2022: A year in English Rugby
Take a look back through some of the highlights from 2022.
January
Rugby union representatives were recognised in the New Year’s Honours List for their services to the sport.
Former England captain Karen Almond was awarded an MBE for her services to women’s rugby. Being the first England rugby captain to lift a XVs World Cup, Karen discovered rugby as a middle distance track and field athlete at Loughborough University and went on to become an outstanding fly half.
Former Chairman Andy Cosslett was awarded a CBE in the Honours List for his services to the Rugby Football Union (RFU). Cosslett became Chair of the RFU in 2016 replacing Bill Beaumont and had previously been a non-executive director on the RFU Board as well as overseeing the delivery of the Rugby World Cup as Chairman of England Rugby 2015.
February
The then Duchess of Cambridge became the patron of English rugby, taking roles previously held by Prince Harry. She became the figurehead for both the RFU and Rugby Football League. At the time the duchess commended how the two sports organisations helped in "bringing communities together and helping individuals flourish".
The duchess marked her new role with a visit to Twickenham, where she met players from England's men's and women's international squads, and went on to the pitch to join a skills session run by head coach Eddie Jones.
Also in February, scrum half Ben Youngs became England’s most-capped men’s player of all time, surpassing the 114 Test caps of Jason Leonard.
He passed the milestone when coming off the bench for Harry Randall during England's 23-19 victory over Wales in the third round of the Six Nations. In recognition of the achievement a mural was commissioned and created on Holt RFC's clubhouse - Ben's first club.
The design features the Leicester Tigers man celebrating one of the greatest moments of his career when England won the Grand Slam in Paris in 2016, while also recognising the role of Holt RFC in his development with ‘Made at Holt’ emblazoned across the clubhouse as part of the mural.
March
At the Guinness Six Nations England v Ireland match collections to help Ukraine raised almost £23,000 in total. Almost £11,000 was donated to bucket collectors, around £10,000 via charity eco cups, with and additional amount of over £2,000 via text on the day, all supporting the Disasters Emergency Committee.
A charity rugby match also took place between Perranporth U14s and local rivals Falmouth U14s at Perranporth Rugby Club. The two teams were inspired by the idea of kids just like them living through violent war and wanted to do something to help.
In Devon, Brixham and New Cross (Kingsteignton) also dug deep to raise money to support Ukraine. Brixham raised money at their SW Premier 25-25 draw with Ivybridge at Astley Park, while New Cross ran an event raising funds for the British Red Cross for Ukraine and Devon Air Ambulance.
April
The Red Roses claimed a Six Nations Grand Slam after beating France 24-12 in Bayonne, marking their fourth consecutive title. In doing so, Simon Middleton’s charges registered their 23rd win in-a-row, equalling the longest-ever winning run by an England team.
To clinch the title England had registered earlier wins over Scotland (57-5), Italy (74-0), Wales (58-5) and Ireland (69-0). during the campaign Emily Scarratt earned her 100th Test cap, while Alex Matthews and Leanne Infante brought up their 50th respectively.
May
Before hanging up his boots at the age of 56, Mike Ireland packed down with seven of his sons to form the entire Heaton Moor third XV scrum.
All play for the club, apart from 33-year-old Matt who came out of retirement to feature in the second row alongside 18-year-old Joel. Dan was hooking, Tommy was No 8, Sam was tight head and Luke blind-side flanker, while Stephen was playing openside. They beat Wythenshawe 65-7, giving the Mike a memory to cherish forever.
“I was never an outstanding player, but I loved the game and it’s time for someone younger to take my place,” said Mike. “My retirement coincided with Joel becoming 18 and being on the senior squad, so it was a perfect last match.”
Also in May, England was named the host for the Rugby World Cup in 2025.
It was announced that for Rugby World Cup 2025, the RFU and host partners World Rugby, plan to adopt a multi-city and multi-region approach to delivering the tournament. It will be the first time the tournament will be made up of 16 teams and the hosting model will facilitate great opportunities for people living in different parts of the country to attend, promoting rugby and enhancing participation in the sport nationwide.
