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INSIDE Ben Youngs Adam Beard Peter O’Mahony Allan Dell
MAY 2019
NOW
FOR THE
WORLD
CUP!
How the Six Nations
are shaping up
THE INSIDE STORY OF WALES’ TRIUMPH
ENGLAND’S NEW KING OF THE WORLD’S
OWN SLAM THE OFFLOAD BEST SCRUM
The key role Sarah McKenna How Viliame Mata became Fiji Why Georgia have the most
played in the women’s triumph and Edinburgh’s danger man powerful pack on the planet
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YOUR LAWN, YOUR WAY
F r o n t R o w
WH AT YOU SHOULD BE
TALK ING ABOUT THIS MONTH
“Time for selflessness,
not self-interest in rugby”
TALK OF a ‘world league’
has been dominating rugby
conversations of late and
soon we will know whether
World Rugby’s Nations
Championship proposal is
going to get off the ground.
Will the unions finally back up
all those worthy words about
growing the game? Or will
self-interest prevail once more?
Money is the crux of the
conversation – Mark Evans
explains the financial reasons
behind all these discussions
on page 19 – and ultimately
it will come down to whether
the Six Nations unions want to
continue to feather their own The right direction
nests or help create a genuine Stuart McInally runs in a try
pathway for developing nations. in that epic Calcutta Cup draw PIC Inpho
Southern hemisphere unions,
who are some of the more The Nations Championship is not Do we really want to see the same
cash-strapped, have come out in support without flaws – concerns over player countries in the World Cup last eight
of World Rugby’s idea but the Six Nations welfare, the club game, the lack of Tier come 2039? Or do we want to provide
appear divided. Potentially, they could One v Tier Two fixtures, etc must be opportunities for more nations to
enjoy a big payday from new investors addressed – but it does provide a challenge for global honours?
and keep things as they are. Or they route to the top of the sport for those Surely now is the time to put the good
could embrace a new competition and countries currently positioned outside of the global game above short-term
accept that promotion and relegation the major annual competitions. And financial gains. We’re calling for less talk
– a long-time contentious issue in the that can only help to make them more of growing the game and more action;
championship – will be a key facet of it. competitive on the international stage. selflessness, not self-interest. n
ST E P HE N J O N ES TH I S M ON T H HAV E YO UR SAY
Email
“The regional system has been rugbyworldletters@ti-media.com
failing since it started. The whole Twitter
@rugbyworldmag
process of trying to find a workable Facebook
structure for the Welsh pro game has Rugby World Magazine
Instagram
taken 16 years, without progress” P68 @Rugbyworldmag
3
CONTENTS
THE FRONT ROW
12 Fixtures
14 Ruaridh Jackson
16 World news
18 Secret Referee
19 Mark Evans
20 Rising Stars
26 Indian rugby
30 Devin Toner
32 Ireland U20
33 Ben Ryan
THE CENTRES
34 Six Nations 2019
42 Ben Youngs
47 Concussion
52 Allan Dell
54 Adam Beard
58 Georgia scrum
62 Sarah McKenna
64 Viliame Mata
68 Welsh regions
72 Bristol Bears
THE BACK ROW
77 Team of the Month
78 Olly Robinson
80 Italy Women
82 Spain Sevens DONÕT MISS THIS MONTH
84 Club Focus Pat Lambie’s retirement has put
89 Tom Wood the issue of concussion
in the spotlight. We
90 Peter O’Mahony
report on the latest
98 The Secret Player research into
head injuries
P47-51
SAVE THIS MONTH!
COVER IMAGE Dan Mullan/Getty Images. PICS Getty Images & REX
As the World Cup moves
closer, keep up-to-date with
a Rugby World subscription.
Save 36% by
paying only
£20.99 every
six months and
get issues
delivered to
your door. Call
0330 333 1113
or see P40-41.
4
Get the jump on
Hadleigh Parkes celebrates
E D ITO R’ S LETTE R his early try against Ireland
“Six Nations raises questions before World Cup”
CONGRATULATIONS Wales’ defence is magnificent but what Stuart Barnes looks into these issues
Wales. A historic fourth of an attacking game that produced in more depth (P34-39), but if the World
Six Nations Grand Slam only ten tries in the championship? Cup is as dramatic as Super Saturday
and a record third for Did Ireland peak a year too early? it should be a cracker! Enjoy the issue.
Warren Gatland. Only Do England have the mental resolve
65 points and seven to challenge for top honours in Japan?
tries conceded – bravo Relinquishing a 31-0 lead and scraping
Shaun Edwards – as they extended a 38-38 draw with the last play of the
their winning run to 14 successive Tests. Calcutta Cup tie highlighted fallibilities. Sarah Mockford, Editor
Yet as attention turns to the World How good could Scotland be if all Email: sarah.mockford@ti-media.com
Cup six months hence, question marks their players are fit? They showed their Phone: 01252 555272
hover over all the home nations. attacking capabilities at Twickenham. Twitter: @heelsonhalfway
5
ROSES iN
BLOOM
England celebrate
their Women’s Six
Nations Grand
Slam after beating
Scotland 80-0 at
Twickenham.
Read our
interview with
full-back Sarah
McKenna on P62
Photo Dave Rogers/
Getty Images
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For enquiries, contact help@magazinesdirect.com or call 0330 333 1113 (Lines are open Monday to Saturday, 8am-6pm UK time)F r o n t R o w
YOUR RUGBY CALENDAR The key dates for your diary in April
11th 6th
Twickenham is not the usual
venue for a West Country derby
but rivals Bath and Bristol go
head-to-head in ‘The Clash’ at
England’s HQ this Saturday. The
Bears kicked off the Gallagher
Premiership season with a
Worcester Warriors full-back 17-10 victory over Bath, but regardless of who comes out on
Chris Pennell (below) is top in this match, fans will be able to enjoy a West Country
a one-club man and this food and drink festival! Buy tickets at bathrugby.com/theclash
Thursday sees a
27th
quiz night in aid
of his testimonial M N TUE WED T U FRI SAT SUN
season, which is
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
raising money for
Diabetes UK, Acorns
Children’s Hospice
and Grace Kelly
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
Ladybird Trust. The seventh annual
It’s being held at ?? Judgement Day takes
Worcester RFC (the place this weekend
amateur club) and rincipality
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
costs £15 per person Dragons v
to enter – for details icks off at
see chrispennell.co.uk ith Cardiff
23rd
spreys at
22 24 25 26 27 28
rganisers
NEW
ISSUE ell out the
OUT first time
.uk/tickets
29 30 1 2 3 4 5
PICS Getty Images & Huw Evans Agency
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
17th
Wales legend Shane Williams and
ex-England players Lee Mears, Ollie
Phillips and Tamara Taylor will be four
days into their 24-day challenge to set
19th
Easter coincides
with the European
semi-finals this year.
Both the Heineken
Cup and Challenge
Cup ties take place this weekend – and
if you over-indulge in the beers you still
have Easter Monday to recover! Watch
two world records on Mount Everest. The all the action unfold on BT Sport as we
challenge is in aid of the Wooden Spoon discover who will contest the finals of the
charity – donate at everestrugby.org.uk two competitions in Newcastle in mid-May.
