England unveil new academy

The RFU has unveiled a new performance academy that will see 30 handpicked players receiving more tailored support to help them progress.

The academy, sponsored by BMW, will see players from across the existing age-grade teams - the U16s, U18s, U20s and those aged over 20 and on the verge of breaking into the senior squad - spending time with various specialist coaches.

The RFU will work alongside the player and their club coach to develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to help them realise their potential ahead of the 2015 World Cup.

"The BMW Performance Academy will help equip our promising young players with the skills needed to succeed at the highest level," England boss Stuart Lancaster said. "We're working hard in conjunction with their club coaches to give them the individual support they need both on and off the pitch as we work towards the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and beyond."

The partnership will also see BMW providing the academy players with personal development training, seminars alongside their sporting ambassadors, work experience and driver training.

Sounds similar to what the WRU did last year.

Leicester's George Ford, Wasps' Elliot Daly and Joe Launchbury and London Irish's Anthony Watson among the 30 inductees.

I don't know the names of any others?

Also found in the promo photos Maro Itoje, Brett Herron and Kyle Sinckler

SCW was suggesting something like this a few months back.

Sounds sensible. England have loads of players, the trick is helping a core group of them to fullfil their potential.

DaveM wrote:SCW was suggesting something like this a few months back.

Sounds sensible. England have loads of players, the trick is helping a core group of them to fullfil their potential.

Yes Dave. Lets hope they pick judiciously!
I know the WRU have set up a similar academy as Meas states although the WRU site states their 27 players were identified in July 2012.

They have initially named ten players in this squad:

Brett Herron, Max Clarke, Maro Itoje, Anthony Watson, Scott Wilson, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Clifford, George Ford, Elliot Daly and Joe Launchbury

http://www.rfu.com/news/2012/september/newsarticles/250912_lancaster_bmw?keepThis=true&TB_iframe=true&height=650&width=850&caption=Rugby+Football+Union+News

I think most of us recognise the more established players like Kyle Sinkler, George Ford, Elliott Daly, Anthony Watson and Joe Launchbury. Wouldn't argue with most of them, but I've never been entirely convinced with Jack Clifford. He looks good with front foot ball and as a support player, but he seemed a bit anonymous at times for the U20's.

However there are a couple who seem less familiar.

Haven't been able to find much about Herron, other than he is a stand off in the London Irish academy.

No idea who Max Clarke is.

Scott Wilson is a very promising young tight-head in the Falcons' academy.

Maro Itoje seems like the next Courtney Lawes (a comparison I reckon he is going to get sick of). He is a tall, athletic and powerful player who is comfortable in both the second and back row.

Apparently Herron & Clarke both played for England u-17s this year as 10/12 despite being eligible for u-16s.

Always a good indicator.

the only thingthat worries me about this idea is that it can further marginalise those who develop later. We are rapidly heading towwards the point where the the only way to play for England full team is to have played for the U16s.

LondonTiger wrote:the only thingthat worries me about this idea is that it can further marginalise those who develop later. We are rapidly heading towwards the point where the the only way to play for England full team is to have played for the U16s.

I understand what your saying but it's about time we translate the success England has had at all age grade level to the Senior Squad.
We don't know a lot of detail about it yet & I'm sure the England coaches aren't blind to late developers like RL convert Eastmond etc.

I think its a good initiative by the RFU & will add to the coaching received at club/academy level.

Strange to see Maro Itoje yet again mentioned by Lancaster. He really seems to be a big fan. I haven't seen much of him at Sarries yet.

Cumbrian you are right. According to the RFU website Lawes and Itoje have similar builds.

Lawes is 6,7 and 17st 6. 23 years old

Itoje is 6,5 and 17st 4 17 years old

Agree with that LondonTiger. Some players are late bloomers.

I don't like all this picking out players early on and trying to groom them into something, sure help them out but don't try and make them into something they're not, you have it or you don't IMHO.

Get rid of all these journeymen and Billy foreigners and let these guys play 1st team rugby if they are good enough.

I think some people are missing the point of course there are late bloomers & I'm sure getting into this group of 30 doesn't guarantee you a full England cap. But Professional sport is about being the best you can possibly be.
If improvements can be made by the assistance of international coaches & other professional assistants (eg. speed & movement specialists).
Then bring it on.

Not all clubs will be able to afford the time or money that this initiative will bring.

I am all for it BTbm. Just that already our selectors at age level rarely look outside the pool of players that enter the system. So often we seem the same group play together at U16/U18/U20.

so the idea is great - I just feel our ability to spot the right players is pants.

There's already the 14 England Regional Academies. I would expect the players in the Age-Group squads to have some kind of Individual Development Plans agreed and implemented by the Academies as it is.

I'm not sure how much this adds, and I'm quite sure that a National Academy isn't needed for work experience and driver training.

This is a good step in the right direction but it doesn't address how young players are identified in the first place. Probably still done by the old school tie method which stinks.

Playing kids with rich dads is one thing but we need to attract the English yeomanry as well.

The way I see it, they are picking the 30 best age grade players at any one time and giving them extra coaching to try to take them to the next (world class?) level. You have guys who are close to the finished article and guys who are a bit younger:

Close to finished--- Young potential

George Ford--- Brett Heron (?)
Joe Launchbury--- Maro Itoje
Kyle Sinkler--- Scott Wilson

Obviously this definition isn't perfect.

However, this will not affect the 14 academies identifying talent and working with them through the system we have at present.

We've got a massive player base, one that needs to be carefully managed. I think it is a step in the right direction to identify the very best and make sure they are given the best chance to succeed.

It looks to me like they are trying to get rid of this glaring void which is England do brilliant at age group level then fail drastically at seniors...

It may work.

So, two FHs, an IC, an OC, a utility back 3 player, two THs, a lock, a utility forward and an 8. Good coverage I'd say.

This sort of focussed coachng is the sort of thing that has served many Olympians well. It's not a panacea, but it's a really positive move. There is some serious talent in the group selected - if this helps some of them fullfil their potential then that's great.

This can't be a bad move in itself, but who selects these youngsters and how long are they in the programme for? And do we need to be giving players like Ford, Sinckler and Launchberry more pro training, or do they just need more game time?

I think an expanded Saxons tournament like the old Churchill cup would do these players a lot more good, they already have all of the skills they just need to get the gametime to use them properly.

Also i'd like to see all of the clubs forced to play these youngsters in something like the LV cup as well.

The more top level game time these players can get the better. Just look at the progress of Joe Marler over two seasons of full first team rugby from U20 to Eng EPS.

Agree yappy...they need to get more Saxons games back in against decent opposition...

The only reason Ford isn't getting more time is his coach is Cockerill. I don't think there is generally an issue with how much rugby the older of the players are getting, this is designed to work on particular skils but also on the psychological elements of being a top player.

I presume there are 10 places left. Whilst there are probably plenty of 16, 17 and 18 year olds out there who would benefit I'd suggest some (mainly) older players with plenty of talent who might benefit from individual attention:

Wade, May, Burrell, Eastmond, Miller, Haywood, Buchanan, Mako Vunipola, Savage, Billy Vunipola.

If I were to throw in a couple more youngster it would be Tom Stephenson (centre for Saints) and Sam Hill (centre for Chiefs).