Welsh rugby peace deal "too late" for Dragons - Lyn Jones

Newport Gwent Dragons Director of Rugby Lyn Jones says

Welsh rugby’s £60m peace deal

has come “10 months too late” for the regions to strengthen.

The Welsh Rugby Union and four regions signed a six-year agreement in August to end nearly two years of a

fraught dispute over funding.

But Jones says it comes too late for Welsh sides to compete financially with the teams at the top of the Pro12.

“It’s about 10 months too late to have an influence on this season,” he said.

“A lot of Welsh sides will just drag their heels again.

“Hopefully we can utilise the next twelve months to try and…get our academy right up to be the best in Wales.

“It’s about strengthening when we can.”

The agreement means the regions will all receive a shared £2m increase in overall funding, to £8.7m, from the union as well as a one-off payment of £500,000.

The Dragons have made a number of signings this summer, including

South African prop Brok Harris

and Welsh internationals

Lee Byrne,

Aled Brew

and

Andy Powell.

But they have been left short at centre after injuries to Ross Wardle, Ashley Smith and Pat Leach.

Jack Dixon, 19, and Tyler Morgan, 18, are likely to start the Pro12 opener against Connacht on Saturday.

Leach damaged his knee in the

pre-season friendly victory against Northampton

on Friday and is currently being assessed to determine the extent of the injury.

Smith is due back in mid-September after undergoing foot surgery, but Wardle is out until the end of the year with a knee injury.

“It’s tough…we’re quite short [at centre],” said Jones.

“[But] one thing I’ve learned is to not be afraid to give young players an opportunity because you’ll be surprised how good they can play.”

The Dragons have not won at Connacht in the pro12 since their 32-14 triumph in May 2004.

Jones is expecting another tough encounter.

“Connacht have always been a very difficult side to play against,” he said.

“They’re very effective and efficient in what they do.

“We are going out there with no preconceived ideas.

“We are focused on our own performance and what we can do and what we can offer the game.

“As long as we concentrate on our game the result will look after itself.”

Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2707086/Scotlands-rugby-sevens-medal-hopes-alive-Canada-win-sees-New-Zealand-Pool-A.html

Welsh rugby peace deal "too late" for Dragons - Lyn Jones

Colchester: England rugby star Matt Dawson visits Colchester Garrison

Soldiers at Colchester Garrison are getting high-quality meals that will help them stay fighting fit and put money back into their pockets thanks to new dining facilities.The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), working with industry partners RMPA and Sodexo Defence, has delivered two new pay as you dinerestaurants at Merville Barracks, which were officially opened today (Thursday September4). It was opened by former England rugby international and BBC Question of Sport star Matt Dawson, Sodexo’s health and wellbeing ambassador.

Will Lodge

Thursday, September 4, 2014

4:20 PM

A former England rugby star ran a joint coaching session with Colchester-based soldiers for local school children during a visit to the town’s garrison.

Former England rugby international and BBC ËœQuestion of Sport star Matt Dawson, Sodexo’s health and wellbeing ambassador, hosted a rugby coaching session for children from Mongomery Junior School on Thursday September 4

Matt Dawson, also a team captain on BBC’s Question of Sport, was at Merville Barracks yesterday to open a new community cafe.

He was visiting in his role as health and wellbeing ambassador for Sodexo, one of the partners in a Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) project to improve dining facilities on base, and donned a pinny to serve up fresh food in a new dining hall.

Mr Dawson opened the Eagles Rock Cafe. Funded by the Colchester Garrison Welfare Committee, the new cafe allows armed forces’ families to enjoy a drink or lunch with friends at their community centre, in Fallowfield Road.

Before opening the dining facilities Mr Dawson joined soldiers from 12 Air Assault Support Regiment the Royal Logistic Corps as they demonstrated rugby and military fitness to children from Montgomery Junior and Infant schools, which have a majority of children from military families.

Two other new dining halls were opened by Maj Gen Mark Armstrong, of DIO, who said: “As a former commanding officer in 16 Air Assault Brigade with soldiers based in Colchester it is a delight to see the introduction of such a modern dining opportunity.”

Merville Barracks is the latest Army base to implement Pay As You Dine, allowing military personnel to only pay for what they eat instead of the previous system where a flat rate was paid per month for food even if they did not eat three meals a day.

Colonel Gary Wilkinson, Commander of Colchester Garrison, said: “We are committed to providing the best facilities possible across Colchester Garrison for both soldiers and their families.

