The RFU have undertaken a review called the "Player pathway". This scopes the development routes for all players from the age of 16 to achieve the ultimate of playing for England at whatever level. International rugby now has many levels from England, The Saxons, Under 20's, Under 18's, Students, Universities, Colleges, Counties and this year Counties Under 20's.
As part of re-structuring there is a ruling that the England Counties Under 20's will be made up from players who have taken part in the National Counties Under 20 Championship. The administrative rules, which have not yet been brought into operation, also states that Counties can only select from Level 3 and below Clubs. Therefore North Midlands Under 20's will not be able to select from Worcester Academies, Moseley and Birmingham Solihull if the regulation goes through.
Without the usual support of those Level 2 Clubs NMU20DC is now looking to gain the assistance of all Clubs in the CB. It is now essential that you, being most directly involved with the players of the age group required, identify to us those whom you think are capable of playing at that level. Some players may have been identified through the Houghton-Harris competition and are no longer available to us.
We operate 3 fixtures at Under 19 level, The Sable Trophy against Warwickshire (Home and Away) in October and Yorkshire in late November. For the Under 20's there are usually 3 warm-up fixtures in December and January before the National Counties Under 20 Championship in the Midlands start in February. At this time the Midlands is split into 2 leagues with the winners of both progressing in the Championship and hopefully to the final at Twickenham. They also play each other for the Midlands Championship trophy.
The Midlands then forms a team to play a traditional match against London and the South East. There will be some form of Divisional Contest for the England Under 20's selectors to produce their side.
North Midlands has a reasonable record in the Championship achieving 3 finals, winning one. Two notable ex-North Midlands U.20's are Jake Abbott and James Rodwell both made the England Sevens Squad.
Please help by identifying those players you consider suitable for County rugby to either myself or the Team Manger, Dave Ireland, our details are listed below. We have a "Get-together" on Sunday 12th September at 12.30pm on the All-Weather pitch at Moseley.
Gordon Wood – 01952-419966 or 07986-868958 or gordon.wood1@mypostoffice.co.uk
Dave Ireland – 0121-745-6007 or 07813-666729 or info@birminghamrunner.com
