Monday 30 September 2013

She has a type then! Kelly Brook exchanges phone numbers with rugby star ...

<!–



By

Daily Mail Reporter




14:10, 30 September 2013




|


14:59, 30 September 2013



It seems Kelly Brook is onto rugby player number of three.


The actress was seen exchanging numbers with England and London Wasps star James Haskell, 28, at last ­weekend’s Boodles Boxing Ball.


But according to onlookers, James was hoping for more than just her digits, but a goodnight kiss too.


However, Kelly, 33, wasn’t and she pulled away before he could plant a wet one on her, however, afterwards she gave him her number so the rugby player’s pride wasn’t hurt too much.


Rugby player no. 3: Kelly Brook swaps numbers with London Wasp player James Haskell


Rugby player no. 3: Kelly Brook swaps numbers with London Wasp player James Haskell



The two were attending the Ball at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel where they were joined by Katherine Jenkins, as well as some more royal guests in the form of Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice and Eugenie, and their other halves.


According to the Daily Mirror, a source said of Kelly: ‘The pair of them have spoken several times this week.


‘The plan now is for some discreet dates. It’s early days, but she thinks he’s really handsome. She thinks it’s slightly ironic that he’s another rugby player.’


Her type: The actress has dated rugby players Danny Cipriani and Thom Evans back to back


Her type: The actress has dated rugby players Danny Cipriani and Thom Evans back to back


Going in for the kill: James tried to plant a wet one on Brook but onlooker said she rebuffed his advances


Going in for the kill: James tried to plant a wet one on Brook but onlooker said she rebuffed his advances




But on Sunday, the Celebrity Juice tweeted: ‘I’m trying to have some dignity in light of recent events and focusing on myself. All these dating rumours are Lies and Fictitious nonsense.’


Kelly had been humiliated by Sale Sharks player Danny Cipriani after she discovered he was cheating on her by finding rude messages on his phone.


She rekindled her romance with Danny after splitting from Thom Evans, 28, who she was with for two-years and was going to have a child with until she sadly miscarried.


Getting along: The two seemed to enjoy each other


Getting along: The two seemed to enjoy each other’s company at the Boodles Boxing Ball



What to believe: Kelly took to Twitter to dispel claims about dating on Snuday


What to believe: Kelly took to Twitter to dispel claims about dating on Snuday


  








Jacques Azagury lace gown


Kelly’s princess dress




Buy now


He designed and made dresses for the late Princess Diana, so when you’re in a Jacques Azagury gown, you end up beaming a smile just like Kelly Brook is here. They are made for red carpet royalty.


Kelly knows a thing or two about red carpet dressing. She’s one star who really goes all out when making an entrance at a celeb-filled event. Always opting for a long, slinky, figure hugging dress, Kelly knows how to dress for those killer curves.


And if you think you recognize this gown, you’d be right. It’s the exact same one that Sarah Harding wore earlier this year, in February, for a film premiere! Sharing dresses now? We didn’t even know they were friends!


Earlier today we saw Kelly tweeting Azagury: “@jacques_azagury thank you so much for my beautiful dress!! Xxxx”. It really is beautiful. Featuring a gorgeous black and gold shimmer, Kelly accessorizes perfectly with a simple gold clutch.


Oh, and we have to say we prefer it on Kelly. It hugs her in all the right places.






<!–


Interestingly enough, Danny, Thom and James have all at one point played for the London Wasps, giving them two things in common.


Hopefully the subject of her exes didn’t come up during her chat with Haskell, but she enjoyed the rest of her night with another Wasp, retired rugby player Adam Bidwell and his ex-girlfriend Katherine Jenkins.


Brook wore a floor-length black lace dress by Jacques Azagury as she watched her friend Adam take part in the charity boxing match.


She tweeted before the event: ‘Good Luck to my friend @biddersiam taking part tonight in @BoodlesBoxing comp. A Fun night for a great cause @Starlightmagic’.


Playing the field: Kelly split from her cheating ex Danny after finding sordid texts on his phone


Playing the field: Kelly split from her cheating ex Danny after finding sordid texts on his phone










Comments (69)


Share what you think



The comments below have been moderated in advance.




Tickitiboo,


Plymouth,


8 hours ago


I played rugby for the school team, was almost 40 yrs ago but would she be interested:)




Fashion Police,


London,


8 hours ago


The colour of that dress is horrible.




whatacroc,


London,


8 hours ago


Stop calling her an actress……




Mick from yorkshire,


Hull, United Kingdom,


8 hours ago


I used to play rugby kelly but it was 30 years ago, am I in with a chance ?? Lol




cinnamon,


Anywhere In The Planet,


9 hours ago


she is single, she can do whatever she wants.




Your_opinion,


B’ham,


9 hours ago


Rugby men are hot , I don’t blame her!!




