Nottingham Rugby team news

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Nottingham

Nottingham hooker Joe Duffey will play his 200th game for the club against RFU Championship leaders Newcastle at Meadow Lane tomorrow night (Friday, March 22 – 7.45pm kick-off).

Notching up the double ton in the biggest home game of the season to date – the second-versus-first showdown with the Falcons – is a fitting stage for the tough and uncompromising Kiwi.

Duffey is in the second year of his third spell with the club, having first joined the Green and Whites in 2003.

While a man of few words, the 30-year-old didn’t need to say much to express how much the milestone moment means to him.

“That many games, 200, is a really big achievement. I’m proud to play so many games for Nottingham,” Duffey said.

“I’ve been with this club for so long – from starting out at Beeston to playing here at Meadow Lane.

“It has been a great ride.”

Duffey is rejoined in the front row by Matt Parr, with the loosehead prop recovering from a leg injury.

The only other change head coach Martin Haag makes for the Falcons’ first ever trip to Meadow Lane – and Newcastle’s first appearance in Nottingham since 1996 – is recall centre Tim Streather, who has recovered from a hamstring niggle.

Haag said: “Streather has been playing very, very well but got injured and that opened the door for Joe Cobden to get a few games and he performed well. We also have Andy Forsyth going well and really at this time of year we are in a good place with players fit and fighting for spots in the starting XV.

“Parr obviously got injured and Jonny Harris came in and did exceptional work for us and it is probably a bit hard to leave him out, but that was always the plan.

“Going forward it is always about who plays well, and this week it is good to have some fresh legs in there because we have had a couple of short turn arounds in the past few weeks.”

Nottingham’s clash with the Falcons has generated record pre-sales with more than 1,700 tickets already snapped up for the Friday blockbuster.

Advanced ticket sales close at 12noon today (Thursday, March 21), but tickets will still be available on the gate on match day for the main Derek Pavis Stand.

Call Nottingham Rugby HQ on 0115 907 0070 for more details.

Nottingham Rugby team to face Newcastle Falcons at Meadow Lane Stadium on Friday, March 22 (7.45pm kick-off):

15 Andrew Savage 14 David Jackson 13 Tim Streather 12 Joe Munro 11 Alex Lewington 10 James Arlidge 9 Sean Romans 1 Matt Parr 2 Joe Duffey 3 Michael Holford 4 Dan Montagu 5 Nic Rouse 6 Rupert Cooper 7 Brent Wilson 8 Alex Shaw.

Replacements from: 16 Shaun Malton 17 Ryan Bower 18 Joe Quinn 19 Tom Calladine 20 Finlay Barnham 21 Joe Cobden 22 Andrew Forsyth.

Nottingham great Jacko pens new deal

Posted on Mar 14, 2013 in Nottingham

Modern-day Nottingham Rugby great David Jackson has signed a contract extension with the RFU Championship club.

Jackson, 30, who has worn the green and white hoops for 24 years having started as a minis player, has already cemented his place in the annals of club history during a landmark 13th season of first team rugby.

He is Nottingham Rugby’s all-time league appearance record holder and became the first player in over a decade to feature in more than 300 games and score more than 100 career tries for the club.

Jackson’s current deal was due to expire at the end of the season.

“It was an easy decision for me – I’ve been part of the Green and Whites’ first team for 13 seasons now and love representing the club,” Jackson said.

“I’m thrilled that I will continue to play my rugby for Nottingham.

“My passion for Nottingham Rugby has never changed, the only thing that has changed is that I get a little bit older every time I sign a new deal.

“The statistics that come with being a one-club man are nice and make for interesting reading, but I get my satisfaction from being part of the team.”

The versatile back has been a key figure for Martin Haag’s high-flyers, who sit second in the league and are through to the quarter-finals of the British and Irish Cup.

Jackson has touched down nine times in 20 appearances in all competitions this term.

“It is exciting times at Meadow Lane right now and this means I can focus all my attention on the field,” Jackson said.

“There is still a lot to look forward to this season and what might happen after that.

“We don’t know where we will finish up, with so many big games still to come in the league and the race for the play-offs really heating up.

“All I want to do is help this club progress because that is where I get all my enjoyment – producing my best to get results for the Green and Whites.”

Haag said he is delighted by the new deal: “I’m very pleased that Jacko has extended his stay, he is a stalwart of the club and a part of our leadership group.

“After all these years he continues to produce the highest standards, is as fit as ever and his character and ethos represent what we are trying to achieve here at Nottingham.”

DAVID JACKSON BY THE NUMBERS

Appearances to date: 11th on all-time list with 309

League appearances: Record holder with 279

Points: Third on all-time list 971

Tries: Fifth on the all time list with 102

Conversions: Sixth on the all-time list with 130.

Penalties: Eighth on the all-time list with 65

Most successive league starts: 80 – 28 Feb 2004 – 25 Feb 2007

NOTTINGHAM FRONT ROW PAIR TO BE UNLEASHED

Posted on Jan 25, 2013 in Nottingham

Nottingham prop Matt Parr and hooker Joe Duffey will both make their first appearances of 2013 on Sunday when the Green and Whites host Bedford at Meadow Lane Stadium (2.45pm kick-off).

