Mark Anscombe Appointed New Ulster Rugby Head Coach

Posted on Mar 9, 2012 in Irish Rugby, Ulster

Ulster Rugby today confirmed that Mark Anscombe has been appointed as Head Coach from season 2012-13 on a two year contract.

Mark has just finished a three year term as Head Coach of the Auckland ITM Cup side and has combined that role with a number of positions in the very successful NZ U20 squad. Last year, Mark was Head Coach as they again triumphed in the Junior World Championships in Italy.

“It has been a long and detailed process but we’re now delighted to confirm that Mark will be joining us next season.” commented Ulster’s Director of Rugby David Humphreys.

“We all believe that he has the experience, ability and knowledge to build on the success of the last 2 years.

We were all very impressed with Mark during the interview process, he know what it takes to get the best out of players and has an in-depth understanding of the game. He has strong leadership qualities and will challenge both the players and staff in ways some of them haven’t been challenged before.

As well as an experienced Head Coach, he is a high quality technical forwards coach with a proven track record of delivering competitive, physical forward packs. He will be instrumental in developing some of the young forwards already in our system to ensure they become key players for both Ulster and Ireland."

Mark Anscombe commented;

“I’ve been keeping an eye on Ulster for a while now and I’m very impressed with the plans and what’s happening at Ulster Rugby and I’ve very excited about the prospect at being involved in that.

It goes without saying that the job will present me with an exciting challenge. Ulster have been developing over the past few years, they’ve had some new players come in to strengthen the squad so the foundations are there but there’s a lot of work to be done in terms of moving on to the next stage and that will be a challenge for me and for all of us."

Anscombe is familiar with both John Afoa and Jared Payne who he has worked with at Auckland;

“They’re both good men with a lot to offer. In the short time that John has been at Ulster he’s already impressed the rugby public there. Jared was very unfortunate with the Achilles injury but I’m sure if he had remained fit they would have been singing his praises also.

David (Humphreys) has recruited well so far, he’s brought in quality people and I’m looking forward to working with them.”

Anscombe (54), who is married with three children, will arrive in Belfast on 1st June.

Scotland squad for Hong Kong HSBC Sevens

Posted on Mar 9, 2012 in Scotland, Scottish Rugby, Sevens

Scotland 7s head coach Graham Shiel has today named a squad of 16 players to travel to Hong Kong for the sixth leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series, which kicks-off on Friday 23 March. The announcement comes just under two months out of the Emirates Airline Glasgow Sevens on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 May. 

Twelve of the players will be involved with the official Cathay Pacific Hong Kong 7s, with the other four joining up with leading players from Hong Kong Scottish and other Hong Kong clubs to form the Scottish Barbarians, who will compete in the GFI HKFC Tens tournament on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 March.

Shiel said: "This is our strongest team to date; everyone has merited inclusion in the squad. The youngsters involved have all had good seasons both in sevens and in their club games and the 10s players are all performing well and challenging for places.

“Having an extra four players travelling is a new opportunity for us, with the chance to play against some huge names on the world stage and to experience a new challenge. It’s also a safety net if we suffer any injuries.

“We’re delighted to welcome Mark Robertson back from injury, he has been training hard and we look forward to see him bring his wealth of experience into the fray.

“Our aim remains reaching a Cup quarter-final for the first time. With the slightly different Hong Kong structure there is a big challenge ahead as every game has a massive bearing on the final outcome. There are improvements we must make in order to be as competitive as we can be. We must earn possession from the kick-off as often as possible and increase our threat in attack.”

The Scotland 7s players to compete in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong 7s (Friday 23 – Sunday 25 March) are: Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Accies), Adam Ashe (Stirling County), *Mark Cairns (Currie), Michael Fedo (Team Northumbria), *Ross Miller (Glasgow Hawks), Mark Robertson (Scotland 7s) Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Heriot’s), Sean Kennedy (Stirling County), Colin Gregor (Scotland 7s), Byron McGuigan (Scotland 7s), James Fleming (Scotland 7s) and Andrew Turnbull (Scotland 7s).

