Rob Andrew

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 known particularly for his kicking and defensive skills.weal

He was fly-half for England during the Will Carling era, making a winning debut in January 1985 against Romania at Twickenham. For the next 10 years he was England's regular fly-half earning 70 caps, including 2 as captain. After England finished 4th in the 1995 Rugby Union World Cup, he did not play for England again for almost 2 years, making his 71st and final international appearance as a replacement against Wales in March 1997. In total, he scored 396 international points, won the Glam Slam with England 3 times and holds the English record for the most points scored in an international - 30, scored against Canada in 1994. 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 full-time to beat the Wallabies 25-22.

He played in 3 Rugby World Cup competitions; 1987 (making 2 appearances), 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.

Cricket

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.

ee also

* List of top English points scorers and try scorers

External links

* [http://www.wasps.co.uk/PlayerDisplaySS.ink?skip=0&squadno=7409&season=95/96&seasonl=1995/1996&Playertype=P Wasps profile]
* [http://www.abingdonmanagement.co.uk/index.cfm?page=showspeaker&sp=ra Rob Andrew MBE]

Cricket

*
* [http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Players/27/27483/27483.html Statistical summary] from CricketArchive

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