England Counties XV on the hunt for first win in Ireland

The RFU have named the England Counties squad to travel to Ireland in February 2013, to face the Ireland Club XV in Cork.

The squad, made up of players from National Leagues One and Two, includes five players who played in the fixture last year at Preston Grasshoppers, when England won by a record 34-16 scoreline.

Blackheath's Dave Allen, Blaydon's Matt Hall and Robbie Kalbraier, and Ealing's Sam Shires are included in the pack, while last season's man of the match, full-back Peter Hodgkinson of Ealing, is the only back to survive from the Preston fixture.

Since the fixture was created in 2007, Ireland remain unbeaten on home soil, a situation that England Counties team manager Michael Old wants to change. He spoke about the selection process when the squad was announced today: "Selection was very tough this season because of the quality of players throughout the leagues.  We are very pleased with the squad, it looks strong in all areas with plenty of power and pace which we need to take on the Irish, as well as a great mix of experience.

“Owing to the demand that the league schedule places on clubs and players, with the agreement and support of all clubs we have limited selection to two players per club for the 22 man squad.  Whilst this has without doubt been unfortunate on a few players, it has given the opportunity to others who deserve the recognition of their talent and form this season.”

England Counties Squad to play Ireland Club XV in the Ulster Bank International:

Forwards:

Dave Allen*^ (Blackheath) - the flanker has scored a remarkable 11 tries this season including four in the 35-18 victory over Cambridge in October. He has been an ever-present for his side this season, and has played for Wasps and Ulster.

Tom Fidler (Cambridge) - An ever present in the front row for struggling Cambridge, Fidler's performances have earned him the call-up to represent his country for the first time. He returned to Cambridge in the summer, after leaving for Ealing in February 2011 when the side announced their financial troubles. Starting out at Dings Crusaders in National League South Division 3, he has worked his way up the leagues via Newbury and Birmingham Solihull.

Mark George (Stourbridge) - The tight-head prop has played in every Saxons game this season, including two appearances off the bench, as the club now appear to be on the way to regaining their National League One place after relegation last season. He has experience at London Irish and Rotherham Titans.

Matt Hall*^ (Blaydon) - The 30-year-old hooker and head coach is now in his tenth season at Blaydon, where he is an ever-present this season. Hall played against Ireland Club XV at Preston last season.

James Inglis (Esher) - The lock began his career at Harlequins, making one appearance in their season spent in National One (2005/06). He spent one season at Cornish Pirates before signing for Esher in 2008.
Billy Johnson* (Old Albanian) - After starting at Hertford in London One, Johnson earned a contract with Championship Bedford Blues in 2011. Used sparingly at the Blues, he signed for OA's in the summer, where he has played in every match during their inaugural year at National One level.
Robbie Kalbraier*^ (Blaydon) - In his fifth season at Blaydon, Kalbraier also played against Ireland Club XV last season alongside his team-mate Matt Hall. He signed in 2008, from Darlington Mowden Park.
Alex Loney (Fylde) - The prop is now in his second season at Fylde, who he joined from Rotherham Titans. He began his career at Nottingham.
Sam Shires*^ (Ealing) - Shires has scored seven tries in his first season at Ealing. He joined the Trailfinders in 2012, moving south after two seasons at Tynedale.
Ollie Stedman (Tynedale) - Eight tries from the back row is the impressive haul from this ever-present. Stedman replaced Sam Shires at number eight, signing from Westoe. He is an England Under 20 international, with two appearances in the 2011 U20 Six Nations.
Will Warden (Richmond) - The lock is in his second season at Richmond, playing a major role in their promotion season last term. He signed from Loughborough Students, wherre he played for four seasons.
Ben West (Cinderford) - The second row forward has put in some impressive performances in this, his second season at Cinderford, where he moved from National One South outfit Newbury.

Backs:

