Kevin Sinfield retires from international rugby after 40-cap career

England will need a new captain for this autumn’s Four Nations series in Australia and New Zealand after Kevin Sinfield announced his retirement from international rugby. Sinfield, who is 34 next week, led England in last year’s World Cup, with the last of his 40 caps – including 14 for Great Britain – ending in the bitter disappointment of the semi-final defeat against New Zealand at Wembley.

He made his debut shortly after his 20th birthday in the 2000 World Cup and shared in a handful of memorable victories, notably against Australia in the first Test of the 2001 Ashes series, when he was pressed into service at hooker for the first time in his career, and in the home series against New Zealand in 2007. He described the decision to retire as “the toughest of my professional career”.

“The World Cup last year was a major step forward for the England team and the support we received reached a new level,” he said. “I would like to thank the England and Great Britain fans who have always given me their support and I am sure more successful times are not far away. Following the World Cup, I was keen to continue. However I want to be able to perform at the highest possible level whenever I take the field. I believe that by taking this decision, it will enable me to do that for the Rhinos for the remainder of my career.”

England’s coach, Steve McNamara, said: “Kevin is the ultimate rugby league professional and it has been a privilege to work with him in the last few years, when his attitude, application and enthusiasm have rubbed off on everybody. His contribution and commitment to the England programme has been exemplary. I know that he has not taken this decision lightly and, having spoken to him at length in the last few days, I fully understand his reasons for calling time on his international career.”

McNamara, who is currently based in Australia as an assistant coach with the Sydney Roosters, must now choose whether to appoint Wigan’s Sean O’Loughlin, who would be the outstanding domestic Super League candidate, as Sinfield’s successor, or to hand the armband to one of the players now employed with him in the National Rugby League.

Sam Burgess would have been the strong favourite for the position had he not accepted an offer to switch codes with Bath at the end of the Australian season, but the former St Helens forward James Graham, now with Canterbury Bulldogs, has done the job before, and Sam Tomkins, who left Wigan for New Zealand Warrriors at the end of last season, could be an outside contender.

Article source: http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-union/news/article/504/9094491/ireland-lose-sean-obrien

Kevin Sinfield retires from international rugby after 40-cap career

Seguya rallies support from Rugby Union

Uganda 17 Madagascar 8

Third play-off

Zambia 0 Senegal 15

By Johnson Were

The national U-19 Rugby team coach  has urged the national governing body (URU) to keep the team together so  that it focuses on winning the CAR Tier 1A championship next year.

Robert Seguya told the New Vision after his team’s 17-8 defeat of Madagascar in the final of the CAR Tier 1B tournament at Kyadondo Rugby Club on Saturday.

“I need to credit the boys that put up a spirited fight for their country and won the title though they were not the best players we had for the team,” Sseguya stated.

“Our best team has players from Namilyango, Hana and SMACK but they didn’t turn up because they had to represent their schools in the east African school Games in Dar es Salaam,” Seguya explained.

He added that the victory has taught him to concentrate on the available resources and achieve what he wants in future.

“I was much disappointed when I was told that Namilyango, SMACK and Hana players were not going to make it to the team because of the FEASSA Games, but I went on and told the available boys to be focused and finally we are champions,” Seguya explained.

Pius Ogena and Solomon Okias scored a try each as fly half Ivan Magomu added a penalty and conversion to tally Uganda’s points to 17 while Toky Falimanam and Rasonirina Jean Claude Jacques scored a try and penalty respectively to seal the score 17-8 for Uganda.

To reach the final Uganda defeated Senegal 23-13 while Madagascar smashed Zambia 43-0.

Uganda win elevates Uganda to CAR tier 1A that has teams like Zimbabwe, Kenya and Namibia.

 

Article source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/awema-charity-chief-naz-malik-7622777

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Seguya rallies support from Rugby Union

Mallinder: Corbisiero"s knee issues are over

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Northampton boss Jim Mallinder is confident loose-head Alex Corbisiero is ready to play a full season at the Saints having missed much of last term through injury.

Corbisiero has endured two seasons blighted by injuries to both is knees but he returned in time to help the Saints lift their maiden Aviva Premiership title. For Mallinder, Corbisiero is “like a new signing” at Northampton and he is relishing seeing the prop feature heavily for the champions this term.

“Alex has had injuries on both knees which has been a little bit disappointing for him and very frustrating,” said Mallinder. “He’s got those fixed now and he’s had a proper pre-season.

“There’s no long-term or underlying issue – he had two separate injuries, one on either knee, and now all that is in the past.”

