Maidenhead RFC and Howden unite to champion Lions tour and community rugby

Craig Warburton, branch manager at Howden Maidenhead, with the lucky competition winner

--

Maidenhead Rugby Club have teamed up with Howden Insurance with the joint aim of bringing the local community together through a shared love of rugby.

The rugby club kicked off their new association with Howden Maidenhead with a special British & Irish Lions watch party, bringing fans together to celebrate the start of the Lions’ 2025 tour to Australia.

The night began with a rugby quiz before supporters settled in to watch the Lions take on Argentina in their first warm-up match before jetting out to Australia.

There was great food at the club and a series of prize giveaways which included a signed rugby ball and a British & Irish Lions jersey.

The new partnership is especially fitting given Maidenhead RFC is recognised as a ‘Lions Origin Club’, having produced former Lions legends Tony Novis and James Haskell.

Novis represented England between 1929 and 1933 and was the Lions’ top try scorer on their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1930.

More recently, Haskell made 77 international appearances for England - winning 47 of them - having moved to Wasps after coming through the colts ranks at Maidenhead RFC.

In 2017, he was called up to the Lions tour of New Zealand.

The first test between the Lions and Australia takes place tomorrow (Saturday) with kick-off scheduled for 11am (BST) at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, where the Lions recently defeated the Reds 52-12.

Craig Warburton, branch manager at Howden Maidenhead, said: “We’re thrilled to share in the excitement of The British & Irish Lions with Maidenhead Rugby Club and with our local community. Rugby brings people together, and as a Principal Partner of The British & Irish Lions, we’re proud to help bring that spirit to life locally with events that everyone can enjoy.

“Partnering with our local club is a great opportunity for us to support grassroots rugby and celebrate the legacy of the game – not just through watch parties, but by recognising the impact of local clubs like Maidenhead Rugby Club. We’re looking forward to all our upcoming events throughout the summer and working closely with the club throughout our partnership!”

As principal partner of the British & Irish Lions tour, Howden hopes to make this summer’s series one to remember by backing community initiatives and championing grassroots rugby.

Howden Maidenhead has more events planned for the town including a family fun day to mark the final test of the series in August.

Steve Bough, Maidenhead RFC Chairman said: “We are very excited and privileged to be associated with Howden, official partner of the British and Irish Lions and new partner with Maidenhead RFC. All three parties uphold the same principles with regard to rugby, sport and respect for all associated members, their supporters and clients.

“We look forward to building an ongoing relationship between Maidenhead RFC and Howden.”

For more information www.howdengroup.com and www.howdengroupholdings.com and find out more about Maidenhead RFC at www.maidenheadrfc.com