Jack Adams (Cinderford) - Outside centre Adams is in his first season with Cinderford. Starting his career at Gloucester, he made his debut as a replacement against Sale Sharks in September 2005. After only two replacement appearances that 2005/06 season, he made 12 Premiership appearances the following season, and scored a try in their Heineken Cup defeat at Leinster.
Lewis Barker (Coventry) - Scrum-half Barker is in his second season at Coventry, after a two year spell at the now-defunct Rugby Lions. He made his debut for Loughborough Students in 2007.
Scott Barrow (Fylde) - A former Super League player with St Helens, Barrow joined Fylde in 2012 from Leeds Carnegie. The 32-year-old centre started his union career at Worcester, signing from the Saints, before moving to Orrell and then Glasgow Warriors.
Nev Edwards (Rosslyn Park) - Currently the top try scorer in National One with 12 in 13 appearances, Edwards is in his third season at Park. He began his career at Ealing, signing for Esher after two seasons at the Trailfinders.
Chris Elder (Esher) - In his debut season at Esher, the young full-back played for Henley Hawks previously. He represented England Under 18s in 2009/10.
Matt Heeks (Rosslyn Park) - Heeks signed in the summer from London Scottish, where he spent two spells with a season at Barking in 2010/11. He has represented Scotland Under 20s with two appearances in the 2008 U20 Six Nations.
Peter Hodgkinson*^ (Ealing) - Now in his sixth season at Ealing, full-back Hodgkinson has scored seven tries this term. He also played against Ireland Club XV last season, putting in a man of the match performance.
Will Hurrell (Stourbridge) - Inside centre Hurrell has scored eight tries this season in National Two North, having played regularly for London Welsh in their promotion season last year. He has also played at Nottingham, Coventry and Doncaster Knights, and represented England Under 20s in the 2010 U20 Six Nations.
Ollie Marchon (Old Albanian) - A product of the Saracens academy, Marchon made his England Sevens debut in Dubai last month. He is in his second season at Old Albanians, playing a major part in their rise to National One.
Rory Teague* (Blackheath) - Fly-half Teague began his career at Gloucester in 2003, signing for Bristol after two seasons. Whilst there, he gained his first team experience on loan at Stourbridge, before moving to Lydney. He signed for Blackheath in 2012, after a season at West Country side Cinderford.

*Previous ECXV Cap (7 players)
^played v Ireland at Preston 2012 (5 players)

England Counties Spring International Fixtures:

England Counties v Ireland Club XV (Friday 8 February) Cork, Ireland
England Counties v France Amateurs (Friday 22 February) Ealing RFC

Canadians earn their Blues at Oxford

While I was working for Rugby Canada during their Fall Tour to the UK in November, I had the chance to do some research at Oxford University RFC.

It turned out that there was a strong link between the current Candian squad and the university, with the National Senior Men's Team manager Gareth Rees having gained a 'Blue' for Oxford in the 1990s.

Gareth Rees - An Oxford
Blue in 1993 & 1994
Pic (c) Rugby Canada

Rees of course is a legend in Canadian rugby, having scored a total of 487 points in 55 appearances between 1986 and 1999, a record that stands to this day.

Although Canadians have played for Oxford University through the ages, only a small number have actually earned their ‘Blues’ by representing the university in the annual Varsity Match.

Gareth Rees studied at Oxford from 1993-1995. He earned his Blues in the 1993 and 1994 Varsity fixtures, scoring two penalties, a conversion and a drop goal in the second of these, to add to the try he scored on his first appearance.

Another alumni of the university was Andrew Bibby, who appeared nine times for the Canucks from 1979 to 1985 at centre. He scored a solitary try for Canada, in a test against a New Zealand XV at Burnaby Lake in 1980. He was the first Canadian to earn an Oxford Blue, in the 1980 Varsity game, playing on the wing.

Karl Svoboda gained an Oxford Blue in 1995, after retiring from the international scene that year. A veteran of the first three Rugby World Cups, Svoboda played as hooker in 24 tests, captaining his country twice, including a famous win over an England XV in 1993. Svoboda also gained a Blue after playing in the ice hockey Varsity fixture of 1996.

Stan Mckeen - 2008 Blue
Pic (c) Oxford Mail

Alongside Svoboda in the Oxford front row of 1995 stood Dave Penney. The prop won his first Canadian cap against the USA that year, the first of seven in total. Penney had represented Canada at U21, U23 and B level prior to those full internationals, playing out of Swilers RFC.



More recently, Stan McKeen played in Canada’s back row in 20 test matches from 2004 to 2007, before retiring from the pro game with his club Cornish Pirates, to take a place at Oxford University studying law. He appeared in the 2008 Varsity match in their 33-29 victory over Cambridge.



Kevin Tkatchuk in Varsity action
Pic (c) Oxford University RFC

Winger Sean Fauth, having played 29 times on the wing, including twice at RWC2003, studied for an MBA in 2005/06 after retiring from the game. He also gained a Blue for appearing in the 2005 Varsity match, after playing for Oak Bay Castaways and Pacific Pride.



Former prop Kevin Tkatchuk played in the Oxford Dark Blue in three consecutive Varsity fixtures, from 2001-2003. He recalled the feeling of arriving at Iffley Road for the occasion of a visit from the Australians in 2001: “I will never forget how strange, yet somewhat right, to be cycling to a test match against the current World Champions!”