June
RFU Rose Awards were given to Paul Astbury, Sir James Dingemans and Carol Isherwood for remarkable contributions to the game.
Paul Astbury has been a consistent and valued member of the RFU Competitions Management Committee and Competitions Development Committee for many years, representing London and South East Organising Committee (DOC) where his knowledge and expertise of all matters competitions and regulations has not only benefitted the Division but also nationally.
Sir James Dingemans was appointed as the first volunteer Independent Head of Judiciary for the RFU in 2013 following the creation of the post, to ensure independence between the prosecutorial and judicial functions of the discipline department. During his tenure, he led the RFU Independent Judiciary to be the leading rugby judiciary in the world, with increasing numbers of members taking international appointments.
Carol Isherwood is a hugely influential figure in the development of women’s rugby, both domestically and internationally, as a player, coach and administrator. One of the original players and a founding member of the Rugby Football Union for Women (RFUW) and Women’s World Cup.
Carol captained Great Britain when they played their first international match on home soil in 1986. The following year, she captained the Red Roses in their first ever fixture, against Wales in Pontypool continuing to win 15 caps between 1986 – 1991 before retiring in 1992.
July
England men’s tour of Australia saw Eddie Jones’ side claim a 2-1 series win Down Under, following their 21-17 victory in the third Test in Sydney.
Having fallen to a 30-28 defeat two weeks prior, England tied the series with a 25-17 win in the second Test in Brisbane. Three Owen Farrell penalties and tries from Freddie Steward and Marcus Smith clinched the victory, which ultimately secured the series win.
August
After his MND diagnosis, Gloucester lock Ed Slater was forced to retire from professional rugby. Gloucester Rugby and Ed set up the 4Ed campaign to raise awareness of MND and generate funds for his treatment and support of his young family.
Ed and a group of fellow rugby players cycled From Gloucester to Leicester, then to Milton Keynes before arriving at Twickenham on Tuesday 9 August. He was joined by Lewis Ludlow, Fraser Balmain, and Billy Twelvetrees, as well as former Gloucester players Alex Brown, Charlie Sharples and Jim Hamilton.
September
Rugby clubs across the country paid their respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II following her passing on September 8. Community fixtures went ahead, with teams conducting a minutes’ silence prior to kick off.
The late Queen served as patron of the RFU for 64 years and provided support over many years by helping the Union to celebrate its centenary in 1971, hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace after England won the Rugby World Cup in 2003, and bestowing honours on many of those who served the game.
God Save the King was then sung for the first time by an England national team when the Red Roses played Wales at Ashton Gate.
October
During the Red Roses’ record-breaking Rugby World Cup campaign in New Zealand, captain Sarah Hunter became the most-capped England player of all time, male or female. She ran out against Australia in the quarter-final for her 138th cap, overtaking former teammate Rocky Clarke.
November
The Red Roses made history in November when they recorded a 30th consecutive win with a comprehensive victory against Canada in the Rugby World Cup semi-final. They earned their spot in the final, running out to a sold-out Eden Park against hosts New Zealand.
Despite losing 34-31 in the final, the ripples created by the Red Roses have been felt across the country, as more and more women and girls have taken to the rugby pitch inspired by the international role models.
Twickenham Stadium hosted four Autumn Nations series across consecutive weekends as England Men hosted Argentina (29-30), Japan (52-13), New Zealand (25-25) and South Africa (13-27).
December
Steve Borthwick was officially appointed head coach of the England Senior Men's team on Monday 19 December.
He said: "I'm deeply honoured to be appointed England head coach, and I am very excited by the challenge.
"The English game is full of talent and I want to build a winning team which makes the most of our huge potential and inspires young people to fall in love with rugby union the way I did. I want the whole country to be proud of us and to enjoy watching us play.
Kevin Sinfield was also announced as the new England men's defence coach. The rugby league legend says it was a 'special moment' when he joined the coaching setup.