Corbisiero sat out England’s three-Test tour of New Zealand to rest ahead of this season and Mallinder was pleased with that call. He added: “I think it was the right decision for him not to go away with England. It was made quite a long way out that he wasn’t going to do that. He had a good break, went over to America to see family, came back and has got himself in great shape.

“So hopefully he’ll have a good year for Northampton and England as well. I’m really looking forward to Alex being back. He missed a big part of the middle of last season, he started it and finished it but he didn’t play many games in the middle due to injury. He’s a bit like a new signing for us.”

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Article source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/grass-roots-rugby-coaches-defend-7697224

Mallinder: Corbisiero"s knee issues are over

England secure Pennyhill as World Cup base

Rugby World Cup organisers have confirmed 41 training bases will be used

throughout the tournament in September and October next year.

“It’s great to have Pennyhill Park as our training base,” said

Lancaster.

“It’s a place we are used to – the facilities are first-class,

especially with the new training centre.”

Wales are perhaps the next biggest winners in the team base allocation, with

half of their Pool A preparations taking place at their usual home The Vale

Resort.

Warren Gatland’s men will play two of their four group matches at the

Millennium Stadium, but also take on Australia and England at Twickenham.

Wales will be based at London Irish’s newly-completed all-purpose training

complex Hazelwood.

Gatland is expected to mirror RBS 6 Nations trips to Twickenham, with Wales

aiming to travel to London Irish’s set-up in midweek before their weekend

clashes in the English capital.

“The selection of team bases are extremely important for the squad’s

preparation and we were very impressed with the packages on offer from the

approved venues,” said Gatland.

“We are very familiar with The Vale and their pedigree for hosting

sporting teams is second to none.

“In addition the new Hazlewood complex is another great base, which

really suits our needs.”

Tournament organisers England Rugby 2015 vetted more than 100 applications

from complexes to become team-base venues.

The final list of 41 centres, including pitches, state-of-the-art gyms,

swimming pools and hotels, allow teams the flexibility to based close to

each fixture.

Reigning world champions New Zealand will split their group phase between The

Lensbury and St Mary’s University in west London, the Sport Wales National

Centre and Darlington Mowden Park.

Ireland will move bases between each fixture, making use of Celtic Manor in

Newport, the FA’s centre of excellence St George’s Park, Surrey Sports Park

and the Sport Wales National Centre.

Scotland will rotate between Hartpury College, where Gloucester Rugby train,

Leeds Metropolitan University, the University of Leeds and Newcastle Royal

Grammar School.

Pennyhill Park and The Vale Resort are among the eight training bases for the

tournament’s knockout stages.

Chief executive Debbie Jevans believes organising committee England Rugby 2015

will provide all 20 competing nations with first-class bases.

“We are lucky to have some fantastic facilities right across the country

and the enthusiasm to be part of the tournament has been really encouraging,”

said Jevans.

“We are confident that we now have 41 high-quality training environments

which provide a home away from home for the teams.”

International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset also hailed the organising

committee’s preparations.

“The teams participating at England 2015 will have access to exceptional

facilities the length and breadth of the host nation.

“It is the attention to detail on and off the field that will elevate

this event to new levels.”

WORLD CUP TRAINING BASES

Argentina: Cheltenham RFC (Cheltenham RFC, Leisure@, Gym 66);

Haileybury School, St George’s Park.
Australia: University of Bath; Dulwich College.
Canada: Cardiff Metropolitan University; West Park Leeds RUFC (West

Park Leeds RUFC, John Charles Centre for Sport); Leicester Grammar School;

Swansea University (Swansea University, Wales National Pool Swansea).
England: Pennyhill Park; Salford (The AJ Bell Stadium, Irlam and

Cadishead Leisure Centre).
Fiji: Milton Keynes and MK Dons (Woughton On The Green, Bletchley

Leisure Centre); Swansea University; London Irish RFC (London Irish RFC,

Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex).
France: The Vale Resort; Trinity School Croydon.
Georgia: Woodbury Park and Bicton College (Woodbury Park Hotel and Golf

Club, Bicton College); Bristol and SGS Wise (South Gloucestershire and

Stroud College, Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre); Celtic Manor and

Newport(Newport High School/Active Living Centre, The Celtic Academy).
Ireland: Celtic Manor and Newport; St George’s Park; Surrey Sports

Park; Sport Wales National Centre.
Italy: Surrey Sports Park; Cobham RFC (Cobham RFC, ACS Cobham).
Japan: Warwick School; Brighton College.
Namibia: Loughborough University; Cobham RFC; Plymouth (University of

