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| 1. IMPORTANT UPDATES A clearer, fairer pathway for girls in rugby We’ve launched a new national framework for the RFU Girls’ Player Pathway, giving talented girls a clear, consistent route to develop – wherever they play. Information on Martyn’s Law You may have seen some recent coverage about Martyn’s Law, also known as the Terrorism ( Protection of Premises) Act. We’ll continue to work through what this means specifically for rugby, and the RFU will share clear, sector-specific guidance for each tier in due course. FREE STIGA mowers – Make sure your club doesn’t miss out STIGA, the RFU’s Official Grounds Care Partner, is offering free robotic mowers to community clubs, helping them save time, reduce costs, and improve turf quality. Register your interest in receiving one today! Age Grade Summer Activity Plan – June Age Grade activity in the off season needs to be in line with the Summer Activity Plan, shared last month. Check out the plan for June in this section. READ ONLINE > |
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| 2. ACTION IF OF INTEREST National Volunteers’ Week: 1 – 7 June Volunteers’ Week is being celebrated between Monday 1 and Sunday 7 June. If you want to use this national celebration to say thank you to your volunteers, the RFU have developed some templates to help. Reduce your running costs with One Club Through the One Club alliance, rugby clubs can gain a uniquely valuable combination of cost savings and practical, operational insight that makes a meaningful difference where it matters most — your club’s bottom line. Find out how you can access the support in this section. Local Engagement Sessions – May 2026 Following the success of our January Club Engagement events, we are pleased to announce the next series of sessions, designed to provide targeted, practical support for rugby clubs. RFU Injured Players Foundation Awareness Survey 2026 What do you know about the RFU Injured Players Foundation (IPF)? Please complete and share this short survey with your clubs/teams to help the IPF understand levels of awareness of the charity amongst our community. Upcoming webinars and support available for your club! Find details and registration information for our upcoming webinars and wider support your club can access and benefit from here. |
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| 3. FOR AWARENESS County Championship Feedback Opportunity We will in the next few weeks be reaching out for thoughts and feedback on the Gill Burns County Championships via a survey and some online focus groups so please keep an eye out and we look forward to hearing your feedback. Community News – monthly round-up Read this month’s roundup of the best community rugby stories – and find out how to submit your own story. READ ONLINE > |
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Cornwall Clubs XV defeat Devon in Tamar Shield
TAMAR SHIELD
CORNWALL CLUBS XV 59 – 5 DEVON CLUBS XV
By Bill Hooper at the Recreation Ground Redruth
Cornish cream rose decidedly to the top on a bright sunny afternoon in Redruth as Cornwall Clubs comprehensively defeated their Devonian opponents in this inaugural Tamar Shield fixture for players from level 8 down.
Just twenty-four hours after the Flora Day celebrations it was the Helston boys who led Devon a merry dance as they scored between them seven of Cornwall’s nine tries with man-of-the-match Amori Matanatabu scoring three spectacular scores.
Skipper Damien Cook proudly led out the side to the cheers of the good sized crowd as they eagerly awaited the cross-tamar clash.
Playing down the slope first half Cornwall soon got on the scoreboard. Devon infringed in their twenty-two, Cook took charge popping the ball in the corner himself. From the initial drive the ball went wide for Harry Walsh-Newton to send a cross kick out to Matanatabu to dot down an unconverted try.
Despite Devon losing a player to the sin-bin, for repeated high tackles, Cornwall didn’t add to their tally until the final ten minutes of the half. Tom Townsend, who kicked seven conversions during the match, put Matanatabu away for his second try of the match.
A 50:22 by Townsend gave Cornwall great field position in the twenty-two, the excellent Luke D’eath soared high to claim the ball allowing Walsh Newton to dart over for a try.
Cornwall still had time to score a fourth try when Liskeard-Looe Lion Archie Doidge went over following another powerful maul by the forwards. Half-time Cornwall Clubs led 24-0.
Devon got the opening try of the half when Tavistock’s Vaughan Glover was driven over by the pack. That was as good as it would get for the visitors as Matanatabu gleefully collected another cross-field kick, side-stepping the cover to dot down his third try.
Jack Jenkins came off the bench to dot down a couple of tries before getting a yellow card with fellow Helstonian Heydon Dark also bagging his score.
Cornwall’s final try came from Saint Dan Navas just before the final whistle to cap a marvellous occasion.
