Wednesday 31 July 2013

League Leaders Shield still a priority says Deacon


Wigan assistant coach, Paul Deacon has re-affirmed the club’s ambition to defend the League Leaders Shield despite his priority resting on next month’s Challenge Cup Final.


The Warriors will undoubtedly be looking forward to taking on Hull at Wembley in four weeks’ time but first face Hull KR, Huddersfield and Catalan in the Super League.


Shaun Wane’s side will more than likely need to win all three games if they are to retain the minor premiership with both the Giants and Warrington hot on their heels. 


 “We don’t see it like that (as a distraction), we see it as great preparation for the cup final,” he told Love Rugby League. 


“When you’re playing in big games that mean a lot, you get used to it.


“Obviously the Challenge Cup Final means most at this moment in time but we’re still going for that League Leaders Shield.


“We’ve got Hull KR, Huddersfield, Catalan leading up to the final. I see that as great preparation and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”


Deacon last week revealed how he had been headhunted by Steve McNamara to serve as an assistant coach for England’s World Cup campaign.


The 34 year-old is promoted from a position on the backroom staff and as a former Great Britain representative himself, he could be a perfect long-term replacement for James Lowes.


“I’m very honoured and very chuffed to be asked,” he added. 


“That’s something to think about towards the end of the season because at the moment I’m focusing on Wigan but I’m very humble that Steve asked me to do that job as it’s very exciting for me personally.”




League Leaders Shield still a priority says Deacon

Rugby union: Chester seal title with 51-20 win over Rossendale

Chester 51 Rossendale 20


CHESTER won the title and promotion to the fourth tier of English rugby on a ‘spectacular’ afternoon at a sun-kissed Hare Lane.


A 1,000-strong crowd roared Nic Corrigan’s free-scoring side on to the result they needed to seal top spot.


Chester went into the final match of a thrilling National League Three North season knowing anything less than a bonus point win may have meant them missing on the title for the third year running.


But from the moment the inspirational Rhys Hayes touched down inside the first two minutes, there was a sense that they were finally ready to rid themselves of the bridesmaids tag that has dogged them.


Chester head coach Corrigan said: “We’ve been rewarded for playing such attacking rugby and to be champions is just brilliant.


“Going into the game we did everything we could to prepare for it. On Thursday we asked George Cox and John Craven, two very senior members of the club, to present the league shirts for the final game to the players and asked them to speak about the history of the club and what it means.


“We wanted to try and calm their nerves and also get the elephant out of the room.


“We needed to deal with the fear of failure. We did that and once we got to the ground on Saturday we were relaxed.


“The players were very, very good. Scoring a try in the first two minutes really set the tone. It was a spectacular day.”


A strong and direct Rossendale team with nothing more than pride to play for put up a fight for the first hour.


But they were eventually swept aside by their hosts, for whom Pete Rees (2), James Whitelock-Wainwright and Tom Evans touched down before Lloyd Hayes completed the scoring with his second try of the match and his last for the club – one that wrote his name into the record books.


The talented centre – younger brother of fly-half Rhys – will play professionally for Rotherham Titans in the Championship next season.


Corrigan said: “Lloyd’s two tries made him the club’s highest scoring player in a season.


“His mum came over to me at the end and gave me a big kiss and thanked me for everything I’ve done for her boys. It just summed up where those lads are from. We wish Lloyd well for the future.”


Corrigan, who took over the head coach’s role last summer, paid tribute to his assistant coach Chris Rose and his support staff as well as the club’s committee. But he saved his biggest praise for his players.


“The guys have been through a really tough journey, they’ve put their bodies on the line and applied themselves to a seven-day-a-week programme to win this promotion. They rightly deserve the trophy they have earned.”



Rugby union: Chester seal title with 51-20 win over Rossendale

Plumtree joins Irish coaching team


Plumtree has been head coach at Super 15 outfit the Natal Sharks since 2008, overseeing triumphant Currie Cup seasons in 2008 and 2010.



The 48-year-old Kiwi also has experience of the Welsh League with Swansea and guided the Wellington Lions to play-off finals in 2003, 2004 and 2006 in New Zealand’s NPC.



“I’m really looking forward to becoming part of the Irish coaching set-up,” said Plumtree, who was named South African coach of the year in 2012.



“Having watched a number of recent Test matches there are some really positive challenges in front of us.



“I’m conscious of the responsibility we have and will be working hard to play my part in driving the team forward.”



Plumtree will arrive in Dublin in early September and will work beneath new Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt, who replaced Declan Kidney in the wake of the RBS 6 Nations.



“It’s great to have John joining us as part of the Irish coaching team,” Schmidt said.



“His proven success and broad experience across a number of competitions along with his ability to provide quality direction will add real value to the team.”



Plumtree joins Irish coaching team

Rugby - England fall to narrow Canada defeat

In the tournament opener, England scored three tries in searing heat at the University of Colorado in Denver through Lydia Thompson, Zoey Saynor and Ceri Large but it was not enough to deny Canada, who responded with five tries of their own to take the win.


Despite the loss, acting England head coach Graham Smith was keen to look at the positives..


He said: “Having only had three days together I was very pleased with the way the squad have come together and developed and all of the six new debutants justified their selection.


“They have created a spirit in a very short space of time and supported each other on the pitch.


“We came up against a very strong Canadian team that played as well as we have ever seen them play during my time with England.


“I asked the players to go out there and play without fear, express themselves and above all else give their best, which they achieved.”


Looking ahead to England’s next matches, Smith added: “We have two more tough games in the pool stages with South Africa on Saturday and USA next Wednesday and I am confident again we will be very competitive and work hard to get our first win of the tournament.”




Rugby - England fall to narrow Canada defeat

Nigel Whitehouse appointed Welsh Rugby Union National Match Officials ...

WRU: Cardiff, July 31, 2013 - Nigel Whitehouse has been appointed to the position of Welsh Rugby Union National Match Officials Manager, replacing Rob Yeman.


Former international referee Yeman is vacating this senior position at the WRU at his own request, in order to take on the job of referees operational support officer, focusing more directly on departmental operational issues.


Whitehouse who hails from Gowerton and is a former senior police officer with South Wales Police will take over the post with immediate effect.


A former international referee who officiated in 21 Tests and regarded by many in the game as one of the leading referee coaches, he leaves his current role as referee performance and development officer to take on responsibility for the WRU referees department.


Having been a part of Welsh rugby for over 40 years I cant bring myself to leave the system completely and I will still be taking an active role in the referees department but it is time for me to pass the reigns into Nigels capable hands, said Yeman.


This is an important job not just to Welsh rugby but to the world game. We boast a long list of international standard referees and as recently as this summer we were able to add another name to that list when Leighton Hodges took charge of his first Test match in Canada. We have also seen Nigel Owens take over Derek Bevans Test record when he officiated his 45th international this year. I owe a huge gratitude to the hard work of the team I have had around me in helping to achieve not just those accolades but also ensuring the future development and sustainability of the officials network in Wales.


Yeman added Our officials are respected around the world and Im sure Nigel will make a positive impact on the development of future top class referees when he takes up the post.


He has been a part of our succession planning and I am sure he will continue with the production line of referees which support Welsh rugby and the department will continue to go from strength to strength.


The WRU match officials department appoints referees to over 6,000 matches a year in Wales, it also manages and promotes recruitment and develops the individual careers of existing officials in order to ensure they make an impact on the world game where talent allows.


Firstly I need to thank Rob for over ten years of service in his current position, the department and refereeing in Wales and the wider field is in a healthy state and Welsh rugby owes him a debt of gratitude for all his hard work, added Whitehouse.


Personally Im really looking forward to the challenges ahead, our purpose is to service the game in Wales and beyond and to ensure the structures are in place to continue to produce top class referees at the elite end of the game as well as continue to recruit in order to service rugby at all levels.


Our aim is to continue to be at the forefront of the game in refereeing terms and I look forward to picking up where Rob has left off and to continue to help take Welsh refereeing forward for many years to come.



Nigel Whitehouse appointed Welsh Rugby Union National Match Officials ...

England rugby captain to open coffee/wine bar in Winchester

England rugby captain to open coffee/wine bar in Winchester



THE England rugby captain has added his name to the list of high profile people doing business in Winchester.


Chris Robshaw has teamed up with best friend and former Hampshire cricketer Kevin Latouf to open a coffee and wine bar at 28 Jewry Street.


