Friday 31 May 2013

England turn to youth to take on Barbarians


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A potential glimpse of England’s rugby future will be on display

at Twickenham on Monday (NZT) when a fledgling team, including

three uncapped starters and another six on the bench, take on the

Barbarians.


Players involved in the British and Irish Lions tour and

tomorrow’s Premiership final between Leicester and Northampton were

not available for the non-cap match and coach Stuart Lancaster has

used the situation to have a look at many of the youngsters

knocking on the door of the senior team.


Both wingers are uncapped as Christian Wade, who on Thursday was

voted player of the year and young player of the year by his fellow

Premiership professionals, starts on the right and London Irish’s

Marland Yarde on the left.


Flanker Matt Kvesic is the other uncapped starter in a team

captained by Bath hooker Rob Webber.


Attacking five-eighth Freddie Burns starts and razor-fast

Gloucester back Jonny May is among the replacements, giving a real

fizz to the squad.


Mike Brown, Joe Launchbury and Alex Corbisiero add experience

but the starting XV still boasts nine players aged 24 or under.


“We’ve selected a young and exciting side and this is a great

opportunity for these players who have shone in the Premiership

this season to step up in front of passionate home crowd at

Twickenham,” Lancaster said in a statement.


“Taking on a very experienced Barbarians team is the first

challenge they face this summer with matches in Uruguay and

Argentina to follow and this sequence of games is a key part of our

development as a team.”


England: 15-Mike Brown, 14-Christian Wade, 13-Jonathan

Joseph, 12-Billy Twelvetrees, 11-Marland Yarde, 10-Freddie Burns,

9-Richard Wigglesworth, 8-Ben Morgan, 7-Matt Kvesic, 6-Tom Johnson

5-Dave Attwood, 4-Joe Launchbury, 3-David Wilson, 2-Rob Webber (c),

1-Alex Corbisiero.


Replacements: 16-David Paice, 17-Joe Marler, 18-Henry Thomas,

19-Kearnan Myall, 20-Billy Vunipola, 21-Haydn Thomas, 22-Jonny May,

23 Kyle Eastmond.



England turn to youth to take on Barbarians

Thursday 30 May 2013

Training Like An England Rugby Player


Never a day goes by when the self-professing alpha male doesn’t accept a ridiculously senseless challenge in order to satisfy his own ego. Of course I can down that pint while dancing to Def Leppard, yes I can eat this burger while swimming, just watch me ride this cow.


I was too handed such a dilemma last week, upon being invited to a Lucozade hydration test event with England rugby internationals Joe Launchbury, Billy Twelvetrees and Jonathan Joseph. A training session followed by a game of touch rugby; where do I sign?


Weighing in at 12 ½ stone and with a 5km personal best of 22 minutes and 40 seconds, the proposition of facing fellow journalists and public relations officers, which if my experience of the manner in which complimentary nourishment is hovered up at press events is anything to go by, was filling me with anything but fear.



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  • I arrived at Pennyhill Park – a setting which the Rugby Football Union feels sits adequately outside the real world of the recession – in buoyant mood; a smugness which was later replaced by regret, self-loathing and pain.


    I quickly realised that not only were those fellow competitors not of the plumped variety that I’m normally accustomed to in press boxes up and down the country, but we were being trained by England strength and conditioning coach Dave Silvester. Bloody nice chap as you can expect.


    While recent rugby experience, and thus the fitness required to play the sport, was evident in a number of the attendees, with experience ranging from semi-professional to university level, I quickly established that being 11 years removed from my last outing with a rugby ball I was among the least qualified for the task at hand.


    The initial training drills were a resounding thump down to earth. Team building exercises coupled with individual drills with the ball in hand. Ladders were danced through; training bags were launched across fields and there were press ups. Lots of press ups.


    Proof. I did it.


    The drills were entwined with rehydration sessions, with Lucozade predictably prescribed in order to replace the sweat we’d had lost during training. The testing program was to discover whether we were adequately replacing the electrolytes we were losing through sweat.


    However overly scientific having a drink may have sounded, it was certainly doing the trick with two training drills remaining. The penultimate activity involved an estimated (I didn’t take time out to flick through the iron plates) 50kg being dragged up and down a full sized rugby pitch; teams of five, 20 yards each.


    It was a truly brutal ‘exercise’. We finished with a tackle bag drill which was exactly what it said on the tin, which was apt, as the 5ft bags began to represent non-corrosive slabs of metal by the second or third round of tackles.


    We ended with a game of sevens style touch rugby with messieurs Launchbury, Twelvetrees and Joseph, for whom the game was merely a brief jog, with the sweat continuing to race down our brows.


    Anything but full pace, but you could appreciate the trio’s precision up close. Joseph gathering in my wayward passes with merely his forefinger, Twelvetrees spotting the gaps and Launchbury, well, sevens isn’t really his thing.


    Naturally, the group are absolutely spent by the time play is called to a halt and it begs the question; how do rugby players do it?


    Every sport is accompanied by a stereotypical body-shape. Runners are traditionally thin and lean and swimmers broad and toned. Rugby players take on all different forms of physical appearance and yet have underlining core strength and fitness. Only the power of genetics can explain such a sporting anomaly.


    Even for the untrained, it would explain why the equivalent to a basic pre-match warm-up had us uttering our one last wish, not least justify why for the following two days I was resigned to being horizontal in bed cursing my parents’ gene pool. It was a challenge my ego dealt with more than adequately.


    Joe Launchbury, Jonathan Joseph and Billy Twelvetrees are representing England Rugby, who are fuelled by Lucozade Sport. Lucozade Sport Fuels and Hydrates you better than water. For more information visit www.lucozadesport.com



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    Training Like An England Rugby Player

Wales head of rugby Joe Lydon leaving to join RFU in England

WRU head of rugby Joe Lydon is leaving to join England’s RFU after five years of overseeing the development of the game in Wales.


During his time with the WRU, he has led a management team which has completed a series of reviews and implemented a range of initiatives which have transformed the structures of Welsh rugby.


The 32-times capped Great Britain rugby league international was put in charge of developing the sport in Wales at both international and grass roots level and will now take a job at the head of international player development at the RFU.



Joe Lydon playing rugby league for Wigan


 


He said: “I am sad to be leaving Wales, but the challenge of playing such a pivotal role in the development of English rugby at this time is one I had to take up.


“Welsh rugby is in great shape and I leave behind a team of people more than capable of achieving the goals we have set.


“The experience I have gained across the past five years with the WRU will set me in great stead for the exciting new challenge ahead.


WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: “I am personally and professionally sad to see Joe leave but the whole of Welsh rugby will always be grateful to him for what he has achieved during his time in Wales.


“In Joe we chose the right man to introduce an unprecedented scale of change and reform which had to be achieved for the continued growth of our game.


“The reforms he has helped introduce mean we now have a clear vision of the way forward and the structures in place to achieve our objectives.


“During our next phase of development we will be making sure that all the important relationships thrive across the game so that we can work together to protect and develop rugby in Wales at all levels.


