On a night to remember in the presence of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and greats of the game past and present, the rugby family celebrated some outstanding achievers.Trémoulière is the first French recipient of the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year award, having helped Les Bleues win the Six Nations Grand Slam.

World Rugby Chair Bill Beaumont said: “Tonight, we have celebrated and recognised excellence and achievement during what has been another fantastic year for rugby.

“From the players, coaches and teams who have made 2018 a year to remember, to the volunteers who are the heart of the growth of the game – we salute them all.

“Once again, it has been a difficult task selecting our Awards recipients and all our nominees are winners in their own right. I would like to congratulate the recipients for being outstanding rugby ambassadors and thank Monaco, and their Serene Highnesses for their full and enthusiastic hosting of what has been another fantastic celebration of the sport.”

The award winners were selected by an independent panel, who voted on every match from the Six Nations through to the November internationals. For more details on the respective awards panels, click here.

World Rugby Women’s Player of the Year in association with Mastercard – Jessy Trémoulière (France)

MONACO – NOVEMBER 25: Jessy Tremouliere of France poses with the World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year award (Photo by Eamonn McCormack – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Her talent has never been in question but Trémoulière was truly at her mercurial best in 2018 and was for many the player of the Women’s Six Nations, a competition in which she finished as the top point scorer and joint-top try scorer. The 26-year-old blossomed with the faith placed on her as first-choice full-back, bursting through defences at will – scoring two tries against England, including the last-minute winner – and displaying her repertoire of kicking honed during her days as a footballer.

She switched to sevens after the Grand Slam success, helping France reach their first ever World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series Cup final and secure their best-ever finish of third overall. Injury ruled her out of the November series with world champions New Zealand.

She received the award ahead of four other nominees in France team-mates Gaëlle Hermet, Safi N’Diaye and Pauline Bourdon and New Zealand captain Fiao’o Faamausili.

Trémoulière said: “Last year was frustrating because I was injured and I felt I was missing something to be at the top of my game, but I had this feeling that I wanted to be the best player in the world and now it is a reality and it is just fabulous. So many people have supported me over the years and I want to thank all of them.”

Nominees: Pauline Bo.urdon (France), Fiao’o Faamausili (New Zealand), Gaëlle Hermet (France), Safi N’Diaye (France).

World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year in association with Mastercard – Johnny Sexton (Ireland)

The oldest of the nominees at 33, Sexton has been at the heart of Ireland’s climb to second in the World Rugby Rankings on the back off a Six Nations Grand Slam, first series win in Australia for 39 years and first victory over New Zealand on Irish soil. The veteran fly-half, a calming presence in the Irish backline, began the year by kicking a last-minute drop goal to secure victory over France and has started eight of his nine tests in 2018, scoring 99 points.

Sexton was named the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year 2018, becoming the first Irish player to win the award since Keith Wood claimed the inaugural accolade in 2001.

He received the award ahead of four other nominees in New Zealand fly-half Beauden Barrett – winner for the last two years – and winger Rieko Ioane and South Africa scrum-half Faf de Klerk and hooker Malcolm Marx.

Sexton, in a statement read out by Ireland captain Rory Best after losing his voice, said: “Thank you to my team-mates and coaches. If a No.10 wins an award like this, it is due to the team around him and his coaches making his job easier. We have some of the best coaches in the world and are led superbly by Rory Best.

“I’d also like to thank my wife Laura who has been with me from the start. We’ve three young kids and she does absolutely everything to allow me to concentrate on the day job. I wouldn’t have been able to have the season I’ve had without her. Thank you so much, it is an incredible honour. I look at the other nominees and I admire all of them. Any of them would have been a worthy winner.”

Nominees: Beauden Barrett (New Zealand), Faf de Klerk (South Africa), Rieko Ioane (New Zealand), Malcolm Marx (South Africa)

World Rugby Team of the Year – Ireland

The first northern hemisphere recipient since England in 2003, Ireland have won 11 of their 12 tests in 2018 with the first test loss to Australia the only blot on their record. This run has seen Ireland win the Six Nations Grand Slam, a first series in Australia for 39 years and beat New Zealand for the first time on Irish soil. The results have also seen them rise to number two in the World Rugby Rankings.

