August 12th, 2008
England Women Elite players got some expert tutoring from the Rugby Football Union’s top refereeing brass ahead of this month’s Inaugural Nations Cup.
As the reigning RBS 6 Nations and European Champions prepare for the challenge of the USA and Canada in the Nations, the players got to grips with the new ELV Laws and also received invaluable feedback from the likes of Elite Referee Development Officer Tony Spreadbury and RFU Referee Chris White at their Heythrop Park training camp.
White delivered a session on the new ELV Laws, which is of paramount importance to the England team as they will become the first Northern Hemisphere team to play an international rugby match under these rules.
Spreadbury was then joined by six female referees, some of whom who will officiate in the Nations Cup, for an interactive sessions between the players and the referees. Areas covered included playing on the right side of the law, video analyst and interpretations of the laws.
England Women Assistant Coach Graham Smith said: “This was a really important and useful session for the players, the coaches and the referees. We all now have an invaluable insight in the way referees see the game and also the way we play it too.
“With the Nations Cup just around the corner I think the players will benefit hugely, especially as we will be playing under the new ELV Laws.”
Spreadbury added: “We had a great cross fertilization of information between the coaches, players and referees. From a refereeing point of view all six of them benefitted and I am sure it will be a massive benefit to them in the future.”
The Nations Cup kicks-off on August 22nd against the USA and England will then take on Canada on August 24th. England will also play the two teams in another two tests on August 19th (USA) and August 29th (Canada) outside of the Nations Cup tournament. All games will be played at Esher RFC.
England Nations Cup squad
Rochelle Clark Henley
Sophie Hemming Clifton
Katy Storie Blaydon Team Northumbria
Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield
Samantha Dale Worcester
Emma Layland Richmond
Amy Garnett Saracens
Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
Natalie Binstead Wasps
Karen Jones Richmond
Catherine Spencer (C) Bath
Sarah Hunter Lichfield
Gemma Sharples Worcester
Sarah Beale Leos
Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
Georgina Rozario Plymouth Albion
Amy Turner Richmond
Katy McLean Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
Alice Richardson Richmond
Rachael Burford (VC)Saracens
Kimberley Oliver Clifton
Georgina Roberts Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
Emily Scarratt Lichfield
Francesca Matthews Richmond
Fiona Pocock Richmond
Danielle Waterman Clifton
Michaela Staniford Wasps
Katherine Merchant Worcester
Charlotte Barras Saracens
Match Schedule:
England v USA, August 19th at Esher RFC, KO 7pm
England v USA August 22nd at Esher RFC Nations Cup, KO 7pm
England v Canada August 24th at Esher RFC Nations Cup, KO 5pm
USA v Canada August 26th at Esher RFC Nations Cup, KO 7pm
England v Canada August 29th at Esher RFC, KO 7pm
Ends…
|