FrannyAdams,


Surrey, United Kingdom,


9 hours ago


He looks like the incredible hulk just before he loses his temper and his tight shirt rips open




Lall,


Chester le Street, UK,


9 hours ago


Kelly Brook = Boring.




Sue – Ben 1 England,


NORTHOLT, United Kingdom,


9 hours ago


No exchange of numbers there, looks like she is looking at something on his phone. She probably knows him and just chatting to a friend, after all she is allowed too!!!




mystic,


aberdeen,


9 hours ago


She’s got good taste rugby players are real men yummy..



The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.



Who is this week’s top commenter?

Find out now


Article source: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/rugby-accies-derby-distress-against-heriot-s-1-3117604


She has a type then! Kelly Brook exchanges phone numbers with rugby star ...

Ireland"s rugby team tops Canada 40-14 in Test match at BMO Field

TORONTO – Two Canadian rugby records were rewritten Saturday night at BMO Field.


But the lustre of the accomplishments was lost amid Canada’s disappointing 40-14 loss to Ireland in a Test match against a side that proved far too dominant.


Record No. 1 saw James Pritchard become the all-time leading scorer for Canada, in front of record No. 2: the fans. The game drew a crowd of 20,396, the largest ever for a rugby game in this country.


Both Pritchard and the Canadian fans, however, walked away disappointed.


“It was nice that it happened, to get it out of the way,” Pritchard said of the record. “But this whole week has been concentrating on winning the game of rugby. That comes first for me. It’s a disappointing way to get that record, when we put a disappointing performance out on the field.”


The Australian-born Pritchard, who was making his 49th appearance for Canada, came into the game needing just seven points to overtake former captain Gareth Rees’ national record of 491 points. He scored nine with his boot, all of them in the first half.


Tyler Ardron scored the lone try for a 13th-ranked Canadian team that remains without a victory against No. 8 Ireland.


“We’re very disappointed,” said Canadian coach Kieran Crowley. “We had a couple of things we wanted to play but we couldn’t do it under the pressure they put us on.


“But as far as the guys, they dug deep. In today’s game, you can get beaten with a score like that, but there wasn’t a helluva lot in it. They were obviously too dominant for us, because we never looked like scoring again after we scored that try.”


Ireland — which won despite having lost 11 of its top players to the British Irish Lions — got three tries from Fergus McFadden, plus one apiece from Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave and Tommy O’Donnell.


Ian Madigan had six points on converts, while Paddy Jackson added four for Ireland, which against Canada is 5-0-1.


Despite the loss, the Canadian players raved about the fans, most of whom were dressed in the red and black of Canada, but a good chunk also clad in Irish green.


“We’ve never come across a crowd like this in Canada,” Pritchard said. “The boys were excited to get out there and play, and if you had gone into that dressing room today, you would have seen how disappointed everyone is, because we wanted to put on a good performance. Everyone in there felt we let the 20,000-plus people down out there tonight.”


As is their routine, the tight-knit Canadian team walked off the field after warmup as a unit, one man’s hand on the next man’s shoulder. They stood arm in arm swaying to the national anthem. After the final whistle, they jogged around the pitch saluting the fans.


The Canadians were coming off a victory last week over No. 12 Tonga. They’d also recently beaten No. 14 Fiji and the United States.


Canada held its own for the first half Saturday as the Irish led just 12-9 at halftime.


Ardron muscled in for Canada’s try off a ruck six minutes into the second half to give the Canadians a 14-12 lead, but it would be short-lived. Cave’s sprint from about 40 metres straight down the middle was the first of three tries the visitors would score in much the same fashion.


“We were out to win that game, that’s what I told the boys,” Canada’s captain Aaron Carpenter said. “We’re tired of being second-fiddle and coming close and being happy with coming close. We want to win, and that’s what we went out to do today.”


Canada has tied Ireland once — 27-27 in Markham, Ont., in 2000. Ireland won 25-6 in Vancouver in 2009, the last time they met.


The fans didn’t even see Ireland’s best Sunday. The 11 missing were with the Lions, who are currently on tour in Australia. Those 11 have a combined 528 caps and 834 points. Six Irish players earned their first caps Saturday.


“I’m thrilled for the guys,” said Irish coach Les Kiss. “Three weeks ago we got together and put a plan together, the way the guys went about their business right through the back end was fantastic, and for Fergus to knock down in injury time to give himself three tries epitomized what we’re about.”


Saturday’s Ireland starting 15 had a combined cap count of 191, in contrast the Canadian starters have 292 combined caps. But the entire Ireland squad is filled by professional teams, while only seven of Canada’s starting 15 play professionally.


