IRB-Around the Regions in March-2012

A global snapshot of what’s going on in the world of Rugby Regions

Africa

Find out about Bah Traore Zoumaro, number 10 for Niger’s national team and the founder of a thriving rugby academy in the capital city of Niamey which runs coaching programmes with the assistance of the IRB for around 150 youngsters who have taken to the game with remarkable ease and ever-growing enthusiasm.www.confederation-africaine-rugby.com has the full story and photographs.

North America/Caribbean

This region has the honour of hosting the first qualifying match for the Rugby World Cup 2015 later this month. More details will follow on Monday.

South America

With just over four years to go before the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, the CONSUR Sevens tournament will take place in the great Brazilian city, giving locals the chance to sample a little of what is in store when Rugby returns to the summer Olympic programme in 2016. Find out more at www.consur.org.

Asia

The Far East will be the place to be this month as Hong Kong (March 23-25) and Tokyo (March 31-April 1) host successive legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series, with the Japanese capital returning to the grand prix-style sevens circuit after an 11-year break. As fans of the short form look ahead to next year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in Moscow, this Series takes on even greater significance. For details on the HSBC Sevens World Series go to www.irbsevens.com while you can find out more about Rugby in Asia at www.arfu.com.

Europe

FIRA-AER regional association will organise an important coaching conference from March 20-23 in Liege, Belgium. In attendance will be a number of highly experienced coaches including Jon Callard of England, Kingsley Jones of Russia and Alessandro Troncon of Italy. Also present to offer the benefit of their experience will be the Georgia head coach from Rugby World Cup 2011 Richie Dixon and former France winger Emile Ntamack. For details about the conference go to www.fira-aer-rugby.com.

Oceania

The IRB Pacific Rugby Cup 2012 moves from a successful series in Australia to New Zealand with the following teams in action: Samoa A, Tonga A, Fiji Warriors, Crusaders Knights, Blues Development, Highlanders Development, Chiefs Development and Hurricanes Development. For more information including latest results and fixtures go to www.oceaniarugby.com or follow the tournament at www.irb.com.