Thursday 31 July 2014

Women"s Rugby World Cup 2014: England trio set for debuts

Prop Laura Keates, scrum-half Natasha Hunt and wing Lydia Thompson will make their World Cup debuts when England’s 2014 campaign gets under way on Friday.


They have been named in the starting line-up for the Women’s Rugby World Cup opener against Samoa, when captain Katy Mclean will also win her 70th cap.


England’s campaign kicks off at 17:00 BST in Marcoussis, France.


Head coach Gary Street said: “Samoa will be difficult opposition. We are expecting a tough battle.”


He added: “We have named a strong squad with 15 players having World Cup experience under their belts already. That is going to give us a good mental edge for the start of the campaign.


“We have been in camp for a long time and we have done all we can. Now we are looking forward to getting on the pitch and hearing that first whistle blow.”


Street’s side finished second at the 2010 World Cup.


England Women’s team to face Samoa:


15 Danielle Waterman (Bristol), 14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester), 13 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield), 12 Rachael Burford (Thurrock), 11 Lydia Thompson (Worcester), 10 Katy Mclean (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 9 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield); 1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester), 2 Emma Croker (Richmond), 3 Laura Keates (Worcester), 4 Joanna McGilchrist (Wasps), 5 Tamara Taylor (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks), 6 Heather Fisher (Worcester), 7 Margaret Alphonsi (Saracens), 8 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield).


Replacements:


16 Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield), 17 Claire Purdy (Wasps), 18 Rebecca Essex (Richmond), 19 Marlie Packer (Wasps), 20 La Toya Mason (Wasps), 21 Ceri Large (Worcester), 22 Kay Wilson (Bristol)


Article source: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/kilcoyne-aims-to-move-up-the-pecking-order-1.1415742


Women"s Rugby World Cup 2014: England trio set for debuts

Saracens coach introduces rugby to Brazil ahead of Rio 2016 Olympics



Nick Gourlay (right) introduces Brazilian youngsters to tag rugby on the beach



By Ben Pearce

Thursday, July 31, 2014

10:54 AM



The FIFA World Cup has only just finished, but Brazil will be hosting another global sporting event in two years’ time – the 2016 Olympics.



Nick Gourlay (second from left) in Brazil


Rugby has been absent from the schedule since the 1924 Games in Paris, but it will return in Rio in the popular seven-a-side format – the first time that version of the sport will appear at the Olympics.


A Try Rugby project has consequently been established in Brazil, in a partnership between Premiership Rugby, The British Council and Brazil’s Social Services of Industry (SESI).


It has been running in the state of Sao Paolo since 2012, in Santa Catarina since 2013, and has recently expanded into the state of Minas Gerais.


There are over 14,000 participants playing every week in Sao Paulo state, which has doubled the playing base in Brazil, and more than 54,000 young people and adults are now taking part in coaching sessions, workshops and competitions in Brazil.


Gourlay organises a training session


Saracens community coach Nick Gourlay has been involved with the extension into Minas Gerais, and has now spent five weeks in Brazil, based in the city of Uberlandia.


A former pupil at University College School in Hampstead, and a former UCS Old Boys player, he has been discovering the difficulties and rewards of introducing a new sport to a football-mad nation right after the World Cup.


“I thought that was going to be the biggest challenge before I arrived here, but actually it hasn’t been so bad – and in some cases it has been helpful,” Gourlay told HamHigh Sport.


“The World Cup here was one of the best ever and was a great success in Brazil, even if the national team crashed out in spectacular fashion at the end.


A group of Brazilians convert a football goal into rugby posts


“Brazil enjoyed being the centre of global attention and are already looking forward to the Olympics. With a lot of focus set to be on the re-introduction of rugby to the Games, people here in Brazil want to be a part of that story.


“In England I’ve often found a ‘rugby against football’ mentality but here everybody of all ages are fascinated by the new sport and the funny ball.


“There’s definitely interest in the sport. Although the 15-a-side code is very difficult to understand, we have been introducing people to the sport through tag rugby and sevens, which are far less difficult to pick up.


“Brazilians are very good natural athletes so the idea of running and beating defenders comes very easily to them and they thrive on it. Brazil is such a sporty nation that they are absolutely loving the new challenges and new experiences that rugby brings.”


Having studied Sport Science Geography at Loughborough University, Gourlay is well suited to his role.


“One half of my family comes from the Philippines and I have always been interested in how basketball brings communities together in the face of great poverty and hardship,” he said. “I have always wanted to help use rugby to bring the same benefits elsewhere.


“To me the project was everything I have looked to be involved in – developing rugby in an incredibly exciting country and using it to help better the lives of young people and communities.


“I’ve found it much easier getting girls involved in sport here in Brazil than I did back in England as there is a real culture of girls’ participation.


“It has also been very different to England in the fact that we start our sessions with little or no knowledge of what rugby is meant to look like in the first place.


“In England, before every session, everybody has a go at kicking and drop-goals, but out here everybody just tries to get their head around making the ball bounce back up into their hands.”