NOTES: The Canadians leave Sunday for Japan and their Pacific Nations Cup finale on Wednesday in Nagoya. … Trimble earned his 50th cap for Ireland. … The game was the third Canada has played at BMO Field. The Canadians will host the U.S. in a World Cup qualifier on Aug. 24. … Both Canada’s women’s rugby team and women’s field hockey team attended the game.


Article source: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/rugby-accies-derby-distress-against-heriot-s-1-3117604


Ireland"s rugby team tops Canada 40-14 in Test match at BMO Field

Lee Briers can grab glory at last for Warrington

This could be the last chance the Wolves’ old master Lee Briers has to savour Grand Final glory.


And the veteran stand-off will be vital to his team in calming things down in what should be a full-blooded contest with a Wigan side who fully deserve to be at Old Trafford after the impressive way they broke Leeds’ grip on the trophy on Friday night.


The game needs a high-quality finale after the Wembley Challenge Cup flop in August and I don’t think they will let us down. These are the two best teams in Super League so it’s a dream match and both sides have much more to offer than they showed in the semi-finals.


The Wolves lost to Leeds in last year’s Grand Final because they became frustrated by the Rhinos’ defensive strengths and organisation. If they try to blow Wigan away in the first 20 minutes they could come unstuck again.


They have to be patient and that’s where Briers, 35, comes in.


His kicking game and organisation skills are vital components in a Warrington side that is the most balanced in the competition.


I just feel the Wolves have that extra bit of quality in the backs which will get them over the line on Saturday.


On top of that they have a big threat round the rucks through hookers Mickey Higham and Michael Monaghan. Higham always gets the Wolves on the front foot with his running from dummy-half and when Michael Monaghan comes on to replace him, the Australian tends to dominate the game. Wigan have to be aware of that.


But if a very robust Wigan pack can get on top, scrum-half Matty Smith will have a big influence on the result.


Smith has been a stand-out for Wigan this season and has to be a shoo-in for England in the World Cup.


Wigan will have Sam Tomkins making his last appearance for the club before heading to the NRL and this is the perfect stage for the best broken-field runner in the game to bow out as the Warriors go for the Double.


Article source: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/rugby-accies-derby-distress-against-heriot-s-1-3117604


Lee Briers can grab glory at last for Warrington

Former rugby league star Sean Long accused of attacking disabled woman in ...

A disabled mother yesterday broke down in tears and told a court how former Great Britain rugby league star Sean Long throttled her unconscious in a row over money.


The ex-Man of Steel is accused of attacking Pamela Twist, 41, in her home as he tried to recover cash from her now-estranged husband, St Helens Magistrates Court heard.


Weeping in the witness box, Ms Twist described how Long screamed at her: “You stupid cripple. You stupid b*tch, you can’t do anything.”


The mother also explained how rugby superstar Long was convinced her former husband Paul had cash stashed in ‘safes’ and demanded access to them during the violent bust up in Rainford, Merseyside.


Ms Twist: “He put his hands round my neck. He was pressing two points on my throat. I began to black out.


“I remember my children, aged between four and 10, were banging on the conservatory window going ‘mum, mum, mum, mum!’


“I was terrified. It made me feel worthless. I could see the lights in front of my eyes.”


Ms Twist alleged an ‘over 6ft domineering’ accomplice was with Long who told her, while the former scrum-half was outside: “I can make people disappear.”


But Long, 37, denies the attack on May 17 last year ever took place.


His barrister Sean Joyce described the account as ‘fictitious’ and accused mother-of-five Ms Twist of fabricating the tale because she owed the now-retired rugby star thousands in rent money and left the plush detached home in Wigan trashed after moving out.


Giving evidence, Long told the court he was in a gym at the time of the alleged assault and could not strangle anyone as he had broken his finger.


He added: “I’m absolutely devastated someone has come out and saying I’m a woman beater.


“I don’t do that. I play rugby league. I’m a good servant to my club and I’m a dad.


“For someone to say that is pathetic and it gives me a clear name.”


But prosecutor Andrew Hodgson challenged Long: “In 1996 you assaulted a female and fractured her cheek.


“And in January, 2012, you received a caution for an offence of battery.


“You have used violence and you are prepared to use violence and on May 17 you took matters into your own hands and you assaulted Pamela Twist, didn’t you?”


“No,” replied Long.


Mr Joyce told the court Ms Twist had used the name of Claire Long, the rugby star’s ex-wife, to apply and buy still unpaid children’s presents and women’s clothing for Christmas from the online catalogue company Very.


Mr Joyce said: “Very systematically, you set about defrauding a catalogue company, not content with two refusals, you tried a third time with a different date of birth and a fourth time in the name of Claire Long cynically to obtain personal items for Christmas.”


He told Ms Twist: “It’s payback, isn’t it?”


Long, 37, famed in his playing days for his instantly-recognisable blond dreadlocks and the winner of three prestigious Lance Todd Trophies, denies a charge of common assault.