The pair, who are both 27 and met at school, say Black White Red will fill a gap in the market for high-end coffee and wine, and Mr Latouf will be drawing on his experience as a wine advisor to the likes of the Sunday Times.


“We’re a new concept in wine and coffee. I’ve got a site in Bishop’s Waltham (Josie’s) and really we’re taking it to another level.


“Chris and I have been best friends since we were 13 and he comes down to Winchester quite often. He’s got a bit of a fascination with coffee, food and wine, although I’ve probably put that on him!” the 27-year-old said.


Mr Latouf, who lives in Chandler’s Ford, said the venue will employ 15 people – having hired six so far, all from the Winchester district, they’re still recruiting.


The application for a licence went to the Winchester City Council two weeks ago, but Black White Red is something the duo, along with silent partner Nicholas Drysdale, having been cooking for the past 18 months.


The official opening of the bar is slated for early September.


In recent years Winchester’s reputation as a culinary hotspot has gathered pace, with celebrity chefs Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Jamie Oliver and Raymond Blanc all setting up shop in the city.


It is a shot in the arm for Jewry Street, as the building, on the site of the Bottoms Up off-licence, has been empty since it was completed about three years ago.



Exclusive By Wesley Rock


England rugby captain to open coffee/wine bar in Winchester

Rugby Canada: Women open Nations Cup with huge defeat of England

It’s been quite the summer for Canada’s national women’s rugby team. A third place finish at the World Cup Sevens in Moscow last month, a win at the U20 Nations Cup a week ago and now a thrilling, full-value 29-25 win over the always-powerful England.


Call it what it is: a new age for Canadian women’s rugby.


Better coaching at the women’s level, top level Sport Canada funding through the Own the Podium program; whatever it is, the women’s program is in as good shape as its ever been.


Tuesday’s win open their senior Nations Cup campaign on just the right foot. Canada hadn’t defeated the English in two decades. To score five tries in the win should give a huge suggestion to what’s going right for this team right now.


The Canadians attacked with ambition, using pace outside, and impressive inside running to push the English back whenever they were on attack. And the defence was stellar too.


Leading 24-18 with 20 minutes remaining, the Canadians spent 15 minutes turning back attack after attack before the English finally burst the line, taking a 25-24 lead with five minutes left.


Canada went back to what had brought them success all day long, move the ball wide and looking for deft off-loads. It took just a minute and a half for the strike-back, with Magali Harvey driving over the line for the game-winning score.


Harvey bagged two tries in the match, along with the impressive Elissa Alarie. Fly half Cheryl Phillips looked to run at the English back line at every opportunity and was rewarded with a try of her own. Andrea Burk kicked two conversions, four points that proved to be the difference in the game.


Canada’s next game is next Monday vs the USA.


Elissa Alarie (x2), Magali Harvey (x2) and Cheryl Phillips,



Rugby Canada: Women open Nations Cup with huge defeat of England

Rugby League - Burgess twins pen new contracts

With elder siblings Luke and Sam tied up to the club until 2015 and 2016 respectively, 21-year-olds George and Thomas penned new contracts on Wednesday morning.


George, who made his debut for Russell Crowe’s club last season, has signed until 2016, while Thomas, who joined his brothers this year after completing a spell with Bradford, will remain until 2015.


The quartet’s form has been so impressive that it has been speculated all could be selected by England coach Steve McNamara for this year’s World Cup, with Sam and George seeming certain picks.


“It’s really exciting to be with a club that is growing the way it is, and I’m looking forward to helping develop the winning culture that is building here,” George Burgess said.


“I’m really pumped to be part of it with my brothers and team-mates as well, and to be part of what I’m sure will be a bright future.”


The same goes for Thomas Burgess, who made his debut last month.


“It’s great to know I’ll be here for at least two more years, at such a wonderful club,” he said.


“I’m so happy to be playing alongside my team-mates, including my three brothers, and I’m looking forward to playing my part in creating something special here over the coming seasons.”


Sam Burgess was the first of the four to head down under in 2010, with Luke joining him a year later.




Rugby League - Burgess twins pen new contracts

Metro Sexton: Modern rugby great Jonny Sexton begins his Paris adventure

Jonny Sexton admits he has some adjusting to do as he begins his new life in Paris – and not just off the pitch.


Sexton and his new wife, Laura, arrived in the French capital last week and have already settled into their new home in the southwestern suburbs.


And on Tuesday he was introduced to the French media for the first time at Racing Metro’s headquarters.


So

while everything has gone according to plan to date, the Ireland out-half knows things are going to change on the field of play.


As

the Top 14’s highest earner, the Dubliner will have to play a lot more league matches than he was used to at Leinster – where he was able to rest under the IRFU’s guidelines for centrally contracted players.


That security blanket is gone now but at the same time, Sexton has expressed frustration with having to sit out games in the past.


“It’s an unbelievable league,” said Sexton.


“It’s got a lot of the best players in the world. It’s got challenges.


“There are a lot of games, which I’m not used to. But that’s something I am going to have to get used to.


“I’m looking forward to everything – testing myself against the best, playing with a lot of unbelievable players here.


“There

are a lot of great French players, which I think is very important for the club, that they have a good core of French players here.


“That’s what we have here and I think it’s very important.”


Of

course, Sexton is also linking up with former Ireland team-mate Ronan O’Gara, who has been brought in as kicking coach at Racing.


That

will help both men settle in, but Sexton began taking French language lessons while injured earlier this year – and after he was shocked that the IRFU decided not to give him a new central contract.


And

he spoke some French yesterday to the home-based press as he expressed another reason why his priorities will change on the pitch.


“Coming from Leinster, the Heineken Cup is everything. Obviously here the Top 14 is massive,” he said.


“I

grew up watching Trevor Brennan playing for Toulouse and winning the Bouclier de Brennus so I want to win that as well. It’s a big goal of mine to win that now with Racing.”


The 28-year-old reiterated: “It was obviously very difficult for me to leave Leinster.


“I love Leinster. But, you know, I made a decision.


“I wasn’t talking with Leinster, I was talking with the IRFU.


“I had difficulty with them and then once I decided I was leaving I wanted to look at France.


“This is a big challenge for me. It’s a new project here and I’m really looking forward to putting everything I have into it.”



Metro Sexton: Modern rugby great Jonny Sexton begins his Paris adventure

Judicial review considered over £8m rugby club revamp

Protestors say they are already considering a judicial review to try and block the Edinburgh Academicals Club’s proposal to build a 5000 capacity stadium, with museum, function centre and retail outlets in Stockbridge if it is given the nod.


Edinburgh City Council planning officers will tell its development management sub-committee today that the plans should be approved despite accepting it would be a departure from the Edinburgh City Plan regarding impact on the quality or character of the local environment and the preservation of the special character or appearance of the Inverleith Conservation Area.


Councillors will be told by planning officers that departing from the plan is justified. They say the retail and commercial elements of the proposal will form a natural extension to Stockbridge town centre.


The move has come despite the fact that of 648 letters received by the council, 588 were to object and just 60 supported.


Representations objecting to the proposal include comments from The Cockburn Association, The Friends of Inverleith Park, The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland and The Inverleith Society.


A petition from the Save Stockbridge campaign contains 3369 signatures, and a shopkeepers petition has 28 signatures.


A Save Stockbridge spokesman claimed that approval “flies in the face of the majority community view”.


He added: “If this goes ahead we are not in a position to appeal it, but having said that we are looking at the possibility of a judicial review.”



Judicial review considered over £8m rugby club revamp

Rugby: Stuart McInally eager for cap

Sunday, October 20 is a date that is already likely to be inked into the diary of Edinburgh Rugby flanker Stuart McInally as a chance to transform disappointment into cap destiny.




That is when the 22-year-old is liable to go head-to-head with the player he feels sets the standards at blindside flanker, Al Strokosch, with Edinburgh scheduled to travel to Perpignan for a Heineken European Cup group tie.


McInally knows the stakes will be high, both from an 
individual and team perspective, because if he is to finally reach the promised land of a first Scotland cap then he must first oust a Capital predecessor who took his performances to new heights on the summer tour of South Africa.


True, Strokosch finished that tour by scoring the winning try against Italy in the Castle Cup from the unfamiliar position of open-side flanker, but that was a case of needs-must for the injury-hit Scots.


Normal service is expected to be restored by the Autumn internationals, which will see McInally attempt to go one better than last year when he was an unused substitute covering for the absent Strokosch, who immediately returned fit the following week with the chance never arising again.