“Joe leaves with our gratitude for what he has done and our best wishes for the future in his new role.”


The WRU has already launched its search for a replacement for Joe Lydon who will take up his new role with the RFU at a date to be confirmed.



Wales head of rugby Joe Lydon leaving to join RFU in England

Hogg heads off to Sixways

Carl Hogg leaves Gloucester to become head coach at Sixways


Carl Hogg leaves Gloucester to become head coach at Sixways


Worcester have confirmed that Carl Hogg is leaving Gloucester to become head coach at Sixways.


The ex-Scotland international has spent the last seven years with the Cherry and Whites as forwards’ coach and will now take up a new role with Worcester.


Hogg rejoins former Gloucester boss Dean Ryan who was recently named as the Warriors’ new director of rugby following the departure of Richard Hill.




“It is vital we build a strong coaching team and reputation here at Warriors and so I’m delighted to be able to reunite my relationship with Carl.”

Warriors on Hogg

Tuilagi signs Tigers contract

Manu Tuilagi: Has signed a new


Manu Tuilagi: Has signed a new ‘long-term’ contract with the Leicester Tigers


Aviva Premiership champions Leicester Tigers have confirmed Manu Tuilagi has agreed a new long-term contract at Welford Road.


The 22-year-old centre, who is one of six Tigers in the British Irish Lions squad on tour this summer, has scored 19 tries in 62 appearances, including one in last weekend’s Premiership Final win over Northampton.



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Tuilagi has 21 England caps to his name and was named Young Player of the Year by supporters for a second time in three seasons.


Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill has labelled the Samoa-born ace as ‘world class’, stating he will only keep improving with age and experience.


World class


“Manu is a world-class talent and has taken every challenge that has come his way in his stride in the last three years as a senior player,” Cockerill told the club’s official website.




“Manu is a world-class talent and has taken every challenge that has come his way in his stride in the last three years as a senior player.”

Cockerill on Tuilagi

New beginnings

Richards: the former Leicester coach has propelled Newcastle into the Premiership


Richards: the former Leicester coach has propelled Newcastle into the Premiership


Dean Ryan told Sky Sports that Newcastle will be competitive upon their return to the Aviva Premiership.


The Falcons were relegated from the top division in 2012 but secured an immediate return to it by beating Championship rivals Bedford 49-33 on aggregate in this term’s play-off final.


Read our match report here


Ryan – who will begin his role as Worcester’s new Director of Rugby this summer – praised the work done by Newcastle counterpart Dean Richards and feels the North East outfit have enough about them to steer clear of danger next season.




“There won’t be significant change at Newcastle because Dean has grown a core group of players who are used to playing together.”

Dean Ryan

Byrne twins named in Ireland under-20 squad

Edward Byrne joins his twin brother and fellow frontrower Bryan in a 28-strong Ireland under-20 squad for next month’s IRB Junior World Championships in Brittany.


Prop Ed and hooker Bryan were part of the formidable Clongowes Wood pack of recent years and are both on the books of the Leinster Academy.


Ed is one of five players to be brought in by head coach Mike Ruddock from the Six Nations campaign.


Adam Byrne, who featured in the recent British Irish Cup semi-final for Leinster at outside centre, is joined by talented Leinster Academy flanker Daniel Leavy, Lansdowne centre Thomas Farrell and Munster Academy backrow Jack O’Donoghue.


Leinster scrumhalf Luke McGrath will captain the side in the absence of Robbie Henshaw and Stuart Olding, who are both on duty with the Ireland senior team.


Ireland are in a strong pool B alongside New Zealand, Australia and Fiji and get their tournament underway with a game against the Wallabies at Stade de la Rabine in Vannes on June 5th.


IRELAND U-20 SQUAD (for IRB Junior Rugby World Championship, Vannes, France): Adam Boland (Lansdowne/Connacht), Edward Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Adam Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Bryan Byrne (UCD/Leinster), Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster); Thomas Daly (Lansdowne/Leinster); John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster); Peter Dooley (Leinster); Thomas Farrell (Lansdowne/Leinster); Ryan Furniss (Worcester/Exile); Conor Joyce (Malone/Ulster); Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht); Daniel Leavy (UCD/Leinster); Seán McCarthy (Shannon/Munster); Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) Captain; George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons/Exile); Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster); Jack O’Donoghue (UL Bohemians/Munster); David Panther (Corinthians/Connacht); Mark Roche (Lansdowne/Connacht); Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster); Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins /Ulster); David Shanahan (Clontarf/Leinster); Darren Sweetnam (UCC/Munster); Christopher Taylor (Malone/Ulster); Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster); Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster); Josh Van Der Flier (UCD/Leinster).



Pool B Fixtures (Irish times, all games at Stade de la Rabine, Vannes) – June 5th:
Ireland v Australia, 5.45pm; New Zealand v Fiji, 7.45pm; June 9th: Ireland v Fiji, 5.45pm; New Zealand v Australia, 7.45pm; June 13th: New Zealand v Ireland, 5.45pm ; Australia v Fiji., 7.45pm.


Leinster Academy 2013/14 – Year 1: Adam Byrne, Steve Crosbie, Thomas Daly, Billy Dardis, Peter Dooley, Ross Molony.
Year 2: Bryan Byrne, Ed Byrne, Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Dan Leavy, Cathal Marsh, Gavin Thornbury, Josh van der Flier.
Year 3: Andrew Boyle, Jordan Coghlan, Sam Coghlan-Murray, Tadhg Furlong, Conor Gilsenan, Luke McGrath, Colm O’Shea, James Tracy.



Byrne twins named in Ireland under-20 squad

Ireland centre turns his attention towards Lions

O’Driscoll, who was replaced as Ireland’s captain ahead of this year’s RBS 6 Nations campaign, helped Leinster claim the PRO12 title with a 24-18 victory over Ulster to add to their Challenge Cup success.



Having lost out at the final hurdle in three previous seasons, O’Driscoll was delighted to win the title, particularly with several teammates set to depart in the summer including Ireland colleague Jonathan Sexton.



“It means an awful lot,” said the 34-year-old centre, who this week signed a new 12-month deal with the Irish Rugby Football Union and Leinster and met with his Lions teammates today.



“Over the last three years we have gotten to the final hurdle and fallen so it is relief and great to send some of the boys off on a winning note and get the first double this club has had.



“Ulster have been the best side in the competition, that is why they finished first, and you only have to look at the scoreboard to see how tough it was.



“It’s very hard when you have games the day before you are going to meet up (with the Lions).



“It is a big relief that everyone has come through unscathed and now it is something to really look forward to – seven weeks in Australia, it’s great.”





Ireland centre turns his attention towards Lions

Six uncapped in Ireland squad to tour US and Canada

Rory Best will lead Ireland’s 28-man squad for their tour to the United States and Canada after being overlooked by the British and Irish Lions. Best was expected to be in action in Australia this summer, but was left out by Lions head coach Warren Gatland in favour of England’s Dylan Hartley.


