English coaches fly to USA

One coach from each of the 12 English Premiership clubs will be travelling to New York at the end of May to play a key role in the development and promotion of rugby in the USA.

The visit follows Premiership Rugby's successful trip to Brazil in March to help in the development of rugby in South America.

The core values of rugby will be used by coaches in their work with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in New York to help improve self-esteem, community cohesion and other social outcomes.

The visit will run from May 28 to June 2 and involves the following Premiership coaches:  Caryl Thomas (Bath), Marc Dibble (Exeter), David Barley (Gloucester), Thomas Williams (Harlequins), Christophe Ridley (Leicester), Michael Crump (London Irish), Ian Isham (London Wasps), Gavin Beasley (Newcastle), Benjamin Mann (Northampton), Richard Spencer (Sale), Max Malkin (Saracens) and Tamara Taylor (Worcester).

Wayne Morris, head of community at Premiership Rugby, said: "Each season Premiership Rugby and its clubs invest more than £3 million in a variety of community programmes which aim to grow grassroots participation and tackle core social issues."

Mark Griffin, President of Play Rugby USA (PRUSA), said: "Play Rugby USA is one of the foremost Rugby-based youth development programs in the world. The PRUSA Academy aspires to be the pinnacle of PRUSA's player development efforts for aspiring and talented young athletes. Partnering with Premiership Rugby and the world's most competitive domestic rugby competition not only provides a strong endorsement of our Academy's efforts but more importantly an opportunity for our players and coaches to develop with the support of a World Class partner."