“Looking back on the match against South Africa at Murrayfield, when I got my only opportunity so far to bench for Scotland, provokes mixed emotions,” says McInally, adding: “It was incredible to walk into the changing room and see my name embroidered on a Scotland jersey – I almost started crying because I was so proud to be there.


“I actually got told to go down to the side of the pitch after 60 minutes of the game and I was buzzing. I thought ‘here we go, this is what I have wanted for so long’.”


But the call to arms from then head coach Andy Robinson never arrived and McInally was left to reflect, saying: “Getting so close was what made the come-down so severe, but at the same time it was a good day. I have a recording of the match and my mum got the 
jersey afterwards.


“I knew she’d appreciate it and hopefully if I get another chance in future the jersey will mean even more to me.


“What drives me on is the knowledge that Stroker (Strokosch) and Kelly Brown are peaking with boys aged around 30.


“I’ve never seen Stroker play so well, but there could be a chance to measure myself against him soon and I’m still only 22.


“He’s the player I have looked up to over the past couple of years ever since Andy Robinson made me aware of just how good he is. I knew he was a 
machine who could tackle but the work he does at breakdowns has turned him into a really complete player.


“I was at school when he was playing for Edinburgh and I’ve only ever trained with him as opposed to lining up in opposition. So, yes, it could be exciting if we face each other in the Heineken Cup.”


Few players gave more to the Edinburgh cause last season than McInally, nicknamed Rambo, who started 26 matches and missed only an 1872 Cup tie with Glasgow and a clash with Treviso. While Scotland squad regulars were required to rest after every four matches he helped keep the Capital show on the road and perhaps that contributed to missing out on the summer tour,


Typically, McInally prefers to focus on the future, saying: “I had a good season in terms of being involved and sat down with (Scotland coach) Scott Johnson who explained the reasons for not making the Six 
Nations squad.


“I was happy with what I did so far as taking on board advice was concerned, but because the Six Nations went so well, I couldn’t see the squad being changed for the tour, especially with Glasgow reaching the league play-offs. But Scotland squads are picked three times a year now and it is in my own hands. The stuff I’ve needed to work on – power in defence, trying to make sure of all my tackles and making them a bit more dominant – I’ll bring to the 
table. I’m the leanest and 
heaviest I have ever been and one positive effect of not yet having the new coach in place is that a lot of players are emerging as leaders and you can’t have too many of them.


“From an outsider’s point of view, you might think it would be awkward, but the reality is the situation has brought a lot of players closer together.


“It really could be the making of us . . .


“Whoever comes in I hope they find a place for (interim coach) Stevie Scott because it is easy to see the passion he has as a former Edinburgh and 
Scotland player.


“Stevie has set up a team room with pictures of past players and a captain’s board going back years. There’s a real club feeling around and training has been more game specific than I’ve known.”


The message from McInally, who was speaking during volunteer week which included a game of touch against Big Issue sellers, is that the darkest hour could be just before dawn. Both for himself and the Edinburgh team.



Rugby: Stuart McInally eager for cap

Tuesday 30 July 2013

Saints star Wood set to beat Robshaw to England captaincy

Saints star Tom Wood will this week be named England captain, according to reports in the national press.



Wood skippered the Red Rose to a 2-0 Test series victory on their summer tour of Argentina and was also a star performer during the Six Nations campaign, which was led by Chris Robshaw.


But Harlequins flanker Robshaw could now be set to miss out on the captain’s role for the autumn internationals when Stuart Lancaster names his Elite Player Squad on Thursday.


Wood has also shown his leadership abilities at club level, ensuring Saints didn’t crumble when skipper Dylan Hartley was sent off during the Premiership final defeat to Leicester.


And he now looks set to get the ultimate reward as Lancaster builds his side for the clashes with New Zealand, Australia and Argentina later this year.



Saints star Wood set to beat Robshaw to England captaincy

Long battle to establish lasting foothold over rugby is won

AS South Yorkshire followed the rest of the country in surrendering to association football, the West and East Ridings remained resolutely resistent to the pull of the round ball game.



The reason was simple. Rugby ruled, with the Aire, Calder and Colne Valleys all joining the north bank of the Humber in acting as a barrier to the sweeping tide of football fever.


Various attempts to break the stranglehold had been made. The Sheffield FA, for instance, staged an exhibition match in Leeds as long ago as 1877 but the locals showed little interest.


A similar response met the staging of an FA Cup semi-final at Fartown, Huddersfield, five years later.


Rugby’s great split of 1895 as 22 clubs resigned from the RFU to set up the Northern Union merely cemented the popularity of what later became known as rugby league with any Challenge Cup final staged at Headingley proving particularly popular.


The 32,507 crowd that watched Halifax beat Salford in 1903 proved, however, to be the high point with that year seeing football begin the process of storming the West Riding rugby strongholds. By 1912, just 15,271 were present at Headingley to watch Dewsbury beat Oldham.


Manningham, founder members of the Northern Union, had been in financial trouble for some time when the suggestion was made to switch codes and form a football club. Bradford City were born and an audacious application made to join the Football League.


By now, the League was a 36-team competition split equally into two divisions. Bradford’s bid seemed the ultimate case of a club attempting to run before it could walk.


That may well have been the case. But what City had on their side was timing and the determination of the game’s authorities to firmly establish a foothold in the region.


The League had long since grown frustrated that major population centres such as Bradford, Hull, Huddersfield and Leeds were not represented when small towns such as Gainsborough and Glossop were.


Bradford’s application was approved by a landslide majority, Doncaster Rovers proving the unfortunate fall guys as the South Yorkshire club was booted out of the Second Division despite finishing third bottom. The barrier had been breached and within two years both Leeds City and Hull City had been accepted into the League.


Bradford Park Avenue (1908), Huddersfield Town (1910) and, later, Halifax Town (1921) followed suit and although there were teething troubles with crowds at both Leeds and Huddersfield initially being disappointing, rugby’s previous iron grip on the West and East Ridings had been broken for good.



Long battle to establish lasting foothold over rugby is won

Rugby League - Bradford Bulls delay paying players

Bulls forward John Bateman sparked new fears for the future of the club, which went into administration just over a year ago, when he revealed on Twitter last Friday that the players had not been paid.


Bradford responded by saying the wages, due on the 28th of July, would be paid this week but owner Omar Khan issued a statement on Tuesday conceding the club have a “temporary funding issue”.


In a statement, Khan said: “To all Bradford Bulls supporters I would like to dispel all rumours and confirm that the club is not going into administration.


“But, as I have always taken the approach of open transparency, I will say that we are at this time experiencing a temporary funding issue and, as such, it transpires that we will not be able to pay the wages until Wednesday, 8th August.


“We have made every endeavour to minimise the effect on all concerned and I would like to emphasise that this is a temporary issue that does not affect the future of the club, its players or its staff.


“We have a busy couple of months ahead of us and I hope all of the Bradford Bulls supporters will get in behind the lads and help push them over these final few games of the season, especially as the play-offs beckon.


“We also have some big announcements ready to make in the coming months that will excite and encourage all of the Bulls supporters.”


Bradford agreed to take only half their allocation of central funding from the Rugby Football League over the two years remaining of the licensing system as part of the deal which enabled them to retain their Super League status, following last year’s takeover by Khan and local MP Gerry Sutcliffe.




Rugby League - Bradford Bulls delay paying players

John Davies: We must keep our 'icons'

WELSH rugby must find a way of chasing away the predators who are circling the “icons” of the domestic game — or face the stark reality that success in Europe will continue to prove elusive for the regions.


That is the belief of a former international who was part of the first wave of talent from this side of the Severn Bridge to head away in the professional era.



  1. ​John Davies says George North would have been an icon for the Scarlets this season.

    John Davies says George North would have been an icon for the Scarlets this season.




John Davies left Neath for Richmond in 1997, later returning to Wales to play for Llanelli and the Scarlets.


But with George North, Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate having departed the Welsh game this summer, joining James Hook, Mike Phillips, Luke Charteris and Aled Brew as front-line Welsh players playing outside the regions, the former tight-head believes something has to be done to hold on to the jewels of the game in this part of the world.


“We can’t just sit back and let our best players leave,” said Davies.


“George North would have been an icon for the Scarlets this season, a player who would have attracted supporters to Parc y Scarlets and inspired youngsters throughout West Wales and beyond.


“Instead he will be playing for Northampton.


“The worrying thing is he is only 21.