Gourlay’s biggest difficulty has been the language barrier – he did not speak any Portuguese when he got the job in May and has encountered very few English-speaking Brazilians.


However, there are longer-term issues ahead: “Development of rugby out here poses completely different challenges,” he said.


“One of the most important goals of the project is that everything we do is sustainable. We don’t want to leave and for everything to fall apart and stop, so educating people to coach, teach and referee is incredibly important in making sure that what we do and set up is not just temporary.


“Whereas the interest is definitely there, the size of the country and the lack of facilities makes setting up systems that are long-lasting incredibly hard.


“Equipment is not easy to come by, and every weekend the local team strap poles to the sides of a football goal to make the rugby posts. Sorting out equipment so that we have a good number of schools competing with each other and regularly participating in rugby will be a real challenge in the future.”





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    Saracens coach introduces rugby to Brazil ahead of Rio 2016 Olympics

    Form meets pedigree in blockbuster Super Rugby final




    SYDNEY (Reuters) – Form collides head on with pedigree when the New South Wales Waratahs bid for a first Super Rugby title against the seven-times champion Canterbury Crusaders in a blockbuster final at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday.




    The often rampant Waratahs ran away with the regular season standings this year having swept the board in all the offensive categories – carries, tries, metres, passes, breaks, offloads and most importantly, points.



    In fullback Israel Folau they have Super Rugby’s top try scorer and in their gritty semi-final victory over the ACT Brumbies last weekend, they proved their defence was from the top drawer too.



    On Saturday, in front of what is expected to be a Super Rugby record crowd in excess of 55,000, they come up against a Crusaders side who rode a poor start to the season and finished second before crushing the Sharks in their semi-final.



    “They’ve earned the right to be called number one but this is what the final is all about, two teams, first and second, are going to dog it out,” Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder told reporters with some relish on Thursday.



    In their 11th title-decider, history is resolutely on the side of the New Zealanders, who beat the Waratahs in both of their two previous finals in 2005 and 2008 and have not lost to the Sydney-based side for a decade.



    And even in a match where players without international caps will be the exception, the names of Crusaders stalwarts Richie McCaw, Dan Carter and Kieran Read – who have six IRB World Player of the Year awards between them – stand out.




    SET-PIECE BATTLE



    But winning things the hard way is exactly what Waratahs coach Michael Cheika, who has transformed the culture of the underperforming state side in his two years at the helm, always wanted.



    “We had to take on the highest seed in the final to really earn our stripes,” he said in the flush of the Brumbies victory.



    “It’s going to be really difficult, I think they’ve been in a million finals and we’ll be relative debutants. But there’ll be no lack of energy going into that final.”



    Cheika, who will be going for a special coaching double having led Leinster to their 2009 Heineken Cup triumph, has built a team brimming with confidence that has simply overwhelmed many sides with their attacking potency this year.



    Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley have been a revelation as a halfback partnership, while the quicksilver Kurtley Beale at inside centre has played a major role in helping Folau to his 12 tries.



    It is in the pack, though, that former number eight Cheika has made the biggest difference – revitalising big ball carrier Wycliff Palu, bringing in former Springbok lock Jacques Potgieter and developing young second-rower Will Skelton.



    For all the second row muscle, though, the Waratahs have reached the final despite a malfunctioning line-out – a flaw that will not have gone unnoticed by a Crusaders side that prides itself on set-piece efficiency.



    The Crusaders have no shortage of attacking options in their backline either with the likes of All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg and bullocking Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo, whose own try tally is just one short of Folau’s.



    And for all their fine pedigree, that 2008 victory over the Waratahs in Christchurch was their last Super Rugby triumph.



    Ominously for the home side, one word came up time and again when the Crusaders spoke to the media this week – hunger.




    (Editing by John O’Brien)




    Form meets pedigree in blockbuster Super Rugby final

    Mark Smith: Olympic loophole set to cause rugby eligibility scramble

    Rugby’s international eligibility regulations have long been a laughing stock, but are sinking to new lows thanks to the Olympic Games.


    The upshot of rugby sevens’ introduction into the Olympic family in Rio 2016 is that players capped by one country can now represent another, and they are already queuing up to do it.


    As things stood up until this new loophole was revealed, any player capped by a country at full international, B international or international sevens level could not go on to represent another nation.


    For example Scott Wilson’s appearance for England Saxons earlier this year meant Scotland’s advances for the Melrose-born Newcastle Falcons man were at an end – but in theory he could now change his mind and don the thistle rather than the rose.


    Flimsy residency criteria have long meant players can turn out for any country after just three years of living there, and no nation can claim the moral high ground because everybody has been at it.


    Once you had picked your horse you were locked in for life. Not any more.


    So long as you hold a passport for the country you want to play for and have not played international rugby for 18 months, it does not matter if you have already represented another nation.


    You can play for your new country in the Olympic Sevens, and from there you can carry on representing that nation in any form of the game.