The Ulster hooker, who was also captain of Ireland’s tour in 2009, leads a squad containing six uncapped players in scrum-half Kieran Marmion, centre Stuart Olding, scrumhalf Paul Marshall, fullback Robbie Henshaw, prop Jamie Hagan, openside Tommy O’Donnell and hooker Mike Sherry.


“We have selected a squad who have the right mix of youth and experience and I’m really looking forward to working with them over the next few weeks,” acting head coach Les Kiss said. “USA and Canada have improved enormously since the 2011 World Cup and we know we will be in for two tough Test matches.”


A number of players – Craig Gilroy (groin), Luke Marshall (concussion), Donnacha Ryan (shoulder), Stephen Ferris, Eoin Reddan, Luke Fitzgerald, Gordon D’Arcy, David McSharry, Keith Earls and Stephen Archer – were not considered because of injury.


A 26-man squad for the Georgia Tour has also been announced and will be captained by Leinster backrow Rhys Ruddock abd will also include his provincial team-mate Seán Cronin, who lost out to Mike Sherry for a place in the north America squad.


“The Georgian tour will be a great experience for the players, most of who have recently come through the Ireland underage system,” added Kiss. “It will be a tough tour with three games in 14 days and a smaller squad of 26 players, which should mean everyone getting significant game time.”


It was also confirmed today that Kiss will be part of incoming head coach Joe Schmidt’s team for the next three years.


Schmidt will arrive in the US before the first game on June 8th and will remain with the squad for the week in Canada before the second test in toronto on June 15th.



Ireland Squad (North American Tour – USA Canada)


Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster), Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Tom Court (Ulster), Declan Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Jamie Hagan (Old Belvedere/Leinster)*, Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster), Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht)*, Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster), Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster), David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster), Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Galwegians/Connacht)*, Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*, Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers/Connacht), Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Kevin McLaughlin (St. Marys/Leinster), Tommy O’Donnell (UL , ohemians/Munster)*, Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*, Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster)*, Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster), Devin Toner(Lansdowne/Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster), Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)



Emerging Ireland squad (Tblisi Cup, Georgia)


Michael Allen (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*, Michael Bent (Leinster), Andrew Conway (Blackrock/Leinster)*, John Cooney (Lansdowne/Leinster)*, Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s/Leinster), David Foley (UL Bohemian/Munster)*, Eoin Griffin (Galwegians/Connacht)*, Cathal Marsh ()*, Michael Heaney (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*, Robert Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster)*, David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster)*, Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster), Richard Lutton (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)*, Brendan Macken (Blackrock/Leinster)*, Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s/Leinster)*, Eoin McKeon (Galwegians/Connacht)*, Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster)*, Niall Morris (Leicester/Exiles)*, Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster)*,


Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution/Munster)*, Robbie Diack ()*, Tiernan O’Halloran (Galwegians/Connacht)*, Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary’s/Leinster), Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster)*, John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster)*, Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster)*


* denotes uncapped player



Six uncapped in Ireland squad to tour US and Canada

Clark, Slater out of England rugby tour


Clark, Slater out of England rugby tour

UAE rugby union chief calls for a rethink to structure of Asian Five Nations

DUBAI // An overhaul of the continent’s flagship competition will be discussed at a meeting of the Asian Rugby Football Union (Arfu) next month.


UAE rugby officials yesterday acknowledged they might consider turning down promotion back to the Asian Five Nations, in the case of winning Division I one next year, if the existing competition structure stays the same.


The national team were relegated from the top tier of Asian rugby last week with a negative points differential from four matches of 217.


Japan, the continent’s No 1 side by a distance, won their sixth successive title with a positive points advantage of 308.


Given the massive disconnect between the top three sides in the competition – Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong – and the rest, it has proved impossible for developing rugby nations such as the UAE to compete.


Ian Bremner, the chief executive of the UAE Rugby Federation, said Asia’s governing body have to address the disparity in the structure of the competition.


“If we go straight back up again we are going to be faced with the same thing: three teams who are very hard to beat,” he said.


“It is a huge ask for amateur players to put themselves up against three teams that there is not much chance of succeeding against. It is a cruel competition.


“Is it an option to step back? We would like to have enhanced capabilities if we went back up to go and have another crack.”


Bremner was part of the Arfu committee, as part of his previous role within Singapore rugby, when the Five Nations was conceived in 2008.


He says he doubts whether the tournament is fulfilling its goal of raising the standards of nations beyond Japan.


With HSBC’s title sponsorship also due for renewal, options for an alternative format will be discussed at an Arfu meeting in mid-June.


“There has to be a rethink of the competition next year for a number of reasons, with the sponsorship near the end of its term,” Bremner said.


“From a neutral point of view, A5N as it stands is not the type of competition it was envisaged to be.”


Duncan Hall, the UAE performance manager, insists a year spent in a lower tier of competition could have positive ramifications for the game here.


“While we want to be involved at the top end, guys want to have good memories of victories, not just valour in defeat,” Hall said.


He said “evidence shows” that when the multinational Arabian Gulf side played in Division I in 2009, “lots of guys came out of the woodwork”.


“But the prerequisite for selection is still that you have to play club rugby,” he added. “You have to come to training and you have to be part of the team. You have to want to commit.


“The prerequisites for selection will remain the same but the level of competition will be more manageable. We will be playing teams that are beatable.”


 


pradley@thenational.ae


 


@ For more on RUGBY, visit thenational.ae/topics



UAE rugby union chief calls for a rethink to structure of Asian Five Nations

The Lions roar into Hong Kong

The match will probably not be a sellout, organisers conceded on Wednesday, but the arrival of the British and Irish Lions in Hong Kong for the first time has once again cast the spotlight on a region many see as vital for the future of rugby.


Over 30,000 Lions fans are expected to visit Australia for the three-test tour but not enough of the red-shirted horde decided to stop over in Hong Kong to fill the stadium for Saturday’s opening match against the Barbarians.


“There are still a lot of people buying tickets, so we’re hoping the stadium will get to about three-quarters full,” said Trevor Gregory, chairman of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union (HKRFU).




Gregory, citing a smaller than expected crowd of Lions fans, said at last check, about 26,000 tickets had sold for the Hong Kong venue, which seats 40,000. 


But the aim behind the Hong Kong stop, while making some logistical and commercial sense for the Lions, was to further efforts to spread rugby across Asia, according to the organisers.


“With 15-a-side, to have the best of the British Isles rugby play here, there’s no better way to spread the word,” said Lions assistant coach Rob Howley at a Hong Kong press conference on Wednesday.


HSBC are joint title sponsors of the city’s famous annual sevens tournament, also held at the Hong Kong Stadium where the Lions will run out on Saturday.  


Sponsorship and television rights for the Barbarians match are expected to net $15.64 million, according to Britain’s Daily Telegraph. 


Previous attempts to spread the word of the elite 15-aside game in this former British colony were made with Bledisloe Cup tests between rugby New Zealand and Australia in 2008 and 2010.


