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Ben Ryan on Commonwealth Games draw for England Sevens

July 2, 2010
Ben Ryan on Commonwealth Games draw for England Sevens

England will face Australia in the pool stages of the Rugby Sevens at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi in what coach Ben Ryan describes as “the tastiest match in the qualifying round”. The 2006 silver medallists have been placed in Pool D with the Wallabies, Namibia and Sri Lanka for the tournament that takes place on October 11 and 12 this year. England were beaten 29-21 in the Melbourne final four years ago when New Zealand claimed their third gold medal following their wins at Manchester (2002) and Kuala Lumpur (1998). “It brings it all to life now the draw has been made and it will concentrate our minds on the task in hand and what we need to do over the two days to finish top of the pile at the Commonwealth Games,” said England Sevens head coach Ryan. “Over the years we’ve had the upper hand against Australia but this season just gone they’ve put together a side equal to any in the world. The scoreline from the last IRB Sevens World Series reads won two, lost two, drawn one which shows you how tight it’s been. It’s going to be an absolute ding-dong in Delhi...
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Andrew on dropped Borthwick

July 2, 2010
Andrew on dropped Borthwick

Rob Andrew has saluted the leadership of Steve Borthwick and hailed the arrival of England’s new generation. On the day the England Elite Player Squads were announced, the RFU’s Elite Rugby Director told the RFU Podcast, “Steve’s done a fantastic job in a difficult period of rebuilding. “He carried himself and the England team well and it was a very tough call (to leave him out of the senior squad).” With Borthwick recovering from injury, the door opened for the likes of Dave Attwood and Courtney Lawes to shine and Andrew added, “We’ve tried hard to create real competition...
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Paul John takes to the road

July 1, 2010
Paul John takes to the road

Wales Sevens coach Paul John will have plenty to talk about when he hits the road next week after his side were drawn with South Africa, Tonga and host nation India for the Commonwealth Games Sevens in New Delhi on 11-12 October. John, who coached Wales to their Rugby World Cup Sevens triumph in Dubai in 2009, is all set to travel to the four corners of the country next week in a bid to spread the gospel of the small sided game ahead of the Commonwealth Games. He will deliver technical and skills sessions to more than 100...
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Borthwick out of England EPS

July 1, 2010
Borthwick out of England EPS

England today named the 32-man Senior and Saxons Elite Player Squads for the 2010/11 season. The changes made to the Senior EPS since the last announcement in January include the elevation of forwards David Attwood, George Chuter, Dan Cole, Paul Doran-Jones, Hendre Fourie and Tom Palmer. The backs promoted are Chris Ashton, David Strettle, Mike Tindall, Dominic Waldouck and Ben Youngs. Players who appeared in the 2010 RBS 6...
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A dozen new Bees signed

July 1, 2010

Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Club has confirmed no less than twelve new signings as they start their pre-season preparations for the 2010/11 Championship campaign. Director of Rugby Russell Earnshaw has secured the signatures of no less than nine new forwards, spearheaded by two Tongans, prop Nglau Tau and backrow forward Semisi Taulava. The imposing Taulau, who was a classmate at school with Leo Halavatau, has made a big impact...
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NZRU and NZRPA ratify new Collective Employment Agreement

July 1, 2010
NZRU and NZRPA ratify new Collective Employment Agreement

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) have signed a new Collective Employment Agreement for professional rugby players in New Zealand from 2010 to 2012. Formal signing of the agreement follows the December announcement that they had reached agreement on the major issues raised during collective bargaining, and detailed contract drafting and ratification by the NZRU Board, Provincials Unions, Franchises and the...
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England Women’s Euro 7s squad announced

June 30, 2010
England Women’s Euro 7s squad announced

The England Women’s squad to defend their European 7s title in Russia next month has been announced. England have named a strong outfit which includes five capped players, even though none of England’s 2010 XV’s world cup players will be taking part in the Moscow tournament on July 10th and 11th. Last season England won the European 7s title by beating Spain 20-12 in the final. The squad will...
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Winning return for Steve

June 30, 2010
Winning return for Steve

The Cornish Pirates have confirmed that centre Steve Winn will be making a quick return to the club, having been offered and having signed a new contract. Bridgend born, the former Wales A and Gwent Dragons player, aged 32, has been involved playing rugby since the introduction of professionalism. An experienced performer, who first joined the Pirates in 2006 and has played over 100 games for the club, Steve...
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Parks signs off in style

May 20, 2010

Scotland stand-off Dan Parks has crowned a momentous season by being named Glasgow Warriors’ Players’ Player of the Year. Dan was also awarded the Player of the Season award by the Scottish Rugby Writers’ Club. Parks, who won three RBS 6 Nations Man of the Match awards during the 2010 Six Nations Championship on his return to the Scotland team, steered the Warriors to their highest ever finish in...
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