O’Gara named in Munster squad for Ospreys clash

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Munster

Ronan O’Gara has been named in a 27 strong Munster squad for the RaboDirectPRO12 semi final clash with Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Friday 97.35pm). It’s the first time he’s been included in a Munster squad since the Heineken Cup quarter final.

O’Gara suffered a leg injury in that game that has kept him sidelined until this week and his return comes at a more than opportune time as Munster’s latest bout of injury removed Paul O’Connell and Damien Varley from the Swansea equation.

A big crowd is expected at the Liberty for what may be a final goodbye from wing legend Shane Williams to the Ospreys fans

Coach Steve Tandy confirmed today that Williams, will be in his starting XV on Friday.

Munster will name their starting XV tomorrow at midday before flying out to Bristol in the afternoon.

Munster Squad: F Jones, D Barnes, J Murphy, I Dineen, K Earls, L Mafi, S Zebo, T O’Leary, C Murray, S Deasy, I Keatley, R O’Gara, D Kilcoyne, W du Preez, S Archer, J Ryan, M Sherry, D Fogarty, S Henry, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll, D Ryan, T O’Donnell, Dave O’Callaghan, P O’Mahony, P Butler.

Centre Matavesi to become a Warrior

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors have confirmed the signing of hugely talented and versatile Fiji international back Josh Matavesi from French giants Racing Metro.

Matavesi, who previously played for Exeter Chiefs until his move to the Pariseans and the Top 14 in 2011, will move to Sixways from the start of next season following the completion of talks.

The 21-year-old, who can play across the back line and has featured regularly at inside centre for Racing Metro, has already earned five international caps for his country scoring 12 points with the boot.

The Fiji international, born and raised in Cornwall, is 6ft 1in and weighs 17 and a half stone.

Head Coach Richard Hill said: “We are very pleased that we can confirm the news that Josh will be joining the Warriors.

“We needed two good strong inside centres now we have released Dale Rasmussen and Sione Tu’ipulotu. Ravai Fatiaki has been fantastic the last six months with us and has really good potential. When you add that to the signing of Josh, we are pleased with our midfield options.

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Scarratt set to make her England Sevens debut

Posted on May 10, 2012 in England Sevens, England Women

England Women’s Emily Scarratt is hoping to set the Rugby Sevens world alight this weekend when she makes her international sevens debut in the IRB Challenge Cup at the Marriott London Sevens (May 12-13) at Twickenham Stadium.

Scarratt, 22, has done just that in the XVs game, running out an impressive 39 times for England, scoring 65 international points and competing in the 2010 Rugby World Cup where England finished second, but this weekend’s international sevens tournament will represent a new chapter in her rugby career.

“I’m very excited that this is going to be my first international Sevens tournament,” said the Lichfield player. “With it being at Twickenham hopefully it will be a great occasion, with lots of rugby fans coming to watch a great weekend of international rugby. As long as I can find my lungs and keep my legs with me then hopefully I can successfully transfer my skills over from XVs to Sevens. It will be a challenge but one that I am really looking forward to.”

Scarratt joins the England Sevens squad on the back of victory at the IRB Women’s Challenge Cup in Hong Kong in March whilst the team also reached the final of the Dubai leg of the tournament in December, narrowly losing out to a strong Canadian outfit.

“This England team has already set the bar very high, winning in Hong Kong and finishing second in Dubai,” added Scarratt. “Our Sevens programme is really developing at speed and that is now starting to show in our results. This tournament is even bigger for us as it’s on home turf and obviously we want to win the final Challenge Cup of this season. I’ve played at Twickenham before so I know first-hand how the atmosphere can lift you and hopefully with the crowd behind us again at the weekend we can repeat the success we have enjoyed at Twickenham in XVs.”

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Four uncapped players will make their England debuts against Spain

Posted on May 10, 2012 in England Women

Four uncapped players will make their England debuts in Saturday’s opening FIRA-AER European Cup campaign against Spain, kick off 430pm BST, in Rovereto, Italy.

Worcester’s Lydia Thompson, Bristol’s Sally Tuson and Darlington Mowden Park Sharks’ Ruth Laybourn will form a new look backs line-up for England, while Bristol’s Kate Newton will join an experienced front-row comprising of Rochelle Clark and Emma Croker who share 93 caps between them.

Worcester’s Danielle Waterman will start at fullback, her first game since the victorious autumn international series against world champions New Zealand, whilst Ceri Large and Georgina Rozario are the half backs.

