Publisher Mills & Boon is betting that nothing goes with champagne and diamonds like the bone-crunching, mud-churning wallop of a rugby match. The romance imprint has teamed up with rugby’s British governing body for a series of novels in which gorgeous women fall for athletic alpha males adept at making passes.

There’s even sex at Twickenham, the home of English rugby.

“It’s good, clean fun,” said Jenny Hutton, editor of the eight-book series, which was launched Tuesday. “Women go to sport and watch it for the technical qualities of the game — but there’s no denying there are quite attractive men running around on the pitch.”

The deal offers something for both sides. The publisher gets a ready-made milieu of sweat-soaked men and glamorous settings, from Italy and France to Argentina.

For Rugby Football Union marketing manager Jane Barron, the books — emblazoned with the red rose symbol of the England rugby team over images of clinching couples — are “a fantastic way to encourage more women and their families to get involved with the game.”

Publishing and professional sports have dallied before. In 2005, Mills & Boon’s parent company Harlequin Enterprises launched a NASCAR auto-racing themed series of romances with titles like “In the Groove” and “Peak Performance.” Its success inspired the rugby series, which will be published around the world. Read rest at AP Wire

Scrummy! New novels put the romance into rugby is a post from: iRugby News

For the first time ever a 16-team women’s event will run alongside the traditional 24-team men’s competition at Dubai’s magnificent new venue ‘The Sevens’ from 5-7 March.

The draw was carried out by Bernard Lapasset, the Chairman of Rugby World Cup Limited, with Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

In the men’s draw the eight Melrose Cup quarter finalists from 2005 pre-qualified along with the host nation Arabian Gulf, while 15 other nations booked their places through tournaments held across the IRB’s six regions. The women’s teams all came through a competitive global qualifying process involving 83 nations.

England, the top seeds in the women’s competition, will face Japan, Russia and USA in Pool B, while second seeds and Oceania champions Australia are joined in Pool A by Netherlands, France and China.

North America champions Canada will meet Brazil – the first nation to qualify for the inaugural tournament, along with Spain and Thailand in Pool C, with New Zealand drawn with South Africa, Italy and Uganda in Pool D.

In the men’s draw, defending champions Fiji will face France, USA and Georgia in Pool B as they attempt to become the first side to successfully defend the Melrose Cup following their success in Hong Kong four years ago.

New Zealand, winners in 2001, are joined in Pool A by Tonga, hosts Arabian Gulf and Italy, while IRB Sevens World Series leaders South Africa find Scotland, Canada and Japan awaiting them in Pool C in Dubai.

Fourth seeds Samoa will face Australia, Portugal and Ireland in Pool D, while 1993 champions England tackle Kenya, Tunisia and Hong Kong in Pool E. The remaining pool brings together Argentina, Wales, Zimbabwe and Uruguay.

The six pool winners and best two runners up will progress to the Melrose Cup quarter finals, the four other runners up and four best sides that finish third in their pool will contest the Plate and the remaining sides the Bowl.

The match schedule will be announced shortly.

See Men’s Draw

See Women’s Draw

Pools drawn for RWC Sevens 2009 – IRB is a post from: iRugby News

Pacific Islands
Samoa rugby sacks head coach – Radio Australia
Samoa Rugby Union has axed its entire Manu Samoa coaching staff, including head coach Niko Palamo and his two assistants. Read More

South Africa
New Springbok jersey in time for Lions tour – iol.co.za
A new Springbok jersey featuring the national sports emblem – the King Protea – will be launched in time for the Test series against the British & Irish Lions in June. Read More

USA
National HS champs on the way out as ’single school’ guidelines loosened – Gainline.us
Loosened high school eligibility regulations will allow up to one-third of a 2009 ’single school’ XV to have graduated or be enrolled elsewhere, and the backtracking is part of USA Rugby’s plan to discontinue the national scholastic championship after 2011. Read More

Rugby News Roundup: Jan. 23, 2008 is a post from: iRugby News

Another two, high quality players – Danie Coetzee and Gary Johnson, have shown their confidence in London Irish by signing new contracts.

