Latest news with #RFU
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
British & Irish Lions players to have names on the back of their match shirts for first time against Argentina
The British & Irish Lions will break new ground by printing names on the back of their players' shirts for the first time when they face Argentina in Dublin on Friday night. While such a scenario has been commonplace in football for years, it is a relatively fresh development in rugby. The 2024 men's Six Nations was the first tournament in which all six competing teams did so. England's men's players have worn named match jerseys since the autumn of 2022. Now, the Lions are understood to be set to follow suit in 2025. Andy Farrell's players will have their names printed above their playing number both against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium and on their upcoming nine-match tour of Australia. Northern hemisphere rugby's historic side have never previously done so, with past players used to wearing just their number on the back alongside tour sponsors. As rugby continues to try and grow its popularity and reach new audiences, the sport has tried a number of new and different initiatives. Putting player names on the back of shirts is designed to grow the appeal of the stars on the field and also help attract new and casual fans. It has happened not before time and is a very positive move for rugby. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said in 2022: 'We think player names on shirts may have the potential to bring fans closer to the international stars of our game and we look forward to seeing the reaction to this initiative.' Named Lions shirts will be worn by all 23 members of each matchday playing squad and will also be on sale to supporters. Lions boss Farrell heaped the pressure on son Owen ahead of his broadcast debut. Owen Farrell, a three-time Lions tourist as a player, will be part of Sky Sports' coverage of the team's pre-tour fixture with Argentina in Dublin on Friday. It means he'll be passing judgement on the team led by his father Andy. When asked about his son's first television punditry stint, Andy Farrell said: 'He'll be nervous for that. I'll put it on record and watch it back, definitely!' Fresh from starring in his team's Gallagher Premiership final win, Lions fly-half Finn Russell has signed a new contract with Bath. Russell is 32, so his new deal until 2028 is likely to see him end his career at The Rec. Russell is not involved against Argentina, but was a key figure as Bath claimed an historic club treble this season. Russell said: 'I have loved my time at Bath. It's a great team and a great club. 'We've come a long way over the last couple of years and I am really looking forward to staying here and seeing what the club can achieve.' Exeter wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso will make his long-awaited return from a shoulder injury when England take on a France XV on Saturday. Steve Borthwick's side will be without their Lions players. Feyi-Waboso is the headline inclusion given he hasn't played since December. Jamie George, who started the week training with the Lions, and George Ford are co-captains. England side to face France XV: Joe Carpenter; Tom Roebuck, Henry Slade, Seb Atkinson, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; George Ford (co-capt), Ben Spencer; Fin Baxter, Jamie George (co-capt), Joe Heyes, Alex Coles, Nick Isiekwe, Ted Hill, Guy Pepper, Tom Willis Replacements: Theo Dan, Bevan Rodd, Trevor Davison, Chandler Cunningham-South, Jack Kenningham, Alex Dombrandt, Raffi Quirke, Oscar Beard
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Dow insists Red Roses aren't getting ahead of themselves
Backed by what will be a vociferous home crowd, the Red Roses are favourites to lift the trophy for a third time but Dow insists previous achievements will count for nothing when she and her teammates take to the field. 'A World Cup is a World Cup, every game is dictated by that final whistle,' said Dow. 'We have to go into every game putting a target on the back of everyone we're lining up against. 'It doesn't matter how good you are in the Six Nations or WXV. The games people remember are at the World Cup and we as a team need to learn how to handle that pressure. 'It's going to make for an exciting brand of rugby and I'm excited for it, the team is excited for it. 'That's the joy of competitive sport.' Dow was speaking at the launch of a national RFU initiative inviting youngsters to get into rugby union and back the Red Roses by contributing to spectacular Red Rose yarn art city takeovers across the country, inspired by the Red Roses' love of crochet as a team bonding activity. Fans wishing to get involved and contribute to displays across their local communities, clubs and cities can download crochet patterns via the England Rugby website. The patterns available are a red rose, bunting and a rugby ball square. Supplied creations will then be stitched together by dedicated teams of volunteers including the Women's institute and Scouts ahead of a national unveiling of yarn art on Wednesday August 6. Dow added: 'I'm really excited to be part of it. It's an opportunity to get diversity in hobbies and showing that anyone can support rugby and be part of the sport. 'It's a family event and an opportunity for people to pick up a hobby and combine it with sport to show off their personalities. 'Crochet has stereotypes but we deal with that in rugby as well in terms of who you have to be to be a rugby player. We're showing that it's not just a male space but a space where anyone can get involved. 'There are so many parts in life where that's true and crochet is a perfect example. Anyone can pick up a ball of yarn and a hook and start making whatever they want. 'It's the same in rugby, you can pick up a rugby ball and start playing and having fun the way you want.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Owen Farrell's stunning Saracens return confirmed after French nightmare