“When I left for Richmond in 1997, I was 28, having spent seven years playing for Neath. I came back a couple of years later to play 250-odd games for Llanelli and the Scarlets.


“But these boys are leaving Wales at a much younger age and that has to be a worry.


“It would have been great if we could have kept hold of George until his mid-20s or beyond. But the playing field for the regions and clubs in England and France isn’t level.


“The leading clubs in those countries can somehow afford to pay money that our sides can’t.


“It is a huge concern, because Welsh rugby has to have icons.”


“I would have loved to have seen George play live this season, but that isn’t going to be possible with him moving to the east Midlands.


“But we have to get to grips with this if we are serious about doing well in Europe.”


Players out of contract at the end of the season are understood to include Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans and Adam Jones at the Ospreys, Jonathan Davies and Rhys Priestland at the Scarlets, Leigh Halfpenny and Sam Warburton at the Blues and Toby Faletau at the Dragons.



John Davies: We must keep our "icons"

Former Ireland captain Joy Neville announces retirement

Joy Neville (second from left) celebrates with team-mates following Ireland


Joy Neville (second from left) celebrates with team-mates following Ireland’s grand slam win

 


Former Ireland captain and Six Nations Grand Slam winner Joy Neville has announced her retirement from rugby, having made 70 appearances in ten years for her country.


Neville, who was a key member of the historic 2013 Grand Slam winning team earlier this year, started her career with UL Bohemians and went on to captain both club and country.


Known for her hard running and hard tackling, she also took pride in being an advocate for women’s rugby as the sport has grown in recent years.


Speaking about her career, she said “Today I announce my retirement from a sport that has given me endless challenges, great entertainment and amazing achievements, none more memorable than our Grand Slam victory which was 11 years in the making.


“Throughout my years involved with the Irish team I can categorically state that I would not have had dedicated the last decade of my life to this sport if it were not for those whom I had the pleasure to play alongside.


“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone and most importantly past players who laid the foundation. All who fought for the women’s team through thick and thin which provided us with our strong platform that we have attained.”


Ireland women’s coach Philip Doyle paid tribute to Neville and believes she is an inspiration to women’s rugby.


He said: “Joy is an exceptional rugby player and her talent and ability had a huge impact on every game. Her selfless playing style was always for the good of the team.


“She has left a lasting impression not only to the squad but on women’s rugby in general. She will be sorely missed and we wish her all the best in her career as coach and an incredible ambassador for the sport.”


Looking to the future, Neville will still be involved with rugby as she aims to continue to help the game evolve.


Neville said: “Now I look forward to the next chapter of my life which I hope to continue as director of rugby in Limerick Institute of Technology and an Ambassador for Irish ladies’ rugby with Euro Rugby tours.


“I hope to look back in ten years and see a vibrant and healthy women’s rugby scene, with the ultimate aim of witnessing Irish women’s rugby becoming professional.”



Former Ireland captain Joy Neville announces retirement

Rugby League - Jones: We needed a wake-up call

The Langtree Park supremo hit out after a defeat by Hull KR last month left the out-of-form Saints eighth in Super League and fearing missing the play-offs.


McManus said the team’s performance was “nowhere near good enough from a club of the stature of St Helens” and called for a response.


His words may have had the desired effect as – although a top-eight spot is still far from secure – the mood has been transformed in the two games since.


Saints clocked up 40 points as they won at Castleford and then produced one of their best performances of the season to edge out arch-rivals and title favourites Wigan in a derby thriller last week.


Jones, 20, a centre proving himself comfortable in the second row or at loose forward, said: “To be fair, I think he was right in what he said.


“I do think we needed a bit of a wake-up call to start performing.


“We can’t just waste a year. We have got a new coach, new facilities. It is massive for us.


“We needed that wake-up call and we have reacted positively to it.


“He (McManus) showed the other night against Wigan how much it meant to him.


“If the club means that much to him we should show the same as he does.”


Saints remain seventh in the competition but would leapfrog Catalan Dragons with victory over the French side in Perpignan this weekend.


Given that Leeds have taken the title from a fifth-placed finish in each of the last two years, the Merseysiders – although key man James Roby remains on the sidelines – could be finding form at the right time.


Jones said: “It’s a massive game, it should be a great game for the club.


“Beating Wigan was a massive result for us and we can take it forward now into Catalan.


“It’s going to be really hot – conditions we like to play in. We’re very excited.


“But the win over Wigan will mean nothing if we don’t go to France and put a performance in there. We have to keep focused.”




Rugby League - Jones: We needed a wake-up call

Sidelined Alex Goode aims to be back for England"s autumn Tests

Goode underwent the procedure in consultation with the England and Saracens managements and is now heavily involved in a rehabilitation programme that is designed to have him playing before the autumn Tests.


Goode said: “I had been troubled by the shoulder injury last season and it was decided that having the reconstruction this summer would be the best option to ensure it is no longer an issue. I have a rehabilitation programme to follow and although I will miss the start of the season, I hope to be back in action by October.”


Goode, who initially suffered a tear in the shoulder before Christmas, will be able to join his Sarries team-mates for their 10-day pre-season training camp in South Africa next month along with Lions Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt, Matt Stevens and  Mako Vunipola, who have been given extra time off following the tour of Australia.


Barritt and Stevens are particularly keen to join the trip to Durban as they will be able to pay a visit to their former school Kearsney College.


Sarries  will play a special match against the Jonsson College Rovers club on  August 14 at the LIV Village which is home to a children’s charity project in KwaZulu Natal that the former English champions have been supporting.


The match will take place on the John Smit Rugby Field at LIV Village and will help raise awareness for the project which provides holistic residential care for vulnerable children, placing parentless children into a family environment. The pitch is named in honour of Smit, the 2007 World Cup-winning captain, who is now the Sharks chief executive having left Sarries at the end of last season.


Smit, who is an LIV Ambassador has  brought Sarries technical director Brendan Venter into the Super 15 Sharks franchise coaching set-up,  and said: “A game involving one of Europe’s best teams being played in a rural community against one of our best local clubs sides at LIV Village shows the commitment from everyone to not only raise awareness and much needed funding for the children of LIV, but also to showcase rugby in an area that wouldn’t usually have such a privilege.”


Jonsson College Rovers have produced a number of Springbok players including Gary Teichmann, AJ Venter, Jacques Potgieter, Tendai Mtawarira and Patrick Lambie and are currently ranked the No1 club side in South Africa.


Saracens supported the work of the LIV Village during the last season by wearing the LIV logo on the right shoulder of their playing jerseys.



Sidelined Alex Goode aims to be back for England"s autumn Tests

Edinburgh Rugby appoint Alan Solomons as their new head coach

EDINBURGH RUGBY have handed former Barbarians coach, Alan Solomons, the task of leading them into the new league season and making the capital club a force in Europe.


The 62-year-old will take over as head coach from interim boss Stevie Scott, who has now been appointed as his full time assistant.


Solomons brings a wealth of experience to the role and has steered the Barbarians to wins over England, Scotland, Wales, South Africa and New Zealand and has also served as an assistant coach within the South African set-up.


At club level, he has led teams to silverware in both the northern and southern hemispheres, including the Stormers, Northampton and Ulster.


He officially takes over at Murrayfield on Friday August 9 and told the official Edinburgh Rugby website: “This is a very exciting role at a club which has a huge amount of potential.


“I’m very much looking forward to arriving in Edinburgh, teaming up with Stevie [Scott] and meeting the challenges head on.”


His new assistant, Scott, added: “I’m delighted to extend my term with the Edinburgh Rugby, a team which I have a long association with and a huge amount of passion for.


“I’m looking forward to building on the work done since the tail end of last season with a highly experienced coach.


“We’ll put everything into getting this club back into a position we can all be proud of.”


Last season proved to be a particularly miserable one in the capital, with Edinburgh finishing third bottom with just seven wins and 16 defeats.


“We’re delighted to have secured the services of such an experienced and talented coach for the top job at Edinburgh Rugby,” added Scottish Rugby chief executive, Mark Dodson.


“Alan is an exceptional character and coach and one we believe will help steer Edinburgh Rugby towards our strategic objective of consistently reaching the RaboDirect play-offs and the knockout rounds of the Heineken Cup.”



Edinburgh Rugby appoint Alan Solomons as their new head coach

RUGBY LEAGUE: Oxford blown away by Hornets' sting in the tail

RUGBY LEAGUE: Oxford blown away by Hornets’ sting in the tail



 


Oxford’s JJ Baird on the run against Rochdale Hornets


A DEVASTATING second-half display from Rochdale Hornets saw Oxford blown away 54-12 at Spotland in on Sunday.