Danie Coetzee (31), the former South Africa hooker, who joined the club in 2003, has signed for another season.  Second row Gary Johnson (24) has signed a three year contract that will keep him with the Exiles until the end of the 2011-12 season.  Johnson is a former Academy graduate who has been at the club for seven years, the last two as a senior player.

Commenting on his decision to extend his stay, Danie Coetzee said, “I’ve enjoyed my rugby at London Irish over the past five years and look forward to contributing to realising the ambitions of our talented squad for another season.”

Gary Johnson, said, “Toby Booth recruited me into the Academy and he is now giving me the opportunity to play in one of the best teams in the country.  I’ve no doubt we have a big future and I want to be part of it.”

Confirming the two re-signings, London Irish Head Coach Toby Booth said, “There is much debate about the squad sizes of the Premier Rugby clubs.  Everyone knows that we are backing quality over quantity in our squad.  The two players whose re-signings we’re confirming today contribute greatly to maintaining the quality of our playing staff.

“Most clubs with large squads end up with a small core of players that play regularly, all our players get game time and Danie and Gary are a key component in ensuring we continue to compete at the top level.”

Over the past month London Irish has confirmed the re-signing of eight key players: the England internationals – Paul Hodgson, Nick Kennedy and Topsy Ojo; South African international Faan Rautenbach, England A players Declan Danaher and Kieran Roche; and today’s two.

Catt and Cuthbert sign new deals with Bath

Ahead of one of the biggest and most exciting clashes Bath Rugby have faced so far this season, the timely two year signing of young players Nathan Catt and Jack Cuthbert has brought the first of some much needed good news.

Catt, who has just been named in the Saxons squad to face Portugal has earned himself a name as a player to watch having joined the Bath Rugby Academy in the 2003/04 season as an U16 back row forward from Clevedon School and Somerset County sides.  Since then, he has not only been a pivotal player for the England Under 18 team that claimed the Home Unions title in 2006, but has gone on to impress in 2007 by appearing in all seven England Under 19 games. Catt’s all-round game – excellence in the loose to go with real power in the tight – mark him out as a major talent in the making.

With his future looking so bright, it is little wonder that Forwards coach Mark Bakewell was delighted at the news.  “One of the biggest things about Nathan is his potential.  We are working very hard to ensure that he has a long and successful career and believe he is in the best place to develop for his future.”

Catt echoed his coach’s statements saying: “As a young player I need to develop and progress and I think Bath Rugby is the ideal place to do that.

“For the next two seasons I want to get more involved in the first team squad and hopefully get a few opportunities to play some great rugby alongside them.”

Following Catt is kicking full back, Jack Cuthbert.  Cuthbert also came up through the Academy set up, after joining in 2005/06 as an Under 18 outside centre.  Having impressed the team management in the summer, Jack has already started six times this season.

“He is undoubtedly a player with great potential and good skill set,” said Skills and defence coach, Brad Davis. “One of his most obvious skills is his goal kicking, and that is a big facet of his game.”

It is not commonplace for a full back to take the kicking duties quite as naturally as Cuthbert has, but as he admits himself, the talent came before position selection.

“I have been kicking since early on in my career.  I started at fly half and was kicking for the sticks, but playing at full back has been something progressive and my conversion was actually made here at Bath Rugby.”

So, what made him choose to continue his career at Bath?  “Simply put, it was just the fact that if you know what you want and you are willing to put the effort in, Bath Rugby club sells itself.”

With two more players with such potential building their careers with Bath, it gives extra credence to the work invested in players.  “In both cases,” said Steve Meehan earlier this week, “seeing the players moving from the Academy to the first team is recognition of the hard work done not only by the players, but Frank Butler and John Palmer also.”