    That means Toulon’s Steffon Armitage could turn out for France despite having been capped five times by England, New Zealand’s Joe Rokocoko could play for Fiji despite having 68 All Black tests and George Smith could play for Tonga even after making 111 appearances for Australia.


    To qualify they have to apply to the International Rugby Board, and turn out for their ‘new’ country during the 2014-15 IRB Sevens Series.


    The IRB could be forgiven for being uncomfortable with the laxity of the new regulations, but they have no say in the matter given their long-running campaign to get Olympic recognition for rugby sevens.


    That particular battle has finally been won, but at what cost?


    The IRB have essentially had to dance to the International Olympic Committee’s tune when it comes to eligibility – a perennial minefield which arouses strong emotions on both sides of the debate.


    Chief beneficiaries of rugby’s Olympic loophole appear to be the Pacific islands, which have long been ripe for the picking by New Zealand and Australia. Once capped by the Antipodean superpowers those players were unable to turn back and represent their homelands, and you can hardly criticise Samoa for jumping at the chance to field Sonny Bill Williams or Isa Toeava.


    The upshot of it all is that international eligibility is about as clear as mud, and the days of players representing multiple nations are here again.


    The success of sevens at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow showed how the sport can shine at a major multi-sport gathering, but weekends like that come with serious strings attached now.



    Mark Smith: Olympic loophole set to cause rugby eligibility scramble

    Scotland"s rugby sevens side keep medal hopes alive after Canada win sees ...


    • Home crowd roared Scots to victory after opening defeat to NZ

    • They are two wins away from Scotland’s first ever sevens medal

    • Scots progress after Barbados win and decisive 21-5 victory over Canada

    • Sean Lamont believes Ibrox crowd will give them a boost

    • Scotland face South Africa in Sunday’s quarter final

    • They could face England in a potential home nations semi final


    By

    Rob Robertson



    France v Wales

    Wales captain Rachel Taylor says her side can upset hosts France in their opening game of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014.


    France thrashed


    Wales 27-0


    in the Six Nations in February, but Taylor does not think that will have any bearing on the match.


    Continue reading the main story




    “I’ve played for a couple of years now and I genuinely believe that Friday night will be the highlight of my career”



    Rachel Taylor
    Wales Women rugby captain


    “We can really mix it with the best when we perform really well,” said Taylor.


    “If we can do that on Friday it will put us in such a good position.”


    Wales also face Australia and South Africa in Pool C.


    They finished ninth in the 2010 tournament in England.


    Aside from the France match itself Taylor, 31, is looking forward to event.


    “Obviously the match itself will be a massive spectacle for the women’s game as a whole,” said Taylor.


    “I’ve played for a couple of years now and I genuinely believe that Friday night will be the highlight of my career.


    “Especially in terms of the numbers of people watching and the importance behind it and hopefully the event it will be as a whole.


    “On the day of the game you don’t really focus on anything like that.


    “So hopefully once it’s done and dusted and we’ve performed well, we can look back on it and really reflect and enjoy that moment.”


    France Women have always attracted large, vociferous crowds but the Welsh will be guaranteed at least some support on Friday.


    “My mam and dad are driving down and are going to make a bit of a holiday of it,” said Taylor.


    “Quite a few of the girls have got a few people coming to watch so we’ll have a few supporters there.”


    Taylor, from Llandudno, said the fact that Wales and France play each other every year in the Six Nations is help rather than a hindrance.


    “We’ll know what to expect so as long as we do our homework right we can perform well.”



    France v Wales

    Watch England rugby star James Haskell take on the ultimate opponent

    Did you know over two-thirds of people who died around the UK coast over the past four years are male? On average, 160 people drown around the UK coast each year. That’s more than those killed in cycling accidents.


    And the problem isn’t just adrenaline sports or being out in stormy seas; the majority of deaths happen when people are near the shore, doing seemingly everyday activities like swimming or walking.


    To highlight this issue, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) along with England and Wasps rugby star James Haskell has launched the Respect the Water campaign. It kicked off in Brighton on Thursday 24th July with Haskell taking on a 250kg water-filled punch bag seeing how long he could last battling against water, the opponent who will never tire. Even if you’re as strong and fit as James, you’re no match for the water so never underestimate the power of the sea. 


    Check out footage of James taking on the opponent that will never tire.



    Watch England rugby star James Haskell take on the ultimate opponent


    The punch bag has already visited Brighton and will also be on location at Boardmasters festival in Newquay (6th -10th August) and the Blackpool Illuminations(28th-31st August). 


    The campaign aims to build awareness of coastal risks and encourages people to stay safe around the coast this summer by doing simple things like swimming at a lifeguarded beach, and not drinking before getting in the water.


    Want to know more? Do you know how much a cubic metre of water weighs? How about the amount of sea water it takes for you to start drowning, or the effect cold water shock has on your body?


    For all the facts click here 




    Watch England rugby star James Haskell take on the ultimate opponent

    "Wikipedia sex opera" finds star turn in girlfriend of England Rugby captain ...