The latter match was marked by rows of empty seats, however, even if a thrilling game was decided by a late try and conversion by Australia’s James O’Connor.


Attempts to spread sports in east Asia from the top down have often struggled, though in Hong Kong and other parts of across the region, rugby has shown signs of growth.


Gregory, who is also the vice president of the Asia Rugby Football Union, said the union now has 28 countries, adding two to three per year. Only four countries were part of the original ARFU.


The build up of Asian rugby is expected to be boosted by China’s national games now including rugby sevens ahead of the sport’s introduction at the 2014 Olympics and by Japan, who dominate the Asian Five Nations, hosting the 2019 rugby World Cup.


“This is not a purely commercial exercise,” Robbie McRobbie, head of rugby operations for the HKRFU, said of the Lions’ visit.


“Asia is a very significant market for rugby in terms of growing the game.”




494




The Lions roar into Hong Kong

Rugby Union: Newcastle Falcons 31 (49) Bedford Blues 24 (33) - brave Blues ...

NEWCASTLE FALCONS 31 (49) BEDFORD BLUES 24 (33)


They gave Newcastle a big scare, but in the end Bedford Blues were unable to pull off a shock comeback as they were beaten in the second leg – and on aggregate – in the Championship final at Kingston Park this evening.


Blues knew they had it all to do after an 18-9 defeat in the first leg and this was a much better performance against the champions elect, which ensured that the Falcons never had it easy as they booked an immediate return to the Premiership.


Jake Sharp in particular was outstanding as he kicked all of the Blues points with seven penalties and a drop goal to give the Newcastle faithful some nervy and frustrating moments.


At one stage the aggregate gap between the two sides was just three points but the Falcons, and in particular the lethal 21-points boot of Jimmy Gopperth, always had an answer when the Blues began to threaten something miraculous.


The Falcons also scored the only two tries of the match which came after two rare bursts of swift passing rugby, whereas Blues – who didn’t manage a try in either leg – were agonisingly short when they neared the home line.


In the end Bedford’s task was too great but they should take heart from the grit and effort they showed this evening in the last game of a superb season when they proved that they are the best part-time outfit in the country.


Newcastle were always heavy favourites to progress given their greater resources, their professional squad and the way they dominated the regular Championship season, but Blues proved to be more than worthy opponents and should be proud of their achievements.


Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer announced several changes from the defeat in the first leg as he looked to mastermind a historic comeback.


One of his switches was Sharp for Myles Dorrian which paid off handsomely thanks to the new number ten’s points haul.


Newcastle in contrast made just one switch from their side for the final 80 minutes of Championship rugby this season.


Bedford travelled to the north east with absolutely no pressure on their shoulders and would have taken heart from the final 15 minutes of the first leg when they caused the Falcons problems after struggling for much of the rest of the contest.


Scoring early – or at least first – was said by many to be vital for Blues, but it was Newcastle who were given an early chance of the posts after Blues were caught offside.


Gopperth, whose boot kicked all 18 of the Falcons points in the first leg, didn’t need a second invitation and he slotted through the uprights to stretch Newcastle’s aggregate advantage to 12 at 3-0 (21-9).


The advantage on the night didn’t last long as Sharp levelled the game with a penalty for Blues to make it 3-3 (21-12) and the visitors then enjoyed good field position around the Newcastle line.


It was a positive start from Blues who were working hard and doing the basics right, and any Newcastle nerves would have increased when the hosts were caught offside to allow Sharp to kick Bedford into the lead on the night and narrow the overall gap to just six points at 6-3 (21-15).


Frustration was creeping into the Falcons’ play with Bedford forcing them into errors, and the home crowd’s displeasure was taken up a notch when another indiscretion allowed Sharp to make it a hat-trick of kicks from range to reduce the arrears to just three points at 9-3 (21-18).


Now it was very much game on but Blues were penalised for a collapsed scrum shortly afterwards which allowed Gopperth to restore Newcastle’s breathing space with a penalty to make it 9-6 (24-18).


It was a score that seemed to revitalise Newcastle and from nowhere Bedford’s fine early play was undone as the home side put together their strongest spell of the match.


Some fabulous build-up work had Bedford scrambling around near their own line, and Rayer’s men were forced into some last ditch work to keep the Falcons out.


The hosts bided their time though and eventually recycled the ball to James Shortland who touched down for the first try of the tie in the corner – a score eventually awarded after consultation with the video ref.


Gopperth missed the extras, but Newcastle suddenly had an ominous 11-9 lead on the night and a 29-18 lead in the final overall.


Bedford did not let this setback bother them though and they came back firing, continuing with their good early work.


In an end to end contest, a fine Sharp drop goal put Blues back ahead on the night at 12-11 (21-29) but Newcastle kept their own scoreboard ticking over when Darren Fox was penalised for Bedford for not releasing, allowing Gopperth to slot over another penalty.


Blues would not go away in a see-saw contest and Sharp’s fine night with the boot continued with another penalty to put Bedford 15-14 up in the game and eight points adrift in the tie at 24-32.


Sharp was keeping Blues in contention on his own, and he very nearly burst through into empty grass as the visitors ended the half particularly strongly.


He was reeled in but Falcons conceded a penalty for not rolling away and Sharp booted over his fifth penalty to make it 18-14 (27-32).


Blues had hope again but in keeping with the game they were pegged back by another Gopperth penalty on the stroke of half-time after Blues held on too long at the ruck, and it was 18-17 (27-35) at the interval.


Bedford started brightly following the re-start and another break into space from Sharp preceded an early Blues penalty for offside, which Sharp had no problem with to make it 21-17 (30-35).


Again there was heavy pressure on Newcastle, but when they needed to respond they did with a sudden burst of high tempo rugby.


This was only their second spell of really fluid play but just like the first in the opening 40 minutes it again led to a try as Alex Tait went over to put the Falcons in the lead on the night at 22-21 and stretch their aggregate gap to 40-30.


Gopperth missed with his conversion which struck a post but his side seemed to be able to turn on the style with a flick of a switch – with two great moves seemingly coming from nowhere.


A huge boot forward from Bedford’s Gregor Gillanders led to Newcastle grounding the ball behind their own line and a five metre scrum for Blues, but they failed to make the most of it.


This was a big chance to score points which went begging and the game looked to be slipping away again as Gopperth kicked a penalty at the other end to give his side a 25-21 (43-30) lead.


Blues welcomed returning skipper James Pritchard, back from a broken arm, into the side, and the lightning quick James Short was unlucky to be held up just on the Newcastle line.


There was then controversy when Pritchard looked set to release Gillanders for a certain try in the corner, but the Canadian’s pass was illegally flicked away by Noah Cato’s hand.


Sharp kicked the resulting penalty to make it 25-24 (43-33) to Newcastle but it could have easily been seven points for Blues after a fine spell in Falcons territory.


This was another big moment, and shortly afterwards a huge Falcons scrum allowed Gopperth to further stretch Newcastle’s advantage to 28-24 (46-33) with just ten minutes to play.