The return of the pair was put on ice last week when Nottingham’s British and Irish Cup clash with Llandovery was postponed due to the big freeze that gripped the East Midlands.

Head coach Martin Haag did not hesitate ushering the front row pair into the starting XV for the second-versus-third RFU Championship clash.

Parr comes back from injury to replace Jonny Harris at loose head, while Shaun Malton makes way for Duffey following his suspension.

“Matt has come back fit from his finger problem and I’m looking forward to seeing him in action,” Haag said.

“Joe hasn’t played too much of a part in the last few weeks but he is champing at the bit to get back. Shaun Malton came in and progressed a lot over the last two or three games in particular, but having Joe back adds that experience for a game like this.”

Weather conditions and affected matches has forced a re-shuffle among the backs with Andrew Savage given another week to recover from injury after initially being named in the side to take on Llandovery seven days ago.

David Jackson starts at full back, with Alex Lewington moving onto the right wing.

Lock Dan Montagu is poised to make his 100th appearance in the Championship clash that will decide who will finish the weekend sitting outright second on the league table.

Nottingham are currently second, equal with Bedford with 45 competition points but ahead on points difference.

The clash, to be televised live on Sky Sports, has generated record ticket pre-sales for Nottingham this season.

Despite the buzz of anticipation and high stakes, Haag refuses to be distracted.

“There is a lot of interest in this game, but from our point of view it is just another game along our journey,” Haag said.

“For us it is about staying composed – composed on the field, composed off the field and making sure that we do the things we are capable of doing. “

With temperatures set to rise over the weekend, forecasted to reach 7C on Sunday, Nottingham Rugby bosses and ground staff are extremely confident the clash will go ahead.

The frost covers remain on the pitch as more snow is expected to fall in the East Midlands today (Friday).

Nottingham Rugby team to face Bedford at Meadow Lane on Sunday, January 27 – 2.45pm kick-off: 15 David Jackson 14 Alex Lewington 13 Tim Streather 12 Joe Munro 11 Rhys Crane 10 James Arlidge 9 Sean Romans 1 Matt Parr 2 Joe Duffey 3 Michael Holford 4 Dan Montagu 5 Nic Rouse 6 Rupert Cooper 7 Brent Wilson 8 Alex Shaw.

Replacement from: 16 Shaun Malton 17 Ryan Bower 18 Joe Quinn 19 Tom Calladine 20 Finlay Barnham 21 Rory Lynn 22 Joe Cobden.

Nottingham vs Landovery Preview

Posted on Jan 18, 2013 in British and Irish Cup, Nottingham

DAN Montagu will make his 100th appearance for Nottingham as three big guns are recalled for the Green and Whites’ British and Irish Cup show-down with Llandovery at Meadow Lane tomorrow (Saturday, January 19 – 8pm kick-off).

Montagu, in his second spell with the RFU Championship club, will have all the more reason to celebrate the milestone if Nottingham secure the comprehensive win needed to top Pool 8 and earn a spot in the quarter finals of the cross-border competition.

Hooker Joe Duffey, prop Matt Parr and full back Andrew Savage will make their first appearances since the turn of the year in the final group game of the competition.

Savage returns from a knee injury, after nearly two months on the side-lines, while Parr reclaims a starting spot after breaking his finger earlier this month.

Parr teams up with loosehead prop Ryan Bower in the front row, with Duffey slotting in at hooker after serving a six-match ban.

Lock Nic Rouse takes over from Brent Wilson as captain with the flanker named on the bench for the Cup clash.

Tom Calladine replaces Wilson at outside flanker with Alex Shaw moving off the bench to his familiar role at No. 8.

David Jackson, who scored his 100th try for the club in last week’s narrow win over Doncaster that kept Nottingham’s quarter final hopes alive, is elevated to the starting XV and moved onto the right wing. After being rested for the trip to Castle Park, Joe Munro is named at outside centre.

Despite the snowfall and cold snap that has encompassed Nottinghamshire this week, the weather has not derailed match preparations. Ben Johnston, who again stands in for Martin Haag as Head Coach, oversaw the outfit’s final training session on artificial turf at Central College Nottingham yesterday.

Johnston refuses to let the weather  or the required match scenario to cloud the minds of his players. Nottingham must score a bonus-point victory, win by 10 or more points in the process and deny the visitors a competition point if they are to leapfrog the Welsh side into the next stage.

“If we think about how many points we need to win by, how many tries we have to deny them, it will only act as a distraction,” Johnston said.

Nottingham Rugby will hold a pitch inspection today (Friday, January 18) at 3pm ahead of the game against Llandovery.

The ground staff prepared for the bad weather that hit the city this week by putting the frost covers on the pitch last week.

If a second inspection is needed it will be conducted on Saturday morning.