Nominees: New Zealand, South Africa

World Rugby Coach of the Year – Joe Schmidt (Ireland)

A shrewd tactician and communicator, Joe Schmidt has overseen the most successful period in Irish rugby history, adding a Grand Slam title, first series win in Australia since 1979 and first win over his native New Zealand on Irish soil to his resume in 2018 to become the second Ireland coach to claim this accolade after Declan Kidney in 2009.

Nominees: Rassie Erasmus (South Africa), Steve Hansen (New Zealand)

World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in association with TUDOR – Aphiwe Dyantyi (South Africa)

The winger marked his Springbok debut with a try against England in June and hasn’t looked back, starting all 13 of South Africa’s tests in 2018 and scoring six tries, including braces against Argentina and in the win over world champions New Zealand in Wellington. Blessed with pace and power, the 24-year-old was the joint top try-scorer in the Rugby Championship with five as South Africa finished as runners-up.

Nominees: Jordan Larmour (Ireland), Karl Tu’inukuafe (New Zealand)

MONACO – NOVEMBER 25: (L-R) Michaela Blyde of New Zealand receives the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC from Rachel Burford (Photo by Dave Rogers – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC – Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)

The youngest nominee at only 22, Michaela Blyde becomes the first to win the award twice – let alone two years in succession – after another impressive season with the Black Ferns Sevens that saw her named in the HSBC Dream Teams for both the series and RWC Sevens. The DHL Impact Player of the Series for a second time in 2018, Blyde scored 37 tries across the five rounds – second only to team-mate Portia Woodman – as New Zealand finished as runners-up after winning the Kitakyushu, Langford and Paris rounds. Blyde, blessed with electric pace and quick feet, scored another nine tries to help New Zealand claim back-to-back RWC Sevens titles in San Francisco, including a hat-trick in the final against France. The season also saw her win an historic gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Nominees: Sarah Goss (New Zealand), Portia Woodman (New Zealand)

World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC – Perry Baker (USA)

The oldest of the nominees at 32 and the 2017 recipient of this prestigious award, Perry Baker was at his scintillating best in Las Vegas in March, scoring eight tries – six of them in the knockout stages – as USA tasted success on home soil for the first time. The Eagles flyer has always had electric pace and the ability to create something out of nothing, but now has the all-round game to go with his natural speed to make him even more of a lethal finisher. The crowd favourite scored 37 tries in seven events on the 2018 series, missing the finale in Europe due to injury before returning to help USA to sixth place at RWC Sevens in San Francisco.

Nominees: Ben O’Donnell (Australia), Jerry Tuwai (Fiji)

World Rugby Referee Award – Angus Gardner (Australia)

The 34-year-old has shown strong development over the last two years, highlighted by the calibre of matches he is now being appointed to referee, and is now one of the leading referees in international rugby. A good communicator on and off the field, Gardner referred the first of his 19 tests in 2011 and took charge of the Super Rugby final for the first time earlier this year.

Award for Character in association with Land Rover – Doddie Weir (Scotland)

A veteran of 61 tests for his beloved Scotland from 1990-2000, Doddie Weir has shown tremendous courage and character in the two years since he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. A devasting illness with no cure, the 48-year-old has made it his mission to raise awareness of the disease and money for research through his My Name’5 Doddie Foundation. The drive he showed in his playing career now inspires those around him as he faces his biggest challenge.

Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Yoshirō Mori (Japan)

The former Prime Minister of Japan and former President of the Japan Rugby Football Union has been instrumental in growing the game in Asia and more specifically in Japan with his enthusiasm and dedication culminating in Japan securing the hosting rights to Rugby World Cup 2019. His service to sport and society was recognised in 2017 when he was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers by His Majesty the Emperor Akihito, The Emperor of Japan.

Spirit of Rugby Award in association with Dove Men+Care – Jamie Armstrong, The Clan (Scotland)

Trust Rugby International pioneers unified rugby in Scotland. Through the inspirational leadership of Development Director Jamie Armstrong, it brings together able, disabled and disadvantaged young people into a close-knit team called The Clan

International Rugby Players (IRP) Try of the Year – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand, v Australia)

This free-flowing try started and finished with the All Blacks second-row. Retallick was quickly through on Australia scrum-half Will Genia in the first match of the Rugby Championship in Sydney, turning over the ball and offloading to Damian McKenzie to launch the counter-attack. Beauden Barrett and Ben Smith helped take play into the Australian half before the All Blacks recycled and swung the ball from right to left, the fly-half finding Retallick who sold Bernard Foley with an outrageous dummy and ran in from nearly 30 metres.

