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Rob Andrew
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Christopher Robert Andrew, MBE, (born 18 February 1963 in Richmond, Yorkshire) nicknamed "Squeaky", is a former English rugby union footballer and currently Director of Elite Rugby at the RFU. He was formerly the Director of Rugby of Newcastle Falcons. Andrew is considered as one of the greatest fly-halves in rugby, and is known particularly for his kicking and defensive skills.
He was fly-half for England during the Will Carling era, eclipsing his rival Stuart Barnes and winning 71 international caps. Critics of the England side blamed him for kicking the ball too much rather than passing. England did, however, enjoy a great deal of success with him as their Number 10.
Rob attended Barnard Castle School, and was captain of the 1st XV in 1981. He then attended St John's College Cambridge and played for Cambridge University in the Varsity Match. He joined Wasps FC in the 1980s and was first choice fly-half at the club through most of his time there. With Wasps FC he won the English League in 1990, eventually leaving to join Newcastle Gosforth in 1995. The club had just been bought out by Sir John Hall in the leadup to the game turning professional, they became the Falcons of today. During his time in charge of Newcastle Falcons he is credited with discovering Jonny Wilkinson. Curiously, just as Wilkinson had beaten Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final with a drop goal, the last time Australia lost in the same competition was in 1995. Back then, it was Andrew who nailed a drop goal on the stroke of fulltime to beat the Wallabies.
He played in the Rugby World Cup in both 1991 and 1995.
On August 18 2006 he was appointed by the RFU to undertake the post of Director of Elite Rugby to oversee all aspects of representative rugby in England, from the regional academies to the full senior side. Although he has the above decision making powers, what he does not control is the employment status of the coaching team and staff.
He is an Honorary President of the rugby charity Wooden Spoon, which raises funds for disadvantaged children and young people in the UK and Ireland.
Andrew was also a talented cricketer, gaining a Cambridge blue for that sport as well, and he made 17 first-class appearances for the university cricket team in 1984 and 1985, as well as playing five times for Combined Universities in one-day cricket. A left-handed batsman and right arm off-break bowler, he made one first-class century, scoring 101 not out against Nottinghamshire in July 1984. Andrew also made a few appearances for the Yorkshire Second XI, and on one occasion dismissed future England captain Michael Atherton (then aged 17) for a duck.
| England squad - 1995 Rugby World Cup | ||
|---|---|---|
| Forwards: | Back • Bayfield • Clarke • Dawe • Johnson • Leonard • Mallett • Moore • Richards • Rodber • Rowntree • Ojomoh • Ubogo • West |  |
| Backs: | Andrew • Bracken • Callard • Carling • Glanville • Guscott • Hopley • Hunter • Morris • R Underwood • T Underwood | |
| Coach: | Rowell | |