Rugby Football Union - No knickers at Twickers?

No knickers at Twickers?

by Nicki Drinkwater


	Mills & Boon: rugby gets romantic

January 6, 2009

A steamy series of Mills & Boon rugby romances will hit the shelves next month.

The Rugby Football Union has teamed up with the world’s biggest romance publisher, with eight raunchy tales from the touchline, including The Virgin Secretary’s Impossible Boss.

The first title in the limited edition International Billionaires series, The Prince’s Waitress Wife, launches on February 1, prior to the start of the 2009 RBS 6 Nations Championship, with one title published each month until September.

The series features great rugby moments and brooding alpha-male sporting heroes, offering all the passion, romance and glamour expected from Mills & Boon, plus a little added ruck and maul.

“Rugby has always been a game enjoyed by women,” said RFU Licensing & Marketing Manager Jane Barron. “A partnership with Mills & Boon is a fantastic way to encourage even more women and their families to get involved with the game.”

Women make up 20% of the crowds at Guinness Premiership matches, according to a recent fan survey conducted by Premier Rugby Limited (PRL). “The friendly, non-threatening atmosphere is one of the main reasons that fans of both sexes enjoy attending Guinness Premiership matches,” explained Simon Lewis, Head of Communications for PRL.

The books are available from The Rugby Store and all good book shops.

Other titles in the series include:
The French Tycoon’s Pregnant Mistress
At The Argentinian Billionaire’s Bidding
The Ruthless Billionaire’s Virgin
The Italian Count’s Defiant Bride
Blackmailed into the Greek Tycoon’s Bed
The Virgin Secretary’s Impossible Boss
The Sheik’s Lovechild

‘Oh my God.’ Her hand covered her mouth. She glanced at him in desperate panic. ‘They filmed me kissing you. And it’s up on the giant screens.’ Her voice rose, her cheeks were scarlet, and her reluctant glance towards the stadium ended in a moan of disbelief. ‘Oh God, I can’t believe this, my hair is all over the place and my bottom looks huge, and – everyone is looking.’

His eyes on the pitch, Prince Casper watched with cool detachment as his friend, the England captain, hit a post with a drop-goal attempt.

‘More importantly, you just cost England three points.’

About Mills & Boon’s RFU International Billionaires Series
Following the phenomenal success of their Centenary year, romance-publishing giant Mills & Boon has teamed up with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to produce a spectacular line-out of eight new titles.

“Romance and rugby are a natural combination for me,” says Felicia Field, partner of England rugby player James Haskell. “Every match has a fantastic atmosphere and it’s a great day out with the girls!”

“Mills & Boon romances and rugby are an irresistible combination – from the thrill of the pursuit, to the euphoria of realising one’s goals (whether romantic or sporting!),” says Clare Somerville, Sales & Marketing Director of Harlequin Mills & Boon. “Our partnership with the RFU should entice Mills & Boon fans into the world of rugby and vice versa!”

About Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited
Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited publishes more than 50 series romance titles every month and is a wholly-owned operating company of Harlequin Enterprises Ltd. Harlequin sells more than 130 million books worldwide each year, translated into 26 different languages and is the world’s largest publisher of romance fiction. HARLEQUIN ENTERPRISES LIMITED is a wholly owned subsidiary of TORSTAR CORPORATION.

Ends