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    "Wikipedia sex opera" finds star turn in girlfriend of England Rugby captain ...

    Women"s Rugby World Cup 2014: England fired up by final failures

    England will use the pain of successive Women’s Rugby World Cup final defeats to spur them to victory in the 2014 tournament, says hooker Emma Croker.


    Croker, who had a baby after their 2010 defeat by New Zealand, is one of 16 in the squad back for another title tilt.


    “It spurs you on in those deep, darkest moments, thinking ‘we are going there to win that World Cup this summer’”, Croker, 31, told BBC Sport.


    England face Samoa on Friday, the opening day of the World Cup in France.


    Eleven of England’s starting side from


    the 2010 final defeat


    are among the current 26-strong squad, while five players – Maggie Alphonsi, Rachel Burford, Tamara Taylor, Danielle Waterman and Rochelle Clark – hope it will be third time lucky after also playing in 2006, the second of three successive World Cup final defeats by New Zealand.


    Wales also start their campaign on Friday – against hosts France – while Ireland tackle the United States and the defending champions face Kazakhstan.




    England mum Emma Croker says her daughter Lucy will be there to support her at every game as she aims for World Cup glory in France this summer


    Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.






    England mum aims for World Cup glory




    Chelmsford-born Croker played in every game of the 2010 tournament, but decided to take a break from the sport afterwards to start a family with husband James.


    Then 27, the Richmond hooker wanted to return to action as soon as possible, but the birth of her daughter Lucy did not go according to plan.


    “Up to seven months I was fine, although frustrated because I couldn’t play any rugby,” she said.


    “But then I started to put on a bit of fluid and found out I was


    pre-eclampsic 


    [a potentially serious complication in pregnancy]. I got rushed in and had an emergency C-section.


    “Lucy was three weeks early. Obviously it wasn’t ideal for my rugby, but to be honest, at that moment I just wanted my baby to be OK.


    “The moment they give you your daughter and she is healthy and you hear her cry, is just the most amazing moment ever.”


    England hooker Emma Croker walks onto the field with daughter Lucy ahead of this year


    Croker’s daughter Lucy accompanied her on to the pitch when she won her 50th cap


    As soon as she was cleared to resume training, Emma threw herself back into rugby and, four months later, was back playing for her club Richmond. A month after that, she was in the England side selected for the European Championships.


    “One day I was pregnant,” she said, “the next I’m on the field. I think being a mum makes you more focused. I used to think I trained 110% but I know now that I didn’t. Now I am much more intense because every minute in the gym is time away from Lucy.”


    Her daughter joined her on the pitch when she won her 50th cap against Wales in this year’s Six Nations Championship.


    “To win 50 caps for your country is something you dream of as a little girl,” Croker said. “But to be able to do it in front of your home crowd, with all your friends and family there, and to run out with my daughter, was just amazing. She did so well – she’s only little, and she made it all the way across the pitch.”


    Daughter Lucy will be England’s mini mascot in Paris.


    Croker added: “My mum and husband are coming out to watch the whole tournament and Lucy will be with them. She will be at every match. She has her own ticket and her England kit – she is ready to go.”



    Women"s Rugby World Cup 2014: England fired up by final failures

    Keith Wood among three Irish rugby greats to join IRB Hall of Fame

    Keith Wood skittles George Gregan in the 2003 World Cup.




    IN A DEAL that makes gigantic sense, the International Rugby Hall of Fame and the IRB Hall of Fame have been merged.


    Both enterprises have run independently for a number of years but sense, and finances, have prevailed and all of rugby’s greats will now be immortalised under one roof. The international brand has been incorporated into the IRB model and, to mark the agreement, 37 rugby legends will join the ranks over the next year.


    Of the 37, many of whom are New Zealanders and Welshmen, are three former Irish captains. Fergus Slattery, Keith Wood and Tom Kiernan will be inducted to the hall of fame in the coming months. Between them, the men won 178 Test caps for Ireland and made 14 British Irish Lions Test appearances.


    Fergus Slattery 1971



    Flanker Fergus Slattery (right) in action for the 1971 Lions team that ended their tour of South Africa victorious and unbeaten.



    Source: Getty Images


    The trio will join the likes of Irish legends Willie John McBride, Tony O’Reilly and Jack Kyle. Other recent internationals that will be joining the greats include Sean Fitzpatrick, Joost van der Westhuizen, Grant Fox and Ieuan Evans.


    The induction ceremonies will also recognise ‘pioneers and greats from the women’s game and some of the great characters from the beginning of the 20th century’.


    Ireland go with the big guns for World Cup opener against USA


    Bowe out of Ireland driving seat and playing catch up on the wing











    Keith Wood among three Irish rugby greats to join IRB Hall of Fame

    Wednesday 30 July 2014

    Rugby - Spencer named Lions tour manager

    The Lions announced 66-year-old Spencer’s post on Wednesday, together with ex-Ireland wing Tom Grace being made chairman of the British and Irish Lions board in a role that sees him succeed Welshman Gerald Davies.