Cornwall Clubs XV (Helston, unless stated): Tom Townsend, Dan Navas (St. Austell II), Will Jenkin, Finn Deavin (Falmouth), Amori Matanatabu, Harry Walsh-Newton, Stevie Trenoweth; Andrius Zacharovas (Camborne II), Archie Doidge (Liskeard-Looe), Beau Danks (Newquay Hornets), Luke D’eath (Lankelly-Fowey), Damien Cook (Camborne II, Capt), George Smith (Newquay Hornets), Andy Rowe (Liskeard-Looe), Freddie Saxton (Bude).
Replacements: Finn Deveson (Newquay Hornets), Callum Looker (Camborne II), Hugh Noott (St. Austell II), Will Hockridge (Bude), Simon Bailey (Falmouth), Jamie Trewin, George Tregilgas (St. Austell II), Hayden Dark, Jack Jenkin, Luke Howe (Launceston II).
Cornwall Clubs scores: Tries, Matanatabu (3), Walsh-Newton, Doidge, J. Jenkin (2), Dark, Navas. Cons, Townsend (7)
Referee: Ben Sanders Crook (Cornwall RRS)
Sam Matavesi Named Senior Men’s Cornwall Captain
Cornwall RFU is proud to announce Sam Matavesi as our new Captain.
A proud Cornishman with deep Fijian roots, Sam leads with heart, humility, and the kind of presence that lifts everyone around him.
This season he helped drive Camborne RFC to a brilliant promotion to National League 1, showing exactly the belief and resilience that define Cornish rugby.
The captaincy was presented by Kevin Thomas, Chair of Representative Rugby and Selectors, who described Sam as “the perfect choice” to lead Cornwall forward.
A leader. A Cornishman. The right man to wear the black and gold.
Congratulations Sam, what a great choice.
Cornwall Under 17’s v Somerset
Cornwall Under 17’s take on Somerset Under 17’s this Sunday at Polson Bridge, Launceston RC.
Good luck to the lads.
Cornwall Clubs XV to play Devon Clubs
Cornwall selectors have chosen a strong squad to play Devon Clubs at Redruth RFC this Saturday.
For the very first time a new trophy the Tamar Shield, will be played for between the two counties giving players from level 8 down a chance of a meaningful, competitive fixture when doning the black and gold.
Kick-off is 3 pm with entry on the gate £5 with under 16s free entry.
Ann’s Pasties will be in attendance as will Trelawny’s Army where you can purchase supporters gear.
11 Cornwall Players picked for South west Under 20 final trial
Congratulations to our players who have been picked to trial for the South west squad this season.
Best of luck guys.
Gill Burns Cup Squad Announced
The 2026 Cornwall Women’s Gill Burns Cup squad has been announced and as expected there are a large number picked from Cornwall’s top side Launceston Ladies.
Also notable a number of players from Ivybridge Women who topped their league this season and will be competing in South 1 next season.
Penryn Ladies contribute four players to this season’s squad
Truro Women also have a number of players in the squad reflecting their excellent season that saw them finish runners-up in NC 2 South West (West).
Finally, Camborne Women, unbeaten in NC 3 South West (West) see their great form rewarded with five players called up.
Cornwall Women begin their campaign at home to Berkshire Women on Sunday 17th May at Polson Bridge 2 pm, followed by a trip to Devon on Sunday 24th May to take on last season’s Gill Burns Division 2 champions Devon Women at North Tawton, with the Tamar Cup also up for grabs.
Advance tickets of £5 can be purcharsed via the CRFU link on FanBase
Gill Burns Division 2 Fixtures;
Sun 17th May, Cornwall Women v Berkshire Women @ Launceston RC 2 pm
Sun 24th May, Devon Women v Cornwall Women @ North Tawton RFC 2:30 pm
Cornwall Women overcome Falmouth rain to defeat Police
CORNWALL WOMEN REPRESENTATIVE MATCH
CORNWALL WOMEN 17 – 5 BRITISH POLICE WOMEN
By Bill Hooper at Recreation Ground, Falmouth
Cornwall Women continued their build up to this season’s Gill Burns Division 2 campaign with a hard fought win over British Police Women in a game played in a continuous downpour which made for challenging conditions.
The match was played over four 20 minutes periods so that the whole Cornwall squad of some twenty-eight players were given valuable game time.
Cornwall Women began well as the Police soaked up the pressure, but it took a try-saving tackle by Rachel Hicks to arrest a certain Police try.
The Police did take the lead shortly after with a converted try.
