sportif International a leading rugby management agency with offices in Europe and New Zealand merges with Irish rugby agency Cornerflag Management creating Esportif Ireland –

Peter Kenyon, former Chief Executive of Manchester United and Chelsea FC, joins Esportif International as Non-Executive Chairman –

LONDON 22nd JANUARY 2014 – Leading international rugby agency Esportif International today announced the appointment of Peter Kenyon as Non-Executive Chairman. Kenyon, who was previously Chief Executive of Manchester United and Chelsea FC is currently active within the international business community and will assume his role with immediate effect.

Peter Kenyon will join a business that manages some of the biggest names in world rugby. Esportif International’s European clients include Welsh and British & Irish Lions Jon Davies and Mike Phillips, England international James Haskell along with leading European based overseas players Matt Giteau, John Afoa and Johann Muller. The New Zealand office of Esportif International is one of the largest rugby management agencies in New Zealand and represents leading All Blacks such as Jerome Kaino, Aaron Cruden, Piri Weepu, Steven Luatua and Charles Piutau as well as Kiwi Rugby League players such as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

Peter Kenyon said, “I am delighted to join Esportif International. This is a business whose success is based upon their strong professional backgrounds and significant expertise and experience in the global rugby market. I am looking forward to assisting Esportif in becoming the globally recognised leader in the management of world class rugby players and coaches.”

Also announced today is the merger with market leading Irish rugby agency Cornerflag Management to create Esportif Ireland. Cornerflag’s client list includes British and Irish Lions Tommy Bowe, Rory Best, Stevie Ferris and Tom Court along with Irish internationals Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner and John Muldoon from Leinster, Munster and Connacht respectively. In addition to these Irish based players Corner Flag represents European based Springboks Francois Louw and Zane Kirchner.

Duncan Sandlant, Managing Director of Esportif International in Europe said, “We are really excited about the appointment of Peter Kenyon to our business, which when combined with the creation of Esportif Ireland, marks a significant step towards Esportif’s development as the leading global rugby management agency.”

Ryan Constable, Founder and Managing Director of Cornerflag, said “This merger represents an exciting opportunity to extend our global reach. Our comprehensive network will provide invaluable market knowledge across key rugby territories and this will undoubtedly benefit both the individual players and coaches we represent and the clubs we work with on recruitment and retention objectives.”

Ulster fullback, Jared Payne, has signed a new three-year deal with the club that will see him remain at Ravenhill until at least the summer of 2016.

Payne, who is 27, was today selected in the Barbarians squad to face England and the British and Irish Lions. He joined Ulster from the Auckland Blues two years ago.

 

Scott Johnson is to vacate his position as Scotland interim head coach to take up a new role as the Scottish Rugby Union’s Director of Rugby.

Scott Johnson said – “The director of rugby job excites me. It’s about making a really positive contribution that will stand Scottish Rugby in good stead for years to come and I am looking forward to the challenge of the new role as well as continuing with the Scotland team.

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