    Spencer will become the third English Lions tour manager in rugby union’s professional era, following Fran Cotton (South Africa 1997) and Bill Beaumont (New Zealand 2005).


    Yorkshireman Spencer won 14 England caps between 1969 and 1971, captaining his country on four occasions. He also toured New Zealand with the 1971 Lions.


    He has been Rugby Football Union representative on the Lions board since 2008, while he has also served on the Six Nations Council and with the International Rugby Board.


    “It is a huge privilege and honour to represent the Lions as tour manager, 46 years after I did so as a player,” he said.


    “My predecessor Andy Irvine did a fantastic job in Australia (2013), and I am looking forward to following in his footsteps.”


    The Lions’ 2-1 Test series triumph in Australia two years ago was their first since defeating then world champions South Africa in 1997.


    Their last New Zealand tour nine years ago, which was headed by England’s World Cup-winning supremo Sir Clive Woodward, produced a 3-0 Test series whitewash.


    Grace, meanwhile, toured South Africa with the 1974 Lions and won 25 caps for Ireland, eight as skipper.


    “It is an honour to be appointed chairman of the British and Irish Lions,” he said.


    “The Lions represent the core values of our sport, and I am grateful for the opportunity to represent them as chairman.


    “It is a privilege to take over from Gerald Davies, who has been a wonderful ambassador for the Lions as a player, tour manager and more recently as chairman.”




    Article source: http://en.ria.ru/sports/20130629/181950871/Scotland-Inflict-2nd-Rugby-Defeat-on-Hosts-Russia.html


    Rugby - Spencer named Lions tour manager

    Police release picture of Rugby shooting victim

    This is 23-year-old shooting victim Jordon Banton.


    Police have released this image of Mr Banton who was shot to death in Rugby on Friday.


    Earlier today detectives said two men had been arrested in Cardiff on suspicion of murdering the 23-year-old.


    The men, aged 28 and 34, and both from Rugby, remain in custody this morning.


    A total of six people have now been arrested after Mr Banton was shot in the head in a car in the village of Newton on Friday morning.


    Magistrates yesterday gave detectives more time to quiz a 19-year-old man on suspicion of murder, while two men in their 30s arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder have been bailed.


    Meanwhile a woman who was arrested as part of the enquiry has been released without charge.


    Supt Adrian McGee, of Warwickshire Police, who is leading the murder enquiry, said: “I can confirm that two men were arrested in Cardiff on Monday on suspicion of murder as part of our investigation.“


    The two men are aged 28 and 34 and from Rugby and they remain in custody at this time.“


    ”Although six arrests have now been made as part of our investigation, we would still like to hear from anyone who may have information which could assist us.


    “We are very grateful to the local community for their help in sharing our appeals which have been vital in assisting the police in this complex investigation.”


    Anyone with any information can call Warwickshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.


    Click here to take you back to more Coventry news.


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    Article source: http://en.ria.ru/sports/20130629/181950871/Scotland-Inflict-2nd-Rugby-Defeat-on-Hosts-Russia.html


    Police release picture of Rugby shooting victim

    Is purple the new black? Ulster Rugby"s new home and away kits are revealed


    Franco van der Merwe, Louis Ludik and Tommy Bowe model the new Ulster Rugby kits. Pic Matt Mackey
    Franco van der Merwe, Louis Ludik and Tommy Bowe model the new Ulster Rugby kits. Pic Matt Mackey
    The new white home kit and the bright purple away kit which were launched today
    The new white home kit and the bright purple away kit which were launched today
    The newly unveiled Ulster home kit
    The newly unveiled Ulster home kit


    The new Ulster Rugby kit for the upcoming season has been unveiled.


    The home and away jerseys will be donned by legendary players and fans alike for the 2014/15 season.


    Designed by the Kukri team in Lisburn, the home jersey is made from Taloc fabric which is said to be lightweight but durable.


    It features the side’s traditional colours of white, red and black.


    But the Ulstermen will now be wearing an away jersey even musical genius Prince would be proud of.


    The purple top also incorporates Ulster red across the chest and collar.


    The new away jersey will be worn for the first time when the Ulstermen play Exeter Chiefs in a pre-season friendly match at Kingspan Stadium on August 22.



    Download the Belfast Telegraph iPad App



    Article source: http://en.ria.ru/sports/20130629/181950871/Scotland-Inflict-2nd-Rugby-Defeat-on-Hosts-Russia.html


    Is purple the new black? Ulster Rugby"s new home and away kits are revealed

    Welsh rugby player Ian Gough found guilty of attacking Dane Bowers" fiancee ...

    The 37-year-old had denied assault by beating and shook his head as the verdict was delivered at Croydon Crown Court on Tuesday.


    Sophia Cahill, 30, told the court he shoved her into the door of his VW campervan after arriving late to drop off their two-year-old son in January.


    The beauty queen said she was “shocked and upset” after the attack in Kingswood Way in South Croydon, London and called the police minutes later.


