Press

Cipriani to make his catwalk bow at Twickenham to launch Wasps and England team-mate Worsley's charity year

From: The Daily Mail - 25 Sep 2008

Danny Cipriani cannot wait to get back to full fitness and reclaim his England place.

But before he kicks a ball in anger at Test level following six months out with a broken ankle, he'll be strutting his stuff on the catwalk at Rugby's Got Talent at Twickenham next month.

Rugby's glamour boy Cipriani will be up against Wasps and England team-mate James Haskell on the modelling front to help launch England World Cup winner Joe Worsley's Testimonial year.

The 'Catwalk Off' as it has been christened is one of three major clashes on the night. Former England cricketer Darren Gough will reprise his Strictly Come Dancing role and take on ex-Scotland rugby star Kenny Logan, another SCD contestant in another head-to-head, the 'Dance Off'.

The line-up is completed by ex-England cricket skipper Mark Butcher, who takes on Bath and England rugby powerhouse Matt Stevens in the 'Sing Off.'

It will be the first event at the newly-rebuilt home of rugby - and everyone there will be able to vote for their winners interactively.

There will also be guest celebrity judges, as well as audience with World-Cup winning England skipper Martin Johnson who will be answering questions on the eve of his first series as England manager.

A host of current and former England rugby players will also be there - as well as live music from Rock Parfitt Jnr and the RPJ Rock Band.

Worsley joined London Wasps in 1993 as a 16-year-old and by 1995 he gained a regular starting spot as either 6, 7 or 8. He has been in the team that has won two Heineken cup titles, four Premiership titles and many other awards.

He has made 250 appearances for the club and has 67 caps as an England international.

He has played in three World Cups and was part of the victorious squad of 2003 gaining an MBE. He also won a runners-up medal last year.

He has always been involved in charity work in some shape or form but his Testimonial year gives him the chance to devote more time - and money - to causes close to his heart.

His chosen charities are: The Lymphoma Association,  The Burned Children's Club and the PRA Benevolent Fund.

Rugby's Got Talent will be held at The New Rose Suite, Twickenham, on Thursday October 30.

The Black Tie event is at 7pm and there are various ticket options available, although 500 of the 700 available have already been sold.

Tables of 12 tickets are still for sale ranging from £5,940 to £2,100 - which includes free wine - plus individual tickets can also be purchased.

For full pricing and details on how to buy tickets, contact organisers Fireball on 020 8704 4141.
Joe on board New York

Rugby International To Swap Pitch For Clipper Yacht

10th August 2008

England Rugby International, Joe Worsley, has announced that he plans to race onboard one of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race fleet at Cowes Week 2009 as part of his testimonial year.

The Wasps and Rugby World Cup winning England International will swap his rugby kit for oilskins next year when he competes on two days of Cowes Week 2009 in the Clipper 68/Farr 65 class. His plans to get onboard one of Clipper Ventures Plc's matched fleet of ten 68-foot ocean racing yachts was announced today at Skandia Cowes Week 2008 as part of his upcoming testimonial year calendar.

Joe has had an impressive rugby career and is rated as one the best utility back row forwards in the country. An integral member of the London Wasps squad, Joe has also achieved 67 caps for England and was a member of the victorious Rugby World Cup squad in 2003. Speaking at the announcement Joe said, "I've always wanted to sail down here at Cowes Week. It's something I'm really excited about and I'll be sailing on one of the Clipper yachts with four or five other England players. I've already mentioned it to the squad and some of the guys are really keen to take part."

A special dinner event at the new Twickenham Stadium on 30 October 2008 will launch the start of Joe's Testimonial year and will be the first rugby event to be held at the recently enlarged stadium. Guests will be invited to bid for the opportunity to join him and one other England International onboard the Clipper 68 and compete in one of the world's oldest, largest and most prestigious sailing regattas. As well as raising money for Joe's testimonial year the auction will support the Professional Rugby Players Association, the Lymphoma Association and the Burned Children's Club. The prize includes:

  • Two days' racing onboard a Clipper 68-foot racing yacht for eight guests with Joe Worsley and a guest England player, professional skipper and crew;
  • Accommodation in Cowes for two nights;
  • Social events with Joe and his England Rugby guests each evening culminating in the spectacular Cowes firework display on the final Friday evening, Friday 7 August 2009

The Clipper fleet has just returned to the UK at the end the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race and is currently competing at Skandia Cowes Week 2008. Joe took the opportunity to get up close to one of the Clipper 68s and was shown around by winning Clipper 07-08 Race skipper Duggie Gillespie of the US entry New York.

Joe said, "I would really love to do the entire Clipper Round the World Yacht race but unfortunately time commitments won't allow me to do it until I retire. Hopefully I'll be able to get onboard for a leg in the next couple of years."

When the Clipper Race fleet is not racing around the world Clipper Events manages a busy corporate programme of hospitality and team building events on the yachts. When Joe and his guest join the Clipper 68 for Cowes Week 2009 they will be racing with and against some of the country's most powerful and influential captains of industry.

To subscribe to our mailing list please enter your e-mail address:  

 

Shopping Cart
Your cart is empty.

© Copyright 2008 Joe Worsley Testimonial Committee