Only eight points separated the teams at half-time, but then Hornets produced some ruthless attacking rugby to score 34 unanswered points.


The home side, who moved up to fourth after this victory, took the lead after Oxford had conceded a couple of penalties, Danny Davies going over and Paul Crook adding the extras to make it 6-0.


Things got worse for the visitors when Crook gathered his own kick to score under the posts for a simple conversion.


Rochdale stretched their lead on 14 minutes after another penalty was conceded by Oxford, Crook opting to take the two points for a 14-0 lead.


Oxford got into the game on 26 minutes as John Clough found the gap to wriggle over. Jonny Leather added the extras.


They struck again moments later. A kick on the last play by Rochdale deep into the visitors’ half was picked up by JJ Baird, who sprinted clear to go in under the sticks. Leather added the conversion to cut the deficit to two points.


Leather missed a penalty chance before Rochdale extended their lead with a Davies try, converted by Crook, for a 20-12 half-time advantage.


Oxford’s problems started from the kick-off to the second half which went out on the full, giving the home side a chance to apply pressure.


Just when it seemed the visitors had weathered the storm, they conceded a penalty, which led to Rochdale scoring a try. Crook again converted to extend the lead to 26-12.


Rochdale were now on a roll and increased their advantage when Alex McClurg went over unopposed, after more good work by the forwards. Crook knocked over the conversion.


Another try soon followed. Oxford kicked deep into the home half on the last play and the ball was gathered by Martin Waring, who powered through the defence and completed a 90m run with a try under the sticks. Crook added the formalities. Oxford were by now unable to contain the Rochdale attack and Dave Hull was next to go over.


A converted John Cookson try increased the advantage to 48-12 and Hornets went past the 50-point mark with a Wayne English try which Crook converted for a final score of 54-12.


Jonny Morris and Iain Morrison made their debuts for Oxford, who travel to Hemel Stags this weekend in an crucial encounter as they look to get their play-off ambitions back on track.



RUGBY LEAGUE: Oxford blown away by Hornets" sting in the tail

Cockerill's nine-game ban for 'obscene' language upheld despite appeal... but ...

Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill has failed in his bid to overturn a nine-game suspension but has succeeded in having the dates of it moved.


Cockerill received the ban earlier this month when he was found guilty of using words that were ‘obscene, inappropriate and unprofessional’ during the Aviva Premiership final on May 25.


Cockerill was reacting to a Courtney Lawes tackle on Toby Flood and took the matter up with fourth official Stuart Terheege and, although he pleaded not guilty, he was deemed to have acted in an ‘inappropriate and unprofessional’ manner.


Unsuccessful appeal: Richard Cockerill will be banned from August 24 until October 18


Unsuccessful appeal: Richard Cockerill will be banned from August 24 until October 18


He was banned until November 3 and after his appeal, the length of his ban stands but will now run from August 24 through to October 18.


The ban will include pre-season friendlies with Jersey and Ulster and conclude after the Heineken Cup clash with Treviso.


Courtney Lawes


Toby Flood


Outrage: It was a tackle by Courtney Lawes (left) on Toby Flood that angered Cockerill



By

Mike Dawes



Cockerill"s nine-game ban for "obscene" language upheld despite appeal... but ...

Rugby - Ashton in Sevens squad

Ashton, 26, was heavily criticised during the latter half of last season after a Six Nations campaign where his defensive abilities came under scrutiny.


England head coach Stuart Lancaster elected to give the former Wigan rugby league man a rest while the Red Rose toured Argentina earlier this summer, and Saracens have opted to use him as part of their Sevens squad after his extended break.


Saracens are not alone in including high-profile players for the annual pre-season tournament. Tom Varndell is part of the Wasps squad, while Gloucester include Fiji flanker Akapusi Qera.


Saracens have also announced a partnership with United Arab Emirates club Abu Dhabi Saracens RFC.


The link-up will see Saracens coaches and community staff provide support to the overseas club, while talented players from the UAE will get the chance to experience the professional set-up with the Aviva Premiership side. Both teams will wear Saracens kit.


Saracens chairman Nigel Wray said: “We are delighted Abu Dhabi Saracens have joined the newly-formed global network of Saracens clubs, and we look forward to helping Abu Dhabi Saracens prosper both on the field, leading the way in Emirates rugby, and off the field, running programmes that support their community.”




Rugby - Ashton in Sevens squad

Cockerill ban dates brought forward

Cockerill received the ban earlier this month when he was found guilty of using words that were “obscene, inappropriate and unprofessional” during the Aviva Premiership final on May 25.


Cockerill was reacting to a Courtney Lawes tackle on Toby Flood and took the matter up with fourth official Stuart Terheege and, although he pleaded not guilty, he was deemed to have acted in an “inappropriate and unprofessional” manner.


He was banned until November 3 and after his appeal, the length of his ban stands but will now run from August 24 through to October 18.


The ban will include pre-season friendlies with Jersey and Ulster and conclude after the Heineken Cup clash with Treviso.



Cockerill ban dates brought forward

Rugby: Jed teen Glen Young in Newcastle 7s squad

Jed-Forest teenager, Glen Young, joins fellow Borderer Michael Tait in the Newcastle Falcons squad for the first round of the JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series at Franklin Gardens on Friday night.



Young, who signed for the Newcastle Falcons Academy this season following a successful season at Riverside, is the cousin of the Jed-Forest twins Lewis and Kevin Young, both of whom have been involved with the Scotland sevens squad.


Despite being snapped up by the Falcons Academy, Young has not featured in any of the Scotland age-grade squads. This season, on the Borders circuit, Young was one of the genuine stars in the Kings of the Sevens challenge, his ball winning skills and massive engine helping Jed pitch for the crown.


The Falcons squad, coached by former Scotland sevens and Scotland A cap, Calum MacRae, take on Leicester Tigers, Sale Sharks and host Northampton Saints in Group B of the competition on Friday night.


Meanwhile, Saracens have included England winger Chris Ashton in their squad. Ashton, 26, was heavily criticised during the latter half of last season, notably for his defensive frailties in the Six Nations.


England head coach Stuart Lancaster elected to rest the former Wigan rugby league man for the Red Rose tour of Argentina earlier this summer, and Saracens have opted to use him as part of their Sevens squad after his extended break.


Saracens are not alone in including high-profile players in their parties for the annual pre-season tournament. Wasps’ effort will be headed by former England cap Tom Varndell, while Gloucester include Fiji flanker Akapusi Qera.


Saracens have also announced a partnership with United Arab Emirates club Abu Dhabi Saracens RFC.


The link-up will see Saracens coaches and community staff provide support to the overseas club, while talented players from the UAE will get the chance to experience the professional set-up with the Aviva Premiership side. Both teams will wear Saracens kit.


Saracens chairman Nigel Wray said: “We are delighted Abu Dhabi Saracens have joined the newly formed global network of Saracens clubs, and we look forward to helping Abu Dhabi Saracens prosper.”



Rugby: Jed teen Glen Young in Newcastle 7s squad

Welsh rugby has to keep "icons", says former international John Davies

WELSH rugby must find a way of chasing away the predators who are circling the “icons” of the domestic game — or face the stark reality that success in Europe will continue to prove elusive for the regions.


That is the belief of a former international who was part of the first wave of talent from this side of the Severn Bridge to head away in the professional era.



  1. ​John Davies says George North would have been an icon for the Scarlets this season.

    John Davies says George North would have been an icon for the Scarlets this season.




John Davies left Neath for Richmond in 1997, later returning to Wales to play for Llanelli and the Scarlets.


But with George North, Jamie Roberts and Dan Lydiate having departed the Welsh game this summer, joining James Hook, Mike Phillips, Luke Charteris and Aled Brew as front-line Welsh players playing outside the regions, the former tight-head believes something has to be done to hold on to the jewels of the game in this part of the world.


 


“We can’t just sit back and let our best players leave,” said Davies.


“George North would have been an icon for the Scarlets this season, a player who would have attracted supporters to Parc y Scarlets and inspired youngsters throughout West Wales and beyond.


“Instead he will be playing for Northampton.


“The worrying thing is he is only 21.


“When I left for Richmond in 1997, I was 28, having spent seven years playing for Neath. I came back a couple of years later to play 250-odd games for Llanelli and the Scarlets.