    When he arrived in the rain at 9.15pm, she went to get her son out of the van but claimed Gough pushed her against the door.


     “There were no obvious signs he was going to get out. It looked as if he was mocking me because I was standing out in the rain.


    “I opened the passenger door and Ian just stormed around the front of the van,” she told the court.


    “He got me by the shoulder and flung me and I went into the side of the door.”




    Sophia CahillSophia Cahill said she was attacked as she tried to take her son out of the van


    The beauty queen said her ex-boyfriend told her to “get away” as he attacked her but he claimed he did not shove her and that she had been verbally abusing him.


    She was injured in a car accident days before the attack and said it made her whiplash worse.


    Mr Bowers told the court he witnessed the incident from the window of their home.


    He said: “He grabbed Sophie (sic) and moved her away from the car. It was forceful enough that I wondered…I couldn’t hear what was said.


    “But in my eyes he had no reason or permission to grab her and move her out of the way.”




    Dane Bowers is engaged to Sophia Cahill


    Afterwards, he texted Gough saying: “Did you just lay your f****** hands on Sophie?”


    The pop star, who sang with boy band Another Level and garage act True Steppers, launched a solo career and has appeared on several television shows.


    He and Miss Cahill had got engaged just over a week before the attack


    Gough has made 64 appearances for the Wales rugby union team and currently plays for Newport Dragons.


    Writing on Twitter, he said he was “absolutely devastated” by the verdict and was considering “the next step to clear my name”.


    A is due to be sentenced at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 26 August.


    Additional reporting by PA


    Article source: http://en.ria.ru/sports/20130629/181950871/Scotland-Inflict-2nd-Rugby-Defeat-on-Hosts-Russia.html


    Welsh rugby player Ian Gough found guilty of attacking Dane Bowers" fiancee ...

    Rugby - Care: England can catch All Blacks

    Hopes of claiming only a third All Blacks scalp on Kiwi soil were dashed by a 3-0 series whitewash that concluded with a harrowing 36-13 rout in the final Test.


    It was an undeniable setback despite the fixture congestion that complicated team selection and England now have 12 months left to develop into a team capable of winning the World Cup.


    New Zealand, their main rivals for the Webb Ellis trophy, are the first visitors to Twickenham this autumn and Care is convinced they can be caught before the tournament opens in September 2015.


    “Results-wise the tour wasn’t successful. We lost three out of three games and that’s not good enough,” the Harlequins scrum-half said.


    “But we play them again in the autumn and we’re on the right track.


    “They’re where we’re aiming to get to and we have 12 games before the World Cup in which to get better.


    “The younger lads are getting more experienced and this is an incredibly exciting time for us.


    “In 12 months’ time we will not be far away from New Zealand.


    “This autumn we have four tough games that will give us a really good indication of where we’re at.”


    Care has won 48 caps since making his debut in 2008 but missed out on selection for New Zealand in 2011, a disappointment that adds extra importance to the looming World Cup year.


    “I’m unbelievably excited. I have waited a long time to be involved in a World Cup after sitting out the last one,” he said.


    “Hopefully I will be all right for this one. There’s a long time to go but it will go quite quickly and it’s massively exciting for us.”


    Care has made a full recovery from the shoulder injury that prevented him from playing in the third Test against New Zealand.


    “It’s fine now, but the timing of it was really annoying. I got it in my second training session of the tour. I was battling every day to try and get it right,” he said.


    “I ran across to do a grubber kick to Jonny May – a kick I’d normally do a hundred times – and completely missed the ball, tripped over and landed funnily on my shoulder.


    “I’d fall over a thousand times in a year and it would be fine, but it was just this one time that I caught it wrong and it jarred at my AC joint.


    “It was bit of a nightmare and hopefully I won’t be doing that again anytime soon.”




    Article source: http://en.ria.ru/sports/20130629/181950871/Scotland-Inflict-2nd-Rugby-Defeat-on-Hosts-Russia.html


    Rugby - Care: England can catch All Blacks

    RUGBY: All Ireland League Division 2A fixtures

    Fixtures in Ulster Bank Division 2A 2014-15 are:




    Friday 19th September


    Skerries v Old Wesley


    Saturday 20th September


    Banbridge v Cashel


    Bective Rangers v Seapoint


    Dungannon v Nenagh Ormond


    Barnhall v Blackrock College


    Naas v U.C.C.


    Rainey Old Boys v City of Derry


    Thomond v Queen’s University



    Friday 26th September


    Nenagh Ormond v Thomond


    Queen’s Uni v Banbridge


    Saturday 27th September


    Blackrock Coll v Skerries


    Cashel v Naas


    City of Derry v Barnhall


    Old Wesley v Dungannon


    Seapoint v Rainey Old Boys


    U.C.C. v Bective Rangers



    Saturday 4th October


    Banbridge v Thomond


    Bective Rangers v Nenagh Ormond


    Blackrock Coll v Seapoint


    City of Derry v Old Wesley


    Barnhall v Cashel


    Naas v Dungannon


    Rainey Old Boys v Queen’s University


    Skerries v U.C.C.