Guinness Premiership: Bath and London Irish sign players to new contracts is a post from: iRugby News

Cardiff Blues: B Blair; L Halfpenny, T Shanklin, J Roberts, G Thomas; N Robinson, J Spice; G Jenkins, G Williams, G Powell, D Jones, S Morgan, M Molitika, M Williams [capt], A Powell
Replacements: F Filise, T Thomas, B Davies, X Rush, D Allinson, C Sweeney, J Robinson

Rugby Calvisano: B Smith; L Nitoglia, M Pratichetti, G Gonzalo, D Forcucci; G Fraser, P Patelli; A McKenzie, L Ghiraldini [capt], B Evans, P Sidoli, C Treloar, F Cristiano, A Persico, A Zanni
Replacements: G Bocca, A Moreno, L Beccaris, M Galluppi, P Griffen, N Raineri, L McLean
Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Pool 6
Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque V Gloucester Rugby
Parc des Sports Aguilera, Biarritz
Friday 23rd January 2009, 21:00

Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque: N Brusque; P Bidabe, R Cabannes, D Traille, T Ngwenya; J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili; F Barcella, B August, C Johnstone, C Damiani, M Carizza, S Vahafolau, T Hall, I Harinordoquy
Replacements: E Coetzee, B Bourrust, J Thion, P Som, A Masi, L Tranier, I Bolakoro

Gloucester Rugby: O Morgan; I Balshaw, M Tindall [capt], O Barkley, J Simpson-Daniel; W Walker, G Cooper; A Dickinson, O Azam, C Nieto, W James, A Brown, A Strokosch, A Satala, L Narraway
Replacements: A Titterrell, N Wood, M Bortolami, A Eustace, D Lewis, A Allen, M Watkins
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

HEINEKEN CUP: FRIDAY TEAM LINE-UPS is a post from: iRugby News

The player was sent off by Irish referee Alan Lewis in the 27th minute for striking an opponent with his head.

The independent Disciplinary Committee was chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprised Jean-Etienne Bernard (France) and George Spotswood (Ireland).

After considering the evidence available, the independent Disciplinary Committee determined that the offence was at the low-end of the level of seriousness for a strike with the head.

Having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors the independent Disciplinary Committee suspended the player for a period of two (2) weeks from the date of the match up to and including Sunday, 1 February, 2009.

Both parties have the right to appeal.

Heineken Cup: Tom James suspended for two weeks is a post from: iRugby News

The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, Aurwel Morgan (Wales) was for an alleged stamp on London Wasps player Phil Vickery (No 3) in contravention of Law 10.4 (b).

The independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprising Jean-Etienne Bernard (France) and Robert Williams (Wales), found that Malcolm O’Kelly was guilty of foul play in that he had stamped on Phil Vickery in contravention of Law 10.4 (b).

After considering the evidence, the independent Disciplinary Committee determined that intentional foul play had not been established but that Malcom O’Kelly’s actions had been dangerous and that offence was at the low-end of the level of seriousness for stamping.

Having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors the independent Disciplinary Committee suspended the player for a period of two (2) weeks up to and including Wednesday, 4 February, 2009.

Both parties have the right to appeal.

Heineken Cup: Malcom O’Kelly suspended for two weeks is a post from: iRugby News

Pool 4: Brive V Overmach Rugby Parma
Stade Amédée Domenech, Brive
Thursday 22nd January 2009, 20:45

Brive: B Davies; N Ligairi, R Cooke, B Johnston, B Cohen; A Goode, A Pic; D Kinchagishvili, J Bonrepaux, P Capdevielle, F Domingo, A Mela, A Manta, V Forgues, S Azoulai [capt
Replacements: J Djoudi, P Toderasc, C Short, A Claasen, J Pejoine, F Estebanez, A Palisson

Overmach Rugby Parma: G Rubini; R Pavan, P Emerick, G Pavan, R Mariani; B Irving, J Pellicena; A de Marchi, A Tejeda, A Winter, B Taylor, P Taele, A Ainley, L Pascu, M Vosawai [capt]
Replacements: D Giazzon, G Fontana, M Tveraga, P Sciarretta, A Chillon, F Mazzariol, R Quartaroli

Referee: Rob Debney (England)

Euro Challenge Cup: Thursday Teams is a post from: iRugby News

The citing lodged by the Citing Commissioner for the match, Geraint Edwards (Wales) was for an alleged strike on London Irish player James Buckland (No 2) in contravention of Law 10.4 (a).