“But these boys are leaving Wales at a much younger age and that has to be a worry.


“It would have been great if we could have kept hold of George until his mid-20s or beyond. But the playing field for the regions and clubs in England and France isn’t level.


“The leading clubs in those countries can somehow afford to pay money that our sides can’t.


“It is a huge concern, because Welsh rugby has to have icons.”


“I would have loved to have seen George play live this season, but that isn’t going to be possible with him moving to the east Midlands.


“But we have to get to grips with this if we are serious about doing well in Europe.”


Players out of contract at the end of the season are understood to include Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans and Adam Jones at the Ospreys, Jonathan Davies and Rhys Priestland at the Scarlets, Leigh Halfpenny and Sam Warburton at the Blues and Toby Faletau at the Dragons.


MARK ORDERS



Welsh rugby has to keep "icons", says former international John Davies

Clifford and Sloan return from England duty for Harlequins 7s

Harlequins have announced the squad that will compete in the JP Morgan 7s on Saturday evening at Allianz Park.


Jack Clifford and Harry Sloan return to the club having helped England to victory in the IRB Junior World Championships in France in June.


James Chisholm, who joined the Harlequins Academy full time this season from Brighton College, is also named in the squad.


The seventeen year old will then head off to South Africa with England U18s next week. He joins his brother Ross in the squad.


In addition Harlequins have included two guest players from two of the club’s affiliate sides in Kenya and Abu Dhabi. Patrice Agunda is an experienced 23 year old 7s player from Kenya Harlequins who has been involved in the Kenyan 7s squad for the last two seasons in the 7s World Series.


Jeremy Manning, the former NZ Maori, is the second guest player and will be known to Harlequins supporters from his time at Munster and Newcastle Falcons. He now plays his rugby in the United Arab Emirates with the Abu Dhabi Harlequins.


Harlequins Chief Executive David Ellis commented: “We are committed to bringing Harlequins affiliate family together under the one Harlequins umbrella and this is the perfect opportunity for us to do this.


“We look forward to welcoming both Patrice and Jeremy into our 7s squad for this tournament.”


Harlequins Academy head coach Howard Graham said: “We take the JP Morgan 7s very seriously. It’s a good opportunity to develop the players’ fitness, but it also has a direct effect on the XVs too as it highlights players’ strengths and weaknesses.


“It is important for us because it is how we want our guys to play in the first team – an expansive, free-flowing game and we’re looking forward to getting out on the pitch on Saturday.”


The full squad is below:


Jack Clifford


Ross Chisholm


Dave Ward


Ollie Lindsay-Hague


Charlie Walker


Patrice Agunda


Joe Trayfoot


Harry Sloan


Jeremy Manning


Louis Grimoldby


Jordan Burns


James Chisholm



Jack Clifford, England U20s. Picture: Lynne Cameron/PA


Monday, July 29, 2013

1:45 PM







Clifford and Sloan return from England duty for Harlequins 7s

Rugby pals 'spread details of players' threesome'




– 30 July 2013


GRAPHIC details of an alleged threesome between a young woman and two Irish rugby players were circulated online by a group of rugby friends.


The 24-year-old woman from the greater Dublin area had a fling with the international teammates after meeting them during a night on the town.


Details of the incident emerged after the woman posted a private message on her Facebook page, which inadvertently went public.


But it has also emerged that details of the night were circulated by a group of rugby-playing friends who have known each other for years.


Some of these players are friends with the two international stars since they were young players. While not full internationals, at least one of the group now plays for a well-known club team.


It has now emerged that extracts of an online conversation between this group of male friends are being passed around.


In the group chat, a third male provided intimate details about the reported threesome.


He said that one of the two players at the centre of the incident was in a hotel room with the woman in question, a business university graduate, before the second player joined them in the act.


NIGHTCLUB


The two men, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had spent the evening drinking in a pub in the Grafton Street area with friends, before going on to a well-known nightclub.


A source told the Irish Independent that there was “plenty of alcohol” consumed. It is believed that they went from the nightclub to a nearby late-night fast-food restaurant, where they bumped into the woman.


The trio stayed in a city-centre hotel until the early hours of the following day.


Meanwhile, the woman has returned to Ireland. She left the country for several days to reside with a sibling in the UK after news of the story initially emerged.


The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Irish Independent that she felt there had been a “massive breach” in her privacy with regards to how details of the incident initially spread – a conversation on Facebook that went viral.


“The message I sent was to a close friend and I never in a million years ever thought anyone else would see, let alone for it to be sent around for so many others to see. It’s such a breach of my privacy,” she said.


The woman has since deactivated her social networking page.


Irish Independent



Rugby pals "spread details of players" threesome"

Monday 29 July 2013

BT Sport thwarts Sky advertising ban by sponsoring Glasgow and Edinburgh ...

By

Andy Newport, Press Association


 


BT Sport has found a way past Sky Sports ban on screening its rival broadcaster’s adverts after signing a four-year shirt sponsorship deal with two of the teams Sky has signed up to televise this season.


Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby have agreed a ‘substantial multi-million pound’ deal that will see both clubs sport BT’s logo on their shirts.


The Scottish sides complete in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup, competitions which are to be screened live next year by Sky.


On board: Edinburgh


On board: Edinburgh’s Ross Ford (left) and Tim Visser (right) with Marc Watson, chief executive of TV for BT


The announcement of the deal follows an Ofcom ruling last month which rejected BT’s complaints over Sky’s refusal to promote its new rivals on its own channels.


BT will launch three channels later this week, broadcasting live football from the Barclays Premier League in England and Scotland’s newly-formed Scottish Premiership.


Its rugby content includes Aviva Premiership matches and France’s Top 14 – but it will not screen games involving the two sides it has just signed up to sponsor.


However, Marc Watson, chief executive of TV for BT Retail, claims that could change in future.


On the ball: BT Sport


On the ball: BT Sport’s sponsorship deal will mean their logo is seen on Sky Sports’ rugby coverage


When asked if the deal with Edinburgh and Glasgow was a ploy to get around Sky’s ban, he said: “When you are looking at a sponsorship arrangement, one of the things you look at is who is going to see your logo, your brand. The audience that follows Scottish rugby is an important audience for us to reach.


‘The RaboDirect (PRO12) will be covered by Sky and other broadcasters too in the next few years and that broadcaster exposure is one of the elements – but not the only one – in what is quite a broad deal with Scottish Rugby.


‘We launch three channels later this week and it’s a major strategic objective of the company to establish those channels and to make them a success. As we are launching those channels into the marketplace it seems an obvious thing to use this deal to help promote those channels.


Ready for launch: Mayor of London Boris Johnson (centre) received a tour of the new BT Sport studio


Ready for launch: Mayor of London Boris Johnson (centre) received a tour of the new BT Sport studio


‘This is a sponsorship deal, not a broadcasting deal. We will look in the future at all opportunities to broadcast sports as they come up and if an opportunity comes up to broadcast (the Scottish) rugby teams then of course we will look at it.


‘For the rugby fan, we believe we (already) have a lot that is attractive and that is appealing.’


Mark Dodson, chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union – which owns both Edinburgh and Glasgow – hinted the deal would see extra money be made available to strengthen both squads.


He said: ‘This is the most lucrative shirt sponsorship deal we have ever signed – by some margin. It dwarfs any deal we have signed in the past.


‘We will always be looking for the best players possible. If that means the player budget rises as a consequence, that is what will happen.


‘I’ve given both coaches (Gregor Townsend and Stevie Scott) the reassurance that if there is a top-class player out there that they want, who wants to come to Scotland, we will fund it.’



BT Sport thwarts Sky advertising ban by sponsoring Glasgow and Edinburgh ...

Bath have signed Samoa international back-row Alafoti Fa"osiliva.

Bath have signed Samoa international back-row Alafoti Fa’osiliva.


The 27-year-old, who previously played for Toulouse and Bristol, will make his first appearance on Thursday in the Premiership Rugby Sevens at Kingsholm.


“I’m really excited to be coming to Bath, and can’t wait to get started,” he told the club website.


“It’s a great form of the game, and one I’m obviously quite familiar with, so it’s a perfect way for me to get my Bath career underway.”


The back-rower has also played for Samoa in seven-a-side rugby and was nominated for the IRB International Sevens Player of the Year in 2010.



Bath have signed Samoa international back-row Alafoti Fa"osiliva.

