Cornish Pirates

RFU

Worcester Warriors

Warriors appoint Richard Hill news.bbc.co.uk/sport1

AND:-

RFU respond to media speculation concerning Dean Richards assisting Worcester.

"Given media commentary today concerning Dean Richard's role at Worcester Warriors the Rugby Football Union felt some clarification was required.

There has been speculation that Dean Richards has been given RFU permission to carry out an ongoing consultancy role for the club.

That is not within the terms of what has been permitted. To be clear the sole action taken by him is that he, in response to a request from Worcester Warriors, has overseen the writing of a report into what went wrong at the club last season and made recommendations.

That work is now complete and he has no ongoing permission from the RFU to carry out any further work for Worcester or any other club or body.

It should also be remembered that the ban was handed down by European Rugby Cup (ERC) Limited and then confirmed under the IRB's universality principle by the RFU and other governing bodies.

We would further stress that this does not mean Dean Richards is back in rugby. He is not permitted to have anything to do with coaching or being a director of a club in any capacity and he may not act as a consultant to any club in terms of coaching or other rugby matters."

Other News

Nottingham

Glenn Delaney has secured the services of speedster Tim Streather to strengthen his bid for Championship glory in 2010/11.

The 22-year-old this week penned a deal to keep him at Meadow Lane until 2011 following what has been a wonderful year for the Worcester academy graduate who clinched the club's Player of the Year award.

Hailed as Delaney's find of the season, the Nottingham University student is a crucial signing for the enigmatic Kiwi ahead of their 2010/11 campaign.

Delaney has been impressed with the youngster's first taste of professional rugby, saying: "Tim has had an outstanding first year at Championship level.

"His ability to create in attack has been very evident and he has been at the heart of some of our best performances this season.

"I am delighted he has committed his future to the club and we look forward to him contributing to our campaign next season."

The Green & Whites are looking ahead to 2010/11 with renewed optimism as their seven-year deal with Notts County FC begins next month and Delaney is building a team set for success.

Streather joins USA international Tim Usasz, David Jackson Jack Cobden and Andy Savage in the confirmed backline for next season while captain Craig Hammond, Luke Sherriff, Nic Rouse, Ben Buxton and new signing Ben Prescott have also committed to the club until 2011.

Birmingham & Solihull

Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club has received confirmation that it has been admitted to full membership of the Rugby Football Union (RFU). As a result, the Club's position in the RFU Championship has been confirmed for the forthcoming season.

Following a thrilling and ultimately successful Relegation Playoff campaign on the pitch, Birmingham & Solihull were required to make a detailed submission to the RFU to satisfy the game's governing body that going forward it had the money, resources and assets required for a Championship-level Club.

The Club's plans, which include a ground share agreement with Solihull Moors Football Club, have now been approved by the RFU Management Board.

"Today's confirmation by the RFU is the final piece in the jigsaw" said Bees' Chairman Paul Davidson.

"It means that we can now put all the trials and tribulations of last season firmly behind us and start implementing our plans for a new season in an exciting new ground share agreement with Solihull Moors, at their excellent facility at Damson Park."

He added "We will very shortly be inviting all the Club's supporters and stakeholders to a meeting at the new ground to share our plans for the forthcoming season, with other announcements to follow in due course.

I would, however, like to put on record my thanks to Solihull Moors FC, the North Midlands RFU and Solihull MBC who all played a part in supporting our submission to the RFU Management Board."

Championship players in England Counties squad

The England Counties XV has had a reputation for casting a wide selection net since its inception in 2002 and that tradition has been faithfully maintained in the squad of 26 players announced today for the three-match trip to Canada which leaves on Monday (May 31).

Players from 12 different Counties and 20 different clubs are involved in one of the most diverse groupings ever to represent the Counties XV.

"I'm always excited whenever we put a new group of players together for a tour, especially when, as in this case, we have a majority of players who will be wearing an England Counties shirt for the first time," says Team Manager Danny Hodgson.

"Only eight of the 26-man squad have been with us before, which means that this group probably has as many debutants as we've ever had. That adds a rewarding extra dimension for the players in terms of forging new friendships and it also challenges them and the coaches.

"Blending an effective unit in which all their individual talents can thrive is one of the big tests for every new Counties squad and from a Manager's perspective, that is always one of the most interesting aspects to see evolving.

"Our record of winning our three previous games in Canada is one we want to extend, but we recognise that Canadian rugby is progressing steadily and we're preparing for a full-on trio of matches.

"We're also looking forward to meeting up with new rugby friends and enjoying the hospitality that has characterised our previous visits. We'll be doing a lot of travelling - from Newfoundland in the east to Vancouver on the western seaboard - so it promises to be a demanding trip in more ways than one

"But we've had great support from clubs and counties in identifying a top-class squad and I can't wait to see the team in action."

Forwards:
Dan Baines (Macclesfield & Lancashire)*
Luke Collins (Redruth & Cornwall)*
Phil Eggleshaw (Nottingham & Durham)
Mark Evans (Moseley & North Midlands)*
Nick Flynn (Sedgley Park & Lancashire)*
Will Fraser (Saracens & Hertfordshire)
Matt Hall (Blaydon & Northumberland)*
Gavin Woods (Caldy & Cheshire)
Matt Long (Birmingham Solihull & Gloucestershire)*
Louis McGowan (Coventry & Lancashire)
Jonny Roddam (Fylde & Lancashire)
Harry Spencer (Bedford & Devon)
Craig Voisey (Rotherham & North Midlands)
Mark Wilson (Blaydon & Northumberland).

Backs:
Will Cliff (Sale & Cheshire)
Gareth Collins (Leicester Lions & Warwickshire)*
Steve Hamilton (Blackheath & Kent)
Paul Humphries (Blackheath & Kent)
Charlie Ingall (Tynedale & Northumberland)
Tom Jarvis (unattached & Gloucestershire)*
Tom Kessell (Plymouth & Devon)
Cameron Mitchell (Birmingham Solihull & North Midlands)
Fergus Mulchrone (Macclesfield & Cheshire)
Henry Staff (Blackheath & Hertfordshire)
James Tincknell (Wharfedale & Yorkshire)
Ross Winney (Macclesfield & Cheshire).

*Previous England Counties involvement

Itinerary:

Friday, June 4 - The Rock v England Counties at Swilers RFC, St John's, Newfoundland, KO 18.15.

Tuesday, June 8 - Ontario Blues v England Counties at Oakville Crusaders, Toronto, KO 19.00

Saturday, June 12 - British Columbia Bears at Klahanie Park, West Vancouver, KO 15.00.