    Saturday 1st November


    Banbridge v Blackrock College


    Bective Rangers v Barnhall


    Dungannon v Seapoint


    Naas v Skerries


    Nenagh Ormond v U.C.C.


    Queens Uni v Cashel


    Rainey Old Boys v Old Wesley


    Thomond v City of Derry



    Friday 7th November


    Skerries v Bective Rangers


    Saturday 8th November


    Blackrock Coll v Naas


    Cashel v Nenagh Ormond


    City of Derry v Banbridge


    Barnhall v Rainey Old Boys


    Old Wesley v Queen’s University


    Seapoint v Thomond


    U.C.C. v Dungannon



    Saturday 15th November


    Banbridge v N.U.I.M. Barnhall


    Bective Rangers v Old Wesley


    Cashel v U.C.C.


    Dungannon v Blackrock College


    Naas v Rainey Old Boys


    Nenagh Ormond v City of Derry


    Queen’s Uni v Seapoint


    Thomond v Skerries



    Saturday 6th December


    Blackrock Coll v Thomond


    City of Derry v Dungannon


    Barnhall v Naas


    Old Wesley v Cashel


    Rainey Old Boys v Bective Rangers


    Seapoint v Nenagh Ormond


    Skerries v Banbridge


    U.C.C. v Queen’s University



    Saturday 20th December


    Cashel v Rainey Old Boys


    City of Derry v Blackrock College


    Dungannon v Banbridge


    Nenagh Ormond v Naas


    Old Wesley v Thomond


    Queen’s Uni v Bective Rangers


    Seapoint v Skerries



    Saturday 17th January


    U.C.C. v N.U.I.M. Barnhall


    Saturday 24th January


    Banbridge v Nenagh Ormond


    Bective Rangers v Cashel


    Blackrock Coll v Old Wesley


    Barnhall v Seapoint


    Naas v Queen’s University


    Rainey Old Boys v U.C.C.


    Skerries v City of Derry


    Thomond v Dungannon



    Friday 30th January


    Queen’s Uni v Dungannon


    Seapoint v Naas


    Skerries v N.U.I.M. Barnhall


    Saturday 31st January


    Blackrock Coll v Rainey Old Boys


    Cashel v Thomond


    City of Derry v Bective Rangers


    Old Wesley v Nenagh Ormond


    U.C.C. v Banbridge



    Saturday 21st February


    Banbridge v Seapoint


    Bective Rangers v Blackrock College


    Dungannon v Cashel


    Barnhall v Old Wesley


    Naas v City of Derry


    Nenagh Ormond v Queen’s University


    Rainey Old Boys v Skerries


    Thomond v U.C.C.



    Friday 27th February


    Bective Rangers v Naas


    Saturday 28th February


    Blackrock Coll v Nenagh Ormond


    City of Derry v Queen’s University


    Barnhall v Thomond


    Old Wesley v U.C.C.


    Rainey Old Boys v Banbridge


    Seapoint v Cashel


    Skerries v Dungannon



    Saturday 7th March


    Banbridge v Bective Rangers


    Cashel v City of Derry


    Dungannon v N.U.I.M. Barnhall


    Naas v Old Wesley


    Nenagh Ormond v Skerries


    Queens Uni v Blackrock College


    Thomond v Rainey Old Boys


    U.C.C. v Seapoint



    Saturday 28th March


    Bective Rangers v Thomond (2pm)


    Blackrock Coll v Cashel


    City of Derry v U.C.C.


    Barnhall v Nenagh Ormond


    Naas v Banbridge


    Old Wesley v Seapoint (4.30)


    Rainey Old Boys v Dungannon


    Skerries v Queen’s University



    Saturday 11th April


    Banbridge v Old Wesley


    Cashel v Skerries


    Dungannon v Bective Rangers


    Nenagh Ormond v Rainey Old Boys


    Queen’s Uni v N.U.I.M. Barnhall


    Seapoint v City of Derry


    Thomond v Naas


    U.C.C. v Blackrock College


    Article source: http://en.ria.ru/sports/20130629/181950871/Scotland-Inflict-2nd-Rugby-Defeat-on-Hosts-Russia.html


    RUGBY: All Ireland League Division 2A fixtures

    RUGBY: All Ireland League Division 1A fixtures

    Fixtures in Ulster Bank Division 1A 2014-15 are: :




    Friday 12th September


    U.C.D. v St Mary’s College


    Saturday 13th September


    Clontarf v Young Munster


    Lansdowne v Dolphin


    Old Belvedere v Cork Constitution


    Terenure Coll v Ballynahinch



    Saturday 20th September


    Ballynahinch v Old Belvedere


    Cork Con v Lansdowne


    Dolphin v Clontarf


    St Mary’s Coll v Terenure College


    Young Munster v U.C.D.


    Saturday 27th September


    Cork Con v Ballynahinch


    Lansdowne v Clontarf


    Old Belvedere v St Mary’s College


    Terenure Coll v Young Munster


    U.C.D. v Dolphin



    Friday 3rd October


    Clontarf v U.C.D.