Owen Farrell has had his sensational return to Saracens confirmed by the club after spending just one year in Paris with Racing 92. The former England captain put his international career on hold following the 2023 Rugby World Cup to join Racing in the French capital, with the RFU's policy not allowing those playing their rugby outside England to be selected for Steve Borthwick's side. Advertisement However, the 33-year-old's French adventure was injury-riddled and he has now struck a deal to leave his Racing contract early, with Saracens agreeing to pay compensation to the Parisian side, and stating that he has signed a two-year deal at the StoneX Stadium. It was thought that Farrell would put pen to paper on a five-year agreement that would initially see him hold a joint playing and coaching role, before moving onto Mark McCall's staff full-time once he concludes his on-pitch career. However, the official Sarries statement only confirmed a two-year contract for the time being and did not mention a coaching brief. 'Saracens is my home and the opportunity to come back is one that excites me enormously,' said Farrell. 'Having watched from afar this season, it is clear to see that the club has incredible potential, and I can't wait to get back in the mix for the 25/26 season.' Advertisement Saracens director of rugby McCall was also pleased to welcome the club legend back into the fold, saying: 'Owen has Saracens in his DNA; his competitive spirit is woven into the fabric of this club, and we are delighted he has chosen to come home. He returns to a young group full of potential, players eager to learn, play and push for success. We know he will love being part of where this group, and this club, are headed." Owen Farrell won a boatload of trophies during his first stint with Saracens (Getty Images) Farrell's return to the newly-rebranded Gallagher Prem raises the possibility of the playmaker once again England colours, should he desire to do so. Farrell will be back available to Borthwick as soon as this summer's tour of Argentina and the United States, though he had stepped away from international consideration to prioritise his mental well-being in the months prior to his move to Racing 92. His first stint at Saracens saw him win six Premiership and three European titles, as well as becoming Sarries' all-time top European points scorer and a winner of the European Player of the Year award. He made 256 appearances for the club, as well as 112 for England, and six Test caps for the British and Irish Lions. His return is a considerable coup for the London club after missing out on the play-offs this season, with space opened up in the salary cap by dispensation available after Alex Lozowski's achilles injury. Alex Goode has retired, leaving Fergus Burke – signed to replace Farrell last summer – and youngster Louie Johnson as the other primary playmaking options within McCall's squad. Advertisement 'He doesn't have to play 10, he can play other positions as well,' McCall said. 'So for our young talents who are developing, it could be a great thing to have him there. 'It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field. I know Owen's obviously one of the best at that. He and Louie Johnson in particular have a very strong relationship already. They talk every month at least. Owen's so willing to share his knowledge and his experience with younger players. 'We think we're a bit vulnerable at 10, to be honest. We've got quite a lot of 12s and 13s, but we're vulnerable at 10 because Alex Goode's retired and he's played 10 a lot for us. We've got Fergus [Burke], we've got Louie and then we've got no one else.' It is thought that Farrell will be taking a significant pay-cut to return to his boyhood club, where father Andy first forged his own coaching career. The younger Farrell will pass comment on his dad's first game as British and Irish Lions boss next week having joined the Sky Sports team as a pundit for the encounter with Argentina in Dublin as the tourists begin their 10-match itinerary.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Owen Farrell's stunning Saracens return confirmed after French nightmare
Owen Farrell has had his sensational return to Saracens confirmed by the club after spending just one year in Paris with Racing 92. The former England captain put his international career on hold following the 2023 Rugby World Cup to join Racing in the French capital, with the RFU's policy not allowing those playing their rugby outside England to be selected for Steve Borthwick 's side. However, the 33-year-old's French adventure was injury-riddled and he has now struck a deal to leave his Racing contract early, with Saracens agreeing to pay compensation to the Parisian side, and stating that he has signed a two-year deal at the StoneX Stadium. It was thought that Farrell would put pen to paper on a five-year agreement that would initially see him hold a joint playing and coaching role, before moving onto Mark McCall 's staff full-time once he concludes his on-pitch career. However, the official Sarries statement only confirmed a two-year contract for the time being and did not mention a coaching brief. 