Tkatchuk is now the Director of Rugby at Wellington College in Berkshire, after a long career at Glasgow Warriors.

North Wales rugby boost at Colwyn Bay

The recent IRB International Series at Colwyn Bay brought out the rugby public of north Wales; but that was only a part of the successful development of the game in the north of the country.

RGC1404 General Manager Rupert Moon - Pic (c) WRU

Former Welsh international scrum-half Rupert Moon, General Manager of RGC1404 - the club born out of a strategic plan by the WRU in 2006, and which has entered the Welsh league system this season – is keen to promote the advances that rugby union has made in what is traditionally seen as a strong football area.

“For the investment made by the IRB, WRU and Conwy Borough Council, we class it as a fabulous success. There was a global audience each weekend, televised in 45 different countries, the majority of whom had it live,” he said.

“For north Wales and Colwyn Bay, and the fact that the international teams worked with local clubs and schools, leaving a legacy of raising standards, that’s exactly what we are trying to do, to raise standards of rugby in north Wales.

“With a third of the population in the north of the country, we have to be inclusive, and that is what the WRU have been striding to do against the challenges of geography."

Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay - home of RGC1404 

Investment in the Eirias Park complex has been substantial, with an indoor training area, new Grandstand and VIP areas, and upgrade of the existing athletics track, as well as installation of the pitch which has now hosted international rugby, and new floodlights.

Over 5,500 attended the international double headers, a figure that Moon is delighted with. Add to the fact that Eirias Park is partway through a contract to host the Wales RBS Six Nations Under 20 home fixtures, he sees this as a great advert for the game in the north: “No one would have thought five years ago that it was possible to have three under 20s games sold out in the same season in north Wales, or that we would be hosting international double headers in Colwyn Bay.

“The facility has demonstrated that anything is possible. To redevelop the stadium with £6.5 million of funding which opens up not only a world stage but also a community stage. We had local kids from schools involved on the pitch and in the indoor training arena.

“It’s an aspirational culture we are developing. Now we have kids wanting to pull on their regional jersey as well as their club jersey. The influence of the WRU, working alongside partners, has allowed us to develop a college academy. We work alongside Rydal School, and Llandrillo College, to give us a foundation to build from.

“Building from an Under 16s and Under 18s side, we have now got a senior men’s team which has meaningful fixtures. It is about developing but also about aspiring to achieve the next level. The men have been put into a very tough league, with six of our first nine games played away from home.”

The fact that travelling for the RGC players is a major obstacle, to him shows the commitment there is to the game in the area.

“These guys are faced with a ten hour plus round trip on match day. The first player gets on the bus at 6:30am. They are prepared to travel to train, often over an hour and a half to training. Not only at seniors, that happens at the under-age levels as well. That is a huge commitment,” he added.

“We are also working in parallel to develop their coaches and facilities. When we have a RGC home game, we try to invite junior sections, where we coach the kids, and coach the coaches. We have regular ‘coach the coach’ sessions. Our junior sections are packed full from under 8s to under 16s, within the whole of Wales we are one of the best regions for the number of junior sides per club.

“We have to give them something to aspire to that is achievable – club rugby, regional rugby, through to international rugby. You cannot ignore a third of the population.”

The IRB International Rugby Series was streamed live by the IRB on their website, with a global population watching the four fixtures.

The USA beat Russia by 40-26 in the first of the double headers. Three first half tries, from Brian Doyle, Eric Fry and debutant Toby L’Estrange put the Eagles into a commanding 21-9 half-time lead, and although the Bears pulled back through tries from Vladimir Ostrushko and a brace from Andrey Temnov, Robbie Shaw, and two more from Chris Wyles gave the Americans their win.

That was followed by a one-sided affair, as Samoa beat Canada convincingly by 42-12. Robert Lilomaiava was the Samoan dangerman, scoring four, with Tai Tui’fua adding a fifth. James So’oialo kicked four conversions, adding three penalty goals, before the Canadians came back with two late tries from Connor Braid and John Moonlight.

The second double-header saw Tonga come from behind to beat the USA 22-13. Viliami Helu’s try was the Tongan’s solitary first half score, with Robbie Shaw dotting down for Zach Pangelinan to convert, and add a penalty before half-time. But into the second period, Tonga came back with tries from Sione Piukala and Joe Tuineau, while the USA could only manage a penalty kick.

The final game of the series saw the Canadians beat Russia by 35-3. Jeff Hassler scored two, setting up a third for Taylor Paris, while Nick Blevins added the Canucks’ fourth. James Pritchard kicked three conversions and three penalties, while Russia’s points came from an Igor Klyuichnikov penalty kick.