Nominees: Beauden Barrett (New Zealand, v Australia), Sean Maitland (Scotland, v England), CJ Stander (Ireland, v England)

IRP Special Merit Award – Stephen Moore (Australia) and DJ Forbes (New Zealand)

Stephen Moore played 129 tests for Australia, 26 of them as captain, from 2005-17 as well as more than a century of matches for the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby. Off the field, Moore spent five years as the Brumbies’ Player Director from 2012 until his move to the Queensland Reds at the end of 2016 and also a year as a Co-Opted Director of the Rugby Union Players’ Association before bringing the curtain down on his international career with the Wallabies. The 35-year-old was an Executive Ambassador for the recent Sydney Invictus Games and has also been on the board of organisations such as Lifeline Canberra and Ronald McDonald House.

DJ Forbes amassed a record 89 tournaments and 512 matches in his 11 years on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series for New Zealand, scoring 153 tries and winning 26 tournaments, six series titles and Commonwealth Games and RWC Sevens gold. The 35-year-old former All Blacks Sevens captain was not only a leader on the field, though, having been a valuable conduit and voice for players throughout his career and a strong advocate for the development of women’s sevens, improved player welfare standards, player wellbeing and Olympic inclusion. Forbes’ desire to see players thrive has seen him work with the New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association and International Rugby Players on athlete well-being and development programmes.

Full list of World Rugby Awards winners

World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year, in association with Mastercard – Johnny Sexton (Ireland)
World Rugby Women’s 15s Player of the Year, in association with Mastercard – Jessy Trémoulière (France)
World Rugby Team of the Year – Ireland
World Rugby Coach of the Year – Joe Schmidt (Ireland)
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in association with TUDOR – Aphiwe Dyantyi (South Africa)
World Rugby Men’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC – Perry Baker (USA)
World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year in association with HSBC – Michaela Blyde (New Zealand)
World Rugby Referee Award – Angus Gardner (Australia)
Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Yoshirō Mori (Japan)
Award for Character in association with Land Rover – Doddie Weir (Scotland)
Spirit of Rugby Award in association with Dove Men+Care – Jamie Armstrong, The Clan (Scotland)
IRP Special Merit Award – Stephen Moore (Australia) and DJ Forbes (New Zealand)
IRP Try of the Year – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand v Australia)

For more details on the World Rugby Awards, visit www.world.rugby/awards.

Courtesy of World Rugby

Jason Leonard joins school children

Rugby World Cup 2003 winner and President of the Rugby Football Union (RFU) Jason Leonard paid a surprise visit to the Queen Mary University Tag Rugby Festival at East London Rugby Club yesterday as part of the Festival of Rugby 2015.

The Tag Rugby Festival, which involved 10 primary schools from the London borough of Tower Hamlets, saw over 100 children enjoying an afternoon of Tag rugby organised by students from Queen Mary University and RFU coaching staff. This initiative came from the idea to take rugby to local schools that had little or no contact with the sport, with student volunteers delivering free rugby sessions to over 300 school children over a three week period.

Jason Leonard said: “Festival of Rugby 2015 has really helped to bring a sense of excitement and celebration to the country, with more people able to get involved with rugby for the first time. There has been such a wide range of events taking place and with just one week left until the end of Festival of Rugby 2015, there’s still time for people to join in the party and get involved in our great game.

“Today’s Tag Rugby Festival really shows how the Festival of Rugby has inspired people to put on events in cities across the country, often linking in with local rugby clubs, bringing people together to create a really fun and enjoyable atmosphere.”

Paddy Vasey, President of Queen Mary University Rugby Club, said: “This all came about from an idea to run a sports inclusion event in Tower Hamlets, a borough with little or no contact with rugby. It has been so good to see the children having lots of fun playing the sport I love and including our event as part of the Festival of Rugby has made it really special.”

