RFU and TRU Announce Development Partnership
The RFU and TRU have developed a reciprocal partnership to work together on knowledge sharing and learning and development.
The partnership will see four England support staff consisting of a Team Doctor, Physiotherapist, Analyst, and Team Operations Manager working with the visiting team while on tour for their games against Scotland, England, French Barbarians and Romania.
In future years, coaches, players and community staff will share learnings to enhance the knowledge of each nation. There is also an ambition for England pathway coaches to spend time working in country with the Tongan Teams.
Revenues for all Unions have been severely impacted by COVID and the RFU is contributing a significant six figure match fee to support the development of Tonga RU.
Peter Harding, Chief Executive of Tonga Rugby Union said: “We understand and accept World Rugby rules, commercial realities make it a challenge to host England. However, innovative partnerships like the one we have developed with the RFU, will assist to stabilise the TRU and assist us to make the game more inclusive to women and children; to deliver a strong talent pathway while working towards representation at World Rugby.
Bill Sweeney; RFU CEO said: “Diversity is central to our strategic plan and we are delighted our England teams will have the opportunity to gain great knowledge from Tonga and their rich rugby heritage, which has had a massive impact on rugby around the world. We are looking forward to having a closer working relationship with Tonga going forward.”
England V Tonga will be played at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 6 November (3.15pm KO). The match will be live on Amazon Prime Sport and TalkSPORT.
