Thompson (Worcester)
Kay Wilson (Bristol)
*Amy Wilson-Hardy (Bristol)
* Denotes uncapped player
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England Women Sevens finish second in World Series
England Women finished second in the inaugural IRB World Sevens Series this season behind New Zealand after their fourth place finish in the final leg in Amsterdam today (Saturday).
Barry Maddocks’ side knew they were unable to take the series title after New Zealand booked their place in the semi-final this morning, but for the England Head Coach he has always underlined that England’s priority is the Rugby World Cup this season.
Maddocks said: “The World Cup is the most important tournament for us and that is why for every round of the World Series we have taken a completely different squad. We want to give as many players in our Elite Playing Squad the chance to put their hands up for Russia next month.
“I am actually really chuffed with finishing fourth today. After making six changes to the squad that won in London six days ago, this young team has really exceeded my expectations. And the most important thing is that they have also really given me some selection headaches for the World Cup. There are certainly more players in the mix now for the European Sevens Series coming up and the World Cup in June.”
England had to settle for the third/fourth place play-offs after losing 7-12 to Canada in the semi-finals earlier today. England had led 7-0 at the break after a lovely try from Katy McLean which underlined why she is one of the world’s best fly-halves. But Canada came back strongly after the break with Bianca Farella and then Kelly Russell scoring to take the victory.
England’s defeat pitted them against Russia who have been impressive all weekend and with England down to just nine players for the final game a win was always going to be a tough ask.
Russia lived up to expectations and raced into a 21-0 lead at half-time with a brace coming from Baizat Khamidova and another try from Nadezda Yarmotskya. Ruth Laybourn pulled back five points for England after the restart but England’s defence could not stand up to the physical Russians who added a fourth try courtesy of Marina Petrova making the final score 26-5.
Day 2 Results:
3th/4th place play-off - England 5 Russia 26
Tries: Laybourn
Semi-finals - England 7 Canada 12
Tries: Katy McLean
Conversion: McLean
Quarter-finals - England 19 France 0
Tries: Laybourn (2), A Matthews
Conversion: McLean
Day 1 Results:
England 17 South Africa 14
Tries: Brennan, A Matthews, Laybourn
Conversions: McLean
England 12 France 5
Tries: Laybourn, Chamberlain
Conversions: McLean
England 14 Canada 0
Tries: Laybourn, Allan
Conversions: Scott
England
Claire Allan (VC) (Richmond)
Sonia Green (Saracens)
Natasha Brennan (Wasps)
Rachael Burford (Thurrock)
Abigail Chamberlain (Richmond)
Ruth Laybourn (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Francesca Matthews (Richmond)
Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)
Katy McLean (C) (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)
Marlie Packer (Bristol)
Emily Scott (Thurrock)
Kay Wilson (Bristol)
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New Scrum Laws Trial
From the start of next season there will be a global trial of the “crouch, bind, set” scrum engagement sequence, aimed at enhancing player welfare by reducing impact on engagement.
The International Rugby Board Council’s approval of the sequence, on player welfare grounds, comes with a call for game-wide commitment from law-makers, match officials, coaches and players, to ensure a fair and positive attitude in dealing with scrum issues.
Implementation follows extensive evaluation of the sequence during the recent IRB Pacific Rugby Cup, which showed the potential for a more stable platform leading to fewer resets and more successful scrums.
Props will now be expected to crouch on the referee’s call, bind using their outside arm after the referee has called "bind". The front rows will maintain the bind until the referee calls “set”. At that point, the two packs will engage.
The specialist IRB Scrum Steering Group, which includes Unions’ scrum experts, recommended the new sequence to the IRB Council after extensive testing and analysis at all levels of the game within the IRB-funded Scrum Forces Project run by the University of Bath in conjunction with the RFU.
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The scrum is a fundamental and dynamic part of our game. It is important that we continue to promote the best possible player welfare standards and this trial process is about putting players first and delivering a reduction of the forces on engagement , which could have significant positive effects on long-term player welfare. I would like to thank all Unions for their support and enthusiasm throughout this process.”
The IRB will also instruct referees to ensure that the ball does not enter the tunnel unless the scrum is square and stationary and that a straight throw-in is strictly policed.
Lapasset added: “The implementation of the revised sequence alone is not about overcoming all the challenges of the scrum but it is a forward step. There is a collective responsibility for coaches, players and administrators to make the scrum a positive, fair and, above all, safe contest. Match officials will be stricter when refereeing the existing law.”
The RFU will be providing a game-wide educational process, featuring coach and match official workshops, from July so that everyone is fully informed for the new season.
