Date: Fri 08 Feb 2013

Some of the biggest names in English club rugby were honoured last night when Premiership Rugby launched its Hall of Fame at the Hurlingham Club in London.

The Premiership Rugby Hall of Fame Ball, in association with British Airways and Tag Heuer, inducted 31 coaches and players, celebrating the best of the first 15 years of Premiership Rugby.

The event supported Red Nose Day, which funds Premiership Rugby’s award-winning social inclusion programme Hitz, was presented by former England lock Martin Bayfield and featured Gabby Logan and singing superstar Alexandra Burke.

Our first ten inductees from the 1997-2003 era were a hardy bunch, pioneers who led rugby into a brave new age. At the Ball they were duly rewarded.
While Newcastle Falcons got the ball rolling with the first title, this was Leicester's era with four straight titles, and it's little surprise that Martin Johnson led a strong Tigers contingent, also featuring Dean Richards and Austin Healey.

Taking time out from trying to restore Newcastle's Aviva Premiership Rugby status, Richards came down to the Hurlingham Club to collect his award - and admits it was good to catch up with a few old friends.

Richards said: "There's a lot of people who you look around and think they probably deserve it more than me. It's an honour and I'm delighted but you are always a little puzzled at how you get picked.

"It was quite a surprise to be nominated but I'm pleased to be here. It's a bit of a who's who of OAP rugby. The next time we meet will be in an old people's home. It's nice to see old friends and catch up with others. As they say, the older you are, the better you were."

While Leicester dominated much of that period domestically, when it came to Europe, Bath were England's first continental champions - with Andy Robinson and Iain Balshaw among those rewarded.

Pat Lam was rewarded while elsewhere there were also gongs for England's greatest cross-code convert Jason Robinson, London Irish pair Conor O'Shea and Brendan Venter and Gloucester legend Jake Boer - not forgetting Lions coach and former London Wasps head man Warren Gatland.

Robinson admitted it was a shock to be elevated into such company. He said: "To be ranked alongside the likes of Dean Richards and Warren Gatland is a great honour. I was surprised to be nominated. It's a great thing the Premiership are doing - and I'm delighted to receive the award.

"The atmosphere in the room with rugby people is good. There are some great stories that are out there. Also the friendships that you have from all the clubs shows the sport is in a healthy place."

The second selection of inductees to the Premiership Rugby Hall of Fame came from the period 2003-2007 - a time when London Wasps, Sale Sharks and Leicester Tigers all claimed Premiership glory.

At the event another eight people were inducted including Wasps legend Simon Shaw and Leicester Tigers quartet John Wells, Martin Corry, Martin Castrogiovanni and Pat Howard.

For former England captain Corry the evening represented a good chance to stay involved in the game, having hung up his boots in 2009.
Corry said: "The award is special because when you finish playing you kind of feel that's you done. It's great to come back and has been a fantastic evening, really special.

"I went to Leicester because if you were successful there you knew you would go a long way. Thankfully it was a great time for me."

The remaining three members of the second set of inductees include two men very busy with the Six Nations at the moment, and one of the Premiership's leading foreign contingent.

Former Sale Sharks' boss Philippe Saint-Andre helped the Sharks to their first Premiership title, Australian John Connolly is a former Director of the Season winner for his time with Bath Rugby, where he worked closely with Mike Catt, now England's skills coach.

While Catt has been busy masterminding England’s efforts to beat Ireland on Sunday, he found the time to come and collect his award
Catt said: "It's fantastic, especially with the other people who have been inducted. It's great to be mentioned in the same breath as some of those guys. I got to catch up with some of the older guys as well.

"It's the inaugural one so hopefully the start of something pretty special. And for that I'm grateful to be inducted. I've caught up with guys like Dean Richards who I know from way back with England."

England skipper Chris Robshaw led the final group of inductees to the Premiership Rugby Hall of Fame, those have played a leading role in the Aviva Premiership over the last five seasons.

The Harlequins captain led his side to an inaugural Premiership title last season, and while he couldn't be at last night’s event with a match against Ireland on Sunday, he showed his gratitude via video.

Along with Robshaw were two other current England internationals in Tom Wood and Chris Ashton, as well as four directors of rugby, Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill, former Gloucester man Dean Ryan, Northampton's Jim Mallinder and Exeter's coach Rob Baxter.

Mallinder, who also got to catch up with Nigel Davies, his Gloucester counterpart who he will face on Saturday, has both played and then coached in the league he was very grateful to be recognised.

He said: "I'm very honoured. There have been a lot of good players and coaches over the years of the Premiership. I was lucky to be involved as a player as the game went from amateur to professional and also very fortunate to be involved over this period of time.

"It's great in that room, some great names. Players who have been outstanding in the Premiership and for England. Likewise some coaches from all over the world and players who have come in and made the Premiership what it is."

The remaining inductees come from a range of clubs, including Andy Key, for his work at Leeds Carnegie, Gloucester favourite James Simpson-Daniel, Saracens and former Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson and Leicester's Irish full-back Geordan Murphy.

Hodgson said: "The award is a bit of a surprise really. I always thought being inducted into a Hall of Fame meant you had to have finished playing. The fact I'm still going strong and they've honoured me with this award is very pleasing."

Full List of Inductees
The 1997-2003 era: Andy Robinson (1999-2000), Dean Richards (2000-01), Conor O'Shea/Brendan Venter (2001-02), Warren Gatland (2002-03), Pat Lam (97-98), Martin Johnson (98-99), Austin Healey (1999-2000), Iain Balshaw (2000-01), Jason Robinson (2001-02), Jake Boer (2002-03)

The 2003-2007 era: Simon Shaw (2003-04), Martin Corry (2004-05), Mike Catt (2005-06), Martin Castrogiovanni (2006-07), ,John Connolly (2003-04), John Wells (2004-05), Philippe Saint-Andre (2005-06), Pat Howard (2006-07)

The 2007-2012 era: James Simpson-Daniel (2007-08), Chris Robshaw (2008-09 and 2011-12), Chris Ashton (2009-10), Tom Wood (2010-11), Dean Ryan (2007-08), Richard Cockerill (2008-09), Andy Key (2009-10), Jim Mallinder (2010-11) and Rob Baxter (2011-12)

The 2013 Inductees
Geordan Murphy (Leicester Tigers)
George Chuter (Saracens and Leicester Tigers)
Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks and Saracens)