11F r o n t R o w
There is plenty of rugby still to come in the 2018-19 season – here are the details you need
FRI 29 MAR Carmarthen Quins v Swansea Wasps v Worcester (3pm) Pau v Lyon Shannon v Cork Constitution
Challenge Cup Quarter-final Cross Keys v Merthyr Leicester v Exeter (4.30pm) Principality Premiership Terenure College v Y Munster
TV
Sale v Connacht (7.45pm) Llanelli v Aberavon Live on BT Sport Newport v Pontypridd UCC v UCD
TV
Live on BT Sport Newport v Ebbw Vale Guinness Pro14 FRI 12 APR SUN 14 APR
Super Rugby Llandovery v Pontypridd Cheetahs v Ospreys (4.30pm) Gallagher Premiership Gallagher Premiership
Hurricanes v Crusaders (6.35am) SUN 31 MAR TV
Live on Premier Sports/eir Newcastle v Leicester (7.45pm) Exeter v Wasps (3pm)
TV TV
Waratahs v Sunwolves (8.45am) Heineken Cup Quarter-finals Zebre v Connacht (5.30pm) Live on BT Sport Live on BT Sport
TV TV
Both live on Sky Sports Racing 92 v Toulouse (3.15pm) Live on Premier/eir/TG4 Guinness Pro14 Greene King IPA Championship
TV
Principality Premiership Live on BT Sport Scarlets v Edinburgh (6.45pm) Benetton v Munster (6pm) London Irish v Hartpury Coll (3)
TV
Cardiff v Bridgend Challenge Cup Quarter-finals Live on Premier Sports/eir Edinburgh v Ulster (7.35pm) Yorkshire Carn v Doncaster (3)
SAT 30 MAR La Rochelle v Bristol (12.45pm) Leinster v Benetton (7.45pm) TV
Both live Premier Sports/eir WEEKEND 19-21 APR
TV
Heineken Cup Quarter-finals Clermont v Northampton (6pm) Live on Premier/eir/TG4 Southern Kings v Ospreys (7.35) HSBC World Sevens Series
TV TV
Edinburgh v Munster (12.45pm) Both live on BT Sport Top 14 Live on Premier Sports/S4C (Women’s tournament, Kitakyushu)
TV TV
Live on BT Sport/Channel 4 Greene King IPA Championship Bordeaux-Bègles v Perpignan Super Rugby Live on Sky Sports
Saracens v Glasgow (3.15pm) Yorkshire Carnegie v Coventry (3) Castres v La Rochelle Crusaders v Highlanders (9.35) Heineken Cup Semi-finals
Leinster v Ulster (5.45pm) THU 4 APR Grenoble v Stade Français Rebels v Stormers (11.45am) TV
Live on BT Sport
TV TV
Both live on BT Sport All-Ireland League Div 1A Montpellier v Agen Both live on Sky Sports Challenge Cup Semi-finals
Challenge Cup Quarter-final UCD v Dublin University Toulon v Toulouse WEEKEND 13-14 APR TV
Live on BT Sport
Worcester v Harlequins (8.15pm) WEEKEND 5-7 APR Super Rugby HSBC World Sevens Series FRI 19 APR
TV
Live on BT Sport HSBC World Sevens Series Crusaders v Brumbies (6.15am) (Men’s tournament, Singapore) Super Rugby
TV
Continental Shield Play-offs (Men’s tournament, Hong Kong) Blues v Waratahs (8.35am) Live on Sky Sports Chiefs v Lions (9.35am)
TV
Timișoara Saracens v Enisei (1pm) Live on Sky Sports Rebels v Sunwolves (10.45am) Tyrrells Premier 15s Semi-finals Sunwolves v Hurricanes (noon)
Calvisano v Rovigo (2pm) FRI 5 APR Bulls v Jaguares (3.05pm) SAT 13 APR Sharks v Reds (3.05pm)
TV TV
Tyrrells Premier 15s Gallagher Premiership All live on Sky Sports Gallagher Premiership All live on Sky Sports
Harlequins v Glos-Hartpury (2pm) Sale v Harlequins (7.45pm) Principality Premiership Gloucester v Bath (3pm) Greene King IPA Championship
TV TV
Worcester v DMP Sharks (2pm) Live on BT Sport Aberavon v Cross Keys Live on BT Sport Richmond v London Irish (3pm)
Wasps v Bristol (3pm) Guinness Pro14 Bargoed v Swansea Harlequins v Northampton (3) Nottingham v Jersey Reds (7.45)
Richmond v Loughborough (4.15) Glasgow v Ulster (7.35pm) Bedwas v Bridgend Worcester v Sale (3pm) SAT 20 APR
TV
Saracens v Waterloo (5.50pm) Live on Premier Sports/eir Cardiff v Neath Bristol v Saracens (5.30pm) Continental Shield Play-offs
Super Rugby Munster v Cardiff Blues (7.35pm) Carmarthen Quins v Ebbw Vale Guinness Pro14 Enisei v Timișoara Saracens (9am)
TV
Blues v Stormers (6.35am) Live on Premier/eir/S4C/TG4 Llandovery v Merthyr Connacht v Cardiff Blues (3pm) Rovigo v Calvisano (2pm)
TV
Reds v Rebels (8.45am) Super Rugby Llanelli v RGC 1404 Live on Premier Sports/TG4 Super Rugby
Sharks v Bulls (1.05pm) Highlanders v Hurricanes (8.35) All-Ireland League Div 1A Leinster v Glasgow (3pm) Highlanders v Blues (9.35am)
Jaguares v Chiefs (9.40pm) Reds v Stormers (11am) Clontarf v Terenure College Scarlets v Zebre (5.15pm) Waratahs v Rebels (11.45am)
TV TV
All live on Sky Sports Lions v Sharks (7.10pm) Lansdowne v Garryowen Both live Premier Sports/eir Stormers v Brumbies (3.05pm)
Greene King IPA Championship TV
All live on Sky Sports SUN 7 APR Cheetahs v Dragons (6.35pm) TV
All live on Sky Sports
TV
Richmond v Jersey Reds (2.15pm) All-Ireland League Div 1A Gallagher Premiership Live on Premier Sports Greene King IPA Championship
Cornish Pirates v Lon Irish (2.30) Cork Constitution v UCC Northampton v Gloucester (3pm) Top 14 Doncaster v Coventry (2.30pm)
TV
Doncaster v Lon Scottish (2.30) Young Munster v Shannon Live on BT Sport Bordeaux-Bègles v Castres Hartpury Coll v Lon Scottish (2.30)
Hartpury College v Bedford (2.30) SAT 6 APR Guinness Pro14 Grenoble v Toulon Ealing v Bedford (3pm)
Ealing v Nottingham (3pm) Gallagher Premiership Southern Kings v Dragons (3pm) La Rochelle v Pau Principality Premiership
TV
Principality Premiership Bath v Bristol (2pm, Twickenham) Live on Premier Sports Lyon v Perpignan Bridgend v RGC 1404
TV
Bargoed v Neath Live on BT Sport Top 14 Racing 92 v Montpellier Ebbw Vale v Bedwas