Is football on a sure bet?

It's interesting looking at archived footage of football matches from the 70s and 80s. Apart from the grainy images, dodgy hairstyles and goalkeepers picking up passbacks, you can take a look at the businesses that were putting their money into football back in the day.

Advertising hoardings urging you to decorate your home with Johnstones Paints, watch Match of the Day on a Hitachi tv, eat Danepak bacon for your Sunday fry-up, and bank your cash at the Halifax were the norm. All of them were recognisable names on the high street and in any typical home.

Speed forward to the present day, and football fans are urged to fly to Malaysia, drink exotic sounding far-eastern beers, invest any savings they might have with a US conglomerate, and gamble using online spread betting agencies.

The number of online gambling businesses investing in elite football in the UK over the last few years has seeped through without comment.

News this week that Everton have announced a deal with Dafabet to be their international betting parrtner adds to the overwhelming list of betting companies splashing out to be seen as part of the greatest game - Genting Casinos, Bet365, 32red, sbobet and 12bet, among others now adorn the shirts of clubs competing in the FA Premier League for season 2012/13.

The FA themselves, not to be outdone, proudly announced William Hill as Official Supporter to the England squad and the FA Cup in January 2012.

Peter Cavanagh was banned
for eight months for his part
in the Accrington scandal

With football accepting these deals, do they not see the potential for a huge conflict of interest? Italian football has been rocked by its second match-fixing scandal within a decade, while closer to home, it is only three years since the last domestic case of match-fixing, when five players were involved in betting on the result of an Accrington Stanley v Bury fixture.

Recent claims from former Southampton player Claus Lundekvam that spot fixing was common among Premier League players during his time at the club have added to the issue.

Not for one minute should it be implied that these sponsorships are anything other than genuine financial deals between the organisations concerned, but it does leave an uneasy feeling that the integrity of sporting fair play has a greater opportunity to be tinkered with.

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has introduced guidance for their members following the Accrington scandal, giving examples of the use of inside information and match fixing. It should be pointed out that the football authorities in the UK do work closely with betting operators and the Gambling Commission, so are policing betting patterns in the sport.

Perhaps accused of scaremongering, Chris Eaton, a director of the International Centre for Sports Security (ICSS) claimed at a conference in London recently that  "match-fixing has been going on for many years but is now almost out of control.

"Fixing sports results is endemic in some areas and more deeply entrenched than some have the courage to acknowledge."

A summer holiday on the cards for the Community Shield?

As the Barclays Premier Leagues gears up for another season with the FA Community Shield on Sunday, news from Germany should be interesting the marketing team at Wembley.

Villa Park - venue for the 2012 FA Community Shield
Pic (c) thefa.com

The traditional curtain-raiser to the season, this year between PL champions Manchester City and FA Cup winners Chelsea is held at Villa Park, the first time since 1974 that the game has been played away from Wembley.

That is only a 114 miles hike from the home of English football, but if current trends within other major European football leagues are anything to go by, supporters could miss out on their day out, or face a trip half-way round the world to see their side start the season.

Lyon won the 2012 Trophee des Champions
at the NYC Red Bull Arena
Pic (c) newyorkredbulls.com

The German Bundesliga are to meet next month to consider taking their equivalent fixture to China, following in the footsteps of the French Ligue1 who have played fixtures in the USA, Canada, Tunisia and Algeria.

The Italian Supercoppa is being played in Beijing's Olympic Stadium this weekend for the second year running, with it's first trip to foreign soil way back in 1993 when it was held in Washington DC, as a prelude to the 1994 World Cup. Since then, it has returned to the USA, held in New York in 2003, and Tripoli in 2002, before it's first visit to China in 2009.

Beijing's 'Bird's Nest' Olympic Stadium
Pic (c) bbc.co.uk

Having abandoned the infamous 'Game 39' concept, the FA, along with all Premier League clubs are forever looking at expanding their fanbase and tapping into foreign markets, with pre-season tours to the USA, China, Malaysia and other Far Eastern countries the norm.

Never ones to be seen as behind the times, it can only be a matter of time then, before the FA give in, and move the Community Shield fixture abroad.

Is the SPL's TV deal fit and proper?

The confirmation of today's vote by the SPL clubs not to admit the new Rangers into the league next season, means that the Ibrox club will be playing in the SFL - but at what level?

The vote by the SFL on the 12 July looks at the moment like it will lead to a place in Division Three for the 'newco', if current public statements by various SFL clubs is anything to go by.

But the SFL are lobbying their members to agree to have Rangers accepted into Division One next season. This would appear to go against the normal procedures for clubs who apply for membership of the SFL - why would a club be given immediate membership at Division One level?