The additional 10s players to compete in the GFI HKFC Tens (Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 March) are: Rory Hughes (GHA), *Fraser Harkness (Selkirk), *Greig Ryan (Aberdeen Grammar) and Kerr Gossman (Glasgow Hawks).

(*sportscotland institute supported player)

As well as their involvement in the two tournaments the players will travel to Hong Kong on Thursday 15 March, just over a week early, to assist with community visits and rugby sessions in partnership with Hong Kong Scottish and the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union.

They will visit the Flying Kukris Youth Club, Sarah Roe Jockey Club School and the Diocesan Boys School, as well as getting involved with a rugby clinic at the Repulse Bay Beach Rugby tournament and much more.

Shiel continued: “This is a good opportunity and challenge for the players to get involved with community work around a tournament which already has such substance and excitement.

“It’s a chance for us to build on Scottish Rugby’s partnership with the Hong Kong RFU and Hong Kong Scottish and to bring back ideas for the Glasgow 7s in May.

“Community work goes hand in hand with professional rugby. It’s really positive for us because it means we can start to build the brand of international rugby sevens.

“It will definitely add a different flavour to the trip.”

For the community side of the trip Scottish Rugby’s President Ian McLauchlan will join the party.

The draw for the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sevens is as follows:
Pool A: Samoa, England, Argentina Kenya
Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Wales, United States
Pool C: Fiji, Australia, France, Scotland
Pool D: Tonga, Uruguay, Hong Kong, China
Pool E: Canada, Spain, Zimbabwe, Philippines
Pool F: Portugal, Russia, Japan, Guyana

Scotland 7s will play Fiji on Friday 23 March at 5.06pm (local time), Australia on Saturday 24 March at 10.36 (local time) and France on the Saturday at 3.44pm (local time).

2012 GFI HKFC Tens
Hong Kong Football Club, March 21-22

Pool A: BGC Asia Pacific Barbarians, Hill & Associates Scottish Barbarians, Irish Vikings, Playmore’s Shanghai Devils
Pool B: HSBC Penguins, International Panthers, HKRFU Chairman’s X, China Agricultural University
Pool C: SRC Borneo Eagles, New Zealand Legends, Lloyd McDermott Foundation, Hong Kong Football Club
Pool D: Samurai International, Tag Heuer Eyewear Pyrenees, Australian Country Invitational, Overseas Old Boys

Pacific Rugby Cup comes to New Zealand

Posted on Mar 9, 2012 in NZ

The best of New Zealand’s emerging rugby talent goes on show against the best of Pacific-based talent as the IRB Pacific Rugby Cup competition enters its second leg in New Zealand today.

The first series was held in Australia last week and the final series of the competition will see the Island nations compete in the Pacific Series later this year to compete for overall championship status. 

The Pacific Rugby Cup is a key feature of the IRB’s strategy to develop Pacific rugby with a $1 million investment in the delivery of the competition.

Tonga A, Fiji Warriors and Samoa A pit themselves against New Zealand’s Super Rugby development squads with the first match today seeing the Crusader Knights host Fiji at Rugby Park in Christchurch.

The Series finishes with the Hurricanes development team playing Samoa A at Porirua Park, in 10 days’ time.

Rugby fans of either the Island nations or the Super Rugby emerging talent will get to watch these matches at smaller venues including Bayer Growers’ Stadium in Pukekohe, Logan Park in Dunedin, Rugby Park in both Te Kuiti and Christchurch, Porirua Park in Wellington and Pakuranga Rugby Club in Auckland.

Otago liquidation delayed further

Posted on Mar 9, 2012 in NZ

The Board of the Otago Rugby Football Union (ORFU) has decided to delay until Friday March 16 the filing of an application to liquidate the union to allow more time for discussions on a possible recovery package.

This follows a one week delay agreed by the Board last week.

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), Dunedin City Council, Dunedin Venues Management Ltd, the New Zealand Rugby Players Association and the Bank of New Zealand have spent the past week working through the details of the recovery package.

NZRU Chief Executive Steve Tew said discussions this week had been fruitful.

“We are certainly more hopeful than two weeks ago so that is good progress. 

“As we said last week the options we are looking at are very complicated, there are many moving parts and all have to come together to ensure we have a viable plan. The extra week will give all parties the time they need to make final decisions.