Bedwas v RGC 1404 Saracens v Newcastle (3pm) Clermont v Racing 92 Stade Français v Agen Llandovery v Carmarthen Quins
Toulouse v Clermont Llanelli v Swansea
Super Rugby Merthyr v Bargoed
Chiefs v Blues (9.35am) Newport v Cross Keys
Brumbies v Lions (11.45am) Pontypridd v Cardiff
Sharks v Jaguares (3.05pm) SUN 21 APR
Bulls v Reds (5.15pm) Greene King IPA Championship
TV
All live on Sky Sports C Pirates v Yorkshire Carn (2.30)
Greene King IPA Championship MON 22 APR
Jersey v Ealing (2pm) Principality Premiership
Bedford v Richmond (3pm) Neath v Aberavon
Coventry v Nottingham (3pm) FRI 26 APR
Lon Scottish v Cornish Pirates (3) Gallagher Premiership
Principality Premiership Newcastle v Northampton (7.45)
Bridgend v Llanelli Sale v Bath (7.45pm)
TV
Ebbw Vale v Bargoed Live on BT Sport
14th
SUNDAY FEAST
Llandovery v Cross Keys
Neath v Bedwas
Newport v Merthyr
Super Rugby
Crusaders v Lions (9.35am)
Sunwolves v Highlanders (noon)
TV
There were ten tries Pontypridd v Carmarthen Quins Both live on Sky Sports
PICS Getty Images & Inpho
scored when Wasps RGC 1404 v Aberavon SAT 27 APR
hosted Exeter in September. Swansea v Cardiff Gallagher Premiership
Fans will hope for the same All-Ireland League Div 1A Exeter v Harlequins (2pm)
TV
attacking rugby at Sandy Park Dublin University v Garryowen Live on BT Sport
Lansdowne v Clontarf Leicester v Bristol (3pm)
1227th
DERBY DAY
The final round of the
regular Pro14 season
sees local rivalries
come to the fore,
including
Ulster v
Leinster
Wasps v Saracens (4.30pm) Aberavon v Bedwas Principality Premiership 2019 WORLD CUP FIXTURES
TV
Live on BT Sport SUN 28 APR Aberavon v Bridgend P O O L S TA G E S SUN 6 OCT
Guinness Pro14 Gallagher Premiership Bargoed v Pontypridd FRI 20 SEP N Zealand v Namibia (5.45, Tokyo)
Dragons v Scarlets Worcester v Gloucester (3pm) Bedwas v Swansea Japan v Russia (11.45am, Tokyo) France v Tonga (8.45, Kumamoto)
(3pm, Principality Stadium) TV
Live on BT Sport Cardiff v Ebbw Vale SAT 21 SEP TUE 8 OCT
TV
Live on Premier Sports/eir WEEKEND 3-5 MAY Carmarthen Quins v Merthyr Australia v Fiji (5.45am, Sapporo) South Africa v Canada (11.15, Kobe)
Zebre v Benetton (3pm) Guinness Pro14 Cross Keys v RGC 1404 France v Argentina (8.15, Tokyo) WED 9 OCT
TV N Zealand v SA (10.45, Yokohama)
Live on Premier Sports Semi-final Qualifiers Llanelli v Neath Argentina v USA (5.45, Kumagaya)
Cheetahs v S Kings (4.30pm) TV
Live on Premier Sports/eir Newport v Llandovery SUN 22 SEP Scotland v Russia (8.15, Shizuoka)
TV
Live on Premier Sports FRI 3 MAY SUN 5 MAY Italy v Namibia (6.15am, Osaka) Wales v Fiji (10.45am, Oita)
Cardiff Blues v Ospreys Gallagher Premiership Gallagher Premiership Ireland v Scot (8.45, Yokohama) FRI 11 OCT
(5.15pm, Principality Stadium) Bristol v Sale (7.45pm) Bath v Wasps (3pm) England v Tonga (11.15, Sapporo) Australia v Georgia (11.15, Shizuoka)
Ulster v Leinster (5.15pm) Harlequins v Leicester (7.45pm) TV
Live on BT Sport MON 23 SEP SAT 12 OCT
Glasgow v Edinburgh (7.35pm) TV
Live on BT Sport FRI 10 MAY Wales v Georgia (11.15am, Toyota) New Zealand v Italy (5.45, Toyota)
Munster v Connacht (7.35pm) Super Rugby European Challenge Cup Final TUE 24 SEP England v France (9.15, Yokohama)
TV Russia v Samoa (11.15, Kumagaya)
All live on Premier Sports/eir Crusaders v Sharks (9.35am) (7.45pm, St James’ Park) Ireland v Samoa (11.45, Fukuoka)
Tyrrells Premier 15s Final Reds v Sunwolves (11.45am) TV
Live on BT Sport WED 25 SEP SUN 13 OCT
TV Fiji v Uruguay (6.15am, Kamaishi)
(5.45pm, Franklin’s Gardens) Both live on Sky Sports Super Rugby Namibia v Canada (4.15, Kamaishi)
TV
Live on Sky Sports SAT 4 MAY Blues v Hurricanes (9.35am) THU 26 SEP USA v Tonga (6.45am, Osaka)
Top 14 Babcock Trophy Rebels v Reds (11.45am) Italy v Canada (8.45am, Fukuoka) Wales v Uruguay (9.15, Kumamoto)
Agen v Lyon Army v Navy Bulls v Crusaders (7.10pm) England v USA (11.45am, Kobe) Japan v Scotland (11.45, Yokohama)
Castres v Toulouse (2pm, Twickenham) TV
All live on Sky Sports SAT 28 SEP K N O C K O U T S TA G E S
Montpellier v Grenoble Gallagher Premiership WEEKEND 11-12 MAY Argentina v Tonga (5.45, Osaka) SAT 19 OCT
Pau v Racing 92 Gloucester v Newcastle (3pm) HSBC World Sevens Series Japan v Ireland (8.15, Shizuoka) QF1 Winner Pool C v Runner-up
Perpignan v La Rochelle Northampton v Worcester (3pm) (Women’s tournament, Langford) S Africa v Namibia (10.45, Toyota) Pool D (8.15am, Oita)
Stade Français v Clermont Saracens v Exeter (3pm) TV
Live on Sky Sports SUN 29 SEP QF2 Winner Pool B v Runner-up
Toulon v Bordeaux-Bègles TV
Live on BT Sport SAT 11 MAY Georgia v Uruguay (6.15, K’agaya) Pool A (11.15am, Tokyo)
Super Rugby Top 14 Heineken Champions Cup Final Australia v Wales (8.45am, Tokyo) SUN 20 OCT
Hurricanes v Chiefs (9.35am) Castres v Montpellier (5pm, St James’ Park) MON 30 SEP QF3 Winner Pool D v Runner-up
TV Scotland v Samoa (11.15am, Kobe)
Waratahs v Sharks (11.45am) Clermont v Perpignan Live on BT Sport Pool C (8.15am, Oita)
Stormers v Bulls (3.05pm) Grenoble v Agen Super Rugby WED 2 OCT QF4 Winner Pool A v Runner-up
Jaguares v Brumbies (11.40pm) La Rochelle v Toulon Highlanders v Jaguares (7.15am) France v USA (8.45am, Fukuoka) Pool B (11.15am, Tokyo)
TV
All live on Sky Sports Lyon v Bordeaux-Bègles Chiefs v Sharks (9.35am) NZ v Canada (11.15am, Oita) SAT 26 OCT