'Saracens is my home and the opportunity to come back is one that excites me enormously,' said Farrell. 'Having watched from afar this season, it is clear to see that the club has incredible potential, and I can't wait to get back in the mix for the 25/26 season.' Saracens director of rugby McCall was also pleased to welcome the club legend back into the fold, saying: 'Owen has Saracens in his DNA; his competitive spirit is woven into the fabric of this club, and we are delighted he has chosen to come home. He returns to a young group full of potential, players eager to learn, play and push for success. We know he will love being part of where this group, and this club, are headed." Farrell's return to the newly-rebranded Gallagher Prem raises the possibility of the playmaker once again England colours, should he desire to do so. Farrell will be back available to Borthwick as soon as this summer's tour of Argentina and the United States, though he had stepped away from international consideration to prioritise his mental well-being in the months prior to his move to Racing 92. His first stint at Saracens saw him win six Premiership and three European titles, as well as becoming Sarries' all-time top European points scorer and a winner of the European Player of the Year award. He made 256 appearances for the club, as well as 112 for England, and six Test caps for the British and Irish Lions. His return is a considerable coup for the London club after missing out on the play-offs this season, with space opened up in the salary cap by dispensation available after Alex Lozowski 's achilles injury. Alex Goode has retired, leaving Fergus Burke – signed to replace Farrell last summer – and youngster Louie Johnson as the other primary playmaking options within McCall's squad. 'He doesn't have to play 10, he can play other positions as well,' McCall said. 'So for our young talents who are developing, it could be a great thing to have him there. 'It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field. I know Owen's obviously one of the best at that. He and Louie Johnson in particular have a very strong relationship already. They talk every month at least. Owen's so willing to share his knowledge and his experience with younger players. 'We think we're a bit vulnerable at 10, to be honest. We've got quite a lot of 12s and 13s, but we're vulnerable at 10 because Alex Goode's retired and he's played 10 a lot for us. We've got Fergus [Burke], we've got Louie and then we've got no one else.' It is thought that Farrell will be taking a significant pay-cut to return to his boyhood club, where father Andy first forged his own coaching career. The younger Farrell will pass comment on his dad's first game as British and Irish Lions boss next week having joined the Sky Sports team as a pundit for the encounter with Argentina in Dublin as the tourists begin their 10-match itinerary.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Tatyana Heard determined to ensure rugby is for all at World Cup
Heard doesn't have to look far for what a home tournament can do to galvanize a sport and unite the country after the success of England's women's football team at UEFA Euro 2022 and she believes the upcoming World Cup can have a similar effect on rugby. 'With the World Cup, they're trying to get it spread throughout the country and seen by everybody, says Heard, whose Red Roses side opens the tournament on 22 August at Sunderland's Stadium of Light. 'We've seen in the past where maybe people in the North don't feel included because everything has been played down south but that's changing. 'There are so many little pockets of diversity within this country that don't see rugby so to be able to have it throughout England is exciting and it will hopefully open people's eyes to the sport and what we can bring to the game as women's rugby players. 'It's massive having people be able to see us as a team and be in this environment at a home tournament. 'The Lionesses got to experience it and it went really well for them so I'm hoping that the support and the fanbase can keep pushing us on.' Heard was speaking at the launch of a national RFU initiative inviting youngsters to get into rugby union and back the Red Roses by contributing to spectacular Red Rose yarn art city takeovers across the country, inspired by the Red Roses' love of crochet as a team bonding activity. Fans wishing to get involved and contribute to displays across their local communities, clubs and cities can download crochet patterns via the England Rugby website. The patterns available are a red rose, bunting and a rugby ball square. Supplied creations will then be stitched together by dedicated teams of volunteers including the Women's institute and Scouts ahead of a national unveiling of yarn art on Wednesday August 6th. Heard added: 'Crochet is quite a niche hobby but a lot of us Red Roses are interested in it so to be able to have this campaign heading into the World Cup is exciting. 'It'll be really cool to see people getting on board and getting behind us heading into a home world cup. To have people supporting us whether that's in crochet or any other craft is exciting and will be a good boost to us as a squad. 'It's really cool to be a part of something, whether that's crochet or rugby. Being part of a community is huge and making people feel like they're part of something where they can make friends is really important, whether that's through crochet or rugby or any other crafts and hobbies.' Tatyana Heard are calling on the nation to take part in Yarn Art installation projects across the country ahead of Women's Rugby World Cup 2025. For more information, visit