Cornwall stormed back at their opponents and levelled matters when Camborne’s Caitlin Milliken drove over for a try which was converted by player of the match Truro’s Tori Crutchley.
Penryn’s Abby Masquelier, who has been in super form for the Penryn ladies, put in a couple of strong runs highlighting her pace.
The scoreboard remained unchanged after 40 minutes.
Cornwall took the lead with an excellent score from Launceston’s Abi Smith, Crutchley once more adding the extras.
Camborne speedster Aimee – Jean Holsey finished off some great work from Amy Bunt to score Cornwall’s third try.
Despite losing a player to the sin-bin Cornwall wrapped up the win when Bunt again showed her pace and strength to outpace the Police cover to score Cornwall’s fourth try, which Crutchley again converted.
Cornwall brave fightback falls just short
CORNWALL RFU UNDER 20 COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP
2026 The Jason Leonard Cup.
CORNWALL U.20, 29 – 35 BERKSHIRE U.20
By Bill Hooper at Recreation Ground, Redruth
Cornwall Under 20’s run in this season’s Jason Leonard Cup was brought to an end by a very good Berkshire Under 20’s side whom it has to be conceded deserved to qualify for the semi-finals where they will next play Hertfordshire Under 20’s for a place in the Twickenham final.
Conditions proved treacherous with heavy showers both prior and during the match making the ball slippery.
Berkshire soon gave us a glimpse of their strength in the forwards, notably the back row of Charlie Burton, Aaron Preston and Olly Marsh, whilst at half-back Louis Roumignac and Will Hibberdeane marshalled their backs.
Cornwall had issues at lineout time which limited their attacking options, however they opened the scoring with a penalty from in front of the posts by Oli Roberts.
Berkshire stormed back taking the lead with a well-worked try by wing Ethan Bassett, converted by Hibberdeane. Bassett’s fellow wing David Ajisafe also caught the eye with his change of pace and footwork.
Further pressure from the visitors on the half-hour mark saw Roumignac dart in from close range under the sticks, Hibberdeane on the money with the extras.
Cornwall needed a score and duly delivered following another good run from Barney Lewis set up field position which saw Dan Kent driven over with Roberts adding the conversion to leave it at the break 14-10 to Berkshire.
Playing down the slope, Berkshire again started the half strongly when Liam Thomas burrowed over for a converted try for a crucial first score of the half.
The mountain became even stepper when Ollie Ireland scored to put Berkshire more than two scores ahead.
Into the final quarter, Cornwall needed a break, it came when Lewis put Bracken Headland away the winger was denied by some foul play which led to the awarding of a penalty-try and saw the influential Hibberdeane yellow carded.
Cornwall, cheered on by the grandstand crowd, tore back at Berkshire, a big hit by skipper Oscar Marr dislodged the ball allowing Headland this time to finish off a flowing move to raise hopes.
The chaos suited Cornwall and shook the visitors, but the momentum was stopped dead when Cornwall playing out of their twenty-two gifted a pass to Bassett who ran in his second try, Hibberdean’s conversion kissed both uprights before going over to run salt into the wound.
A big carry by Jack Jenkin set up lock Kent’s second try for Cornwall converted by Tom Tanswell leaving Cornwall six points adrift on the final whistle.
Cornwall U.20: Barney Lewis, Bracken Headland (both Newquay Hornets), Marley Johns, Robbie Paul (both Redruth), Oli Roberts (Camborne), Oscar Marr (Penzance & Newlyn), Alfie Brooksbank (Camborne); Rosko Troughton (Helston), Ted Hocking (Penzance & Newlyn), Callum Johns (Launceston), Dan Kent (Wadebridge Camels), Ed Boaden (Helston), Oli Wells, Joel Pryor, Fin Robinson (all Redruth).
Replacements: Leo Armstrong-Lever (Helston), Archie Beetles (Wadebridge Camels), Riley Raikes, Dan Bennett (both St. Austell), Jack Jenkin (Helston), Jake Walker (Camborne), Tom Tanswell (Penryn), Sam Blake (Truro).
Cornwall U.20 scores: Tries, Kent (2), Penalty-try, Headland, Cons, Roberts, Tanswell, Pen, Roberts
Fan link for purchase of tickets v Kent
The Fan Base link to purchase tickets for Cornwall’s Bill Beaumont Cup match on Saturday May 23rd at Camborne RFC, kick-off 2 pm is now available via the lin below.
Save £1 off the standard £10 gate charge via Fan Base.