“While it is not appropriate to discuss the shape of any plan, what we have said all along is that any deal must be very clear on a number of counts. It must put the union on a sustainable long term financial footing and must put in place appropriate governance arrangements to ensure the mistakes of the past are not repeated.”

RFU Podcast: Farrell and Rowntree, Moody, Corbisiero, Hodgson, Burnfield, Walker, Vesty

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 in England, English Rugby, RFU Podcast

Andy Farrell evaluates the RBS 6 Nations campaign and the challenge ahead for England at the Stade de France on Sunday in this week’s RFU Podcast.

Backs coach Farrell and forwards coach Graham Rowntree also assess the ‘massive impact’ on the game made by former captain Lewis Moody, who announced his retirement this week.

Meanwhile Alex Corbisiero is braced to meet a new challenge head-on, while Charlie Hodgson – who played there in 2006 – believes England have taken a step forward with each game and are creating opportunities, as does wary France boss Philippe Saint Andre.

England Women were 33-0 winners against Wales at Twickenham and player of the match Rowena Burnfield wants to keep the standards high against the last side to beat them when they face France at the Stade Charlety.

We also hear from young Charlie Walker, the centre who will move straight from the Under 20 Six Nations to making his debut for England Sevens in Hong Kong and Tokyo at the end of the month.

On the home front, the semi finals of the LV= Cup take place this weekend. On Sunday, Northampton Saints take on the Scarlets and on Friday night Bath Rugby take on Leicester Tigers at the Rec, where former Tiger Sam Vesty is looking forward to facing his old club.

For the full interviews, check out today’s RFU Podcast.

Titans ready for Bedford Battle

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 in Bedford, Championship, English Rugby, Rotherham Titans

Rotherham Titans have endured a tough week’s training in anticipation of a very physical battle with Bedford Blues on Saturday; kick-off 2pm at Clifton Lane.

Andre Bester has picked arguably his strongest side as he hopes to kick-start the play-off campaign with a victory. In stage 1 of the season Rotherham beat Bedford 40-32 at Clifton Lane, collecting the try bonus point along the way. Something similar would be most welcome, but Bedford who finished runners-up in the league will no doubt provide stiff opposition.

Of the 31 previous encounters between the sides, it is Bedford who holds the upper hand with 18 victories. However, one of Rotherham Titans greatest achievements came against Bedford 12 years ago.
Rotherham beat Bedford over a two-legged play-off to attain Premiership rugby for the first time.

Although a great memory for Rotherham, that is in the past and if they want to realise their ambition of a third tilt in the Premiership, the hard work starts on Saturday.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s encounter Titans head coach Andre Bester explained, “This is crunch time! This is what we have been building up to all season and we won’t shy away from the importance of it.
“It is the first group of matches that is important, not just the Bedford game. The first three matches are very important in terms of positioning yourself. Nothing is terminal, but it can become terminal if we have issues against Bedford and do not respond in the right way.

“We need to put ourselves in a position after the first 3 play-off matches so we give ourselves a chance of making the semi-final. That’s the only thing that we are working towards; giving ourselves a window of opportunity to have a crack at this. That’s why during the season we rotated heavily and why we planned things the way we did. We now have a fully fit squad that’s eager to get out there and give it their best shot.

“We’ve pick the full team for this game and we’ve worked terribly hard for what we want to do. We know more than anything else it’s going to be a mental challenge, the top six inches will determine the outcome.
Our intensity has picked up massively since the London Scottish game and all the players are aware this is the business end of the season.”

Titans: 15 Stephen Hamilton, 14 Tom Foden, 13 Dave McCall, 12 Pale Nonu, 11 Shane Monahan, 10 Garry Law, 9 Jimmy Williams, 1 Shane Cahill, 2 Dan Baines, 3 Ben Hooper, 4 Sam Dickinson (Capt.), 5 Barney Maddison, 6 Robin Copeland, 7 Sean Dougall, 8 Semisi Taulava.

Replacements: 16 Ted Stagg, 17 Jamie Kilbane, 18 Talite Vaioleti, 19 Adrian Griffiths, 20 Carl Kirwan, 21 Matt Rhodes, 22 Byron Godfrey.