Greene King IPA Championship Racing 92 v Stade Français Lions v Waratahs (3.05pm) THU 3 OCT SF1 Winner QF1 v Winner QF2
TV Georgia v Fiji (6.15am, Osaka)
Doncaster v Corn Pirates (2.30) Toulouse v Pau All live on Sky Sports (9am, Yokohama)
Bedford v Nottingham (3pm) Super Rugby SUN 12 MAY Ireland v Russia (11.15am, Kobe) SUN 27 OCT
Jersey v Coventry (3pm) Hurricanes v Rebels (7.15am) Super Rugby FRI 4 OCT SF2 Winner QF3 v Winner QF4
London Irish v Ealing (3pm) Highlanders v Chiefs (9.35am) Brumbies v Sunwolves (8.05am) S Africa v Italy (10.45, Shizuoka) (9am, Yokohama)
London Scottish v Richmond (3) Brumbies v Blues (11.45am) TV
Live on Sky Sports SAT 5 OCT FRI 1 NOV
Yorkshire Carn v Hartpury (3pm) Bulls v Waratahs (3.05pm) Australia v Uruguay (6.15am, Oita) Third-place Play-off (9am, Tokyo)
Principality Premiership Jaguares v Stormers (9.40am) ● All kick-offs UK & Ireland. England v Argentina (9am, Tokyo) SAT 2 NOV
Ebbw Vale v Neath TV
All live on Sky Sports Fixtures subject to change. n Japan v Samoa (11.30am, Toyota) Final (9am, Yokohama)
13F r o n t R o w
DOWNTIME WITHÉ RUARIDH JACKSON
“I’d love Hugh
Jackman to sing
me The Greatest
Showman”
The Glasgow full-back on musical medleys, moustaches and making gin
Interview Alan Pearey // Pictures Getty Images
hat’s the funniest thing If your house was on fire, what one in my second game we scored under
W
you’ve seen on the object would you save? the posts and I thought, ‘Yes! I’m going
pitch? Gordy Reid My best whisky. If I’ve got it all in one to get my first points for the club’. Then
getting flattened by Pete box, does that count as one object? my conversion got charged down! It was
Horne, who was taking a What would be your specialist at home to Stade Français. Thankfully
clearance kick and absolutely scudded it. subject on Mastermind? we pumped them but I got a bit of stick
Who’d you like to be stuck in a lift with? Sport. Or if I had to be more specific, about it in the changing rooms.
Ryan Reynolds. He seems a great guy, Glasgow Warriors squads 2008 to 2019. If you could be one of your team-mates,
entertaining, funny, I love his movies. What really annoys you? who would you be?
And he owns a gin company; I’m in the People leaving mess behind. Stuart Hogg. I’d quite like
FACT FILE
drinks business myself so it would be A lot of youngsters these his monthly pay packet.
interesting to talk to him about that. days – this is me getting old Got any superstitions?
Do you have any phobias? and grumpy – leave bottles Not now. When I was younger
I don’t love heights but I’ve got no weird or dirty plates about. I hate Age 31 (12 Feb 1988) I sat on the left side of the
phobias. I know someone who does – litter dropping as well, like Born Northampton bus, put my kit on in a certain
Tommy Seymour is afraid of chickens. people throwing stuff out Position Full-back order. But I’ve ditched all my
What’s the best gift you’ve received? of a car window. I shouted Club Glasgow superstitions and it makes
One of my most memorable was waking at a kid the other day. Height 6ft me more relaxed for games.
up at Christmas to find a bike under the What’s your most Weight 13st 12lb Who would be your three
tree. I was about six and I remember embarrassing moment? Scotland caps 33 dream dinner party guests?
cycling it around the house, which was When I signed for Harlequins Instagram handle David Attenborough. He’s an
not what my mum had imagined! and I still hadn’t had a kick, @ruaridh88 out-and-out legend and he’d
WHAT’S
ON YOUR
PH NE Last person
you phoned
Caitlin, my best
Most important
person in phone
My wife,
Last person texted
Nathan Bombrys,
our managing
Last photo taken
A rum-tasting
night with my
Last app
downloaded
Whisky Auctions.
friend’s little sister, Kirstin director at business partner, I’ve bought a
who’s helping us Glasgow Ryan Grant few to invest in,
with gin selling nothing crazy
14Scottish Warrior
Jackson hopes to bag a
winner’s medal with Glasgow
“ I t h ou g h t, ‘ Ye s ! I ’m g oi n g to g e t
Dinner invite
m y f i r s t p o i n ts f or Q ui n s’. Then Hugh Jackman
m y c on v er s i o n g ot c ha rge d d o wn” Have you got hidden talents?
I’m a great dancer! And I played cricket
have some good stories. Hugh Jackman “Remember, it’s always on”, a reference for Scotland U17. I had to choose
as I’d love him to sing me the Greatest to back your instincts. Even if you’re between cricket and rugby at 18 and
Showman soundtrack live. That would behind your posts, if you think there’s an thankfully I chose rugby. When I throw a
be cool. I’m going to go see him in opportunity to have a go, back yourself. cricket ball or a tennis ball, my shoulder
Glasgow; he’s doing a medley of his What’s your guilty pleasure? feels like it’s going to rip out so I don’t
musicals. And Freddie Mercury. I saw Not sure if it’s a guilty pleasure but after think I’d be much use in the field.
Bohemian Rhapsody recently and he’d a match, whisky is my tipple of choice. What was your first paid job?
be quite a character at the dinner table. So why did you start a gin business, Mowing the lawn when I got 50p.
What’s the best advice you’ve received? Garden Shed, instead of whisky? Seen a moustache to beat your own
When I was finishing school (Robert Speed and easiness. Gin is one of ‘Three Musketeers’ one for Movember?