St Mark and St John, Plymouth Albion RFC, Plymouth Life Centre and Royal

Navy Rugby Union).
New Zealand: The Lensbury and St Mary’s University; Sport Wales

National Centre; Darlington Mowden Park (Darlington Mowden Park RFC,

Middlesbrough FC).
Romania: Sutton Coldfield RFC (Sutton Coldfield RFC, Birmingham

Metropolitan College, Wyndley Leisure Centre, CrossFitB76); Woodbury Park

and Bicton College, Dulwich College.
Samoa: Sutton Coldfield RFC; University of Brighton (University of

Brighton, Prince Regent Swimming Complex); Gateshead (Gateshead

International Stadium, Gateshead Leisure Centre, Gateshead College); Milton

Keynes and MK Dons.
Scotland: Hartpury College; Leeds Metropolitan University and

University of Leeds; Newcastle Royal Grammar School.
South Africa: The Lensbury and St Mary’s University; University of

Birmingham; Gateshead; Eastbourne College and University of Brighton

(Eastbourne College, University of Brighton – Eastbourne College).
Tonga: Cheltenham RFC, Loughborough University; University of Exeter;

University of Northumbria.
USA: Haileybury School; Hartpury College; Leeds Trinity University

(Leeds Trinity University, Kirkstall Leisure Centre); Portsmouth Royal Navy

Rugby Union.
Wales: The Vale Resort; London Irish RFC.
Final Qualification Play-off Winner (TBC): Celtic Manor and Newport;

Loughborough University; Moulton College; Manchester (Broughton Park FC

Rugby Union, The Hough End Centre, Manchester Aquatics Centre).
Knockout phase bases: Celtic Manor and Newport; Swansea University; The

Vale Resort; Sport Wales National Centre; Pennyhill Park; Surrey Sports

Park; The Lensbury and St Mary’s University; London Irish RFC.

Article source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/grass-roots-rugby-coaches-defend-7697224

England secure Pennyhill as World Cup base

Sexton breaks jaw against Toulon

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Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton faces a couple of months on the sidelines after he broke his jaw playing for Racing Metro at the weekend, according to the Irish Examiner.

Sexton was forced off during the first-half in their match against Toulon after he was on the wrong end of a shoulder charge from Craig Burden. He came back on but was later substituted for Johan Goosen in the 49th minute.

Ireland will be keeping a close eye on Sexton’s recovery as they open their autumn internationals against South Africa on November 8.

And Sexton’s Racing Metro could be hit with a €50,000 fine as the numbers on the back of their shirts for the game against Toulon were barely visible. According to AFP, Metro could face a fine of anything between €5,000 to €50,000.

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Article source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/grass-roots-rugby-coaches-defend-7697224

Sexton breaks jaw against Toulon

Rugby World Cup 2015 will be bigger and better than anything that has gone ...

And though the Rugby World Cup is ostensibly being held in England, the

physical proximity of Wales, Scotland and Ireland means their players will

also be similarly affected.

Domestic players have to be ready for unparalleled coverage of every aspect of

their playing career from the rugby media. They also have to understand that

their off-field activities, tweets, private lives and relationships will

also come under the examination of the lifestyle media. If players thought

the scrutiny in New Zealand 2011 was disproportionate, the 2015 RWC will be

significantly worse.

It is against this background that domestic players have to frame their

performances and behaviour and it will not be easy. The standard response to

questions about World Cup prospects is ‘I’m just focusing on the next game’

and though that is the correct approach, it is nigh on impossible for a

player, probable or aspirant, to focus that way.

This conundrum is exacerbated by the fact that he knows he has to play well

for his club to stand any chance of being selected in the national team and

that means being in the right physical and mental state from the off.

That said, it is not possible for a player to peak for every single match and

every club’s performance plan reflects this; they are geared towards getting

their players to peak at times identified by the club as crucial.

Conversely, the player’s national squad also has a preparation plan and it

will have a different and probably conflicting focus.

Balancing the two requires enormous care from the player, his club and country

and the margins at this level are so fine that if this goes wrong it will

negatively affect the outcome for all three parties.

It is a problem that is almost unique to rugby union because in rugby league,

football and cricket there is no tournament that is universally accepted by

players, fans and media as being pre-eminent.

The other fundamental conflict for a player is one of loyalty. Week in, week

out, they train and play with colleagues who have no chance of going to a

World Cup and for whom domestic success is the highest aspiration.

