August 2nd, 2006

The EDF Energy National Trophy Round 1 draw – ties to be played on the weekend of October 28th – have been announced.

The EDF Energy National Trophy will be contested by 102 clubs. These clubs are drawn from National Division 1, National Division 2, National Division 3 North & South (58 clubs) and 44 teams nominated by the Constituency Bodies.

Paul Vaughan, RFU Business Operations Director, said: “We are delighted to have secured such a major commercial name as EDF Energy to be the sponsor of five competitions covering premier to grassroots rugby. This includes the National Trophy, the Anglo-Welsh Cup, the Intermediate Cup, the Senior Vase and the Junior Vase.

Chris Burns, RFU Competitions Manager, added: “We now have five robust and competitive tournaments for all levels of the game.”

Vincent de Rivaz, Chief Executive of EDF Energy said: “Our partnership with the RFU will help us build on the brand awareness generated by our successful sponsorship of the ITV World Cup coverage. It also enables a connection with almost 2,000 amateur rugby clubs which are at the heart of their communities. For us this grass roots dimension is a vital part of developing our business and the relationship we want to have with our customers, our employees and the communities in which we live and work.

”EDF has a long relationship with rugby in France and I am delighted to extend this to the UK. We are all passionate about sport and with our new partners we will work hard to help ensure rugby continues to be a force for good in England as well as the source of great pleasure for all who play and watch it.”

Round 1 South
Bridgwater & Albion v Swanage & Wareham
Canterbury     v         Ealing
Chingford       v         Reading
Chinnor           v         North Walsham
Chippenham  v         Clevedon
Coney Hill       v         Maidstone
Dings Crusaders       v         Norwich
Exmouth         v         Spartans (SW)
Havant            v         Diss
London Scottish        v         Rosslyn Park
Lydney            v         Stevenage Town
Marlow            v         Hornets
Old Patesians            v         Cinderford
Oxford Harlequins     v         Westcombe Park
Richmond       v         Southend
St Ives (SW)   v         Basingstoke
Thurrock         v         Clifton
Torquay Athletic        v         Guildford
Worthing         v         Sevenoaks

Round 1 North
Altrincham Kersal      v         Kenilworth
Bedford Athletic        v         Vale of Lune
Beverley         v         Scunthorpe
Chester          v         Luctonians
Darlington      v         Broadstreet
Darlington Mowden Park     v         Cleckheaton
Derby  v         Preston Grasshoppers
Hertford          v         Macclesfield
Hull      v         Fylde
Leigh  v         Penrith
Longton          v         Orrell
Loughborough Students       v         Hull Ionians
Percy Park     v         Blaydon
Rugby Lions   v         Dudley Kingswinford
Stewarts & Lloyds     v         Westoe
Tynedale        v         Morley
West Park St Helens            v         Leicester Lions

Ends…   

Notes to editors: EDF Energy is one of the UK's largest energy companies. It provides power to a quarter of the UK's population via electricity distribution networks in London, the South East and the East of England. It supplies gas and electricity to over 5 million customers and generates about 5GW of energy from coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company is also a key player in national infrastructure projects, including the management of private electricity networks serving four London airports and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, the country’s first new railway in 100 years. It employs nearly 13,000 people at locations across the UK. EDF Energy is a core part of EDF Group, one of the world’s largest power companies.