RFU chief visits Hampshire ahead of Six Nations (From Daily Echo)

Rugby Football Union boss John Steele visits Trojans ahead of Six Nations 2011

4:07pm Thursday 3rd February 2011 in Rugby

John Steele, right, with Trojans chairman Sean McGill

RFU chief executive John Steele reckons the forthcoming Six Nations campaign will be one of the tightest competitions to date as the best of Europe prepare for this year’s World Cup.

Steele has made some major changes to the structure of the RFU in his eight months in office but also has his eyes firmly fixed at grass roots level with a road show series around the country.

The former Army officer and Northampton fly-half stopped off at historic Trojans RFC a couple of days before favourites England kick off the Six Nations against Wales tomorrow.

Steele is confident Martin Johnson’s side is progressing in the right direction, but is well aware that bookies’ predictions rarely work out in the Six Nations and that all the sides will be raising their game in preparation for the World Cup in New Zealand in the autumn.

He said: “The Six Nations is the next step towards 2011 and probably this will be the most interesting Six Nations for a very long time“Every team is in with a shout. There’s maybe one team that may not be in the right shape to win it but potentially all the others could do it.

“We were ranked eighth in the world before the autumn and we are now ranked fourth. I have been told we are the bookies’ favourites but interestingly in the last eight years the favourites going into the competition have only won three times.

“This year will be incredibly close. There may be a couple of things in a match that could sway it either way. It’s the next test if you like on the way to 2011.”

The World Cup in New Zealand in September may be next up on England’s calendar but Steele is already looking even further ahead to when the competition will be staged on home shores.

Southampton’s St Mary’s Stadium has been named as one of the 12 venues to host the international matches in 2015 and Steele has no doubt that rugby fans will flock to the football ground.

“We are keen to take the game to as many rugby people as possible, we don’t want people turned away from grounds that do not have the capacity. We have to ensure as many rugby people see as many games as possible,” he said. “In 2011 Martin Johnson and the squad will have only one thing on their mind and that is to win each match as it comes. You have got to be realistic – it’s a young squad that will be doing a lot of learning.

“What that then means in 2015 when those young players are 50 caps plus, is that it will be fascinating because we will then have the experience that history tells us is needed to deliver in a World Cup.

“A squad needs to develop and we are on the upward trajectory with this squad, but it will need time.”

One of the players who will be trying to play his way back into the England line-up is Leicester’s inside centre Anthony Allen who learned his trade at Trojans, where Steele was meeting local club representatives.

Steele added: “He is a talent and there is a lot of talent around at the moment so he will have to work hard, but it’s great to see someone like that regardless of where they come from – Southampton must be very proud of him.

“It’s a nice problem to have – there is a growing number of talent around which is great for us and can only be good for the game.”

Steele will continue his roadshow this year as he juggles restructuring things at the top of the RFU while keeping an eye on the game at an equally important local level.

He added: “Every area we visit has its own specific views on things they want to change. There is also trend of various issues across the country which is very interesting.

“It’s great to be out talking, getting rugby people’s views on what is important to them and what we can do about moving forward.

“We have had comments about the union itself and how we can serve the game and support volunteers, and the volunteers are absolutely essential. Without volunteers we do not have a game.”

• Clive Downton’s club rugby previews in tomorrow’s Echo