The five Law changes currently being trialled and the trial change to television match official protocols will be considered by IRB Council at its annual meeting in 2014. This new scrum engagement trial will be before Council at its interim meeting the same year. Any amendments approved will be in place a year ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015.
The Scrum Steering Group includes RFU Community Rugby Medical Director Dr Mike England; RFU Area Manager, Gavin Williams and Dr Keith Stokes, of the University of Bath research team, with technical input from England scrum expert Graham Rowntree
Dr England said: "The RFU puts a high priority on the welfare of our players at all levels of the game. As with our recent Headcase education programme about concussion injuries, this announcement today is an excellent example of how our scientific research into injury prevention can help inform developments in the laws of the game in a sensible way - without affecting the spirit in which rugby is played.
“The RFU is proud to be a key part of this work on the scrum engagement technique as part of its wider programme of player welfare and safety initiatives."
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East Midlands 14 Northumberland 34
(Saturday 4th May at Towcester RFC)
Northumberland began their County Championship campaign with a 14-34 win against East Midlands. Skipper Jason Smithson opened the scoring with a 9th minute try following a scrum near the East Midlands line with the conversion coming from stand-off Grant Connan. The stand-off went on to have a fine game, not only with the boot, scoring two individual tries in the first half and in all contributing 19 of Northumberland’s points.
As the game entered its second quarter with Northumberland leading 10 nil a line-out catch and drive led to a converted try for East Midlands; a move they were to repeat on 35 minutes. Between these two scores Northumberland flanker, James Hamilton scored from turn over ball with Connan converting and the stand-off ended the first half with his second try, successfully converted.
Northumberland’s coaches obviously had words at half-time and East Midlands’ main threat of catch and drive from the line-out was nullified at source. The County also had the best possible start to the half with a try virtually from the kick-off scored by wing Pete Moralee with Connan adding the conversion.
A successful penalty conversion on 60 minutes saw the end of the scoring as Northumberland used the remainder of the game to give their replacements some game-time in preparation for the next leg of their journey to Twickenham. That game is against Eastern Counties at Alnwick RFC on Saturday 18th May with a 2-00pm kick off. A win would see Northumberland travelling to Twickenham for the final on Sunday 26th May.
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Results of the Colts and 13-16 Cup and Plate Competitions
Plate Results
Under 13 - Northern 50 Novos 0
Under 14 - Morpeth 55 Alnwick 5
Under 15 - Percy Park 46 Gosforth 12
Under 16 - Northern 13 Percy Park 5
Colts - Percy Park 49 Ponteland 10
Cup Results
Under 13 - Tynedale 5 Morpeth 52
Under 14 - Northern 32 Percy Park 5
Under 15 - Northern 29 Alnwick 3
Under 16 - Morpeth 12 Ponteland 19
Colts - Morpeth 19 Alnwick 8
Many thanks to Gosforth and Morpeth for hosting all of the finals and providing food for all the players and officials.
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Rugby World Cup 2015 Venues and Matches announced.
Match Schedule and Venues- click here
Match Schedule by Date - click here
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Under 13's Area Squad Photo (Monday 22nd April) - click here
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Studs - Law 4.3 - click here
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Northumberland Under 15's team photo (7th April 2013) - click here
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Advert for NRU Mens Under 20's Honorary Head Coach - click here for more details.
Closing date for applications is 6pm on 12th May 2013.
Interviews will be held w/c 26th May 2013.
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CB Update - Edition 7 - click here
BMW Club Letter - click here
Rugby Sponsorship Poster 1 - click here
Rugby Sponsorship Poster 2 - click here
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IRB Note to Unions on Scrum Engagement - click here
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RFU CB Update - Edition 6 - Click Here
RFU CB Update - Edition 5 - click here
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Guidance on Youth Development Plans (information from Douglas Hamilton - Youth Charitable Trust) - click here
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IRB Law Clarification - Law 3.14(d) - click here
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YOUNGSTERS at a Northumberland rugby club have been getting tips on how to improve their game from a professional rugby player.
Newcastle Falcons player, Jonny Golding, visiting Blyth Rugby Club at the weekend, where he spent time coaching the players in the youth section.
Jonny, who has been a prop at the club for six years, participated in drills and passed on tips to the youngsters aged from six to 17, before watching the Blyth U14 v Ashington U14 game.
The 30-year-old, from Morpeth, said: "It was fantastic to be able to come and get involved in the training that these young rugby stars were doing at the club.
"Hopefully I was able to give some help and advice that will be useful to them.
"It would be great to think from the talent that I’ve seen today that there could be one or two stars of the future that could be seen playing at Newcastle Falcons in years to come.