Blues’ task now seemed to be too much great and Falcons comfortably saw out the clock to achieve the Championship title and promotion.


Gopperth, who is off to Leinster, kicked another penalty late on to make the advantage a slightly unfair seven points on the night and 16 points overall.



Rugby Union: Newcastle Falcons 31 (49) Bedford Blues 24 (33) - brave Blues ...

British & Irish Lions name team to face Barbarians

The 2013 British amp; Irish Lions have announced their first team to face the Barbarians in Hong Kong with 17 players on their first Lions tour.


The 23-man squad for the match against the Barbarians comprises all three Scottish tourists plus 11 Welshman, five Irishmen and four Englishmen.


The six former Lions in the squad are Adam Jones, Mike Phillips, Jamie Roberts, Alun Wyn Jones, Jamie Heaslip and Paul O’Connell who will captain the team.


Tour Manager Andy Irvine said,”After all the pre-tour preparation in Cardiff and Dublin the match against the Barbarians on Saturday marks another milestone in the proud history of the Lions and the start of the 2013 tour.”


“This is the important first match of a 10-match tour and the players are eager to get the tour off on the right note. Training has gone very well and it is exciting to see 11 players making their run-on debuts for the Lions, including the tour’s youngest player Stuart Hogg.”


Head Coach Warren Gatland said: “I am really excited by the first selection of the tour.”


“Naturally it comprises largely those players not involved in last weekend’s Aviva Premiership and PRO12 finals and we have a lot of players making their debuts for the Lions.”


“At the same time we have a hard core of experience with the six former Lions sharing 430 caps between them and 19 Lions Tests.


“There are also some proven combinations such as the Welsh centre pairing and backrow. Some of the boys who played last weekend are on the bench as cover and generally everyone in the camp is raring to go.”


British amp; Irish Lions


15. Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland),14. Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues/Wales),13. Jonathan Davies (Scarlets/Wales),12. Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales),11. Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors/Scotland),10. Owen Farrell (Saracens/England),9. Mike Phillips (Bayonne/Wales),1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens/England),2. Richard Hibbard (Ospreys/Wales),3. Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales),4. Richie Gray (Scotland),5. Paul O’Connell (Munster/Ireland, captain),6. Dan Lydiate (Dragons/Wales),7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys/Wales),8. Toby Faletau (Dragons/Wales),Replacements


Replacements : 16. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers/England),17. Cian Healy (Leinster/Ireland),18. Matt Stevens (Saracens/England),19. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales),20. Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland),21. Conor Murray (Munster/Ireland),22. Johnny Sexton (Leinster/Ireland),23. George North (Scarlets/Wales)



British & Irish Lions name team to face Barbarians

Seán Cronin called up for Ireland"s tour to USA and Canada

Seán Cronin: is currently understudy to Richardt Strauss at Leinster. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho



Seán Cronin called up for Ireland"s tour to USA and Canada

Irish Rugby legend headed to Cayman

Geordan Murphy in action for Ireland in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.


Geordan Murphy in action for Ireland in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.


The Cayman Rugby Football Union has confirmed that Geordan Murphy will be the guest speaker at the Union’s Annual Players Dinner to be held at Ristorante Papagallo on 14 June 2013.


Murphy, who retired from International Rugby in May 2012 having attained 74 caps for Ireland, two caps for the British and Irish Lions and one cap for the Barbarians, announced his retirement from Professional Rugby this month after 16 years and over 320 games with premier English club side Leicester Tigers.


Whilst Murphy is set to hang up his boots and take up a coaching position with Leicester next season, he is still seen as one of the finest attacking fullbacks in the northern hemisphere with a long list of career achievements which includes earning his first Ireland cap against the USA in 2000 (scoring two tries on debut) and winning the Irish Sport Writers Player of the Season award at the end of the 2003 season.


Murphy was also selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005 and featured for Ireland in the 2007 2011 Rugby World Cups. He won the 6 Nations Grand Slam with Ireland in 2009, the Premiership for Leicester seven times and the Heineken Cup for Leicester two times.


Tables of 10 at the dinner can be reserved by emailing crfu@candw.ky and individual tickets can be purchased over the Cayman Rugby Club bar at a cost of CI$100.00 per head or CI$125.00 for non union members. The dinner includes a cocktail reception, three-course seated dinner and a bottle of wine per person.



Irish Rugby legend headed to Cayman

Rugby: England"s Hartley won"t appeal his ban

ZBTV: Kerre talks about Mt Kilimanjaro


Wednesday, May 29, 2013



Rugby: England"s Hartley won"t appeal his ban

"Coup" for Scotland to have Vern Cotter and Johnson

The Mancunian businessman started by welcoming “a great day in Scottish rugby history” with the appointment of New Zealander Vern Cotter alongside Australian Scott Johnson atop the Scottish pyramid. But, as fireworks were going off at Cotter’s club Clermont Auvergne, Dodson found himself bombarded with questions about why he had appointed a head coach who was not available for another year, what he was doing to shorten that waiting period and how the appointment of Johnson as both director of rugby and assistant coach seemed like a strange fudge.


After the most bizarre coach acquisition possibly witnessed in Scottish rugby, Dodson insisted: “We are privileged to have two coaches of this quality working in this business with Scott Johnson and Vern.


“This is a fantastic coup for Scottish rugby to have coaches of this quality and the opportunity to bring Vern into the organisation. He will make a fantastic impact on the team. As we go to the World Cup to have these guys working together can only benefit the game at large.


“When we were filling Andy Robinson’s positions we took our time, we did our homework and made a list of the best available coaches in the world. Vern was the top of that list. We waited, did our business properly and managed to secure Vern’s services, and we now have the ability to take the international team from strength to strength. This is a coup for Scottish rugby.”


The proof of that is yet to come. Cotter is widely respected. He was involved in the recruitment of new coaches by both New Zealand and England, but missed out, or opted out in terms of the latter, of those roles, and three weeks ago looked set to be anointed as the French league and European double-winning coach.


Now, with those title bids lost, he is another untested international coach, with questions inevitable over how quickly he will grasp the challenges of moulding a Scottish team, only a handful of whom might win starts in his Clermont side, alongside a new director of rugby working to get a handle on the dynamics of the Scottish game. For Dodson, the question was ‘where is the Scottish influence?’


He said: “Vern brings world-class experience and qualities to Scottish rugby. When we looked at the very best people we could for that [director of rugby] role, it became clear that with Scott’s experience in Wales in particular, but across the whole of world rugby – he has coached in America and Australia as well – he has learned so much about how rugby should be played and the structures that work and the structures that don’t work that I feel very, very confident that we have somebody with more experience than anybody else, with the ability to take it forward and make rugby better in Scotland on many, many levels.


“If you have someone with deep knowledge of Scottish rugby then you may not have somebody with Scott’s global experience. What you have to realise is that rugby is rugby whether it is played in Wales or played in Scotland.