Article source: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/latest/rugby-accies-derby-distress-against-heriot-s-1-3117604


Former rugby league star Sean Long accused of attacking disabled woman in ...

Rugby: Accies derby distress against Heriot"s

Heriot’s won the Edinburgh derby with something to spare, scoring five tries and lifting themselves into second spot in the Premiership, a single point behind Melrose.



Heriot’s 30-17 Edinburgh Accies


Scorers: Heriot’s: Tries: Douglas, R Nimmo, Boisseau 2, Goudie. Con: Wilson. Pen: Wilson. Edinburgh Accies: Tries: Sole, Godsmark, Findlater. Con: Evans.


Not even a red card for hooker George Turner with more than 20 minutes of the game to go could knock the home team off their stride as they dispatched a disappointing Accies side in front of a crowd of 1,800 in the autumn sunshine.


Accies weren’t all bad. They showed enough to justify their league position, although they have now slipped out of the top four and been overtaken by Ayr, but they squandered a lot of good possession and couldn’t match the clinical finishing of the home side.


“That is the best we have played all season,” Heriot’s coach Phil Smith said. “I thought we were outstanding. Five tries and control over large parts of the game. We have been building to this week after week. The first half-hour we were superb and I don’t think anybody would have stopped us today.”


Last week against their other city neighbours Currie, it was the Heriot’s front row who claimed a try each. This week it was the turn of the locks to do the double. Murray Douglas went over in the left corner after ten minutes and Russell Nimmo squeezed into the other corner on the stroke of half-time. In between, scrum-half Graham Wilson kicked a lone penalty and winger Harry Boisseau got another try at the end of a sweeping move that travelled the width of the pitch.


Both sides tended to make a mess of their place kicking despite near-perfect conditions; only two of the eight tries were converted and one of five penalty attempts was successful.


The first 30 minutes was a non-stop Heriot’s attack, phase after phase, with the pack dominant and No 8 Jason Hill relishing the chance to display his talents and outshine his back row opposite number, Edinburgh professional Hamish Watson, with an impressive man-of-the-match performance.


It took Accies that length of time to get off the back foot and into the home side’s 22. Once there, they were twice held up as they forced their way over the line before full-back Jamie Sole found enough space to go in for their first try.


Heriot’s gradually regained control and closed out the half with Nimmo’s try and were soon back in the groove in the second 40 with Boisseau ghosting through the Accies defence for a fourth try that brought with it the bonus point.


Tempers frayed at the restart and a multiple-player stramash well away from the ball didn’t look too serious at first but, after consulting his touch judge and being told there had been a deliberate stamp, the referee shuffled his cards and went for red to confine Turner, an elite development player, to the sidelines for the duration.


It left Heriot’s with 14 men and 22 minutes to defend an 18-point lead. A bit of nervousness crept into the team when Nyle Godsmark finally went the distance on his wing and got his try for Accies. But Heriot’s settled their nerves when their forwards seized on a ball lost in contact and slipped it to the reliable speedster Colin Goudie, who outpaced everybody to run it in from 70 metres and put the game beyond the visitors.


Accies had the spirit and the energy to create one more converted try, lock Andrew Findlater getting the touchdown after a forward surge. It sealed a losing bonus point and another try would have doubled that, but it wasn’t going to happen with the clock running down.


Ultimately, Accies were well beaten and the final flourish was all too little and much too late to prevent Heriot’s waltzing away with the victory and the precious points.


“No complaints from me,” Accies coach Jonny Else said. “Heriot’s were the better team. They were clinical with the opportunities they created and made it hard for us to get the ball.


“Our first half performance wasn’t good enough. We were better in the second half but never really at the races.”



Heriot’s: L Steele; C Goudie, K Buchan, C Ferguson, H Boisseau; M Nimmo, G Wilson; C Owenson, K Bryce, S Mustard, M Douglas, R Nimmo, J Turley, A Henderson, J Hill. Replacements: G Turner, M McDonald, C Mulligan, OJ Brown, M Learmonth.


Edinburgh Accies: J Sole; N Godsmark, E Campbell, I Berthinussen, S Pequeur; A Blair, R Bonner; A Allan, M Liness, P Cringle, G Campbell, A Findlater, R Snape, N Aitken, H Watson. Replacements: D Morrison, S Strudwick, T Stuart, M Coupar, S Evans.


Referee: D Changleng.


Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10329528/Heineken-Cup-rebels-reject-last-ditch-talks-with-European-Rugby-Cup.html


Rugby: Accies derby distress against Heriot"s

Rugby: Melrose knock Gala off top spot

GEORGE Graham was livid. He argued with referee Peter Allan, blasted assistant Bob Nevins on numerous occasions and gave his side a right royal roasting at the final whistle for their failure to convert what would have been a match-winning try in a stunning denouement to this RBS Premiership encounter at the Greenyards.



