By Ed de Lucy, Head of Communications, England Deaf Rugby Union

The first home fixture for England Deaf will be against Wales at Newbury RFC on Saturday 6th March 2004 - kick off at 1.00pm. On the following day, some England players together with the coaching team will co-ordinate some training sessions for deaf and hearing-impaired children from schools from Berkshire.

The England Deaf Rugby Union was set up in 2002 and the long term aim is to set up a co-ordinated rugby development structure for deaf and hard of hearing people throughout England. With the support of the RFU, UK Deaf Sport, International Deaf Rugby Organisation (IDRO), sponsors and many more organisations, they are looking to promote grassroots rugby for deaf and hard of hearing people of all ages.

The EDRU held the first ever international in October 2003 losing 16-3 to France and was seen as a success for England Deaf Rugby throughout the world.