Ryan Mills in at fly half for England Under 20

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 in England U20, English Rugby

England Under 20 have made three changes to the team that beat Italy 42-7 for Saturday night’s Under 20 Six Nations clash against France in Vannes, kick off 7.45pm (UK time).

Gloucester’s Ryan Mills (pictured)  is in at fly half while hooker Koree Britton and No. 8 Jack Clifford also come back into Rob Hunter’s side. There are also first appearances on the bench for David Sisi, Ben Spencer and Will Addison.

England are three from three in this season’s Six Nations competition and have averaged 47 points a game, but Leeds flanker Chris Walker, who again captains the side, says that the squad will take nothing for granted.

“France are a good side,” he said. “They lost narrowly at home against Ireland back in February but have beaten Wales and Italy, so we know that they will provide a significant threat.

“But we can only control ourselves and we’ve trained well this week and we’re looking in good shape.

“It’s good to have a few of the Premiership guys back in and we’re looking forward to seeing what they can offer. Ryan Mills in at No. 10 is a good move, he’s a top player and I’m sure he’ll keep us ticking over nicely, and with Tommy Bell on the bench too, we’ve got some really nice options at fly half.”

Backs coach Nick Walshe added: "Ryan’s got experience playing at No. 10 so we know that he can do the job. He’s a class individual, a very, very good rugby player and has slipped into the stand-off role with ease.

"He brings a lot of experience with him, he’s played France at this level before and more recently he’s been playing Premiership rugby with Gloucester – he’s up for the big occasion, and this game on Saturday is another big occasion."

England Under 20 starting XV against France

15 Ben Ransom (Saracens)
14 Anthony Watson (London Irish)
13 Charlie Walker (Harlequins)
12 Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
11 Marland Yarde (London Irish)
10 Ryan Mills (Gloucester Rugby)
9 Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby)

1 Luke Cowan Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
2 Koree Britton (Gloucester Rugby)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
4 Tom Price (Leicester Tigers)
5 Dom Barrow (Leeds Carnegie)
6 Matt Kvesic (Worcester)
7 Chris Walker (Leeds Carnegie) (C)
8 Jack Clifford (Harlequins)

Replacements:

16 Nathan Morris (London Wasps)
17 Alec Hepburn (London Wasps)
18 Ross Harrison (Sale Sharks)
19 David Sisi (London Irish)
20 Will Skuse (Bath Rugby)
21 Ben Spencer (Saracens)
22 Tommy Bell (Sale Sharks)
23 Will Addison (Sale Sharks)

TEAM NEWS: Plymouth Albion RFC

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 in Championship, English Rugby, Plymouth Albion

JON VICKERS will make his first Championship start for Plymouth Albion tomorrow night (Friday) when they begin their relegation play-off campaign with an away trip to Moseley.

The hooker has missed most of the season with a neck injury, but he has recovered at just the right time for Albion.

Ironically, Vickers’ only other competitive start for Albion came against Moseley at Billesley Common in a British & Irish Cup match in September.

As well as Vickers, Albion also welcome back captain Sean-Michael Stephen, prop Ryan Hopkins and flanker Wayne Sprangle to their starting line-up.

There is also a play-off start for 18-year-old winger Jack Arnott after he impressed Albion coach Nat Saumi in the club’s final two regular season matches.

After tomorrow’s trip, Albion face back-to-back home games against Esher and London Scottish.

The Esher match will be played on Friday, March 16, with the London Scottish fixture the following Friday (March 23). Tickets for those games start from £13 for adults and £1 for children and can be purchased at www.plymouthalbion.com.

Albion: 15 Sione Tu’ipulotu, 14 James Love, 13 Paul Bailey, 12 Bevon Armitage, 11 Jack Arnott, 10 Paul Roberts, 9 Ruairi Cushion, 1 David Morton, 2 Jon Vickers, 3 Ryan Hopkins, 4 Tyler Hotson, 5 Sean-Michael Stephen (capt), 6 Herbie Stupple, 7 Wayne Sprangle, 8 Aaron Carpenter.
Reps: 16 Tyson Lewis, 17 Steve Johns, 18 Jack Andrew, 19 Rob Dugard, 20 Rupert Freestone, 21 Addison Lockley, 22 Sam Hocking.