Melrose 26-23 Gala


Scorers: Melrose: Tries: Pearce, Runciman. Pens: Helps 4. Cons: Helps 2. Gala: Tries: Speirs, Sutherland. Pens: Scott 3. Cons: Scott 2.


And then he was calm and composed as he spoke to the media, putting aside his disappointment at slipping off top spot to agree with the consolatory suggestion that the crowd of between 1,500 and 2,000 had been hugely entertained in a way that the supporters of the Edinburgh professional team would die for right now.


“Overall, I am disappointed,” said Graham, acknowledging that his side missed a chance to stretch their lead over an opponent who will strengthen when injured men Fraser Thomson, Calum Anderson and Andrew Nagle return.


“But we don’t want kicking contests because that doesn’t benefit players or attract people. I understand people saying that it’s not great watching the pro game at times, and I agree. But, as coaches, we don’t have the same pressures they do. At this level our job is to encourage players to learn the game and develop, and, for me and Scott [Nichol, backs coach], that means attacking with the ball and running from your own half.


“We want to win just the same every week and I’m disappointed for the boys because we could have won this one. They have to learn that, when they are there in the right area of the field in the late stages, they don’t need to panic and throw themselves at the try line. That’s our frustration but there was a great crowd here, some good rugby and definitely lots of effort and ambition.”


Melrose are playing with the same intent, and critics will point to turnovers and penalties conceded in their own half as reasons for booting the ball clear more often. But the errors were not born of misadventure, rather poor concentration and execution at key times. Keep the ambition is the message but improve the skills and focus.


From the first minute, the players matched the enticing sunny day, running ball from deep and looking for space. It was not always found.


The Melrose front row of Nicky Little, Nick Beavon and new Australian hooker Todd Pearce, along with Pete Eccles and No 8 Graeme Dodds, in particular, provided early leads but they were met head-on in crunching tackles by defenders.


Skipper Dodds and rejuvenated 39-year-old Tom Weir enjoyed a titanic battle, as did scrum-halves Bruce Colvine and George Graham, and it made for a see-saw opening spell. Four penalties shared by quality goal-kickers Joe Helps and Ewan Scott had the scores poised at 6-6 after the first quarter, and then the game took off.


New Melrose hooker Pearce, who just two weeks ago was facing Waratahs signing Tolu Latu in Australian club rugby’s Grand Final, made his mark with the game’s opening try in the 26th minute. Typical of the first half, Gala attacked with real conviction, but lacked a finish, and ’Rose responded, stretching their rivals with good phases of play and striking at their heart. Grant Runciman sniped under Opeta Palepoi and Pearce used his substantial frame to drive through bodies to score at the posts. Brain and brawn.


Two more Helps penalties, and a miss by Gala full-back Graeme Speirs while Scott was receiving treatment, had Melrose 16-6 ahead at the break but, from the restart, Scott carved open the ’Rose back line with a scintillating run and, with almost ambidextrous ability, off-loaded to Speirs, who scored in the right-hand corner.


Scott’s fine conversion cut the home lead to 16-13, and the legions of Gala supporters dancing in the sun on the far bank sensed a comeback. Runciman’s try and another Helps conversion cut short the celebrations, but Scott pinged over another penalty, Runciman was yellow-carded for playing the ball on the ground and, with the Gala forwards driving ’Rose off scrums, prop Rory Sutherland touched down after a fine maul off a charged-down kick.


Scott’s conversion sent the game into injury-time at 23-23. Melrose won the ball, and attacked, it fell loose and Gala’s Euan Dods pounced – turnover. Samoan powerhouse Palepoi took it into contact on halfway, but Melrose swarmed, wrestling for the ball, and Palepoi held it tight on the floor – penalty.


Up stepped Helps in the 82nd minute, and the former local footballer bulleted it towards the posts. The Greenyards fell silent as it came down, just over the crossbar; the flags rose and the ground erupted.


But the final whistle did not sound. The flame-haired Dods charged off again and the Maroons attacked left and then right. Wing Grant Sommerville birled his way through tackles to within a metre of the line. Melrose launched bodies at the ruck and a Gala player who attempted to leap over it, and the ball was lost by the Maroons.


Allan’s final whistle was met by jumping Melrose players and Gala men collapsing, exhausted, to the ground. If club rugby maintains this level of attraction, the trend towards increasing crowds can only continue.



Melrose: A Lockington; D Hoyland, B Hutchison, J Helps, A Dodds; R Mill, B Colvine; N Little, T Pearce, N Beavon, J Head, R Miller, P Eccles, G Runciman, G Dodds. Subs (all played): R Ferguson, A Walker, R Ovens, D Crawford, A Skeen.