As well as the Tag Rugby Festival, there was a coaching session and round robin tournament for 40 pupils from local secondary schools that are part of the RFU’s All Schools programme.

The Festival of Rugby 2015, which has been running since June 10, has seen 1,000 rugby-themed events attended by over 1 million people across the UK, involving them all in rugby’s biggest year. Any event with a link to rugby could become part of the nationwide festival which runs until October 31.

Highlights from the Festival of Rugby 2015 have included: The International Defence Rugby Competition with the UK represented by the Royal Navy, the  Army and the Royal Air Force and other nations sending their combined teams;  Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby Community Festival, including the first ever Wheelchair Youth Tournament, taking place at the famous Copperbox Arena in London; Rugby’s Got Balls, supported by Rugby Borough Council featuring large-scale rugby sculptures on display across Rugby town; a HAKA challenge in Manchester, enlisting the help of Street Shakers, leaders in the field of youth and community sports and dance to encourage people to submit videos of them doing the Haka; and a celebratory rugby match to mark reaching the milestone of the 1,000th Festival of Rugby event.

Stephen Brown, Managing Director of England Rugby 2015 commented: “The Festival of Rugby 2015 has been a great celebration of the sport, with over 1  million people participating in over 1,000 events up across the UK. We’ve seen bake sales, choirs, dance groups, rugby clubs and cities hosting rugby themed events to celebrate rugby’s biggest year and, with just over one week to go until the end of the campaign, this is the last chance to get involved in the festivities.”

RFU Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger added: “Festival of Rugby 2015 is a great success and has given people across the country the opportunity to join in and be part of a very special celebration of rugby.

“In an historic year for rugby in this country, we have built on strong foundations to increase the appeal and reach of rugby, to give many more people the opportunity to get involved and to enjoy a game that has so many benefits, both on and off the field.

“This event today is an example of how we can reach out to young people who would otherwise have little or no experience of rugby. Our aim is to give as many young people as possible the chance to enjoy all the game has to offer and that’s so important for the legacy of the game to live on.”

There’s still a chance to be a part of Festival of Rugby, which runs until October 31. Go to www.FestivalofRugby2015.com to submit your event or to find events in your area.

The following schools took part in the festival:
Wellington Primary
Sir John Cass Primary
Blue Gate Fields Junior School
Christ Church Primary School
The Hague Primary
Stebon Primary
Malmesbury Primary School
Globe Primary School
Olga School
Stepney Greencoat Primary

Other schools involved in the local rugby programme were:
Marion Richardson School
St. Lukes Primary School
Arhem Wharf Primary School
Lawndale Junior School

England Women’s Rugby World Cup winners Marlie Packer and Tamara Taylor were on hand to lend their support – Packer returning to her first club for Yeovil RFC’s inaugural 7s tournament and Taylor heading to Millom RUFC in Cumbria for a Social 7s event.

Source: RFU via Getty Images

Tamara Taylor

Any event that has a link to the game or a rugby theme can become part of the Festival of Rugby 2015. Developed in partnership between England Rugby 2015 and the RFU, the Festival is being hosted across the UK between June 10 and October 31, 2015.

RFU Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger said: “We have been delighted with the impact the Festival of Rugby is making already, and it was great to hear of so many people coming out over the weekend to meet Marlie and Tamara in Yeovil and Millom, as well as enjoying everything that rugby has to offer.

“The interest and excitement that is building around Festival of Rugby 2015 has been terrific, the variety and geographical spread of the over 420 events submissions we’ve received really reflects the inclusiveness of our sport. We are set to engage with over 300,000 people across the country between now and the end of the Festival on October 31, and want to encourage everyone to get involved in celebrating the biggest year in rugby history.”

England Rugby 2015 Managing Director Steve Brown said: “The events this weekend launched the Festival of Rugby 2015 and are just two of many taking place from now right up until October 31. From the World Wheelchair Rugby Community Day at the Copper Box Arena in The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, to the TAKEPART Festival in Brighton this Saturday which includes more than 70 different types of sports and activities, there’s something for everyone. Whether spectating, participating or hosting events, we want to see communities coming together in celebration for what we hope will be rugby’s greatest year.”

Fifteen teams competed at Yeovil, with an ’80s theme adding to the fun on the day, and there was plenty of support from the local community. Packer, who helped England Women lift the Women’s World Cup in Paris last September, was especially delighted to be returning to the club where she began her rugby journey.

