Rugby Europe ready to capitalise on Rio

Rugby Europe (formally FIRA-AER), is the the governing body responsible for the developing and administering the game in Europe

For the women’s game, that means organising and promoting all of the international competitions we recognise outside of the 6 Nations including the recently completed European Conference, won by Latvia.

Morariu, who played for Romania, feels strongly that Rio will have a hugely positive impact in Europe.

“We believe that Rio and the chance of playing in the Olympics will have a huge impact in the women’s game. The professionalism and quality takes the game in a new direction.

"Rugby will get support from governments who might never consider investing in it because of the Olympics - we can see that in countries like China already and of course in Russia and in Spain in Europe.”

Rugby Europe’s focus, he adds, is on capitalising on the opportunities that the growth of sevens presents and also delivering a major push for the age grade game - especially at U18s.

“When it comes to the women’s game we are first and foremost about advancing the game at all levels with a major focus in the next few years on age grade rugby and using sevens as a means to drive some of that.”

“The huge improvement in the women’s game in recent years has been the improving standard and quality on the field and we have seen that across Europe too, and now we are in a place where we can look at definitely expanding further with new teams and new nations and a new focus on age grade rugby.”

Europe has three teams competing in the 12-team Olympics and Morariu is delighted that Spain took the last qualification spot - an achievement he thinks will make a massive difference to the ongoing developing of game there.

“Spaln are one of the sides who have really benefitted from our women’s competitions for many years. The European Grand Prix series has been important and so too the XV Championships we have run which has given them regular competition at a strong level outside of the 6 Nations.”

“I believe the European teams have a strong chance in Rio. Great Britain have been working hard for some time and have looked strong as the season has gone on; France have really moved forward quickly and are now very competitive and Spain are just one of the most enthusiastic teams out there which we saw in Dublin when they qualified.”

Rugby Europe’s focus too he adds is also about spending time and commitment on improving the quality of coaching across the continent and as the women’s game improves, more emphasis on these areas are key.

“We have development and regional managers based right throughout Europe whose job it is to improve the quality and the level of coaching across Europe - we spent a huge amount of time on that. The women’s game is at a stage of real growth now and sevens and 15s will help each other.

“I have always believed that the two are good for each other and that sevens will have a very positive affect on 15s - it will boost it and grow the game especially in developing nations.”Rugby Europe has done an excellent job in the 15s game developing nations outside of the big six in the men’s game - is there a chance for rapidly doing likewise in the women’s game.?

“In the men’s game we already have a very strong European Championship just below the 6 Nations featuring teams like Georgia, Romania, Spain, and Russia and that competition has built well- but very slowly - thanks to a lot of development work. We want to build the quality of our women’s competitions similarly. The game in Europe definitely needs a strong second competition and we want to make that work and get the players beyond the 6 Nations - and not just Spain - to a very competitive level.”

Rugby Europe has also been quick to adapt and promote itself and a major investment in technology means they have been able to showcase most of their top competitions this year live on their website via streaming.

Morariu believes it is vital to showcase the game far and wide.

“We have invested hugely in Rugby Europe TV and we want to get to a point where all of our competitions at all levels can be watched anywhere including the women’s game.”

“This is just one kind of investment in the women’s game going on. And Europe now that sevens is being invested in I don't see as many barriers as before for women to play the game  In two years time we would like to see a situation where we have a well established and higher quality European Grand Prix Series for women and a strong U18 model. These are our priorities and we can make them happen.”