Gala: G Speirs; G Sommerville, C Auld, E Scott, G Young; A McLean, G Graham; R Sutherland, R Anderson, E McQuillin, O Palepoi, C Borthwick, G Graham, S Cairns, T Weir. Subs (all used): C Mackintosh, O Atkins, E Dods, G Mein, C Russell.


Referee: P Allan.


Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10329528/Heineken-Cup-rebels-reject-last-ditch-talks-with-European-Rugby-Cup.html


Rugby: Melrose knock Gala off top spot

Hawick rugby player Greg Anderson sentenced for attack



A Hawick rugby player has been ordered to pay £2,500 in compensation to a man he admitted attacking in Galashiels.


Greg Anderson, 22, of Heronhill Bank, assaulted his victim to the danger of his life on Market Street in November last year.


The man suffered a fractured skull and has been left with scarring to his lip.


At Selkirk Sheriff Court, Anderson was also sentenced to a 12-month community payback order with 300 hours of unpaid work.


Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10329528/Heineken-Cup-rebels-reject-last-ditch-talks-with-European-Rugby-Cup.html


Hawick rugby player Greg Anderson sentenced for attack

RUGBY – A TALE OF TWO CITIES



Ruaridh Jackson kicks for goal


Why are Glasgow Warriors so good and Edinburgh so bad?

By Hamish Macdonell


THE stats speak for themselves: Glasgow – played four won four, top of the league, and selling out every home game. Edinburgh – played four, won one, bottom of the league, struggling with poor attendances, low morale and plummeting confidence.


Glasgow warriors logoGlasgow’s win on Friday night was impressive, not just because the team won again away from home but in the tries they scored: they were sharp, clinical and well delivered. But the Warriors management know they should have left Italy with a bonus point as well, having scored three tries in the first hour. Not only could they not score the crucial fourth in the final quarter but actually managed to concede two in the process, the first Glasgow have let in all season.


This is actually part of the reason behind Glasgow’s success. The team is built on terrifically tenacious defence. There are other reasons for Glasgow’s success too. Head coach Gregor Townsend has amassed a really competitive squad and he seems to rotate everything, including his choice of kicker, to keep all the players keen and not entirely sure if they are the number one choice in their position or not. But Townsend has done more than that too. Anyone coaching grassroots rugby in Scotland will know of the SRU’s key themes and, apparently, Townsend was behind this too, deciding what the core aims of rugby coaching should be (for instance placement of the ball after the tackle) and moving to get it inculcated right through rugby in Scotland from the minis up.


It is now clear that Townsend has a vision of how modern rugby should be played and Glasgow are doing it, and doing it well. It does involve solid defence but it also involves terrific work at the ruck, both in possession and in opposition.


A classic feature of Glasgow’s play for the last two seasons has been the team’s ability to really contest opposition ruck ball. Often this involves counter rucking, hard and fast, to sweep the opposition back and give them, at best, poor back-foot ball. Glasgow have a good combination of fiery, front-foot forwards, like Josh Strauss and Rob Harley and speedy backs like DTH Van der Merwe and Stuart Hogg. But, if the victory on Friday can be attributed to the contribution of one man, it would be Sean Maitland.


Maitland doesn’t score nearly as many tries as other back three players but he has such fabulous control over the basic skills that he sets up so many. The two he set up on Friday exemplified this.


For the first, he took a terrific line outside the ten channel, not to get the ball from Ruaridh Jackson at fly half but to get the inside ball from Alex Dunbar at 12. His speed took him clear and, with just the full back to beat, many others would have backed themselves to get to the line but not Maitland, he just drew the fullback and put in an inch perfect pass to Byron McGuigan who scored.


For the second, again Maitland found himself through the line but this time he had two defenders in front of him so he put through a delightful grubber – while going at speed – which sat up nicely for McGuigan to score once again.


Maitland is a great addition to Glasgow’s squad and an example of how wisely Glasgow have invested in talent, far better, it must be said, than Edinburgh.


edinburgh rugby logoEdinburgh under Alan Solomons have decided to try to become solid, defensive and, it has to be said, boring. Being boring and winning is one thing but being boring and losing is quite another. Unfortunately, that is where Edinburgh are at the moment. The game plan seems to be: if you have the ball in your own half, kick it away and wait for the opposition to make a mistake. Then, only run it if you are in the opposition 22. Otherwise, rely on South African brute strength over guile. It might work in the long run but it sure isn’t working yet.


There have been times, and Friday’s night’s loss to the Scarlets showed this several times, when Edinburgh could have run the ball from their own 22. Indeed, they may well have had an overlap to exploit and certainly had the players to do it, but they kicked away the ball, possession and the attacking opportunity.


It’s always worth looking at how the best in the world do it. The All Blacks always play heads up rugby, knowing that an overlap in your own 22 can be just as effective as an overlap in your opponent’s 22: if it’s on, they take it. Glasgow have the confidence to do that: Edinburgh do not.