In the forwards, Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter wears the captaincy armband and she is joined in the pack by fellow Six Nations winners Emily Braund, Tamara Taylor, Marlie Packer and Harriet Millar Mills.

On the bench Fiona Davidson (Richmond) and Lauren Cattell (Chesham) are also set to make their England debuts.

Graham Smith, England’s Head Coach for this tournament, said: “Despite this being a relatively new look England side, training has gone well and the squad have come together really well. I have been impressed with the squad’s approach to training and their discipline and they are working together really well. There will obviously be some challenges for the new caps on Saturday and that is where our experienced players will be vital.”

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Hamilton and Paice suspended

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Gloucester, London Irish

Jim Hamilton (Gloucester Rugby) and David Paice (London Irish) were both suspended for seven weeks at an RFU Disciplinary Hearing today.

Hamilton and Paice were both sent off for striking in the Aviva Premiership match between sides at the Madejski Stadium on May 5.

Hamilton’s suspension runs until August 19, covering Scotland’s warm-up and tour matches this summer, and warm-up games at the start of next season.

Paice’s suspension runs from August 10 to September 23 next season.

The panel of His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett (chair), Robert Horner and Jeff Probyn considered that both offences required top-end entry points because they were committed after the players had been issued yellow cards.

Both players have a right of appeal.

"Exciting Times Ahead" as Scotsmen McCall & Quigley Sign for London Scottish

Posted on May 10, 2012 in London Scottish

London Scottish have announced the signings of Dave McCall and Colin Quigley as the club continue to attract exciting Scottish talent.

Dave McCall

25 year old Dave McCall has signed from Rotherham Titans after spending the 2011/12 season at Clifton Lane. The winger had previously spent two and a half seasons with Glasgow Warriors, experiencing Heineken Cup rugby during his time there.

McCall, who went to school with London Scottish club captain Lewis Calder, is excited about the prospect of joining his new teammates.

McCall: “I’m excited about the way London Scottish play their rugby. After speaking to Simon Amor, I am impressed with the club set up and excited and ready to come into the squad.”

Head Coach Simon Amor said of McCall: “We were very impressed with Dave. He is a real quality Championship player, and will be a fantastic asset to the club as we continue to bring Scottish talent into the squad. He has genuine pace, and will bring strength and power to our backs.”

Colin Quigley

Colin Quigley joins London Scottish from Moseley after a year at Billesley Common. The 30 year old prop from Aberdeen had previously spent two years at Rotherham Titans.

Quigley: “I spoke to Simon Amor and I’m impressed with everything he had to say. Both he and the club have big ambitions and I have very much bought into that; there are exciting times ahead.”

Amor on Quigley: “He has been involved in the Championship for a number of years and performed exceptionally well against us in the recent playoffs, both as a scrummager and a ball carrier. He will add to what is already a very strong London Scottish front row.”

Tonga’uiha sets sights on double family celebration

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Latest Rugby News

There could be double celebration in the Tonga’uiha family this weekend with London Welsh centre and his brother, Northampton Saints prop Soane, both just 80 minutes away from playing in a final.

At the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday, Soane will be out to end Harlequins’ Premiership title ambitions, while just 24 hours later Hudson will be in action at Old Deer Park as the Exiles take a 13-3 lead into the 2nd leg of their Championship play-off with Bedford Blues. First things first, though, Hudson will be at the Stoop to cheer on his ‘big’ brother.

“I haven’t got much on after our team run on Saturday and the Stoop’s not too far from where I live. He might come to our game on Sunday – we’ll see,” said Hudson, who is five stone lighter and two inches shorter than Soane.

“He’s big and built like a prop, and I’m small but faster,” added Hudson, who joined Welsh in 2010 from Doncaster Knights and capped his first season by being named Players’ Player of the Year.

This season, he’s already added the Try of the Year award to his mantle piece, but the importance of his two most recent efforts far outweigh his vote winning effort earlier in the season.

It’s Hudson’s first half try in Welsh’s 13-3 win at Goldington Road that separates the sides going into Sunday, along with eight points from the boot of Welsh full back Alex Davies.

But it’s not the first crucial try the centre has claimed this season in Welsh’s march to the last four.

It was his score four minutes from time that secured Welsh the losing bonus point they needed in a tense affair against Bristol to clinch their place in the semi-finals for a third consecutive year.

Those tries took his tally for the Championship season to ten (six more than in 2010/11), but as befittingly the quiet man of the Welsh team, Hudson is typically modest.