Rugby League - O"Brien fit to play

The 21-year-old, on loan from Warrington, was forced off after a late shoulder charge from Scott Taylor in last week’s derby defeat of Wigan.


O’Brien’s availability will be especially welcomed by coach Nathan Brown with the half-back also important for his goalkicking.


Brown said: “He was a bit groggy the next day and he didn’t train in the latter part of last week.


“He had his time off but he has trained now and he is fine.”


Brown is not anticipating many changes for the game in France but utility man Lance Hohaia could return after being left out against Wigan following a spell on the sidelines.


Brown added: “All the guys who played in the Wigan game have trained and come through fine.


“Lance is fit and available now. He’s definitely a possibility.


“He was in the 19 for Wigan but he’d missed that bit of footy and we probably went for guys that were more match-ready.


“But he’s training really well and is ready for an opportunity.”




Rugby League - O"Brien fit to play

Scotland sides sign record sponsorship deal

Glasgow Warriors prop Ryan Grant, Glasgow Warriors v Northampton Saints, Heineken Cup, Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, January 19, 2013


Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh have both received a cash windfall after they announced a new four-year shirt sponsorship deal with BT Sport.


The sponsorship has been described as a “substantial multi-million pound” deal and will see the clubs wear BT’s logo on their shirts. The deal also sees BT sidestep Sky Sports’ ban on screening its rival broadcaster’s adverts as both the Warriors and Edinburgh will feature in the Heineken Cup and the RaboDirect PRO12, competitions which will feature on Sky next year.


The announcement of the deal follows an Ofcom ruling last month which rejected BT’s complaints over Sky’s refusal to promote its new rivals on its own channels.


When Mark Watson, CEO of TV for BT Retail, was asked whether the sponsorship deal was a ploy to scupper Sky Sports’ ban on advertising their channel, he said: “The RaboDirect (PRO12) will be covered by Sky and other broadcasters too in the next few years and that broadcaster exposure is one of the elements – but not the only one – in what is quite a broad deal with Scottish Rugby.


“This is a sponsorship deal, not a broadcasting deal. We will look in the future at all opportunities to broadcast sports as they come up and if an opportunity comes up to broadcast (the Scottish) rugby teams then of course we will look at it.”


Mark Dodson, chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union – which owns both Edinburgh and Glasgow – hinted the deal would see extra money be made available to strengthen both squads. He said: “This is the most lucrative shirt sponsorship deal we have ever signed – by some margin. It dwarfs any deal we have signed in the past.


“We will always be looking for the best players possible. If that means the player budget rises as a consequence, that is what will happen. I’ve given both coaches the reassurance that if there is a top-class player out there that they want, who wants to come to Scotland, we will fund it.”



Scotland sides sign record sponsorship deal

Hogg eyes Lions role in 2017

Stuart Hogg has set his sights on a Lions Test cap in 2017



Stuart Hogg has set his sights on a Lions Test cap in 2017


Stuart Hogg is making winning a full British and Irish Lions Test cap his main priority for the next four years after he was forced to take a seat in the stand for the tourists’ 2-1 series win Down Under this summer.


The 21-year-old Glasgow full-back was the youngest man in Warren Gatland’s squad for the victorious tour of Australia.


But the Scotland international was denied a place in the 23-man matchday line-up for any of the three Tests as Wales number 15 Leigh Halfpenny kicked the Lions towards their first series triumph in 16 years.


The team are not due to set sail again until their New Zealand tour in 2017, but Hogg will do everything he can to make sure his place is booked.


He said: “I had nothing to lose down there. I wasn’t expected to be in a starting position but in the end I played five of the 10 games.


“So I’m happy enough with how it went. Obviously I was disappointed not to be involved in the Test teams but when you are sitting behind the man (Halfpenny) who gets named man of the series, it takes a bit of the pain away.


“When the team was named for the last match of the tour and I found out I wasn’t going to play in the final Test, it just made me all the hungrier to be involved next time.


“It’s four years away and I’ll concentrate on Glasgow and Scotland until it comes around. But getting a Test slot is my main target.”



Hogg eyes Lions role in 2017

Woodward: Wales can win 2015 World Cup

Wales


Former England coach Sir Clive Woodward claims Wales have the potential to win the World Cup in 2015.


Wales find themselves in the same pool as hosts England and Australia but with two Six Nations titles in as many years, Warren Gatland’s men are the form northern hemisphere side at the moment. Their current dominance of European rugby was further emphasised by them having 10 players in the starting XV for the final British Irish Lions’ Test in Australia.


Woodward coached England to World Cup glory in 2003 and he has tipped Wales to impress in Pool A. “If Wales field their first XV, they are potential World Cup winners,” Woodward told Wales Online. “Wales have not got the depth of options available to England, but they do have the quality.


“When they are at their strongest, they are a match for any team in the world. Their players were crucial to the Lions and I thought skipper Sam Warburton was amazing.”


Australia are currently finding their feet under new coach Ewen McKenzie and he will hope his team re-find some cohesion after they were outplayed by the Lions in the final Test. For England, they have 23 matches until the first match in the World Cup and Stuart Lancaster said last week he is fully aware of what awaits his side when they head into the global gathering, which is hosted on home soil.


Lancaster is currently focused on seeking to emulate the All Blacks’ attacking philosophy but Woodward says England must start getting results rather than talking about long-term development. “Stuart is doing an excellent job and has a good team developing,” Woodward added. “And the Lions experiences this summer of coaches Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree will benefit them hugely.


“But the World Cup will be incredibly competitive in the qualifying pool, particularly for England who are drawn with Wales and Australia. It’s no longer about development, it’s now about results. The England forwards look very impressive but it’s time for our backline to step up and start firing on all cylinders.”




Woodward: Wales can win 2015 World Cup

Beach rugby's a winner for Swansea Bay

SWANSEA Bay scored another huge success when it staged the Beach Rugby Wales event at the weekend.


It pulled in a crowd of up to 4,500 spectators, a week after the Mumbles Raft Race and a fortnight after the Wales National Air Show proved hugely popular once again.



  1. Beach rugbys a winner for Swansea Bay


Swansea Council leader David Phillips said he would love to see more events staged at the beach.


“It’s a fantastic resource but what we cannot guarantee is the weather,” said Mr Phillips.


 


“If we have four or five days of sunshine the whole atmosphere and outlook in the city centre changes.


“If we have the sunshine what better place can you have than Swansea Bay?


“The air show is the biggest free outdoor show in Wales. But you could say Swansea Bay is the biggest free show in Wales 365 days a year.


“It’s always telling a story and I think we should sit and appreciate it more often.”


Mr Phillips said the council could not and should not do everything, and events organised by residents themselves were often the most successful.


“Those are the events the council should be supporting because that is what we want people to do,” he added.


“If they have an idea that can contribute to the fun of people’s lives and they need to close roads etc, then the council should be assisting them to do it.”


A change in the weather took some of the shine off what was otherwise a hugely successful Beach Rugby Wales sevens tournament played out by the Civic Centre.


The event, now in its eighth year, was carefully timed to take account of the tides. But, this being Wales, there was no accounting for the elements.


Organiser Ashleigh Walters said: “According to the security staff, at its peak we had 4,000-4,500 spectators.


“The rain held off until the last hour. It wasn’t really raining, more spitting, but the crowd dispersed for the final, which was a shame. It was the first time in eight years that we had rain and it spoilt it a bit but otherwise we had a great day.”


This year’s tournament attracted 36 teams from around the UK.


The women’s plate final was won by Brecon-based Gwernyfed, who beat Tyly Tigers from Tylerstown, while Cardiff’s Y Baa Baariad saw off the British Army in the men’s plate final.


Swansea triumphed twice in the cup finals, with Riley Sports Flamingos defeating the Pontyclyn Falcons in the women’s event and Wind Street’s Minty Baa-Baas overcoming Gowerton’s Gwyr 7s in the men’s.


“Everyone seemed to enjoy it, there was a lot of singing and no issues with the police whatsoever,” said Leigh.


“There were some big names watching too, including Welsh internationals Leigh Halfpenny and Harry Robinson, along with Eli Walker from the Ospreys, which shows how big an attraction it is.


“We filled around 350 hotel beds in Swansea. A lot of people who came down stayed for the weekend.”


“Hopefully there will be another one next year. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”



Beach rugby"s a winner for Swansea Bay

Rugby League - Brough signs new Giants deal

The 30-year-old former Hull, Castleford and Wakefield scrum-half has been in outstanding form for Paul Anderson’s side this season, fuelling a strong title bid.