Edinburgh’s lack of options in the back line is becoming more than a concern: it is becoming the beginning of a crisis. Edinburgh’s lack of fly half options is made almost laughable by the embarrassment of riches that Glasgow have at ten and, instead of bringing in more and more bulky South African forwards, perhaps Solomans would be better employed scouring the world for a decent ten, preferably Scottish qualified.


So it really is a tale of two cities. Glasgow sit on top of the league and are playing very well indeed. Edinburgh are at the bottom and deserve to be there. It would so much better for Scottish rugby if both teams were competitive but that seems unlikely to happen soon. Maybe Edinburgh will improve when Matt Scott comes back at 12, Greig Laidlaw comes back at either nine or ten and Tim Visser is back at 11. But none of them will be able to exert the influence they have done in the past unless Edinburgh relax their rigid game plan.


It hasn’t worked so far and, if it doesn’t start working soon, they will have no option but to ditch it and try something else – and imitating Glasgow might not be a bad place to start.


Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10329528/Heineken-Cup-rebels-reject-last-ditch-talks-with-European-Rugby-Cup.html


RUGBY – A TALE OF TWO CITIES

World Cup: Scotland pick Australia-based quartet

Gold Coast Titans full-back Matt Russell is among six uncapped players named in Scotland’s 23-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup.


The Irvine-born 20-year-old is one of four players in the squad who play in Australia’s National Rugby League.


Brisbane Broncos scrum-half Peter Wallace, Gold Coast prop Luke Douglas and North Queensland Cowboys centre Kane Linnett are the others.


Bradford Bulls’ Danny Addy and Widnes’ Ben Kavanagh are the other new faces.


Scotland coach Steve McCormack


McCormack has suffered several withdrawals from his squad


Utility player Addy and prop Kavanagh are among 10 Super League players to be included in coach Steve McCormack’s squad.


Twin brothers Adam and Jonathan Walker, who play for Hull Kingston Rovers and Castleford Tigers respectively, make the final draft.


But Joe Wardle was forced to withdraw from selection because the Huddersfield Giants centre has to undergo shoulder surgery.


St Helens prop Alex Walmsley was also in line to make his Scotland debut before pulling out with a cracked rib.


McCormack had hoped to include two more from Australia’s top flight, but


Wests Tigers prop Keith Galloway and Newcastle Knights winger James McManus


were also ruled out through injury.


There are, however, three members of Sheffield Eagles’ victorious Championship-winning team in hooker Andrew Henderson, prop Mitchell Stringer and second rower Alex Szostak


Scotland will go into camp on 13 October to prepare for a warm-up game against Papua New Guinea and their opening World Cup clash with Tonga at Workington’s Derwent Park on Tuesday, 29 October.


Scotland squad


: Gareth Moore (Batley Bulldogs), Danny Addy (Bradford Bulls), Peter Wallace (Brisbane Broncos), Jonathan Walker (Castleford Tigers), Ian Henderson (Catalan Dragons), Ben Hellewell (Featherstone Rovers), David Scott (Featherstone Rovers), Luke Douglas (Gold Coast Titans), Matthew Russell (Gold Coast Titans), Sam Barlow (Halifax), Dale Ferguson (Huddersfield Giants), Danny Brough (Huddersfield Giants), Adam Walker (Hull Kingston Rovers), Ben Fisher (London Broncos), Alex Hurst (London Broncos), Kane Linnett (North Queensland Cowboys), Andrew Henderson (Sheffield Eagles), Mitch Stringer (Sheffield Eagles), Alex Szostak (Sheffield Eagles), Oliver Wilkes (Wakefield Wildcats), Ben Kavanagh (Widnes Vikings), Brett Carter (Workington Town), Brett Phillips (Workington Town).


Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10329528/Heineken-Cup-rebels-reject-last-ditch-talks-with-European-Rugby-Cup.html


World Cup: Scotland pick Australia-based quartet

Heineken Cup split provokes peace attempt by Welsh Rugby Union

The chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union, Roger Lewis, has said he would be prepared to meet the militant English and French clubs on neutral territory.


“The WRU is happy to meet any of our stakeholder partners any time, anywhere,” said Lewis at Monday’s launch of this season’s Heineken Cup in Cardiff, where the final will be staged in May. “We are prepared to meet today, tomorrow, whenever and I do believe we can find a way out of this.”


Premiership Rugby and Ligue Nationale de Rugby have not only served notice that they will pull out of the Heineken Cup at the end of the season but they have said they will have nothing more to do with European Rugby Cup Ltd. They have said in writing that they will not be attending the Dublin summit this month nor speaking to the independent mediator hired by ERC to break the impasse, Graeme Mew.