Any player with a vestige of loyalty wants to support that aim but he also

wants to take part in what might be a once in a career chance to play in

rugby’s greatest event; no current domestic player is likely to play in

another RWC on these shores. If a player is seen to be insufficiently

committed to either cause it can easily create friction and resentment which

is difficult to resolve.

All this could have been even worse for Welsh players, who must be thankful

that their union and regions have at last come to a new agreement about who

does what, for whom and for what reward.

Had this not been achieved Wales’s already difficult task of qualifying from a

group also containing England,
Australia

and Fiji would have been made impossible.

When you look at what has now been agreed you have to ask why was this not

achievable months ago, as the basic issues are not overly complicated. The

full effects of this unnecessarily bitter dispute will be shown in the

coming months, suffice to say that the sort of brinkmanship shown by both

sides would not be in any model preparation plan.

It is inevitable that nearly every game this season will reference the World

Cup – should he be in? Has he played himself out? It will go on and on, so

be prepared to put up with it. That it will be so is because what is coming

will be unique, exciting and the prize is one for which it is worth

sacrificing everything. For all concerned, how could it be any different?

Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-vickery-talks-welsh-lions-152327766.html

Rugby World Cup 2015 will be bigger and better than anything that has gone ...

Grass roots rugby coaches defend the game after a leading public health expert ...

Grass roots youth rugby club coaches defended the sport after a leading scientist argued it must change “completely” to keep children safe.

Leading public health guru Allyson Pollock urged the doctors’ union, the British Medical Association (BMA), to campaign against the sport arguing its “violence is not ancillary”.

Prof Pollock, of London’s Queen Mary University, made her claims in a new book – and she says there should be a tightening of rules to stop children being exposed to the risk of serious injury.

Her claims come in the wake of a string of serious injuries to players in recent years, with Blues player Owen Williams still recovering from a devastating injury.

Yet youth team coaches insisted that the game was safe for young

Beddau RFC coaches under sevens to under 16s and Coach Leigh Christopher defended the youth game.

He said: “At the end of the day, it’s a contact sport. You can get an injury in any sport. Football players get injured, just as rugby players can get injured.

“Rugby is a community sport and I think it’s great to see children taking part. It has a lot of benefits – it disciplines them, it motivates them, they meet a lot of people and make news friends. It really brings the community together.

“You are going to take a knock in rugby but it’s all part of the sport.”

Jason Halse, coach at Llanharan RFC, which has minis and juniors sides, argued that the sport is safe for children as long as they are coached in the right way.

“It all depends on whether children are taught properly,” he said. “You know that if you don’t hold your head in a certain position when tackling, then there’s the potential for serious injury. But if you are taught properly, by a coach who has played the game, then you are better protected.

“There are too many rules now as it is at the minute. Any more would just bring the game down.”

In her criticisms of the game, Prof Pollock said: “We already know that rugby is a major cause of injury, that far from relaxing the rules we should be tightening them further for children, changing the game completely and allowing it to evolve to a safer form of play.

“If rugby were a new medical drug it would be withheld until its efficacy and safety had been proven.

“We would not want our children to be given medicine to improve their mental or physical health if there was little knowledge of its risks and no attempt had been made to collect data on it.

“Why should rugby, with its harmful side effects, be any different?” Prof Pollock called on the BMA to step in after it dubbed boxing a “totally unsuitable activity for children”. “The BMA could say the same about rugby, but it has so far been silent,” Prof Pollock said.

“If the BMA was willing to stand up to specious arguments over boxing, will it now do the same over rugby?” The BMA said it “doesn’t have a policy” on rugby.

Prof Pollock claimed rugby had become “increasingly dangerous” since it turned professional in 1995.

The WRU said player welfare was “at the heart of everything we do”.

A spokeswoman said: “The Welsh Rugby Union has thorough safeguarding policies and procedures, which are regularly reviewed and updated.

“We are about to roll out an extensive concussion awareness programme throughout the community game and, in conjunction with St John Cymru Wales, we deliver rugby specific first aid courses which club coaches, team managers, match officials and volunteers are strongly urged to complete.”

Teams benefit financially if they have qualified first aiders.

“The WRU is proud of the values and standards represented through rugby and is aware of the benefits of being involved at all levels in the national sport of Wales,” the spokeswoman said.

Tackling Rugby: What Every Parent Should Know, by Allyson Pollock, is published on October 7 by Verso Books, priced £9.99

Article source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/rugby-vickery-talks-welsh-lions-152327766.html

Grass roots rugby coaches defend the game after a leading public health expert ...