Gordon’s College, Aberdeen), one of my the quickest processes. When we No! A few of the rugby boys have given
coaches there wrote in my yearbook, started, we were making it in the it a good crack, and I’ve seen some
garden, myself great ones in public that I’m envious of.
and Ryan Grant. In November I did a charity cash raise
But when we and I dyed my moustache pink after a
wanted to start guy generously donated £500.
selling it, HMRC Any future goals you want to achieve?
weren’t thrilled I’d love my gin company to have
with us doing it long-term success and be what I do
Last song played Guilty Favourite in a shed. So we post-rugby. In terms of rugby, win the
I was listening to pleasure app WhatsApp group contacted Eden Pro14 with Glasgow. Before I left for a
some weird stuff Daily Mail Good Samaritans. Mill, who sponsor few years, my last game was in the final
yesterday in the probably It’s a bunch of the rugby, and we lost to Leinster. The year after, the
car… Sure Thing my sort of era the contract is boys won it so I’d love to get a winner’s
by Saint Germain Glasgow players with them. medal instead of just a runners-up. n
15F r o n t R o w
10 3
7
2
5 6
8 9
4
1
Words Sarah Mockford & Nicola Kenton // Pictures Getty Images, Inpho & Sportsbeat
A round-up of news from all points of the globe
1 3
New Zealand England
All Blacks captain Kieran University of Exeter
Read (below) will retire from secured back-to-back
Test rugby after this year’s BUCS Super Rugby
World Cup in Japan. The No 8 was a titles with a 42-22
key member of both the 2011 and 2015 victory over Cardiff.
World Cup-winning squads and will Fly-half Sam Morley scored 12 points,
be aiming for a hat-trick in November. converting all six of Exeter’s tries from
He will be back in Japan next year, too, Jack Rouse (two), Sal M’Boge, Paul
to join Toyota Verblitz. The 33-year-old, Schroter, Will Hollis and Andy Hamilton.
2
who is New Zealand’s third most-capped USA Captain George Gosling said:
player, said: “Japan’s closer to home Rob Cain took over as “Back-to-back titles is something that
than Europe and probably a bit easier USA Women’s coach all clubs strive for. It was hard work,
on the body as well. They brought me in after guiding Saracens we dug it out and it’s a great feeling.
not just to play but also to mould their to the Tyrrells Premier 15s title and There’s a whole club buy-in.”
team and use all the experiences I’ve is aiming to take the Eagles into
had in trying to help them out.” the top two of the world rankings.
Despite heavy defeats by New
Zealand and England last year,
they did beat Ireland. Cain says:
“They’re very quick learners and
very smart rugby players. We want
to be one of the top two teams in
the world. I’ve come to the US to
try to help that come to fruition.”
He is also helping to develop
US coaches, with former Eagles
Jamie Burke and Jenny Lui part
of the back-room team.
164
Argentina beat Chile 85-10 in the final round, with
A 39-23 win over Canada centre Lucas Mensa scoring a hat-trick.
secured the Americas Rugby Coach Ignacio Fernández Lobbe said:
Championship title for the “We worked on the identity of the team
Argentina XV with a match to spare. and the hard toil brought us together.
Centre Tomas Cubilla scored a brace We also wanted players to know there
in the bonus-point victory while Matias is a direct connection with Jaguares
Osadczuk (below) and Felipe Ezcurra and Pumas. It is because of all this
also crossed. They then ran in 13 tries to work that we are the champions.”
8 Australia
Wallaroos captain Liz Patu
(above) received a six-week
ban after pleading guilty to
biting Rugby WA’s Rebecca
Clough in a Super W match
for Queensland. Patu called
her actions “unacceptable”
when apologising publicly.
9 Tonga
6
5
Nigeria Sri Lanka Benetton back-row Nasi
Lagos will host the Pool More than 5,000 children Manu (above) is targeting a
A fixtures of the Africa were introduced to rugby over place in Tonga’s World Cup
Silver Cup tournament a four-week period as the Sri Lanka squad after being treated for
from 6-17 June, with RFU visited 25 districts in 26 days. Asia testicular cancer. “It’s always
Botswana, Ghana and Madagascar Rugby’s Ben van Rooyen said: “SLRFU been a dream,” he says.
taking part alongside Nigeria. The Ivory is taking rugby to areas where children Read the full interview with
Coast is hosting Mauritius, Rwanda and had limited access to organised sports Manu at rugbyworld.com
Senegal in Pool B from 15-23 June. during the 26 years of civil war.”
7 Mongolia
Japan captain Michael
Leitch (left) recently visited
Mongolia in a bid to unearth some
future rugby stars. The back-rower
10
says: “I believe Mongolians can
become great athletes in rugby. I
want to provide scholarships to young Ireland
athletes to potentially change their Dr Eanna Falvey (above),
lives through sport, through rugby. who has previously worked
“The idea is to identify potential with Munster, Ireland and
young Mongolians who can develop the Lions, has joined World
in rugby. Mongolians are not shy Rugby as Deputy Chief
of combat, they love wrestling and Medical Officer and will take
have a lot of history in combat, so over the top job from Dr
I think rugby is a sport Mongolians Martin Raftery next January.
will come to love more.”
17F r o n t R o w
TH EE
E SE
CRE T REFER
Double movement
Our ex-elite official, The Secret Referee, explains why some tries are chalked off
HE SO-CALLED ‘double player… is tackled near the opponents’ is not tackled as per 8.2.d but simply
movement’ is an interesting goal-line and the player immediately falls over? Well, don’t worry, that’s
T concept that causes more
confusion than it deserves.
This entails the awarding of
reaches out and grounds the ball.’
Most referees sign up to the concept
of ‘Safety, Equity, Law’ and I’m with
covered by Law 13: ‘Any player in
possession of the ball who goes to
ground must… get up with the ball,
a penalty against an attacker when they them. But in some cases you can’t avoid play the ball or release the ball.’
have apparently failed to release the the laws of the game and this is one. Essentially, anything beyond that can
ball on the floor in the act of scoring, ‘Immediately reaches out’ is fairly be a penalty. So, bringing both together
effectively wriggling along the ground. straightforward – it’s all you’re allowed should be easy. If you fall or get tackled
It’s a huge ‘own-goal’ since you get to do in the circumstances, so any body with the ball and go to ground, all you
all the way to the opponents’ goal-line movement beyond the arms reaching can do is reach out and try to ground
and then give away a penalty. out with the ball is a penalty kick here. the ball on or near the line. No wriggling.
To further explain this, we need Law The clever ones among you will no As a referee, you only see this situation
8.2.d: ‘A try is scored when an attacking doubt ask what happens if the player occasionally. But you must get it right.
Just short of the line
Gregory Alldritt had a try disallowed
v Scotland for double movement
JA R G O N B U ST E R
ENGLAND U19 will face their
Welsh counterparts on 7 April
SCHOOLS Colaiste
Junior Cup, seeing off
Iognaid 22-15. Speedbump
at Morganstone Brewery Field, ROUND Sedbergh successfully When a player falls down within a
the home of Bridgend. Kick-off
is 2pm. The fixture is part of a UP Schools
defended their SOCS Daily Mail
Trophy title by extending
driving maul, so the attacking side
must manoeuvre their way over
continuation of England’s U18 their unbeaten run in the national or around the grounded player.
programme that began with a merit league to two years. They won
tour to South Africa last August. all 13 of their games this season, their
In the Connacht Schools Senior Cup, last defeat being in 2016 by Kirkham.
Garbally College became champions Caledonia were victorious at the third
for the 47th time after beating CBS U17 Fosroc 4s at Oriam, a competition
PICS Inpho
Roscommon 31-6 at the Sportsground. designed to nurture the skills of young
They made it a double by also lifting the Scots in a fast-paced environment.