“It is having an appreciation of the local market place, if you like. The local game is very important but we are not totally devoid of that in the set-up. We have plenty of people in the system – Gregor [Townsend], Stevie Scott, a whole raft of others like Stevie Gemmell. These people understand the game here and can benefit from Scott’s experience. I don’t see it as an issue.”


The quicker Johnson and Cotter can get down to work, the sooner those words may begin to take on some meaning.



"Coup" for Scotland to have Vern Cotter and Johnson

Gloucester Rugby: Burns told to give England selection dilemma

FREDDIE Burns must master the international rugby mindset in South America – to assert his World Cup credentials, believes Mike Catt.


Attack coach Catt has challenged Gloucester fly-half Burns to direct England’s play in the two-Test series against Argentina next month.



  1. ​Burns

    Freddie Burns will be England’s first choice fly-half in Argentina




World Cup-winning playmaker Catt hailed Burns’ attacking credentials, admitting the 22-year-old was primed for a busy Six Nations before knee ligament injury ruled him out of the tournament.


Catt has backed Burns to progress and challenge Owen Farrell and Toby Flood for England’s starting fly-half role in the long-term.


But to realise that goal, Catt has told Burns he must appreciate the stark differences in build-up play between the Premiership and international arenas.


Former Bath and London Irish centre Catt said no international side can afford to attack from anywhere, and has challenged Burns to continue his impressive improvements in controlling matches tactically as well as instinctively.


Catt explained: “Freddie was definitely right up there before the Six Nations, there’s no doubt about it.


“And he’s been training exceptionally well.


“We’ve got to get the variety right in our game.


“We cannot just play ‘jouer’ rugby all the time, that attack-from-anywhere French style.


“We’ve got to do whatever it takes to win games, so if that means driving teams to death then we’ll drive teams to death.


“One of our strengths will definitely be that speed in the wide channels.


“But we have to balance that out.


“We need two players in each position for the World Cup.


“And this tour is definitely an opportunity for a lot of people to push themselves forward in that regard.


“It’s a big opportunity for a group of players to say to Stuart, ‘Oi, don’t forget about us’.


“It’s key that they really step up and drive the move forward.


“Freddie’s got to get the measure of things, get hold of the game and be the driver of what we do.


“We know all about Freddie’s skill set, but it’s about playing consistently and being able to control the game at international level.


“Hopefully he and others can play well enough to cause headaches ahead of selection when it comes to November.


“Freddie has been consistent this season and he is very adept at playing the wide game.


“Gloucester play very attractive rugby and attack from all parts of the pitch.


“It is very, very hard to do that at international level though.


“We still want Freddie to have that game in his locker, but international rugby is a different animal and it’s about being able to tame that beast.


“So he’s got to be able to flip from club to international rugby, that’s key to be able to move seamlessly between the two.”


England start their summer schedule by hosting the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday (kick-of 1pm).


Stuart Lancaster’s men then take on a South American select XV in Montevideo on June 2, before two Tests against Argentina on June 8 and 15.


Catt believes Gloucester’s new recruit Matt Kvesic and speed merchant wing Jonny May have opportunities to forge a fruitful England future this summer.


Calling on England to be far more ruthless in converting chances, he admitted he cannot wait to see natural pacemen finishers Christian Wade from Wasps and May link up in Lancaster’s side.


He continued: “Men like Matt Kvesic, Christian Wade and Freddie, they have all played consistently well all season.


“All of them are very young, and they’ve got to get that experience at international level because it’s completely different from the Premiership.


“The Elite Player Squad could change quite significantly in the next three months.


“We desperately need to be better at finishing what we create.


“And that’s where Wadey and Jonny May come into it.


“We are still finding our ultimate team, and a whole host of players have chances to prove they should be a part of that in the long-term this summer.”



Gloucester Rugby: Burns told to give England selection dilemma

Wales v Japan: Josh Navidi and Adam Warren replace injured duo

Cardiff Blues flanker Josh Navidi and Scarlets centre Adam Warren have been added to the Wales squad to face Japan.


Uncapped Navidi, 22, takes the place of Scarlets’ Aaron Shingler, who has failed to recover from a foot injury.


Warren, also 22, whose sole Wales cap came against the Barbarians, comes in after a groin injury ruled out Ospreys back Ashley Beck.


Wales, under caretaker coach Robin McBryde, play two Tests in Japan on 8 and 15 June.


McBryde had already lost three established national squad members to injury ahead of the original squad announcement.


Hooker Ken Owens (neck), centre Scott Williams (shoulder) and fly-half Rhys Priestland (Achilles) were all ruled out after picking up injuries playing for Scarlets in their Pro12 semi-final defeat by Ulster.


Navidi’s inclusion means Wales now have a specialist open-side flanker in the squad.


Shingler, more accustomed to the blind-side role, had been the favourite to wear the number seven shirt having covered in the absence of Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric for Wales against Scotland in the 2012 Six Nations.


Beck was also expected to start the first Test in Osaka, with Cardiff’s Owen Williams and Ospreys’ Jonathan Spratt chosen as the other specialist centres.


Wales, who are without 15 players and coaches Warren Gatland and Rob Howley who are all on British and Irish Lions duty, leave for Japan on Sunday.



Wales v Japan: Josh Navidi and Adam Warren replace injured duo

Vern Cotter confirmed as Scotland coach


  • Vern Cotter (Source: Photosport)


New Zealander Vern Cotter, who has been with French club Clermont Auvergne since 2006 and led them to this year’s Heineken Cup final, will take over as Scotland coach next year.


“Vern is rightly regarded as one of the top coaches in the world and to have secured someone of his calibre is a coup,” Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Mark Dodson said in a statement today.


“He was our first choice and we are pleased to have secured him on a two-year contract taking us up to and beyond the Rugby World Cup in 2015. We compiled a short list of world-class candidates in


December and Vern was top of that list.”


The 51-year-old Cotter, who led the Crusaders to successive Super Rugby titles in 2005 and 2006, will honour his contract with Clermont and stay at the club until the end of next season.


He will assist temporary coach Scott Johnson during the November internationals and next year’s Six Nations before taking over as head coach for Scotland’s June tour.


“I’m absolutely thrilled and honoured to have been appointed,” Cotter said.


“Mark Dodson and the team at Scottish Rugby have a strategic vision and a determination to do something very special – and working with them and a talented group of players and coaches I look forward to the team growing in competitiveness and stature.


“We will build a winning team together.”


Australian Johnson, who took over the team in November after Andy Robinson resigned, was appointed Scotland’s director of rugby three weeks ago.


Clermont lost the Heineken Cup final 16-15 to French rivals Toulon in Dublin this month.



Vern Cotter confirmed as Scotland coach

Wednesday 29 May 2013

Peter O"Mahony to captain Ireland

Interim Ireland head rugby coach Les Kiss has confirmed that back rower Peter O’Mahony will captain the squad for the summer tour to North America, following Rory Best’s call-up to the British Irish Lions squad.