“May be this year I’ve just being in the right positions and right places at the right times,” he said.

“It was a very important try [v Bedford] but it was a team effort. It was a fantastic win especially away at Bedford as it’s always tough.

“The conditions weren’t great, but credit to the boys – we stay firmed and stuck to our game plan. In play-offs like that it’s all about taking your points.”

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Odejobi ruled out of Marriott London Sevens

Posted on May 10, 2012 in England Sevens

England’s Mark Odejobi has been ruled out of the Marriott London Sevens after sustaining a broken bone in a foot.

And Isoa Damudamu – injured in last month’s Army v Navy Babcock Trophy match – faces knee surgery and a long spell out of the game.

Former England Under 20 wing Odejobi was injured after coming off the bench in the second half of England’s 40-7 victory over Kenya on day one at Scotstoun.

It leaves Head Coach Ben Ryan with one place to fill in the 12-man squad for the Marriott London Sevens at Twickenham this weekend.

Former captain Andy Vilk (Rugby Lions), Bristol-based Simon Hunt and newcomer Jeff Williams, a centre who played in the French Federale 1 league with RC Chateaurenard this season, are all in contention for the final spot as England aim to take another step forward after beating Australia, South Africa and Fiji before falling to champions New Zealand in the Glasgow final.

“It’s a tough break for Mark who’d come back from injury and trained hard with us – and he was only on the field for three minutes,” said Ryan.

“But we’ll go with what we’ve got and bring in one of the three who’ve been training with us  regularly.

“Andy Vilk and Simon Hunt are experienced sevens internationals who’ve played and won big tournaments with England while Jeff has impressed us with the way he’s fitted into the group in the last month.”

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Vunipola replaces Kvesic in England Under 20 squad

Posted on May 10, 2012 in England U20

London Wasps back row Billy Vunipola will replace injured Worcester Warriors flanker Matt Kvesic in the England Under 20 squad for the IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa next month.

Former Under 18 international Billy, brother of Mako who played in last year’s competition, is in line to make his Under 20 debut after impressing for Wasps in the latter stages of the season.

Aviva Premiership Discovery of the Season nominee Kvesic misses out after having surgery on a shoulder injury, meaning the 20-year-old Warrior won’t add to his 14 Under 20 caps.

Vunipola said: “This is a really exciting opportunity and one I’m looking forward to. Matt’s a quality player and he’ll be missed, but having trained with the squad earlier in the season I know that there’s some real talent in there.”

Kvesic added: “I’m obviously gutted to miss the tournament. After losing in last year’s final against New Zealand I was looking forward to giving it another crack, but it’s not meant to be. I’ve loved every minute representing the Under 20s and I wish the guys the best of luck in South Africa – I’ve got every confidence they’ll give it their all.”

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Marriott London Sevens hits new heights at Twickenham Stadium

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Sevens

The Marriott London Sevens is set to hit new heights with another world record weekend at Twickenham Stadium in the final leg of this season’s HSBC Sevens World Series.

More than 90,000 tickets have been sold for the tournament – launched today at the EDF Energy London Eye and the London Marriott Hotel County Hall with coaches and captains from the competing nations – and this weekend’s total attendance is expected to climb past last year’s high of 100,094.

The Marriott London Sevens is also the final major event in the calendar before the sport is welcomed into the Olympic family after the London 2012 Games, and for the first time both men’s and women’s events will be staged at Twickenham.

New Zealand are close to completing the defence of their overall HSBC Sevens World Series title, with Fiji in second place. Dubai champions England are in third and aiming to finish on a high after their impressive performances at Glasgow last weekend.

The IRB Women’s Challenge Cup sees England aiming to add more silverware to their collection after lifting the Hong Kong title with hot competition expected from the likes of World Cup winners Australia and Dubai title-holders Canada.

The tournament’s ‘70s Disco theme will attract thousands in fancy dress and create a carnival atmosphere with house band Love Train playing live inside the stadium and a Funky Town fan village in the West Car Park as well as a host of other entertainment for supporters of all ages.

Rob Andrew, RFU Professional Rugby Director, said: “The Marriott London Sevens continues to grow and get bigger and better each year both on and off the pitch, which is a testimony to the strength of the event and the appeal of the sport.

“This weekend, for the first time, Twickenham Stadium is the finale of what may be the most competitive HSBC Sevens World Series of them all.

“The athleticism and skill levels of the players are astonishing now and that goes for the women’s game as well as the men’s, with two competitions running alongside each other throughout the weekend.”

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