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CPR is keen to promote rugby in the area and in particular sport to girls and women. This game will be one of the highest profile games this season to be played outside of London and the Home Counties.

The Belgium RFU are using it as a warm up game before they play in the FIRA/AER European Cup in the Netherlands in May.

Cinque Ports Rugby is hoping to attract a large crowd to see this game and wondered if you felt able to promote to the girls and boys in your school who are interested in rugby.

Any help you might be able to give to promote this match CPR are staging will be much appreciated.

If you are coming, could we ask you to let us know, there is car parking on site at the Grove School , but if there are coaches/mini buses involved we would like to know in advance. Also we will have some limited refreshments and t-shirts etc on sale.

Catherine Spencer named new England Women’s captain by Julia Hutton
November 13th, 2007

Worcester RFC’s Catherine Spencer has been named the new captain of the England Women’s rugby team.

Spencer takes over the captaincy armband from Wasps player Sue Day who announced her international retirement last month.

Spencer, who lives in Brislington in Bristol, has 27 caps for England and plays at No.8.

The 28-year-old, who first started playing rugby at Folkestone RFC, was part of the 2007 RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam winning team and last year featured in the final of the IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup.

Spencer’s first game in charge will come on December 15th when England take on the USA at London Irish ARFC, kick-off 230pm. England then begin their defence of the RBS 6 Nations on February 2nd against Wales also at London Irish AFRC.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: “With three Six Nations championships and a Rugby World Cup final under her belt Catherine will bring a wealth of experience to the team as captain.  She has demonstrated the maturity needed as a skipper both on and off the pitch - she has certainly got a wise head on young shoulders.

“Catherine’s game is improving all the time and she is one of the best No. 8’s in European rugby. Her self assurance and her strong physical presence on the pitch also makes her a natural choice for captain.  Her good rugby understanding will also help to implement what we want as coaches both on and off the pitch.”

Spencer added: “I am absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity. It is a massive honour and I am very excited and very proud to be named captain. I am following in the footsteps of some great past captains, including the likes of Sue Day and Jo Yapp most recently; they are all players that have been heroes in my eyes.

“This year we have quite a new looking elite squad but I think it will be another strong year for us. Over the past couple of years, we have had strength in depth and that is really coming to the fore now. We have some very exciting new players coming through the ranks as well as a strong mix of experienced heads.

“Our first international of the season is against the USA, a side our England A team play just a couple of days earlier.  It is great that we now have autumn international fixtures and having played them recently in the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup we know that they will be very tough opposition but we are all looking forward to the challenge.”

Saracens centre Rachel Burford has been named Vice Captain. Burford, who lives in Walthamstow but is originally from Medway in Kent, has seven caps for England since making her debut against South Africa in the 2006 IRB Rugby World Cup.

Street added: “Rachel is another youngster that has demonstrated she has got a lot to give England rugby and I think she is an ideal choice to assist Catherine. Like Catherine she has come through the successful RFUW academy system and has a great game understanding. She captained our sevens programme last year and showed both natural ability and confidence. I am looking forward to working with both players this season.”

England Women’s Rugby Coach comes to the Old Dunstonians

The Old Dunstonian Ladies enjoyed a top quality training session on Wednesday 31 October at their ground in Langley Park, Beckenham, with an extra special guest coach. The England Women’s Head Coach, Gary Street, came down for their regular Wednesday evening session to give the ladies his expert tips and advice.

For the OD Ladies, enjoying their first season in the leagues this year in South East East 3, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience this high level standard of coaching. Captain Louise Dennis said, “Many of the ladies present at the session have only been playing rugby for one season so to learn from the top guy in women’s rugby was amazing. It was a brilliant session and not only has it given us a boost in our rugby skills but increased everyone’s enthusiasm for the team and the sport.”

The offer from Gary Street to take the training session for the Old Dunstonian Ladies rugby team came because Gary used to be OD Captain Louise Dennis’s rugby coach at the University of Birmingham. Louise said, “It was great to see Gary again and I am so grateful that he was able to come down and take the session. He’s always been a great coach and I really have him to thank for getting me so interested in rugby over ten years ago when I first started playing at University.”

The Old Dunstonian Ladies will hope their training with the England Ladies coach will help them continue their unbeaten run so far in the league, winning 2 and drawing 1 out of their first 3 matches. Said Louise Dennis, “It’s been a fantastic start to our first season in the leagues and with the help we’ve got from the England coach things can only get better.” The ladies next take on East Grinstead away on Sunday 11 November.

To find out more about the Old Dunstonian Ladies Rugby Team visit www.odrfc.co.uk or call Louise Dennis on 07976 175 978.

Kent Ladies go into the finals of the County Championship as league leaders.
The County Championship Final is on 18th November 2.00pm KO at the Civil Service RFC, Duke’s Meadows, Riverside Drive, Chiswick, London W4 2SP

we would like to thank Maypole Marquee for their kind donation to the Women's Senior Squad