Rugby Boys - Business Brains

While professionalism of the game has meant that a number of the top players no longer need to think seriously about a career after rugby, it is great to see that there are still many who are keeping themselves busy whilst playing with various different business ventures. I have taken a look at a few that have stood out to me recently.

Olly Kohn - Sausage enthusiast

The Quins’ second rower has almost as much passion for rugby as he does for meat. The Jolly Hog and Sausage Company is run by Olly and his two brothers, Josh and Max and has been feeding rugby players and fans alike over the past few years. Catering for just about any occasion, the team at the Jolly Hog have an unrivalled passion for producing high quality meat, it genuinely is fantastic! Olly clearly realises the value of PR as well he worked got some great presence on Joe Marler’s head during the big game at Twickenham in December 2010. The sky is truly the limit for the Kohn’s who have recently produced their first ‘I love Sausage’ T shirts for the public... watch this space.www.jollyhogandsausage.co.uk

Subtle advertising from the Jolly Hog thanks to Joe Marler

Olly Barkley - New generation coaching

Olly is another player who has decided not to wait until his career is over before getting his commercial hat on. His company, Electrik 3, runs rugby coaching camps like no other. The focus being as much on developing the importance of nutrition and health in rugby as well as the skills of the game itself. With development and academy players being snapped up as young as 13 by some of the bigger clubs, getting budding rugby players to understand the value of a healthy lifestyle will help them develop and maintain this as they turn professional. Olly also calls upon a pool of professionals to coach at the camps to add even more credibility to the business model. www.elektrik3.com

Barkley teaching the youngsters about the need for a healthy diet

Unique tees from Kennedy & Co.

Former London Irish team mates and friends Nick Kennedy, Nils Mordt & Dom Shabbo decided to start up luxury t-shirt brand Alpha Kin in 2010 as they all had a passion for business. The range that went on sale in Harvey Nichols and Selfridges are developed by fusing art with fashion, taking depictions of worldwide icons, such as Abraham Lincoln and Elvis Pressley and putting them onto t shirts. The players have identified the intense competition in the fashion industry and have used their contacts gained through playing professional sport to get some important fashion icons earing Alpha Kin, including some of the JLS boys and Danny Cipriani. They also donate 5% of all profits to charity, which is a nice touch. www.aplhakin.com

One of the JLS fellas in Alpha Kin

With loads of other projects and business ventures being undertaken by both current and former players, it is an exciting time to be involved in the business of rugby!

What rugby related businesses are standing out to you at the moment?

Until next week,

Andy

Players to impress at home during the Six Nations

A lot of the focus in the next two months is going to be, understandably, on the Six Nations. With all eyes on the English response to a disappointing end to 2011 and the new look squad.

The other aspect of any international period is the players who aren’t representing their country but are still playing week in, week out for their clubs. We have all seen the success stories for players recently like Brad Barritt, Mike Brown and Callum Clark who all excelled on home soil during the World Cup, and have been rewarded with EPS call ups. Not to mention Chris Robshaw, whose omission at the World Cup may have inadvertently led to him captaining the side in their next campaign.

So, I have had a look through some of the hardest hit Aviva Premiership clubs and picked some players who could well make some headlines throughout February and March.

If Jordan Turner-Hall manages to work his way into inside centre for England, a position which is there for the taking at the moment, Tom Casson may get his chance to shine at Quins. From what i have seen of him he looks like a quality player. There is the chance for an exciting partnership with Casson and Matt Hopper in the absence of Turner Hall and the injured George Lowe. Casson is a very direct player but has the ability to create from 12, which will be vital for Quins as they look to hold their season together and push for a home semi-final.

Saracens have been employing a squad rotation system on the wing this year, and as a result James Short hasn’t been able to get as much game time as he would like. But with David Strettle back in the England picture, I am expecting to see Short running in tries left right and centre for Sarries in the next couple of months. In my opinion the best player on the pitch at the Premiership final last May has lots to offer. Short will hope that he gets the kind of ball that his side have been enjoying all season, but without Hodgson, Barritt and Farrell will Saracens' backs operate as smoothly as we have come to expect?

The hardest hit pack in the Premiership is likely to be Northampton, who will struggle without Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes as well as an entire back row. However, it has set up a great opportunity for Ben Nutley, who is not yet 20. The young Saint could well have a huge role to play in coming months. Nutley has impressed internationally at U20 level and has all the makings of a quality player. Without Tom Wood, Callum Clark and Phil Dowson, the Saints will be looking for some big performances from the young flanker, and his ability to win the ball and disrupt others from getting quick ball could prove vital for Northampton.

London Wasps have got enough worries on their plate without thinking about losing players throughout the international period. But there are some very promising signs to suggest that Wasps can start looking up the table. The emergence of Nic Berry as a real talent has added some healthy competition to the Wasps' scrum half debate. Joe Simpson would start at 9 for most clubs, but the England international is being kept out by the 27 year old Aussie who has impressed even with a poor platform to work with. Berry’s battle with Ben Spencer is one to look forward to when Wasps meet Saracens in a few weeks.

Finally, with Toby Flood and Billy Twelvetrees occupied for a large part of February, and with other players called up to play in the Six Nations, it is a real chance for George Ford to show why he is currently the holder of the IRB young player of the year. The young fly half is undoubtedly a huge prospect, but I for one am keen to see him given some game time – remember Jonny Wilkinson had already played for England when he was Ford’s age... but then again he is Jonny.

Who is going to make a name for themselves in the next couple of months?

Until next week,

Andy

Music in Rugby - What are you listening to?

As we start the New Year at RugbyRocks HQ we have been announcing our first acts for the 2012 events, with Goldierocks and Benji Boko signed up to perform DJ sets at RugbyRocks London. It has got me thinking about the role of music in rugby so I have done a bit of asking around to see what is being listened to in the changing rooms and during warm ups around the UK.

Our first selection represents our Edinburgh event, taking place in July this summer – these are some of the favourites of the Scotland Sevens squad as they tour the world as part of the HSBC Sevens World Series (Clearly the Scotland lads have a penchant for Olly Murs…)

Scotland Sevens Playlist

Tinie Tempah and Swedish House Mafia - Miami 2 Ibiza

Olly Murs - Heart skips a beat 

Olly Murs - Dance with me tonight

Rihanna - Who’s that chick?

The Exponents - Why does love do this to me?
Enrique Iglesias - Tonight I’m ……. You

For the first time this year, we will be running a RugbyRocks event in Yorkshire – so I spoke with the guys at Bradford and Bingley RFC, where RugbyRocks Yorkshire will take place in June, and asked what they played in the changing room on match day. Good to see some Warren G making it into a rugby psyche up…

Bradford & Bingley Bees Playlist

Eminem - Lose yourself/Till I collapse
Deadmau5 - Strobe
Fatboy Slim - Right here right now

Chemical Brothers - Block rockin beats
50 Cent - Many Men
Swedish House Mafia - One
David Guetta - Memories
Chase & Status - Blind Faith
Warren G - Regulate

Our London playlist comes from London Irish, who have amongst their ranks accomplished DJ Shontayne Hape – this is what the Exiles are listening to this season – Quite an eclectic mix to say the least:

London Irish Playlist

Cali Swag District - Teach me how to dougie

Olly Murs - This one for the girls

Inna - Hot

Fort Minor - Remember the name

Tiesto vs Diplo ft. Busta Rhymes – C’Mon

AC/DC - Highway to Hell

What do you think of the selections? What are you listening to this year? What is the ultimate psyche up song?

Andy