Enter the Rugby Photograph of the Year 2010

The International Rugby Board has launched the IRB / Emirates Airline Rugby Photograph of the Year 2010, with a trip for two to the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens awaiting the winner.

Now in its fifth year, the 2009 edition attracted a record 500 entries from amateur and professional photographers alike in 28 countries worldwide, truly representing rugby's universal appeal, with stunning entries received from both the professional and community game, showcasing a kaleidoscope of rugby from the fields of Fiji to local school children playing in the snow.

The winning entry was taken by Henry Browne of Action Images and featured Samoa international Seilala Mapusua scoring a try for English club London Irish against Leicester Tigers. Entitled 'The Flying Samoan', Browne's photograph was taken at the Madejski Stadium in England on 1 March 2009, and captures the unrivalled passion and enjoyment that can be found in rugby and the special relationship that players share with their fans.

Tournaments including the IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina, the IRB Sevens World Series, Women's Rugby World Cup, RWC 2011 Qualifiers and a host of international and domestic rugby matches can all be included, together with any domestic rugby from the school playing field to the international arena.

The judging panel, which is chaired by Paul Morgan (Rugby World Editor) will select the entry they think most captures the Spirit of Rugby when they meet in London in September, with the winner being announced in the IRB World Rugby Yearbook 2011 in association with Emirates Airline in November.

Photographs must have been taken between 31 July 2009 and 9 September 2010 and entries must be received by 19:00 GMT on 10 September 2010.

To enter the competition photographers must email a jpeg of no less than 300 dpi of their chosen photograph to photooftheyear@irb.com.

The 2010 Hong Kong Rugby Sevens will take place 26 - 28 March 2010.

See recent travel news from: Travel News Asia, Pictures, Emirates, Dubai, Rugby, Sevens