Peter O’Mahony’s selection as summer tour captain was confirmed this evening, with the 23-year-old Munster flanker set to lead Ireland for the first time against the USA in Houston on Saturday, June 8.

The Les Kiss-coached Irish side, which includes 28 players in the touring party, will also face Canada in Toronto the following Saturday (June 15).


It has been a rapid rise for O’Mahony who has experience of captaining teams at schools, club, provincial and international level, including stints at the helm of a number of Ireland underage teams and both the Munster senior and ‘A’ sides.


He made his Ireland senior debut against Italy in the 2012 RBS 6 Nations and now has 14 caps to his name, including 10 starts.


His versatility has seen him line out in all three positions in the back row for Ireland, and he even spent time on the wing during their last game of the 2013 Championship against Italy.


His tender years make him the youngest Ireland captain since Brian O’Driscoll – also 23 back then – skippered the team to victory over Australia in November 2002.


O’Mahony will also be the first Cork native to captain Ireland since the recently retired Ronan O’Gara did so against England in March 2008.


Notably, O’Mahony takes on the senior captaincy for the summer tour just as fellow back rower and his successor as Ireland Under-20 captain in 2010, Rhys Ruddock, gears up to lead the Emerging Ireland squad in Georgia next month.


As well as O’Mahony’s promotion to the captaincy role, the addition of Rory Best to the British Irish Lions squad means that Leinster hooker Sean Cronin will step up from the Emerging Ireland panel for senior duty in North America.


The player taking Cronin’s place in the Emerging Ireland squad will be confirmed in due course.


IRELAND Squad (North American Tour – USA Canada):


Isaac Boss (Terenure College/Leinster)

Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)

Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)

Declan Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

Jamie Hagan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) *

Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster)

Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Connacht) *

Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster)

Felix Jones (Shannon/Munster)

David Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster)

Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster)

Kieran Marmion (Galwegians/Connacht) *

Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers/Connacht)

Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)

Tommy O’Donnell (UL Bohemians/Munster) *

Stuart Olding (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) *

Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) (capt)

Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)

Mike Sherry (Garryowen/Munster) *

Richardt Strauss (Old Wesley/Leinster)

Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)

Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)


EMERGING IRELAND Squad (Tblisi Cup, Georgia):


Michael Allen (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) *

Michael Bent (Dublin University/Leinster)

Andrew Conway (Blackrock College/Leinster) *

John Cooney (Lansdowne/Leinster) *

David Foley (UL Bohemians/Munster) *

Eoin Griffin (Galwegians/Connacht) *

Cathal Marsh (Dublin University/Leinster) *

Michael Heaney (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) *

Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) *

David Kearney (Lansdowne/Leinster) *

Ian Keatley (Young Munster/Munster)

Richard Lutton (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) *

Brendan Macken (Blackrock College/Leinster) *

Jack McGrath (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) *

Eoin McKeon (Galwegians/Connacht) *

Martin Moore (Lansdowne/Leinster) *

Niall Morris (Leicester Tigers) *

Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster) *

Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution/Munster) *

Robbie Diack (Malone/Ulster) *

Tiernan O’Halloran (Galwegians/Connacht) *

Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) (capt)

Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster) *

John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) *

Lewis Stevenson (Malone/Ulster) *

Sean Cronin’s replacement tbc


* Denotes uncapped player


A number of players were not considered due to injury, including:


Stephen Ferris, Eoin Reddan, Luke Fitzgerald, Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Marshall, David McSharry, Keith Earls and Stephen Archer


 



Peter O"Mahony to captain Ireland

Ireland Rugby Under 20 World Cup Squad Announced

Mike RuddockAt the launch of the Under 20 World Cup squad Irish rugby Coach Mike Ruddock was quick to talk up the importance – what this level of rugby – has on the careers of underage Irish rugby players.


A bone of contention in recent times with rugby supporters has been the inclusion of Robbie Henshaw and Stewart Olding in the senior side for the summer tour in favour of touring at the World Cup with the Under 20s. Coach Mike Ruddock was quick to dismiss any problems.

“Obviously in the ideal world every coach wants their best players but I take a step back now. I’ve got a little bit older and wiser as the years have gone by and you don’t start to think about what is just best for your team but for Irish rugby as a whole and so I think it’s good, I think it’s really top stuff. It gives inspiration to my side going to the world cup.”


Mike Ruddock was also keen to point out the effect that Under 20 Rugby would have on emerging talent in years to come.


“The days of proving yourself at Under 20 level and then having to do that all over again by proving yourself at provincial level are gone. I think it’s a crossroads where we have shown we value under age talent and where they can succeed earlier in their careers.”


Mike Ruddock brings 28 players along with him for the World Cup with Leinster star Luke McGrath captaining the side. The tournament starts next Wednesday the 5th of June where they come up against Australia. The games can be caught on TG4.


Squad: Adam Boland (Lansdowne/Connacht)

Edward Byrne (UCD/Leinster)

Adam Byrne (UCD/Leinster)

Bryan Byrne (UCD/Leinster)

Steve Crosbie (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

Thomas Daly (Lansdowne/Leinster)

John Donnan (Ballynahinch/Ulster)

Peter Dooley (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Thomas Farrell (Lansdowne/Leinster)

Ryan Furniss (Worcester/Exiles)

Conor Joyce (Malone/Ulster)

Darragh Leader (Galwegians/Connacht)

Daniel Leavy (UCD/Leinster)

Sean McCarthy (Shannon/Munster)

Luke McGrath (UCD/Leinster) (capt)

George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons/Exiles)

Ryan Murphy (Dolphin/Munster)

Jack O’Donoghue (UL Bohemians/Munster)

David Panter (Corinthians/Connacht)

Mark Roche (Lansdowne/Connacht)

Rory Scannell (Dolphin/Munster)

Rory Scholes (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster)

David Shanahan (Clontarf/Leinster)

Darren Sweetnam (UCC/Munster)

Christopher Taylor (Malone/Ulster)

Gavin Thornbury (UCD/Leinster)

Peadar Timmins (UCD/Leinster)

Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster)



Ireland Rugby Under 20 World Cup Squad Announced

Scotland rugby squad touch down in Blairgowrie

Scotland’s rugby stars have been training in Perthshire ahead of their summer tour to South Africa.




The 31-man squad visited Blairgowrie RFC for a training session, which was open for members of the public to watch. The Scotland squad also brought with them a scrummage machine, which they demonstrated for the onlookers.


One of the players on the pitch was local lad Sean Lamont. Sean, and his recently retired brother Rory, grew up in Perth and his grandparents still live in the area.


He said: “It’s nice being home even though I’ve not been in Blair village for a while it’s all very familiar. There’s been a good little turn out today, which is great.


“Getting the children involved has been great — they are the future. Getting more of them involved means you hopefully find those who can make it at the top level.


“This kind of event is great awareness for the profile of rugby in Scotland, it is what we need and it’s very important because we need these sort of events to draw interest. The more interest you have the chances are you get more people playing rugby in Scotland, which is a good thing, you need that filtering through to senior level.”