18The former Harlequins CEO and Saracens DoR who is now a consultant
“This is a fundamental shift in
the way the game is delivered”
R
UGBY IS awash of revenues in the future.
with aggregation. They believe the marketing
It is the mot du expertise of their new
jour. The idea partners mean the higher
is very simple. By putting revenues generated will
all your broadcast, digital more than compensate
and marketing rights and everyone will benefit.
together, then selling Then there’s the Minimum
them collectively, you Revenue Guarantee model,
can probably secure which seems to be the one
more money for them than World Rugby are pursuing
if you do so individually. with InFront. In this option
Moneyball
It’s a very appealing a sports marketing firm
New Zealand played
concept, whether you’re guarantees a revenue
Australia in Japan last year
a club owner losing an stream to the rights holders
average of £3m a year in come what may (the only
the Premiership or a union like Wales or Then there is the desire to market the risk is they go bust). They’re backing
Australia, trying to compete with larger game to larger markets (Japan, USA themselves to monetise the assets well
markets for your marquee players. and possibly Brazil), as well as growing enough to make a margin over and
The overarching concern is that market share in places where the above the guarantee. The risk sits with
smaller rugby markets (Wales, Scotland, game already has some traction. the marketing firm. Not so much money
the Pacific Islands, Ireland and New To do this you either need to reinvest up front, no equity sold, but a significant
Zealand) or economically-challenged a percentage of surpluses from current loss of control if the agreement is not
ones (South Africa and Argentina) will operations, which few clubs or unions carefully worded in areas such as the
get hollowed out over time and a model have, or seek a financial partner. Even in broadcast platform, kick-off times, etc.
similar to football emerges, whereby all England and France, there are signs of No deals have been finalised as yet,
the world’s best players play in three or investor fatigue as wealthy men begin although the Premiership one is very
four European leagues, or in the case of to wonder when the investment phase advanced, and there remain a number
rugby – two. The direction of travel of will end. Hence the emergence of CVC of questions to be answered in areas
the past couple of decades suggests and InFront into the rugby landscape. such as the Lions, player welfare, Tier
such fears are hardly unfounded. In terms of options there are two types Two nations, the distribution model
The rise in broadcast revenues in on offer. The deals on the table from used, and promotion and relegation.
English and French club rugby, plus the CVC, or any private equity firm, involve Given the history of rugby union in the
injection of private capital by owners, an injection of money in return for an past 20 years, there will be concern as
has led to an exodus of players in search equity stake in partnering tournaments/ to whether mechanisms will be put in
of higher salaries from South Africa, New leagues. Given they have tabled offers to place to ensure any increased money
Zealand and Australia. To a lesser, but the Premiership, Pro14 and Six Nations, does not simply feed through to higher
still significant, extent this is a threat to they clearly hope to put together a player and coach salaries, rather than
Pro14 nations – Wales and Scotland in powerful roster of rugby content. being invested in the growth of the game.
particular. So these unions are looking The advantage is that the clubs/unions What is safe to say is that this looks
for a new way of doing things, one that get money up front. The downside is like a fundamental, generational shift
allows their domestic game to survive. that they have to give up a percentage in the way the game is delivered. n
19F r o n t R o w
Interviews Sarah Mockford // Pictures Inpho & SRU
1 JAcK
BLAiN
Age 19 (21 February 2000) Born Edinburgh Club Edinburgh Country Scotland Position Wing
ow did you first get into were really positive and gave the team
H
rugby? I started off at the Stew confidence. We won our three matches.
Mel Lions when I was five or What have you learnt training with the
six. Then I played all the way senior Edinburgh squad? It’s been a
through school, at Stewart’s great experience. My core skills have
Melville College. I was involved in some improved a lot because we do a lot of
regional stuff and have played age-grade 15 v 15. And my contact work because
for Scotland as well – U16, U18 and U20. I’m going up against bigger guys. That’s
Did you play any other sports? I played given me a lot of confidence.
cricket and did athletics for the school. What are your goals going forward?
I got involved in as many things as Hopefully I get picked for the Junior
possible – I’m from a sporty family. My World Cup, where we have a tough pool
older brother, Scott, plays of New Zealand, South Africa
cricket and my younger and Georgia. That should be
brother, Tom, plays golf.
I really enjoy rugby and
RW VERdict a great experience.
Obviously there will be boys
being part of a team, and The teenager was one away with Scotland (at the
I was lucky enough to be of the bright lights in start of next season), so it
offered an academy contract a disappointing U20 would be great if I can get
straight out of school. So Six Nations for the Edinburgh game time then.
I thought I’d give it a go and Scots. He became the What do you do away from
see where it took me. I’ve first player born this rugby? This season I wanted
really enjoyed it this year. century to represent to just focus on rugby, but
Have you always been Edinburgh, in a I’ve applied to do history at
a wing? I played a bit at pre-season friendly uni next year. I’d like to do it
centre at school but I've against Bath, and full-time if I could. I’ll have
always enjoyed playing recently made his discussions with the uni
on the wing and I’m most Pro14 bow v Benetton. about what’s manageable.
comfortable out there. I like
running with ball in hand.
Which players do you
admire? I like Rieko Ioane
and Jacob Stockdale.
Who’s been the biggest
influence on you?
My mum and dad for their
support and driving me
everywhere. My school
coaches for giving me the
confidence to run with the
ball and be able to play.
Also Ally Donaldson and
Ian Monaghan, who I had
last year with the U18s. They
202 aNtoINe
koffI
Age 20 (15 January 1999) Born Mondovi
Club Zebre Country Italy Position No 8
hen did you first get
W
involved in rugby?
I started playing aged
five with Amatori Parma.
My parents took me and
what I liked most when I started was the
environment and my team-mates.
What other sports did you play
growing up? I did some judo aged
four before joining my first club.
Who were your childhood heroes?
I never had a real idol or reference
when I was a kid, but I was looking at
my senior club mates to get inspiration
and improve myself.
What positions have you played?
I was an outside-centre in my early
playing years before moving to No 8,
which is my current position.
What are your strengths?
Carrying the ball forward and using
the gaps in the defence.
Talk us through your progress to Italy
U20… I joined the FIR U18 preparation
centre in Remedello, near Brescia, and
played for Italy U17, then advanced
to the U18 squad the following year,
even though I underwent some knee
surgery in the same season.
In 2017-18 I was a National Academy
member and was selected in the U20
squad, playing against Wales and
Scotland in the Six Nations before
making my way to the U20 World Cup.
Who has been the biggest influence on
your career? All the coaches I’ve worked
with had a serious influence on my rugby.
What are your goals for the rest of
2019? Now the Six Nations is over,
it’s improving our final positioning in
the Junior World
Championship (Italy
RW VeRdIct finished eighth in
2018). From an
Big things are individual perspective,
expected of this I’d like to get more
back-rower. At 6ft 1in opportunities for
and 16st 10lb, he puts Zebre in the Pro14.
his size to good use What do you do away
as a ball-carrier and from rugby? As I’m
Italy will need that focused on being a
power at the Junior better player, I’m
World Cup in June, totally committed to
where their group my rugby career.
contains Australia, Rugby is the main
England and Ireland. focus of my life.