“At Merville Barracks the new dining facilities will provide troops with better choice and control over what they eat, while the Eagle’s Rock Café represents a significant improvement to the facilities for our families in Colchester and is based on what they have asked us to provide. We hope the cafe will quickly become the heart of the garrison community.”

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Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2707086/Scotlands-rugby-sevens-medal-hopes-alive-Canada-win-sees-New-Zealand-Pool-A.html

Colchester: England rugby star Matt Dawson visits Colchester Garrison

Jonny Sexton confirm return to Ireland

As reported earlier this week, Jonny Sexton will leave Racing Metro at the end of the season and return to Ireland.

The Irish fly-half, who joined the French outfit last season, confirmed his departure today and having signed a four-year deal with the Irish federation and Leinster.

The new contract will see the British Irish Lions star remain in Ireland until the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

He said: “I get along with everyone here and it was a tough decision to take but I had to make a choice for my family and my Test career.

“I don’t regret my choice to come to France and Racing at all. It was an incredible experience. Now I don’t to hear anything about my contract. All I want is concentrate on Racing and only Racing.

“I am pleased to be re-joining Leinster, the club where I started my professional career. I grew up playing my rugby in Leinster and always wanting to pull on the blue jersey so I am delighted to be able to return to play my club rugby in Ireland.”

Chairman Jacky Lorenzetti added: “Jonny has decided to leave the club and, although it is disappointing, we accept it.”

IRFU CEO Philip Browne said: “Jonathan is one the best out-halves in world rugby and the IRFU are delighted that he will be playing his rugby in Ireland. Irish rugby will benefit hugely from having a player of his calibre playing full-time in Ireland.”

Tagged Ireland, Jonny Sexton, Leinster, Racing Metro

Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2707086/Scotlands-rugby-sevens-medal-hopes-alive-Canada-win-sees-New-Zealand-Pool-A.html

Jonny Sexton confirm return to Ireland

Irish rugby star Jamie Heaslip guest of honour at Newbridge RFC open day

Leinster and Ireland rugby star Jamie Heaslip will be the special guest of honour at the Newbridge RFC Open Day.

The event will be held this Saturday, September 6, at their Rosetown grounds outside Athgarvan.

The rugby player will be available for photographs and autographs with young fans. The day will also feature the Newbridge RFC v Cill Dara Hosie Cup match at 3.30pm, plus a barbecue, face painting, a bouncing castle, refreshment stand and more family fun. The Glasgow Warriors v Leinster Pro 12 match will be shown in the clubhouse. All welcome from 2pm.

Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2707086/Scotlands-rugby-sevens-medal-hopes-alive-Canada-win-sees-New-Zealand-Pool-A.html

Irish rugby star Jamie Heaslip guest of honour at Newbridge RFC open day

UPDATE 1-Rugby-Ireland flyhalf Sexton to rejoin Leinster next season

(Adds detail, IRFU comment)

By Padraic Halpin

DUBLIN, Sept 4 (Reuters) – Ireland flyhalf Jonathan Sexton will rejoin Leinster from French side Racing Metro for the 2015/16 season, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said in a statement on Thursday.

Sexton won three European Cups in four seasons with the Irish province before joining the Paris-based club on a lucrative deal at the start of last season. He has signed a contract with the IRFU until November 2019, the union said.

“I grew up playing my rugby in Leinster and always wanting to pull on the blue jersey so I am delighted to be able to return to play my club rugby in Ireland,” Sexton said in a statement.

Sexton, 29, played in all five games of Ireland’s 2014 Six Nations Championship-winning campaign and started all three tests for the British and Irish Lions in their 2013 series victory over Australia.

When Sexton left for France last year, the IRFU said it was not in the best interests of Irish rugby to chase the reported financial incentives the flyhalf was offered.

However Ireland coach Joe Schmidt bemoaned the rigours of the French league that last season saw Sexton play far more club games than his national team mates who were afforded time off from their provinces around international duty.

Unlike in New Zealand where players who move abroad become ineligible to represent the national team, Sexton remained available to play for Ireland, although the demanding French season means he misses some national team training camps.

He will link up again with Ireland team mates Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip who rejected moves to France last season to remain at Leinster.

The Irish side retained their PRO12 league title without Sexton last season but were easily beaten by champions Toulon in the European Cup quarter-final.

Sexton, who has 45 caps for Ireland and is the country’s third-highest points scorer of all time, is currently sidelined after breaking his jaw playing for Racing Metro last week and could be out of action for several months.