The clubs are organising their own European tournaments for next season, saying that club competitions should be run by clubs. The unions that make up the Six Nations have an inbuilt 9-3 majority on the board of ERC, which would be in financial peril without the French and English, and the issue of control is central to the breakdown in negotiations, along with the television contract extension agreed by ERC with Sky last year after the clubs had served notice and Premiership Rugby had signed a contract with BT which included cross-border matches.


Lewis, asked if the WRU and its colleagues in the RaboDirect Pro12 – the Scottish, Irish and Italian unions – would agree to relinquish control of European club rugby, replied: “First and foremost, we have to sort out the competition itself. The WRU is very happy at Rabo teams qualifying on merit and then we have to talk about the division of money, which we agree should be more equitable. We have to be sequential in this and let’s do those two things before anything else.”


On the question of whether the unions were committed to ERC unequivocally, he said: “I do not want to be drawn on whether future talks will have to be outside ERC because all of a sudden we are negotiating 15 things at once. If we have shared understanding and agreement we can move forward.


“We have to take one step at a time. I have always been conciliatory, not confrontational, in this because we all have to respect each other’s positions.”


Lewis was adamant that the contract with Sky had to be honoured, whereas Premiership Rugby insists it will play only in a European tournament to which BT has the rights. The Rugby Football Union has been trying to explore whether a potential way out would be shared television rights, but that would require the two companies, who have become fierce competitors in the world of sport this year, to renegotiate.


“We must not lose the plot in all this,” said Lewis. “What is at stake is a great rugby competition, a bridge between the club and international games which means we are all in this together: unions, clubs, provinces and regions. It is too good to lose and common sense has to prevail. The right people have to get round the table at the right time to discuss the right things.”


The ERC chief executive, Derek McGrath, made an impassioned defence of the governing body’s record, pointing out that the Rugby Champions Cup proposed by the English and French clubs was modelled on the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cups. But, in what is a political battle, he is like a civil servant who can only advise decision-makers.


Representatives from the four Welsh regions were at the launch anxious that the dispute is resolved so they can finalise their budgets for next season and make concrete offers to players who are coming out of contract, including this year’s Lions Leigh Halfpenny, Sam Warburton, Alun Wyn Jones, Adam Jones and Jonathan Davies.


“It is very frustrating,” said the Ospreys’ head coach, Steve Tandy. “We want to strengthen the squad as well as keep our top players but there are things we cannot control at the moment.”


Cardiff Blues are fighting to keep Halfpenny and Warburton, who have attracted interest from France, and their director of rugby, Phil Davies, said: “They are happy here and I am confident that if the circumstances are right we can keep them. It is vital that all this is settled quickly.”


Davies, the Wales centre who was chosen ahead of Brian O’Driscoll in the final Test between the Lions and Australia in June, is another target of Top 14 clubs. “I want to stay in Wales and we are talking,” said the Scarlets’ captain. “I just hope things can be sorted out in the next few months.”


Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10329528/Heineken-Cup-rebels-reject-last-ditch-talks-with-European-Rugby-Cup.html


Heineken Cup split provokes peace attempt by Welsh Rugby Union

VIDEO: Find out if these England stars could kick the ball over the O2... and ...


By

Martin Domin




18:56, 30 September 2013




|


18:56, 30 September 2013




With the autumn internationals just around the corner, three England stars took the chance to get in some valuable kicking practice.


But for Alex Corbisiero, Freddie Burns and David Strettle, this was no ordinary training exercise; the three players were tasked with clearing the 365 metre width of the O2 in London.


Burns lined up the kick from one side, Strettle

then placed himself at the highest point on the roof ready to catch the ball

and kick it on to a waiting Corbisiero, who was on the other side anticipating

where the ball was going to land.


VIDEO: Watch three England stars attempt to clear the O2



Up for the challenge: Alex Corbisiero, Freddie Burns and David Strettle attempted to clear the O2


Up for the challenge: Alex Corbisiero, Freddie Burns and David Strettle attempted to clear the O2



‘I don’t think many people out there would have a crack

at clearing The O2 with a rugby ball, but we’re not ones to be phased by any

challenge!” said prop Corbisiero.


‘With Freddie kicking things

off and Stretts taking the catch, we gave ourselves the best chance possible,

but you’ll need to watch the video to find out if we did it or not.’


England begin their autumn campaign against Fiji on November 10, before clashes with Australia, South Africa and New Zealand over the following three weeks.



For more exclusive content follow @O2sports











Comments (0)


Share what you think


No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts,

or debate this issue live on our message boards.



Who is this week’s top commenter?

Find out now


Article source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10329528/Heineken-Cup-rebels-reject-last-ditch-talks-with-European-Rugby-Cup.html


VIDEO: Find out if these England stars could kick the ball over the O2... and ...