Payments to the SFL from the SPL of £2 million per year will apparently dry up, according to a statement from Clyde FC today.

That payment will be reliant upon the continuation of TV money being paid to the SPL. The latest deal was agreed in November 2011, beginning 2012/13 season for five years. The scenario of Rangers not being available to SKy and ESPN viewers as part of this deal is supposedly putting this agreement in jeopardy.

The BBC reported in February 2012 that if Rangers were not a part of the SPL, then this deal could be scuppered, claiming that "Its [the SPL] TV deal includes a clause stipulating the participation of both Celtic and Rangers in the SPL".

That statement should ring alarm bells; anyone who has ever shouted "Who's the mason in the black?" at a game when their side has played Rangers may have done so in jest, but consider this scenario -

The last game of the season - Rangers/Celtic lie second bottom of the division, with the bottom club winning their last game comfortably, and the Glasgow giant are losing. With five minutes of the last game of the season to go, one of the Old Firm are looking like relegation fodder.

But, they are on the attack - their star striker goes down in the penalty area, claiming a dubious penalty.

What does the referee do? Everyone knows he should make the right decision by what he sees, but really, he knows that his decision might put the future of Scottish football in jeopardy.

If he gives the penalty, and it is scored, then the SPL retains its TV rights. If he doesn't and the Old Firm are split for a season, then millions of pounds are lost to the game.

I know, it is highly unlikely. But, the fact that a sporting body have agreed with broadcasters that certain clubs will be playing in their competition, brings into disrepute those involved in that decision, and puts under scrutiny all decisions made which come into question the integrity of officials across Scotland.

Let's hope that Rangers, playing through the three SFL divisions, bring some financial reward to those smaller clubs who struggle along each year, while at the same time, the rest of the SPL can become a competitive league once more.

London Welsh get thumbs up for promotion

The decision last Friday to promote London Welsh to the Aviva Premiership was great news for anyone who holds the integrity of sport at heart.

Having declined their original application through not meeting the Minimum Standards Criteria (MSC) for playing Premiership rugby, the RFU had no option but to admit them to the top tier, on the basis of the decision by the independent panel led by James Dingemans QC.

Kassam Stadium
Pic (c) footballaway.co.uk

The panel met to decide on London Welsh's argument that the rules governing the Primacy of Tenure section of the MSC had infringed UK and EU competition law. London Welsh were successful in arguing their case, so are now free to play their fixtures at their new home, the Kassam Stadium in Oxford.

The ground is home to Oxford United, and owned by the club's former chairman, Firoz Kassam, who oversaw the completion of the stadium's construction over a decade ago.

Given the ground's main status prior to the introduction of the London Welsh scenario, it would be difficult to see how Primacy of Tenure could justifiably have been given to the rugby club.

Ground-sharing between different sports clubs at the highest level in England has been a feature of the sporting landscape since the advent of professionalism in rugby union during the 1990s.

London Irish have used the Madejski Stadium in Reading since 2000; Saracens have been Watford FCs tenants at Vicarage Road since 1997 (although will be moving to their own ground at Barnet Copthall before the end of season 2012/13); and London Wasps playing home fixtures at Adams Park in Wycombe since 2002, and prior to that, Loftus Road from 1996-2002, as part of their ownership by Loftus Road Holdings plc.

Sale Sharks have shared Stockport County's Edgeley Park since 2003, and will now play at the Salford City Stadium, alongside the Salford Reds Super League side. That move comes at a time when they remain as the only northern side in the Premiership, while there are five clubs within the London area.

The Newcastle Falcons will of course, face at least a year in the Championship, under the guidance of Dean Richards, who has a great track record in that division, taking Harlequins back to the Premiership in 2006 at the first attempt after their relegation the previous year.

The side who take up residency at the Kassam meanwhile, will not only have to prepare for life on the playing field among the rugby elite, but also need to build up their fan base in a city that up until now, has only been served by professional football. Rugby fans in the town may already have their allegiances with nearby London Irish in nearby Reading, or any of the clubs within reasonable travelling distance, including Gloucester, further along the A40 to Wales.

They need to recruit a new list of club sponsors who are willing to support the new venture - what happens to those businesses who have supported them over the years in Richmond, their spiritual home?

Despite much hype surrounding the Championship Play-off Final played at the Kassam, only 3456 turned up; a fair proportion of which would have been Cornish Pirates fans.

So, despite congratulations on a deserved promotion, the real battle starts by trying to win the hearts and minds of the good people of Oxford, and also their supporters from the bad times.