Hundreds of locals turned out to watch Sean and the rest of Gavin Scott’s men show off their skills, with dozens of school-children taking part in training activities.


Among them was five-year-old Fergus Gordon, a player with the Blairgowrie Rams junior rugby team. Fergus, whose grandmother is from New Zealand, said his favourite part of the day was taking aim at a miniature set of posts.


He said: “I like throwing the balls through the inflatable goalposts. My favourite Scotland player is Sean Lamont, because he’s fast but when I grow up I want to play for the All Blacks and be like Jonah Lomu.”


As well as the training in Blairgowrie, the team have planned sessions at Grantown Grammar School and a new community facility in Aviemore.


Team manager Gavin said: “At this stage of a physically arduous season the coaches were keen that we did something different in our pre-tour activity.


“We’ve always received tremendous support from the north of Scotland and the enthusiasm for the game there and desire to improve is inspirational.


“We hope to show our appreciation for the work that is going on in communities in Perthshire and the Highlands to give young people the opportunity to catch the rugby bug.


The camp takes place until Wednesday, with the squad departing for their quadrangular tournament involving Samoa, South Africa and Italy, on Friday.



Scotland rugby squad touch down in Blairgowrie

Vern Cotter appointed Scotland head coach - from June 2014

Vern Cotter is to become Scotland’s next head coach, but will not be available until his contract with Clermont Auvergne ends in 2014.


Unless an early release is negotiated for the New Zealander, Scott Johnson will remain head coach until next June.


The announcement by Scottish Rugby came the day after the 51-year-old said he would continue with the French Top 14 club until the end of his contract.


Scottish Rugby said it was a “coup” to secure Cotter on a two-year contract.


That will take his deal with Scotland up to and beyond the 2015 World Cup.



“I believe this is a real coup for Scottish Rugby. Vern Cotter is a top rugby coach who is amongst the most highly-regarded coaches in the world.”


Scott Johnson
Scotland interim head coach




Scottish Rugby chief executive Mark Dodson told BBC Scotland: “We are delighted to have secured the services of a coach of Vern’s pedigree for the Scotland team.


“When Andy (Robinson) left last November, we put together an extensive list of the best coaches in the world, and Vern was very much top of that list.


“We took our time, did lots of due diligence and, in the end, persuaded Vern to spend the next stage of his career in Scotland.


“We talked to a lot of people in the process – that’s why we took our time – but Vern was always top of our list and we’re just delighted we’ve secured him.


“Vern is rightly regarded as one of the top coaches in the world and to have secured someone of his calibre is a coup for Scotland.”


Clermont lost 16-15 to Toulon in the Heineken Cup final this month and were beaten 25-9 by Castres in Saturday’s Top 14 semi-finals, having finished top of the French league.


“We delayed our announcement out of respect to Clermont and Vern as they prepared for the two most important games in their season,” said Dodson.


Scott Johnson and Jonathan Humphreys


Johnson welcomed new forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys to the Scotland set-up this month


“We are satisfied that we conducted our business in an honourable fashion and are sure Clermont appreciated our discretion.


“We always knew that Vern wasn’t available until 2014, but we felt he was the best man for the job.


“And if he can be persuaded to come earlier than that, and if Clermont are prepared to release him, we’d be delighted to have him.


“It’s not a financial issue, it’s the way we do business; we honour people’s contracts and, if you want the very best in the world, sometimes you’ve got to wait for them.


“We’re planning on the fact that he’ll be joining us on 1 June 2014; but he will be in contact with us and also with Scott Johnson and the rest of our coaching team as we go through the Summer tour, and the Autmn series and the Six Nations next year.”


Cotter, who took charge of Clermont in 2006, had been quoted on his club website saying that he aimed to see out the remainder of his contract with the aim of winning the Heineken Cup next season.


That led to suggestions that Scottish Rugby would have to revise their strategy, but the New Zealander says he is “thrilled and honoured” to be chosen national coach.


“Mark Dodson and the team at Scottish Rugby have a strategic vision and a determination to do something very special in the coming time and working with them and a talented group of players and coaches I look forward to the Scotland team growing in competitiveness and stature,” he said.


“We will build a winning team together. I very much look forward to joining Scotland and until I do permanently I will be on hand to support Scott and the coaches with any advice and support they need.”


Before joining Clermont, with whom he won the French championship 2010, Cotter was part of the coaching set-up that steered Canterbury Crusaders to successive Super rugby titles in 2005 and 2006.


Johnson, who led Scotland to third in the 2013 Six Nations as interim coach, is moving to a director of rugby role, and also welcomed the appointment.


“Vern Cotter is a top rugby coach who is amongst the most highly-regarded coaches in the world,” he said.


“Until Vern arrives, I will continue to lead Scotland as head coach and continue my duties as director of rugby.”



Vern Cotter appointed Scotland head coach - from June 2014

Injury rules John Barclay out of Scotland"s summer tour

Scotland flanker John Barclay has been ruled out of the Dark Blues’ tour to South Africa next month, the Scottish Rugby Union have confirmed.




The 41-times-capped forward needs surgery on a shoulder injury and will go under the knife later this week.


The 26-year-old will swap Glasgow Warriors for Welsh RaboDirect Pro12 rivals Scarlets this summer but his operation means he will miss Scotland’s trip to South Africa for a tournament involving the host nation, Samoa and Italy.


Interim head coach Scott Johnson — who it was confirmed on Monday would continue in his role for another 12 months before making way for New Zealander Vern Cotter — has no plans to replace Barclay in his 30-man squad.


Meanwhile, the SRU has also confirmed that Scotland’s opening Autumn Test against Japan will be played at Murrayfield.


The match, on Saturday November 9, with a 2.30pm kick-off, will be the fourth occasion the countries have met in a cap international.


Scotland have also played Japan five other times when caps were not awarded, most recently in 2010, as a precursor to the summer tour to Argentina when a Scotland XV won 24-5 in Edinburgh.


The November game against Japan is the first in a series which will see Scotland face South Africa on Sunday November 17 (3pm), and Australia on Saturday November 23 (6pm), also at Murrayfield.


Scottish Rugby’s Director of Commercial Operations, Communications and Public Affairs, Dominic McKay, said: “The demand from Scotland supporters to watch the national team has grown this season and, with that in mind, we are keen to enable as many people as possible to be able to watch Scotland next season.


“With five internationals at Murrayfield next season — including our 2014 RBS 6 Nations Championship games against England and France — we’ll be announcing details shortly of a Scotland season pass, at a range of prices, which is our way of thanking our loyal supporters.


“We are also committed, when appropriate, to continue to make the Scotland team accessible to people throughout the country.


“This week, as part of the squad’s preparations for this year’s summer tour, the players and coaches have been in Perthshire and Morayshire and opened the door to the public to come and watch them practice.”


The squad have trained at Grantown Grammar School — 24 hours after a similar workout at Blairgowrie.



Injury rules John Barclay out of Scotland"s summer tour

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