"The club looks in really good order for the future with youngsters from all ages training here, which is fantastic to see.
"Blyth Rugby Club is a great family club and I would encourage anyone locally to come along and join in especially as it leads to a healthy lifestyle."
The club has recently been given a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service at a ceremony at Alnwick Castle and Gardens last month.
Jonny added: “Their Queen’s Award is well deserved as without the volunteers that I’ve seen working hard here today then the Youth Section wouldn’t be in the position it is today."
Max Proud, chairman of the youth section at Blyth Rugby Club, said: “We are very pleased to see the relationship between Newcastle Falcons and Blyth RFC continuing with the visit from Jonny Golding.
"He’s made a fantastic impression on all of our youngsters, moving from group to group and giving tips to the youngsters on how to improve their game.
"He is someone that a lot of the young people look up to and aspire to be like, so it is great that they are able to spend time with him and get to know what it's like to be a professional in the sport.”
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A VOLUNTARY group from Blyth has been rewarded for 26 years of voluntary service with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Blyth Youth Rugby is among 112 organisations around the country to get the honour, which is classed as being the equivalent of the MBE for voluntary service.
At a presentation event at Alnwick Castle on Wednesday night, representatives from the club received a certificate signed by the Queen, and an exclusive commemorative crystal.
The club received the award for promoting participation in sporting activities for school children.
Blyth Youth Rugby chairman Max Proud accepted the award on behalf of the club from the Duchess of Northumberland.
On presenting the award the Duchess said “It is a huge honour for me to present the Queens Award to Blyth Youth Rugby who are a perfect example of great voluntary work, which is a huge benefit to the community.”
In reply Mr Proud said "It is a great privilege to be recognised for all the hard work that the volunteers have put in over the years and my thanks go to everyone connected with the club, as without them we would not be here tonight," he said.
"We hope that this work continues for many more years and that we can build upon our reputation. We would also like to thank the Duchess for her fantastic hospitality and for making us so welcome this evening.”
A citation read by Vice Lord Lieutenant, Captain Ian Moffat, said: “Blyth Youth Rugby is an outstanding example of an entirely volunteer group working with and for young people. The group has operated very successfully for many years and is exceptional in the quality of what it does for young people.
"Affiliated to the Rugby Football Union, the group is a very effective and admirable organisation which operates on strict compliance with the high standard demanded by that body. The enormous contribution which the group makes to youth provision is widely recognised and the positive relationship developed with local schools, is singularly impressive.
"Led by a first-class team, and through hard work and dedication, the group’s volunteers have developed excellent relationships across the community and have earned both respect and appreciation.
"To conclude Blyth Youth Rugby is an exceptional and inspirational example of a successful, dynamic and entirely volunteer –led group dedicated to enhancing the live of young people through active participation in sport.”
Melanie Magee, Newcastle Falcons Community Foundation manager, who was also in attendance at the reception, said “It is very pleasing to see Blyth being rewarded for their hard work over the years and for the fantastic Youth section that they have developed. The Foundation very much enjoy working with the volunteers and players to enable them to achieve their aims and ambitions and we look forward to building upon the relationship we have formed.”
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Laws 3, 5 and 8 - click here
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England Honours for Alnwick Pair - click here to read
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Northumberland Pair Selected for England Squads
Two of our County Under 16’s players, Callum Chick of Ponteland RFC and Ponteland High School and James Orritt of Blaydon RFC and Dame Allan’s School, have been selected to play for England Squads over the Easter period.
Callum, son of ex Gosforth and Northumberland County back row Brian and a number 8 himself, has been selected for the full England Squad to play matches against Northampton Under 17’s and capped games against Italy Under 17’s and Wales Under 16’s.
James, a prop forward who is mentored at Blaydon by someone who knows a thing or two about front row play, Micky Ward, has been selected for the England South Squad to play fixtures against Leicester Under 17’s, France Under 16’s A, Scotland Under 16’s and USA Under 17’s.
Both boys started Mini Rugby at an extremely early age with their respective Clubs and we congratulate them on their selection and wish them every success in the upcoming fixtures and also in their future rugby careers.
Wes Dixon
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The County Under 15's began their season on Sunday 3rd March at Scarborough RFC, with a win against East Yorkshire. The next U15's match is against Cumbria on Sunday 17th March at Carlisle RFC.
Thanks to Joe Hedley and Eliza Adamcyzk-Hedley for the following photos taken at the East Yorkshire match.
Lineout - here Lineout 2 - here Team Photo - here Pack Blocking - here Ruck - here
Scrum - here Scrum 2 - here Turnover - here
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IRB Law Clarification
RFU.com 
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