21F r o n t R o w
FACE-OFF
How bad is booing the kicker?
WHAT IF…
Rugby’s fat cats
tore up the script?
Carl
So a new ‘Welsh’ side, Red
Sprays, are based in L
Ruby
Bold. Pro14 really improving their
global footprint. Think the rumours
of a Mexico City franchise are true?
Dick
Hmmm. Pro14 expanding
while Premiership rugby has
shrunk to just six teams. And
no relegation, no salary cap.
Ruby
Cheer up, Dicky! 15s is
back in the Olympics too.
Carl
Just the Commonwealths to
Cauldron add and key ‘stakeholders’
Kicking in France will have some major rugby
events every summer…
Sid
TOM SAVAGE JAMIE WALL What are you maniacs
talking about?! Rugby is
EDITOR OF THREE RED KINGS, FREELANCE JOURNALIST
purely an eSport now!
A MUNSTER RUGBY FANSITE BASED IN NEW ZEALAND
Booing is pointless and rugby would You know what rugby’s problem is?
be better off without it. I’ve lost count of Having the odious stench of class Dick
how many times I’ve seen an opposition values wafting around, years after Oh yeah. But still
goalkicker – of repute, not just donkeys the corpse from where it comes from the Pacific Islands
that couldn’t kick snow off a rope – should have been burned and flushed can’t get a look-in,
wither in the silence of Thomond down the nearest toilet. Face it, even online!
Park as they stand over the ball. enforcing not booing the kicker
When it’s quiet, the demons isn’t about ‘respect’, or even
are that little bit louder. WHAT DO really about rugby. It is
YOU THINK?
UFC XV
“Don’t miss. Don’t miss. about sneering down your
Don’t miss.” Then they miss. Send your views to gin-soaked, upper-class
When a crowd is booing rugbyworldletters nose at people in the crowd Let’s hope there are no handbags with
during a make/miss moment @ti-media.com you’ve been brought up to this side by Jay Wilson of Ramsbottom,
like goalkicking, they set think you’re better than. Manchester. Send your Alternative XV
to rugbyworldletters@ti-media.com
themselves up for an emotional It’s an ironically cheap trick to
counter-punch from the kicker. They remind fans of football and other 1 Daniel 2 Khabib 3 Derrick
become an enemy that must be sports that somehow rugby believes Cormier Nurmagomedov Lewis
quietened. Pay attention the next time itself on one hand to be the sport of 4 Stefan Struve 5 Jon Jones
you see a French crowd booing a gentlemen and fairness, and on the
6 Ben Askren 7 Tyron Woodley
goalkicker as he stands over an other hand is run by those who wouldn’t
8 Francis Ngannou
important kick. Listen to the noise. You know fairness if it fell out of the sky.
9 Henry Cejudo
will barely hear the ‘thump’ as he makes The rest of the world have been
contact with the ball but listen out for booing the hell out of kickers for years, 10 Conor McGregor
the silence as the ball bisects the posts. so you have to ask what is more 12 TJ Dillashaw
That transition from noise to offputting when they go to the UK or
13 Robert Whittaker
disappointed silence is one of the Ireland – having the normal amount
sweetest things in the game. The kicker of clamour when they shoot at goal, 11 Max 14 Amanda Nunes
PIC Getty Images
Holloway
wheels away as the flags go up. He can or some weird silence that erupts in 15 Nate Diaz
look into the crowd knowing that he, and a highly audible cheer if they miss?
he alone, just shut a whole stadium up. Where is the sportsmanship in that?
22F r o n t R o w
WHAT GOES ON TOUR… [ Goes in Rugby World ]
FTER A three-team
A
tournament in New
England in the
1980s, the Bath
boys head south to
Florida and Disney World – or is it
Disneyland?, writes ex-Bath and
England fly-half Stuart Barnes.
A heatwave ravages the East
Coast. Cooch (Gareth Chilcott)
hasn’t made much of the Magic
Kingdom. He sits by a fountain,
head bowed, dripping sweat.
The famed Disney parade
pulses his way, Donald, Goofy, all
the gang. Mickey in the lead… A
Cornish winger by the name of
Barry Trevaskis has seen a chance
for some mischief of which even
that mythical Cornishman, Merlin,
would have been proud.
Just as the Mouse is inches
from Cooch, he pinches Mickey’s
oversized, stuffed, Disney arse.
Mickey looks around and sees
Gareth – head down – no one
nearer the scene of the indignity.
Well, he’s a fair lump but this is
Mickey’s kingdom and no one
takes liberties. He pushes Chilcott.
Everyone laughs. How funny…
Everyone keeps laughing except
grumpy, overheated Cooch.
The Bath man, humiliated, says,
“What’s that up there, Mickey?”
pointing to the sky. The Mouse
makes a mistake and peers up as
Cooch cocks his fist and catches
him perfectly. Mickey goes down
like the proverbial sack of s***…
The American children scream,
“Mommy, mommy, the fat man
just killed Mickey Mouse!”
The story gets a great laugh,
whatever the audience. There’s
one problem: I wasn’t on that tour.
Like any good tale, it was passed
down through Bath legend.
● From Stuart Barnes: Sketches
from Memory, pub. Polaris, £16.99.
WE WON’T TE LL ,
PROMISE…
ILLUSTRATION David Lyttleton
We love hearing your stories and want
to celebrate the characters of our great
game in What Goes On Tour… If you have
an amusing tale to tell, drop us a line.
Mark your email ‘Tour Tale’ and send it
to rugbyworldletters@ti-media.com
24f r o n t r o w
Words Alan Dymock // Pictures Getty Images & Neha Pardeshi
What it’s like to…
Marry your
felloW captain
The stars of India’s men’s and women’s sevens sides on rugby and romance
HAT THE married couple Asian nation the pair stretched the term “Then in 2015, at a press conference,
t
met through rugby is ‘long distance’ to its limits, with the duo we started speaking and that was that.
obvious enough. However, living 1,500km apart and only moving in We don’t really know what it was but
for the former captain of together after getting hitched this year. something kept us connected. We went
the India women’s sevens “He’s from Delhi, I’m from Pune in the back to our places but we were still in
team, Neha Pardeshi, and the men’s West and we met in the South,” Pardeshi contact with one another. After about
skipper, Gautam Dagar, even starting explains. “We were there for a national six months of this we started dating.”
a relationship had its logistic issues. camp, for the Asian Championship in Far from being a nuisance that kept
In February the pair tied the knot in 2015. We’ve known of each other since them apart, sevens was the constant
a two-day ceremony in Delhi. Sports 2009, from the Commonwealth and that pulled the two skippers back
marketer Pardeshi has since moved to Asian Games camps, but we had together. “We got a chance to meet only
the Indian capital, but in the enormous never spoken to each other. at rugby tournaments,” explains Dagar.
