South of England Men's Community Game announces expanded Representative Programme

• South of England Men’s team to face three tough tests this autumn
• Annual regional championships to take place at Oxford RFC on September 27 

Following the success of the 2025 South of England Men’s performance pathway, the RFL has announced an expanded programme for 2026. 

Following a thorough review, new coaching and management teams have been appointed for the three current regional representative teams – Midlands, London and the South, and 2025 champions East of England – ahead of the annual South of England Men’s Regional Carnival tournament, which this year takes place at Oxford RFC on Sunday 27th September. 

As it has since its inception earlier in the decade, the day-long tournament will double as a selection trial for the South of England Men’s Team. This side, which offers representative honours to talented community game players outside of the North of England, enjoyed a breakthrough year in 2025, with a narrow loss to the Australia & New Zealand exiles being followed by a thrilling win over Wales national community side, the Dragonhearts, on a famous afternoon at the Gnoll in Bridgend. 

This year, the South of England Men’s Team have lined up an even more challenging set of fixtures throughout October. After beginning their campaign with another fixture against the Australia & New Zealand exiles in West London (October 10th), the team will travel to take on Scotland Bravehearts (October 17th) and Wales Dragonhearts (31st October). 

Oxford Cavaliers’ Jamie Jones will continue in his role as Head Coach of the South of England Men’s Team, supported by returning analyst Glenn Tyreman (Solent Spitfires), Team Manager Kevin Rudd (Elmbridge Eagles), and General Manager Chris Chatten.  

In addition, and to support the overall programme, expanded coaching and support teams have been appointed for each of the three current regional representative sides, with more volunteer appointments to be announced over coming weeks. 

2025 Southern Men’s Regional champions the East will be led by Head Coach Gareth Barron of North Herts Crusaders, the Midlands will be led by Team Manager Martin Foskett (Telford Raiders) and London Team Manager Mike Hart-King (Hemel Stags) will be announcing their coaching staff and support team shortly. 

In addition, a new management team has been found to try and resurrect the West & South West regional side, which last featured in the Regional Carnival in 2023. Efforts to rebuild the region’s community representative side will be led by Head Coach Jay Woodley (All Golds), with support from analyst and Team Manager Glenn Tyreman (Solent Spitfires), with further coaching staff to be announced. 

Kevin Rudd, Team Manager of the South of England Men’s Team, said: “After helping the sport start in over a dozen countries, coaching and team managing international and representative teams for decades, it is a wonderful privilege to be able to work with the whole of the men’s community game across the South of England and hopefully make a positive impact on the grassroots of the community game. 

“The representative honours available to men’s players and volunteer leaders within the community game in the South of England has increased steadily, year on year, over the last three years. This is the result of much hard work from volunteer leaders and coaches, the support of our community clubs and the support of the staff of the Rugby Football League. Thanks also go to our counterparts in Wales, Scotland and other nations, without whom the opportunities for representative fixtures would not exist. 

“We are on track to create sustainable representative opportunities for players across the South of England in the years ahead. Creating, establishing and building these exciting opportunities for the South of England through Rugby League, that allow community players and region a ‘fair go’, is our primary objective.” 

Chris Chatten, General Manager of the South of England Men’s Team, said: “Thanks to the RFL in backing this development and the various departments who have supported the South of England Team. 

“Creating these opportunities has involved considerable efforts from many working together across domestic club rivalries and regional Leagues, that we all hope will create positive experiences for years to come within the community game in the South of England. 

“I know from my own experience coordinating club and representative activity in the south, participants often overcome various challenges just to be involved. I hope this is just reward for players, coaches and team managers etc who are involved with the programme.” 

South of England Men’s Performance Pathway Programme 2026 

27th September – South of England Regional Carnival , Oxford RFC 

10th October – Australia & New Zealand Exiles v South of England Men’s Team at Wasps RFC 

17 October – Scotland Bravehearts v South of England Men’s Team at Hawick RFC 

31 October – Wales Dragonhearts v South of England Men’s Team at Neath RFC