England Sevens add new names to squad for Hong Kong and Tokyo

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 in England, England Sevens, English Rugby, Sevens

ENGLAND have named a 13-man squad including two new players for the next two legs of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Hong Kong and Tokyo.

England Under 20 centre Charlie Walker (Harlequins) makes his debut at the Cathay Pacific HSBC Hong Kong Sevens (March 23-25) and half back Sam Edgerley (Rosslyn Park) will take over from Isoa Damudamu (British Army) at the Japan Sevens the following weekend.

England are fourth in the series behind New Zealand, Fiji and South Africa after five of the nine events which included their tournament victory in Dubai in December.

Captain Greg Barden leads a settled squad – including nine of England’s contracted sevens players – that has been working hard in training to close the gap on the series leaders having lost by a single score in the knock-out stages in both Wellington and Las Vegas this year.

The three-day, 12-team tournament sees England play Argentina (12:30 GMT) on March 23, and Kenya (03:20) and Samoa (11:30) on March 24 before the following day’s knock-out stages.

Head coach Ben Ryan said: “The margins between the sides at this level are very small but we’ve come up short a couple of times. We haven’t spent the last month changing anything but we’ve been working harder than ever at this phase of the season and making sure everyone is doing everything they can at the highest standard possible.

“The whole squad are in superb shape physically and we’re really focused on putting things right, starting in Hong Kong which is a home from home for us. We all want to improve on last year’s final appearance and we know we’ll get fantastic support from a huge ex-pat crowd."

Walker made his senior debut for Harlequins last September and has appeared in all three Under 20 RBS 6 Nations games so far this season, scoring three tries.

Edgerley, a former England Under 18 wing who has moved to scrum half, has trained with the national squad all season.

“I have tracked Charlie’s progress for last few years and I’m sure he’ll be a real asset to us for the next two tournaments,” said head coach Ben Ryan.

“He’ll fly out to link up with the squad immediately after the Under 20s finish their RBS 6 Nations programme against Ireland.

“We’ve talked to his club and to the national under 20 coaches and we all believe he’s an exciting prospect and that his development can only be enhanced by taking part in these tournaments on such a big stage.

“We’re all delighted for Sam Edgerley who’s been pushing hard for a place all season.

“He’s been rewarded for the progress he’s made and he’s been outstanding in a very competitive training environment in the build-up to two key tournaments.”

England Sevens squad: Greg Barden (captain), John Brake, Chris Cracknell, Isoa Damudamu (British Army), Christian Lewis-Pratt, Tom Mitchell (Oxford University), Dan Norton, Tom Powell, James Rodwell, Mathew Turner, Rob Vickerman, Charlie Walker (Harlequins). Sam Edgerley (Rosslyn Park) will replace Damudamu for the Japan Sevens in Tokyo.

HSBC Sevens World Series (top eight, after five events): 1 New Zealand 92pts, 2 Fiji 87, 3 South Africa 76, 4 England 74, 5 Samoa 69, 6 Australia, France 52, 8 Wales 51.

Ireland team update: O’Brien OUT!

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 in Ireland, Irish Rugby

Ireland flanker Sean O’Brien has been forced to withdraw from the RBS 6 Nations game against Scotland due to a skin infection on his foot which has failed to recover as quickly as expected.

The infection has required intravenous antibiotics and he is expected to be available for selection for the game against England.

Peter O’Mahony will now move from the replacements to start at No.7, with Shane Jennings being called into the squad to take O’Mahony’s place on the bench.

Ireland Team Manger Mick Kearney said, "We knew Sean was carrying this infection in his foot, but unfortunately it has not cleared as quickly as we expected. While it has not healed enough for him to play this Saturday, we expect him to be fine for next weekend. With Sean out, we have decided to bring Peter onto the starting side and Shane Jennings into the squad."

IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Scotland, 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, March 10, kick-off 5pm):

15 – Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 – Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
9 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
1 – Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) (capt)
3 – Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
6 – Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 – Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 – Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
17 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 – Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers/Connacht)
19 – Shane Jennings (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
20 – Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
21 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 – Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)