    Saturday 4th October


    Ballynahinch v Lansdowne


    Dolphin v Terenure College


    St Mary’s Col v Cork Constitution


    Young Munster v Old Belvedere



    Saturday 1st November


    Ballynahinch v St Mary’s College


    Cork Con v Young Munster


    Lansdowne v U.C.D. (4.30)


    Old Belvedere v Dolphin


    Terenure Coll v Clontarf



    Friday 7th November


    Clontarf v Old Belvedere


    Dolphin v Cork Constitution


    St Mary’s Coll v Lansdowne


    U.C.D. v Terenure College



    Saturday 8th November


    Young Munster v Ballynahinch



    Friday 14th November


    Lansdowne v Terenure College



    Saturday 15th November


    Ballynahinch v Dolphin


    Cork Con v Clontarf


    Old Belvedere v U.C.D.


    St Mary’s Coll v Young Munster



    Saturday 22nd November


    Clontarf v Ballynahinch (2pm)


    Dolphin v St Mary’s College



    Sunday 23rd November


    Lansdowne v Young Munster


    Terenure Coll v Old Belvedere


    U.C.D. v Cork Constitution



    Saturday 6th December


    Ballynahinch v Terenure College


    Cork Con v Old Belvedere


    Dolphin v Lansdowne


    St Mary’s Coll v U.C.D.


    Young Munster v Clontarf



    Friday 19th December


    Cork Con v Dolphin



    Saturday 20th December


    Ballynahinch v Young Munster


    Lansdowne v St Mary’s College (4pm)


    Old Belvedere v Clontarf


    Terenure Coll v U.C.D.



    Friday 2nd January


    Clontarf v St Mary’s College


    Lansdowne v Old Belvedere



    Saturday 3rd January


    Dolphin v Young Munster


    Terenure Coll v Cork Constitution


    U.C.D. v Ballynahinch



    Saturday 10th January


    Ballynahinch v Cork Constitution


    Clontarf v Lansdowne


    Dolphin v U.C.D.


    St Mary’s Coll v Old Belvedere


    Young Munster v Terenure College



    Saturday 31st January


    Cork Con v St Mary’s College


    Lansdowne v Ballynahinch (2pm)


    Old Belvedere v Young Munster


    Terenure Coll v Dolphin


    U.C.D. v Clontarf



    Saturday 21st February


    Clontarf v Terenure College


    Dolphin v Old Belvedere


    St Mary’s Coll v Ballynahinch


    U.C.D. v Lansdowne


    Young Munster v Cork Constitution



    Friday 27th February


    Old Belvedere v Lansdowne


    St Mary’s Coll v Clontarf



    Saturday 28th February


    Ballynahinch v U.C.D.


    Cork Con v Terenure College


    Young Munster v Dolphin



    Saturday 7th March


    Clontarf v Dolphin


    Lansdowne v Cork Constitution


    Old Belvedere v Ballynahinch


    Terenure Coll v St Mary’s College


    U.C.D. v Young Munster



    Saturday 28th March


    Clontarf v Cork Constitution


    Dolphin v Ballynahinch


    Terenure Coll v Lansdowne


    U.C.D. v Old Belvedere


    Young Munster v St Mary’s College



    Saturday 11th April


    Ballynahinch v Clontarf


    Cork Con v U.C.D.


    Old Belvedere v Terenure College


    St Mary’s Coll v Dolphin


    Young Munster v Lansdowne



    Saturday 25th April


    Semi Finals / Play Off



    Saturday 9th May


    Final


    Article source: http://en.ria.ru/sports/20130629/181950871/Scotland-Inflict-2nd-Rugby-Defeat-on-Hosts-Russia.html


    RUGBY: All Ireland League Division 1A fixtures

    Former Ireland rugby international Ian Burns dies





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    Former Ireland rugby international Ian Burns dies

    When rugby WAS rugby... 30 evocative pictures that will transport you back to ...

    A break by Gareth Edwards, a lineout claim by Mervyn Davies, a dart by Jonathan Davies, a juddering tackle by Ray Gravell, a headlock by David Pickering on the glamour boy of his day, Mark Ring.


    They are images frozen in time, and they capture an era when the Welsh club game was buoyant and relatively free of political squabbling, save for the odd flare-up over committee expenses.


    Turnstiles clicked furiously on Saturday afternoons, supporters identified with badges through geography and community, and they knew if they stopped for a pint in the clubhouse after the match there was every chance of a quick word with the winning try-scorer.


    There were Wales and Lions heroes to savour but also veteran stalwarts and cult-heroes aplenty, characters who considered themselves privileged to be able to combine a day job at factories or pits with turning out for their local club on the weekend.


    Click through our evocative photographs here, and be transported back in time to the good old days…




    View gallery












    View gallery






     


    Article source: http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8668450


    When rugby WAS rugby... 30 evocative pictures that will transport you back to ...