The independent Disciplinary Committee, chaired by Rod McKenzie (Scotland) and also comprising Robert Williams (Wales) and George Spotswood (Ireland), found that Mickael Bert was guilty of foul play in that he did strike James Buckland in contravention of Law 10.4 (a).

After considering the evidence available, the independent Disciplinary Committee determined that the offence was of the mid-range of the level of seriousness for punching.

Having taken into account any mitigating and aggravating factors the independent Disciplinary Committee suspended the player for a period of three (3) weeks up to and including Wednesday, 11 February, 2009.

The hearing was originally scheduled for Thursday, 18 December, 2008, but Bert requested and was granted an adjournment.

Both parties have the right to appeal.

Euro Challange Cup: Mickaal Bert Suspended for 3 weeks is a post from: iRugby News

Connacht Rugby: G Duffy; F Carr, N Ta’auso, K Mathews, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; B Wilkinson, S Cronin, R Morris, A Browne, A Farley, M McCarthy, R Ofisa, J Muldoon [capt]
Replacements: A Flavin, R Loughney, M Swift, C Rigney, K Campbell, A Dunne, T Nathan

Dax: D Bortolussi; L Diaz, F Argel, F Martin Aramburu, B Hiriart; M Petitjean, J Pezet; K Lealamanua [capt], J Jaen, N Decamps, A Mazel, J Cros, B Adrillon, J Pendanx, J Bornman
Replacements: J Castex, Y Pedrosa, J Brugnaut, V Deniau, N Morlaes, G Williams, N Nanuku
Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland)

Pool 5
Mont de Marsan V Saracens
Stade Guy Boniface, Mont de Marsan
Friday 23rd January 2009, 19:00

Mont de Marsan: J Mazonetto; N le Roux, D Senio, M Taele, S Ternisien; F Urruty, F Tandonnet; G Leleu, T Leota, S Ormaechea, F Rawls, R Berek, Y Brethous, R Bernard, J Tastet [capt]Replacements: C Blanchard, B Coutts, J Mynhardt, J Carre, P van Schalkwyk, K Abbad, A Genthieu

Saracens: A Goode; N Cato, K Sorrell, A Farrell, R Penney; G Ross, M Wilson; M Aguero, F Ongaro, C Johnston, S Borthwick [capt], K Chesney, D Seymour, A Saull, D Barrell
Replacements: A Walker, T Mercey, J Mitchell, B Skirving, A Powell, K Ratuvou, E Thrower
Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

Pool 3
Bourgoin V Bucuresti
Stade Pierre Rajon, Bourgoin-Jailleu
Friday 23rd January 2009, 20:30

Bourgoin: F Denos; M Nicolas, R Coetzee, S Laloo, F Romanet; B Boyet, M Forest; P Peyron, T Genevois, K Wihongi, A Louchard, C Levast, J Frier [capt], W Jooste, Y Labrit
Replacements: T Kopelani, A Tchougong, B Williams, S Nicolas, M Parra, J Coux, A Forest

Bucuresti: F Vlaicu; S Ciuntu, J Makapelu, C Gal Minya, M Lemnaru; I Dimofte, V Ivan; F Dobre, F Tasca, M Lazar, A Grigore, V Popirlan, M Macovei, S Burcea [capt], D Carpo
Replacements: A Radoi, N Nere, Z Winslade, F Surugiu, B Aoina, C Dascalu, C Fercu
Referee: Paulo Ventura (Italy)

Euro Challenge Cup: FRIDAY’S TEAM LINE UPS is a post from: iRugby News