“I love coming back to the club, this is where my roots are and I have really fond memories of my times here,” she said. “This is a massive year for our sport and especially for English rugby, and we want everyone to get involved in celebrating our sport and supporting England. It’s just the first week of Festival of Rugby events but it’s great to see so many events already registered, it’s a massive opportunity for clubs and local communities to sign up and join in the festivities.”

Alice Edmonds, event organiser, said: “It’s great to be one of the first Festival of Rugby events and to play our part in kicking off the celebrations of the biggest year of rugby. It’s the first year we’re running this tournament and we are hoping to make it biggest and better in the years to come.”

Over at Millom RUFC, a Social 7s event featuring men’s and women’s teams from as far afield as Edinburgh and Northwich was combined with a beer festival and drew in large crowds to the picturesque seaside club on the edge of the Lake District National Park. The event was also combined with a grand opening for the club’s refurbished clubhouse, which was part-funded by a £10,000 Social Spaces Grant from the RFU.

England Women’s ace Taylor made the journey across from her base in County Durham to be there and said: “There is a nice community atmosphere here and it’s good to see so many supporters and especially so many kids. It’s great that they have got involved in the Festival of Rugby and there are clubs across the country embracing it. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Beer Festival, a Food Festival or a rugby tournament; there is something for everyone in what is rugby’s biggest year.”

Bill Dowbiggin, Millom RUFC’s Facilities Manager, who helped organise the event, added: “We registered for the Festival of Rugby as soon as we found out about it. When we got a phone call to say we would be one of the featured events we were really pleased, and we were ecstatic when we were told Tamara Taylor would be coming across. We’d never had a current England international visit the club before so it was very special.”

England 2015 Ambassador and Women’s Rugby World Cup winner, Maggie Alphonsi, was joined by 437 children from 29 schools across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire plus young sports leaders, teachers, parents and event staff, participated in the impressive Tag Rugby World Record attempt in an effort to beat the current record of 336 players. Although the number of players exceeds the current record, the World Record attempt will need to be verified over the coming weeks before it can be officially confirmed.

Maggie Alphonsi, said “Today has been an incredible start to the Festival of Rugby. It’s been great to see so many schoolchildren getting involved in the sport with the support of their local team, especially in what is a predominantly football city. If the excitement evident in today’s event is anything to go by, it’s set to be a fantastic summer of rugby and a great foundation from which to build a strong legacy for the Game.”

England Rugby 2015 Managing Director, Steve Brown, said “Today’s World Record attempt at Luton Rugby Football Club is just one of many events kicking off the Festival of Rugby 2015. With events happening up and down the country from now until the end October, from the World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge at the Copper Box Arena in the Olympic Park to the Yeovil 7s 80s’ Festival this coming weekend, there something for everyone. Whether spectating, participating or hosting events, we want to see communities coming together in celebration for what we hope will be rugby’s greatest year.”

RFU Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger said: “We are delighted with the number and wide range of events taking place across the country over the coming weeks. This is a real opportunity for thousands of people of all ages to get involved and join our rugby family in celebrating this very special year.  The Festival of Rugby will show just how inclusive our sport is and we are looking forward to welcoming more potential players, spectators and followers to our great game.”

The first week of Festival of Rugby 2015 is jam packed with over 35 events taking place everywhere from Cumbria to the West Country.

This weekend’s Festival of Rugby 2015 highlights include the Cumbria Social 7s and Millom Beer Festival at Millom RUFC Wilson Park which runs from Friday 12 June until Sunday 14 June.

On the Saturday, teams will arrive from all over the North West and Scotland to compete in the Women’s and Men’s 7s tournament, made up of eight female teams and eight male teams.  Former England Women’s Captain, Tamara Taylor will also make an appearance during the day, taking part in some matches and participating in a Q&A on the main stage.

The 2015 Yeovil 7’s 80’s Festival, which also takes place this coming weekend, demonstrates the true breadth of events on offer as part of Festival of Rugby 2015. The weekend will feature a 7s tournament that includes rugby competitions for men, veterans, women and colts, 80s themed fancy dress, a tug-of-war competition, bouncy castle and on-site camping and catering facilities. Around 500 are expected to attend throughout the weekend, including England Women Seven’s player, Marlie Packer who will be participating in a Q&A on the Saturday afternoon.

