Franchise Notes: RFU Side Moseley To Add Birmingham To Its Name

Rugby Football Union Championship side Moseley revealed it is changing its name to Birmingham Moseley starting next season after 143 years of history "under the current name." The West Midlands club "has been known as Moseley since 1873" but will adopt its new title June 1. The club "consulted various interested parties," including the RFU, North Midlands RFU, Birmingham City Council, other clubs in and around Birmingham, sponsors and supporters, and Chair Dave Warren said that "most responses were positive" (RUNNING RUGBY, 11/19). ... At least "half a dozen" Australian Football League side Essendon players "have given evidence in person" at the Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing in Sydney into the club's drug scandal. It is understood that captain and Brownlow medalist Jobe Watson has been "among those to give evidence to the hearing before the panel of independent arbitrators." A judgment is "still hoped for before Christmas" (THE AGE, 11/19).