“Irish rugby will benefit hugely from having a player of Jonathan’s calibre playing full-time in Ireland,” said IRFU chief executive Philip Browne. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin, editing by Mitch Phillips and Ken Ferris)

Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2707086/Scotlands-rugby-sevens-medal-hopes-alive-Canada-win-sees-New-Zealand-Pool-A.html

UPDATE 1-Rugby-Ireland flyhalf Sexton to rejoin Leinster next season

Rugby World Cup 2015: RFU close to club compensation deal

Rugby Football Union chief executive Ian Ritchie says a deal to compensate Premiership clubs for loss of earnings during the 2015 World Cup is close.

Elite matches are not allowed in a host country during a World Cup, so clubs fear a loss of revenue during the event in England in September and October.

Some officials have threatened to play on unless compensated by the RFU.

“It’s been a good, constructive set of discussions,” Ritchie told BBC Sport. “I’m hopeful we’ll resolve it soon.”

Although the 2015-16 Premiership season will suffer initial disruptions, Ritchie expects the domestic fixtures to commence when the World Cup reaches its knockout stages in mid-October, and says the RFU will approach the International Rugby Board (IRB) to arrange this.

“Once we get past the pool stages, historically there has been elite rugby during those knockout stages,” he said.

“We have got to go through due process, but we are hopeful we will get some resolution on that, then we can move on and collectively recognise what a fantastic opportunity Rugby World Cup is going to be.”

The RFU and Premiership Rugby worked closely earlier this year on plans for a new European Cup, and Bath owner Bruce Craig told BBC Sport this week that the

relationship between the parties is strong.

“If the people at the top are reasonable men who are willing to look at what is best for English rugby – rather than what is best for individuals – that can only be good for English rugby,” said Craig. “And I think that is the place we are in at the moment.”

The 2015 World Cup will be hosted by England from 18 September to 31 October (although some games are taking place in Wales). This year’s Premiership begins on 5 September.

Article source: http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/9317398/jonny-wilkinson-to-retire-after-heineken-cup-final

Rugby World Cup 2015: RFU close to club compensation deal

Ex-rugby league star dies in Ibiza after plunging from hotel balcony and ...

A former rugby league player has died after plunging from a hotel balcony in Ibiza and then struggling with police officers.

Luke Rhoden, 25, is understood to have been running around ‘like a madman’ before falling or jumping from the first floor room but survived.

It is believed Rhoden, who played as a prop forward for Wigan Warriors in the same junior team as Sam and Joel Tomkins before moving to Oldham Roughyeds, was then involved in a struggle with Spanish Civil Guard officers.

Officers had to restrain him as they put him into an ambulance at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio.

Paramedics spent 40 minutes trying to revive him but he died in the ambulance.

VIEW GALLERY

 

Tributes have been paid to Luke from members of the rugby league world.

Wigan Warriors head coach Shaun Wane told the Manchester Evening News: “I was absolutely devastated and saddened when news reached me of Luke’s death.

“I almost crashed my car I was so shocked and taken aback because I knew him well and he was great lad. It’s a real tragedy.

“It is very hard coming to terms with what’s happened because I spent a lot of time working and coaching Luke when he was a young player coming through.

“They were good times and Luke was so keen. 

“I coached him at Wigan when he was in the junior ranks at 16s, 17s and 18s level. He was a good lad who would look after himself.

“He was what I would term a rough diamond.

“He went into the semi professional ranks before ending up at Oldham.”

“I really feel for his family at this very sad time.”

PA

Hotel tragedy: Luke died at the Ibiza Rocks Hotel in San Antonio

 

Oldham chairman Chris Hamilton said: “I am very saddened to learn of Luke’s death.

“He was one of those talented players who came from Wigan, trained and played hard and always gave 100 percent. He always showed total commitment.”

It is understood Luke no longer played professional rugby league.

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out to establish the cause of death.

It will also determine if Mr Rhoden had been drinking or taking drugs before the tragedy.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the death of a British national in Ibiza on 3 September.

“We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.”

* Were you at Ibiza Rocks when Luke died? Did you witness the incident? Did you take any pictures or video? Get in touch by calling 0800 282 591 or email mirrornews@mirror.co.uk

Article source: http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-union/news/12504/9317398/jonny-wilkinson-to-retire-after-heineken-cup-final

Ex-rugby league star dies in Ibiza after plunging from hotel balcony and ...