Growth in schools rugby continues

Playing figures:  The English rugby team may currently be experiencing its worst run of form in 30 years, having lost eight of their last nine internationals, but the sport continues to grow at an impressive rate.

A recent RFU survey shows the 1,119 section one clubs have recruited 30,149 players since the 2003 World Cup victory. That's an increase of 13 per cent.

The RFU estimate that overall participation in English club rugby has increased by 19 per cent in that same period.

"The game follows a four-year cycle with recruitment peaking immediately after each World Cup followed by an emphasis on retaining those new players," said Andrew Scoular, the RFU's director of community rugby.

The Irish club model boosts 21,740 players, with an increase of 19 adult teams from 2005 to 2006, offset by a decrease of 15 youth teams.

The bedrock of the Irish game remains the participation at secondary schools level where there are 23,586 players on 1,192 teams.

Perhaps, like England, the feel-good factor generated by recent success has seen a growth at grassroots level in Ireland with an extra 17 schools becoming affiliated to the IRFU in 2006, bringing the total up to 308. That's not including the 586 primary schools, which is an increase of 64 from 2005.

In total, there are 90,000 playing rugby in schools, clubs and universities/colleges in Ireland. That figure is dwarfed considerably by the 2.25 million people taking part in English rugby during the 2005/06 season. There are 1.56 million participants in schools, 35,000 in leisure rugby and another 32,000 when counting the forces and third level students.

Ireland will be seeking a fourth consecutive victory over England when they come to Croke Park under new coach Brian Ashton on February 24th.