For event organisers and participants inspired to get involved, there’s still time to take part. To apply and register interest go to www.festivalofrugby2015.com.

Any event that has a link to the game or a rugby theme can become part of the Festival of Rugby 2015. Developed in partnership between England Rugby 2015 and the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the Festival will be hosted across the UK.

With over 380 wide-ranging events set to be a part of Festival of Rugby, including The International Defence Rugby Competition (IDRC) in Twickenham, Hoppers Beer Festival in Lancashire and Westoe Village Fete in South Shields, there are countless ways to celebrate the year of rugby across the country.

With over 300,000 likely attendees, the Festival of Rugby 2015 programme will bring fans and wider communities together to celebrate rugby through events hosted across the UK.

Event seekers can use the postcode facility on www.festivalofrugby2015.com to find events near them, while those looking to create their own events will have access to the Festival of Rugby 2015 brand and online event toolkit. The toolkit, enables event organisers to create their own t-shirts, bunting, posters, leaflets and stickers and their events will also be profiled and promoted through the website.

The Festival of Rugby provides clubs, schools, community groups, organisers of sporting events and the wider nation with the opportunity to take part in the celebration of rugby in 2015 and create a true festival feel across the UK.  The Festival of Rugby is open to any event hosted between June 10 and October 31 2015 that includes a rugby theme or element; this can be as simple as a link to a rugby team, song, through catering, visuals or cultural elements of the game.

Source: World Rugby

From bake sales to national sporting events, everyone across the country is invited to join in by registering their existing event or creating an event to be part of the programme. The new dedicated website will also allow people to locate and attend events in their area with a postcode search feature launching later this year.

All events registered as part of the Festival of Rugby 2015 will have access to the Festival of Rugby brand enabling them to produce items including bunting, t-shirts and promotional tools to use at their events. Each event will also have access to their own event page at www.festivalofrugby2015.com, helping to increase awareness and reach of their event.

England Rugby 2015 Chief Executive, Debbie Jevans, said, “The Festival of Rugby 2015 aims to create a true festival feeling across the UK by offering the opportunity for national, local, community and individual events to be part of rugby’s biggest year. Events hosted across the UK between June 10 – October 31 2015 can be part of the Festival of Rugby, simply by registering .  It’s completely free and gives organisers access to promotional support and the Festival of Rugby brand and creates opportunities for people across the country to get involved and locate local events in their area and join in.”

RFU Rugby Development Director Steve Grainger said: “We are delighted to be supporting and promoting the Festival of Rugby 2015 and look forward to engaging thousands of people across the country in rugby related activities. Whether it’s a playing opportunity for youngsters at a local community centre, a rugby themed music festival at a school or an exhibition of rugby artwork, the Festival of Rugby will demonstrate what a truly inclusive sport Rugby Union is and will showcase the values of our sport. We’re looking forward to seeing a wide range of projects in the Festival, with the rugby family reaching out to more communities to welcome many more potential players, spectators and followers to our great game.”

World Rugby Chairman, Bernard Lapasset, added: “We are really excited about this initiative that will create a truly nationwide festival of rugby during 2015. Sport is all about inclusivity, teamwork and having fun and I am sure that through a diverse range of events, the Festival of Rugby will create a fantastic feel-good atmosphere across the UK and inspire new audiences to engage and feel a part of what will be a very special and record-breaking year of rugby.”

A number of events have already registered their interest in the Festival of Rugby 2015, including the World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge at the Copper Box Arena at the Olympic Park, the massed performance of ‘The Armed Man’ run by the Voices for Hospices Choir in Kempton Park, and Wallingford RFC ‘Rugfest 2015’. These highlight the broad range and genre of events that will feature in the programme, in line with the Festival’s aim to spread the celebration of rugby far and wide in 2015.

Event organisers can register their interest and find out more from today here. Next month event organisers will be able to apply to be part of the Festival of Rugby through the online application system.

Click here to hear from England legends Maggie Alphonsi and Jason Leonard who helped launch the Festival of Rugby 2015 at Teddington RFC.