Nottingham Rugby team to face Llandovery at Meadow Lane on Saturday, January 19 (8pm kick-off): 15 Andrew Savage 14 David Jackson 13 Tim Streather 12 Joe Munro 11 Rhys Crane 10 James Arlidge 9 Sean Romans 1 Matt Parr 2 Joe Duffey 3 Ryan Bower 4 Dan Montagu 5 Nic Rouse (c) 6 Rupert Cooper 7 Tom Calladine 8 Alex Shaw.

Replacements from: 16 Shaun Malton 17 Jonny Harris 18 Joe Quinn 19 Brent Wilson 20 Finlay Barnham 21 Rory Lynn 22 Joe Cobden.

Jack’s flash secures starting spot with Nottingham

Posted on Jan 11, 2013 in Nottingham

Nottingham head coach Martin Haag has kept faith with Jack Cobden for Saturday’s must-win British and Irish Cup clash with Doncaster after the winger impressed on short notice last week.

Cobden was a surprise late call-up for the Green and Whites’ RFU Championship game at Clifton Lane, replacing David Jackson who succumbed to illness just hours before kick-off against Rotherham.

The former young England international marked his return, having struggled with niggling foot and hip injuries during the first half of the season, with his first try of the campaign in the opening minutes against the Titans.

Jackson has now fully recovered, but the triple centurion takes his place on the bench for the Cup game at Castle Park tomorrow (2.30pm kick-off).

“Jack came in at late notice and did really well for us which I’m immensely pleased with,” Haag said.

“One thing we talk a lot about here is making sure that whenever you get your opportunity that you are ready to take it because sometimes it is easy not do as much training, go a bit off the rails and not know all the moves as well as those who are playing week-in-and-week out.

“Everyone has to be ready, on their mettle, and not coasting through – just because someone is not named in selection during the week doesn’t mean they don’t stand a chance of playing on the weekend.

“Jack showed he was ready, he wasn’t picked in the side on Friday afternoon but was out there playing on Saturday.”

Alex Lewington will again move to full-back with Cobden slotting in at right wing.

The only other change to Haag’s starting XV is the inclusion of centre Andy Forsyth with Joe Munro rested for the trip to Yorkshire.

On the bench, Joe Quinn is brought in to replace teenager Tom Price who was this week called up to the England under-20 squad.

Nottingham Rugby team to face Doncaster at Castle Park on January 12 (2.30pm kick-off): 15 Alex Lewington 14 Jack Cobden 13 Tim Streather 12 Andy Forsyth 11 Rhys Crane 10 James Arlidge 9 Sean Romans 1 Jonny Harris 2 Shaun Malton 3 Michael Holford 4 Dan Montagu 5 Nic Rouse 6 Rupert Cooper 7 Brent Wilson 8 Tom Calladine.

Replacements from: 16 Scott Wright 17 Ryan Bower 18 Joe Quinn 19 Alex Shaw 20 Finlay Barnham 21 Joe Cobden 22 David Jackson.

Nottingham winger Crane fit for Titans clash

Posted on Jan 4, 2013 in Nottingham

Rhys Crane returns to Nottingham’s wing for their first RFU Championship game of 2013 after being sidelined with a niggling calf strain in late December.

Crane’s inclusion for the trip to Clifton Lane to face Rotherham is one of three changes made to the Green and Whites starting side that overcame Moseley on December 23.

Tom Calladine’s impressive form as an impact player in recent weeks is rewarded as he takes his place at No. 8. Alex Shaw, who has started every league game to date this season, moves onto the bench.

Jonny Harris comes in for Matt Parr at loosehead prop.

England under-20 lock Tom Price joins the Leicester Tigers dual-registered contingent at Meadow Lane and is poised to make his debut off the bench.

Nottingham head coach Martin Haag anticipates a difficult trip to Clifton Lane to face the side that inflicted the first loss of the season on the Green and Whites at Meadow Lane in September.

“With every game we test ourselves, our skills, character and belief and that is what we will need huge amounts of at Rotherham. It is another game on our journey,” Haag said.

“We don’t read into what happened last time. That was a long time ago, they played well that day and a lot has changed since then.”

Nottingham starts the New Year sitting in third place on the Championship ladder, five points ahead of Cornish Pirates with a game in hand.

Haag is aware of the strong chasing pack just outside the top four, and chooses to ignore them to concentrate all attention on the short trip to Yorkshire.

“We can’t control what Cornish Pirates are doing, what Bristol are doing, Newcastle or Leeds or Doncaster, we can only control how we perform and the only thing we are concentrated on is Rotherham,” Haag said.

“The only pressure that we have is on ourselves, the pressure to perform, individually and collectively.”

Nottingham Rugby team to face Rotherham at Clifton Lane on Saturday, January 5 (2pm kick-off):15 David Jackson 14 Alex Lewington 13 Tim Streather 12 Joe Munro 11 Rhys Crane 10 James Arlidge 9 Sean Romans 1 Jonny Harris 2 Shaun Malton 3 Michael Holford 4 Dan Montagu 5 Nic Rouse 6 Rupert Cooper 7 Brent Wilson 8 Tom Calladine.

Replacements from: 16 Scott Wright 17 Ryan Bower 18 Tom Price 19 Alex Shaw 20 Finlay Barnham 21 Joe Cobden 22 Andy Forsyth.