To love and to cherish
Horseplay in training – the
couple are both scrum-halves
26The pair say sevens has
always been more likely to
flourish in India than 15s,
for practical reasons. For
example, India women
only started 15s last year,
playing in Singapore. With Ceremony
smaller teams, sevens Their wedding
tournaments are easier to
organise. Then there are the logistics.
“Indian rugby needs facilities!” says
teacher Dagar, who is the founder of
the Delhi Rebels club that now has
more than 200 kids playing the game.
“We need ground for tackling. Only
during monsoon season do we get soft
ground. In India the weather keeps
changing. Other things like pads and
In full flight
balls – if you want to order them from
Pardeshi playing
abroad they are very expensive.
“The main group we can teach is
underprivileged kids from government was picked for India’s first women’s Pardeshi. “The main thing the women’s
schools and low (income) backgrounds. sevens team, on a trip to Thailand. game requires is promotion. When I
They can’t afford kit, so we take a local Reflecting on the time, she adds: “I started, there were very few clubs or
vendor and give money from our had never been abroad before. I didn’t states playing. Today almost all states
pocket. The passion is there. These kids know how to react. I didn’t know what play rugby and many, many clubs. There
are so brilliant, so passionate, and we was going on, it was very surreal. Today were only ten or 15 clubs playing in
just hope we can turn that into a career.” when I think about it I get goosebumps!” 2009 (now there’s near 60, according
There are 15s heartlands in major The pair discuss the future, and if to Dagar). That has been amazing.
cities like Calcutta and Mumbai. But potential can be realised. The dream is “The perception of rugby before was
it is the popularity of sevens that is for India to compete in Olympic sevens that it’s an injury sport, you’re just going
rocketing. It helps that there are one day, though they’re realistic enough to get hurt. That’s changed. Now people
government tournaments, national to suggest it’s likely they will both be take it as a sport where you become
games and university participation. working in coaching or facilitating by the better because you are learning so
Pardeshi praises the Kalinga time it happens. They many principles and values. That’s the
Institute of Social Sciences in just want to be there. most important thing I’ve seen change.”
DiD you
Odisha for embracing rugby. She So where is Indian Dagar agrees with all his wife has said.
says: “There are some 25,000 rugby right now? He is in rugby, teaching and coaching,
know?
tribal kids who study there for free “The grass-roots in a bid to keep as many Indian kids as
and rugby is their main sport. Their programmes have possible active and away from drugs
field is amazing and a majority of really helped,” says or fighting. He adds that he hopes to
the women’s (sevens) players are According to World “inculcate those
from that state and institute.” Rugby, by last values in their life”.
Both of the scrum-halves picked summer Rugby India Training together
up rugby at 15. He started in 2004, had introduced before work, the
seduced not only by the physicality 54,680 new pair push each
of the game but also the chance to participants to the other’s standards
travel that rugby presents. sport through the and hone skills.
She was competing nationally in governing body’s Get They play for their
handball, football and athletics Into Rugby scheme. Delhi club at the
when she witnessed an exhibition Not only that but weekend. Dagar
sevens match between the Hong 15,000 schoolchildren says: “We compete
Kong Hotties and Pune Women in attended a Rugby with each other!
2009. Intrigued, she attended her World Cup Trophy I have the most
first training session and, after one Tour gathering Trophy time accurate pass.”
tackle, all other sports went out last year – the The pair (centre, right) Pardeshi replies
the window. She burst through the largest-ever crowd with the Webb Ellis Trophy with an eye-roll,
ranks and that year, at just 15, she for such an event. “Please.” As Dagar
laughs that his
kicking is better too, she adds: “You are
“ Th e p er c e p ti o n o f rug b y w as tha t the boss, okay? Let him believe that!”
Hands up, with a pleading grin, he
i t’s a n i n j ur y s p o rt, y ou are jus t tells his wife: “For some time, please!”
It’s good to know there are similarities
g o in g t o g e t h u r t. Th at ’s chan g ed ” in marriages all over the world… n
27F r o n t R o w
Fast-tracking players to refereeing sends the wrong signal, says Steve White from Wiltshire
Shop window
HE MOVEMENT of former Former Saracens fly-half
T
players into refereeing is Glen Jackson is an elite ref
not a new concept. Many
have moved over to take
up the whistle and turned
‘poacher-come-gamekeeper’ and many
of them have done well. I’m talking
about players of all levels, of course.
It was a well-trodden path when the
playing career comes to an end.
My worry is the fast-tracking of
high-level players into high-level refs,
which in my view just doesn’t work.
There have been several examples.
Alain Rolland is probably the best one,
having gained three caps for Ireland,
PICS Getty Images & Inpho
but Glen Jackson and others have had
a very successful playing career and
transitioned into refereeing. And don’t
get me wrong, I’m not talking about the
playing ability of these guys, which was
clearly exemplary. I’m
suggesting that the
fast-tracking of senior
“You’re ver y naive if you the characteristics, skills
or attributes to be a
players into high-level think it’s the best referees top-level referee… But
officials is a mistake. it’s fashionable. Playing
My issue is that playing who make it to the top” the game at a high level
rugby and refereeing just isn’t enough and
are not the same – being a good or Barnes and Nigel Owens, for example, sends the wrong signal to those
professional player doesn’t mean you’ll have no significant playing career to referees diligently climbing the ladder.
make it as a good or professional their name between them yet are by far Some may argue that the likes of
referee. There are many significant the best referees in the world right now. Rolland and Jackson have made it and
differences and the best referees have Over many years, the poorer referees that I’m wrong. All I’d say is this: you’re
started at the very bottom and worked get weeded out and deselected before very naive if you think it’s the best
their way to the top after a long period they get anywhere near the top of the referees who make it to the top… n
of training and development. It takes elite game. There is a large group of
years to gain the management skills and
knowledge to make it as a good referee.
referees who start at the bottom and
spend years striving to get to the top.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Indeed, some of the world’s best Senior players provide a much smaller What gets your goat? Let us know on
referees never really played. Wayne talent pool and maybe they don’t have Facebook or tweet @rugbyworldmag
SHORT HONG KONG DATE SCOTTISH STINT
PASS
interest from Racing
Tom Varndell and Ben 92 and Springbok Brumbies second-row
Gollings will be two of Francois Louw (left) Murray Douglas will
the stars on show in has signed a contract join Edinburgh on a
the Rugby Legends extension at Bath. short deal after the
SAINTS’ DAY Tackle Cancer charity Super Rugby season.
Northampton won the match at the Hong CARTER SWANSONG
inaugural Premiership Kong 10s on 4 April. Dan Carter’s return to JAMAICA ROLE
Rugby Cup, beating Racing 92 as a medical England great Jason
Saracens 23-9 in the STAYING PUT joker was scrapped Robinson will work as
final. Saints’ three tries England centre Manu due to an underlying operations director of
came from Teimana Tuilagi has penned neck injury. He will Jamaica ahead of their
Harrison, Tom Wood a new deal with play one last season Rugby League World
and Ahsee Tuala. Leicester despite with Kobelco Steelers. Cup debut in 2021.
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