Brough joined the Giants in 2010 and could now see out his career with the West Yorkshire club.


Brough said: “I am immensely proud to captain this club and I am certain we have some great days ahead of us.


“My family is very settled here, it’s a good club off the field and the lads really are a close group.


“I probably could have moved on but why would I want to?”


Brough has long been one of Britain’s most potent half-backs and showed his talent on the grand stage with a superb display in Hull’s 2005 Challenge Cup win.


Yet it is not until settling at the Giants that he has consistently excelled.


His performances this season – which have yielded 237 points in Super League – have helped his side establish a one-point lead the top of the table with five regular-season rounds remaining.


Brough said: “I am happy with my form so far and feel that maturity is now bringing the best out of me, for which I have to thank the family and some key people at the club who have always had faith in me.


“I really hope I can play a big part in the team going forward to repay this deal with silverware for the fans and chairman.


“At the end of this deal I might be able to squeeze some more games out but it is fair to say it’s obviously my last major contract and I am just delighted that it’s going to be as a Giant.”


Head coach Anderson added: “Danny’s form is clear for everyone to see this year.


“I enjoy working with him as captain and it’s great news that he is here for the long haul.


“I think we both share common goals regarding what we can achieve at this club and having a half-back of Danny’s quality is a huge boost to us.”




Rugby League - Brough signs new Giants deal

Super League name could be scrapped


Scrapping Super League and re-branding the leagues is being considered as part of the RFL’s review of the game.


The finer points continue to be thrashed out by the governing body and clubs as to the format of the game for the 2015 and beyond.


It looks likely that the split option – which sees two leagues of 12 split in to three leagues of eight after 23 games – will get the go ahead, which would see an increase in the number of games, to a minimum of 30 per club.


The issue of re-branding centres on whether the new name should include rugby league in its title, and there is also debate on whether the second tier should be branded as Super League 2, if the Super League name is retained.


Despite previously being rejected, it is believed that the introduction of marquee players to the salary cap is still on the agenda.


The RFL has spent the past month consulting with clubs in Super League, the Championships and the community game.


An Extraordinary General Meeting will be called by the governing body’s independent Board of Directors to put forward the definitive proposals for the league re-structuring, but there remains no timescale on the decision.




Super League name could be scrapped

Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby sign four-year sponsorship deal with ...

Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby have agreed a “substantial multi-million pound” deal that will see both clubs sport BT’s logo on their shirts.


The Scottish sides complete in the RaboDirect Pro12 and Heineken Cup, competitions which are to be screened live next year by Sky.


The announcement of the deal follows an Ofcom ruling last month which rejected BT’s complaints over Sky’s refusal to promote its new rivals on its own channels.


BT will launch three channels later this week, broadcasting live football from the Barclays Premier League in England and Scotland’s newly-formed Scottish Premiership.


Its rugby content includes Aviva Premiership matches and France’s Top 14 – but it will not screen games involving the two sides it has just signed up to sponsor.


However, Marc Watson, chief executive of TV for BT Retail, claims that could change in future.


When asked if the deal with Edinburgh and Glasgow was a ploy to get around Sky’s ban, he said: “When you are looking at a sponsorship arrangement, one of the things you look at is who is going to see your logo, your brand. The audience that follows Scottish rugby is an important audience for us to reach.


“The RaboDirect (PRO12) will be covered by Sky and other broadcasters too in the next few years and that broadcaster exposure is one of the elements – but not the only one – in what is quite a broad deal with Scottish Rugby.


“We launch three channels later this week and it’s a major strategic objective of the company to establish those channels and to make them a success. As we are launching those channels into the marketplace it seems an obvious thing to use this deal to help promote those channels.


“This is a sponsorship deal, not a broadcasting deal. We will look in the future at all opportunities to broadcast sports as they come up and if an opportunity comes up to broadcast (the Scottish) rugby teams then of course we will look at it.


“For the rugby fan, we believe we (already) have a lot that is attractive and that is appealing.”


Mark Dodson, chief executive of the Scottish Rugby Union – which owns both Edinburgh and Glasgow – hinted the deal would see extra money be made available to strengthen both squads.


He said: “This is the most lucrative shirt sponsorship deal we have ever signed – by some margin. It dwarfs any deal we have signed in the past.


“We will always be looking for the best players possible. If that means the player budget rises as a consequence, that is what will happen.


“I’ve given both coaches (Gregor Townsend and Stevie Scott) the reassurance that if there is a top-class player out there that they want, who wants to come to Scotland, we will fund it.”



Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh Rugby sign four-year sponsorship deal with ...

Every game a cup final for Crusaders now

North Wales Crusaders fell to their second defeat of the league campaign at the hands of their biggest promotion rivals.


The Wrexham-based side are still in the driving seat with two games in hand, but defeat, and the fact that they failed to pick up a bonus point, means the remaining five league fixtures are all cup finals.


Oldham led 18-4 at the break after a dominant first-half display and, despite a fightback from Crusaders in the opening stages of the second half which saw them pile on the pressure, the Championship One saw the game through with two tries in the final 10 minutes.


The hosts opened the scoring when Hobson sent over Kenny Hughes after collecting Lewis Palfrey’s high bomb to the corner.


Crusaders hit back and forced several drop-outs, and the pressure told eventually; Reardon broke the line on the right and palmed the ball back to Moulsdale to put Birkett in at the corner.


However, two quick and almost identical tries swung the tie right back in Oldham’s favour – Palfrey twice sent the ball high to the right corner, and on both occasions the dual-registered Jon Ford did well to leap high to score.


Crusaders were then penalised for offside on the 40-metre line – and Palfrey took full advantage to slot over an extra two points.


It looked to have got worse for Crusaders when Mo Agoro dived in at the corner after Rob Massam had knocked on, but referee Dave Merrick brought it back for a forward pass.


And that looked as if it could be a game-changing moment, as North Wales went up the other end and scored through Jono Smith.


Dan Birkett crossed over in the right corner soon after following good work from Smith and Bannister, but his effort was also ruled out for a forward pass in the build-up.


Birkett was out of luck and after another move down the right edge with Bannister, he was bundled into touch by the covering Oldham defence.


And they were made to pay for those missed opportunities as Oldham scored two late tries to put the game out of reach.


Firstly, Sam Gee slipped the ball to Jon Ford to reach out and score his hat-trick and then Ford turned provider as he sent Agoro over on the overlap.



Every game a cup final for Crusaders now

Rugby mourns "devastating" loss of mastermind behind cup win

The chief executive of Leeds Rhinos has led tributes to the rugby league club’s former coach Graham Murray, who died in hospital in Australia yesterday, aged 58.



Murray masterminded the Super League side’s last Challenge Cup victory, when they beat London Broncos by a record 52-16 at the old Wembley in May, 1999.


The previous year Rhinos finished second to Wigan Warriors in the Super League table and were beaten by the same opponents in the inaugural Grand Final.


Gary Hetherington, who appointed Murray as Leeds coach after he led Hunter Mariners to the World Club Championship final in 1997, described news of his death as “devastating”.


The Leeds chief added: “He will be fondly remembered by all our fans, players and staff who knew him from his time with us.


“He was very popular and so professional in everything he did. He was an outstanding coach and mentor and he knew about all aspects of rugby league.


“The game has lost a great servant and personality and our thoughts are with his wife Amanda and his daughter Kara.”


Born in Sydney, Murray played as a scrum-half for Parramatta and South Sydney before beginning his coaching career in charge of the reserves at Penrith and then Balmain.


He was head coach of Illawarra Steelers from 1991-1995, but was sacked for siding with Super League in the dispute which split the Australian game in two.


After his two years at Leeds Murray returned to Australia, where he coached both Sydney City Roosters and North Queensland Cowboys to Grand Final appearances.


He suffered a heart attack in March and was admitted to hospital in Brisbane following a second cardiac arrest earlier this month.


The decision was taken to switch off his life support machine yesterday morning and he died several hours later.


Leeds will wear black armbands in Murray’s memory when they play London Broncos at Twickenham Stoop on Thursday.


Castleford Tigers’ coach Daryl Powell was a member of Leeds’ 1999 Wembley team.


Powell said: “I am gutted that such a great man has passed away. I thought he was incredible as a coach and as a man as well.


“Wherever he went you could see players enjoyed his personality and the way he dealt with things, not just about the game, but about life.”



Rugby mourns "devastating" loss of mastermind behind cup win