Ospreys’ Tandy ready for semi-final challenge

Posted on May 1, 2012 in Ospreys, Welsh Rugby

Head Coach Steve Tandy has revealed that he’s hoping to tap into the feel-good factor at the Ospreys as he looks to path a course for his team into the RaboDirect PRO12 final at the end of the month.

A fourth successive win last weekend saw the Ospreys secure second spot, and with it a home semi-final on Friday 11th May with a game to spare, and Tandy insists that getting the maths sorted out early is a huge bonus to the team’s preparations.

“Getting to the play-offs was the target when we took over so I’m pleased that we’ve managed to achieve that with a game to spare” he said.

“It’s a real boost for the business and I think there’s a real positive feel about the place at the moment which is great.

“As far as the team is concerned, securing the home semi with a game to spare is really important. It means we’ve got extra preparation time for the game. Yes, we don’t know who we are playing yet but it’s given us another two weeks to prep and get the team ready to go, rather than having to wait with a few different scenarios on the go. The uncertainty has been lifted and when we are planning for the next couple of weeks we know exactly where we are and what we are doing which has to be a huge benefit in terms of our preparations for 11th May.

“We’ve got Aironi first up though and we know we can’t take them lightly. While as coaches we have to plan further ahead, as far as the team is concerned it’s one game at a time and Aironi will present a real challenge. It could be their final game, which gives it that something extra and it will be an emotional evening there. They are a physical bunch and just looking at their results at home you can see what they are capable of. They’ll want to go out on a high.

“The players are aware that every game they are involved in they are representing the Ospreys at all times and will go out there looking to keep the momentum going with a good performance that will send us into the semi at the Liberty the following week in the right shape.”

The win over the Dragons last time out was witnessed by the highest crowd of the season, and Tandy is in no doubt that the big turnout provided his charges with a big lift. While the story of the night was all about Shane Williams and his last gap try, Tandy is quick to point out the importance of the late touchdown.

“It was superb at the stadium last time out, seeing so many supporters there” agreed Tandy.

“It really lifted the team and I’ve no doubt it helped us get the result in the end. It was a great occasion and the ending was very fitting for Shane, but you can’t lose sight of how important that try was for the team. It wasn’t just about Shane, we needed a fourth try for the bonus point and that bonus point in the end was enough to ensure that we have a home semi.

“That’s how important it was. It was a huge moment that has given that extra bit of breathing space and prep time that could be all important if we are going to be successful in the playoffs.

“To have 14,500 there was amazing but if we could go even better than that for the semi-final would be fantastic. It would give the boys such a boost to see so many people supporting them in a knockout game against Munster or Glasgow.”

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Connacht squad to face Aironi

Posted on Apr 19, 2012 in Connacht, Irish Rugby

Connacht Rugby have announced an extended squad to face Aironi this weekend (The Sportsground – Saturday 21st April – kick-off 17.00)

There is only one omission from last week’s squad with Brett Wilkinson sidelined after picking up a calf injury in the victory over Ulster last weekend. Ray Ofisa has recovered from the knock that saw him replaced early on in that match and Adrian Flavin will face a late fitness test to assess his availability after missing out last weekend.

Connacht are looking to finish the season on a high and after recent victories over the Dragons and Ulster Eric Elwood’s men are well placed to climb the RaboDirect PRO12 table. Just two points separate Connacht from the Dragons and Treviso and a best ever eighth place finish is certainly within reach.

Connacht squad to face Aironi:

Forwards:

Ronan Loughney, Stewart Maguire, Denis Buckley, Rodney Ah You, Ethienne Reynecke, Dermot Murphy, Adrian Flavin, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, Mick Kearney, Eoin McKeon, John Muldoon, Johnny O’Connor, Ray Ofisa, George Naoupu

Backs:

Frank Murphy, Paul O’Donohoe, Miah Nikora, Matthew Jarvis, Eoin Griffin, Henry Fa’afili, Kyle Tonetti, Tiernan O’Halloran, Fetu’u Vainikolo, James Loxton, Gavin Duffy (C)

Scarlets’ youngsters get their chance against Aironi

Posted on Apr 13, 2012 in Scarlets, Welsh Rugby

Scarlets and Wales centre Jon Davies, a shining example of the success of the Scarlets commitment to develop rugby talent from within their region, is handed the honour of captaining his side for the first time against Aironi this weekend.

Davies, who started his junior rugby at Whitland RFC in Carmarthenshire before accelerating his rugby career through the Scarlets Academy and then into the senior squad, has played all his club rugby in the Scarlets region.

The gifted and powerful centre is one of a number of talented rising Scarlets who have risen through the ranks through opportunity within the Scarlets set-up to gain international honours – with Scarlets players making up the mainstay of Wales national squad backline.

Wales centre Jonathan Davies, who turned 24 last week, recently signed a two-year contract extension keeping him at the Scarlets until the end of the 2013-2014 season.

He said he was very honoured to be handed the captaincy for the first time:  "The region has done a lot to support my rugby career to date and it’s where I feel at home as a player and where I feel I am best placed to further my ambitions both at regional and international level.

"There’s great team ethic, the Scarlets boys all work hard for each other and we’re a close-knit group because so many of us have come through the ranks together from within the region.

"There’s a strong and ambitious spirit in this team and we know what it means to wear the Scarlets shirt, given our great heritage and our style and brand of rugby suits me as a player.”

With just three games left in the RaboDirect PRO12 league for the Scarlets before the play-offs it’s a trip out onto Italian soil against Aironi on Sunday afternoon 15th April kick off 3.05pm (local time) at Stadio Zaffanella. With every game until the end of the season is now a “must win” scenario for the top 6 the teams in the RaboDirect PRO12, it will be nail-biting final run.

With the Scarlets sitting in 6th on 51 points, Ulster on 55 points in 5th and Glasgow in 4th on 56 points and Munster in third on 56 – there are just four points separate third to sixth placed teams with a number of the top six having to play each other in the final rounds.

Aironi have won just one of their last six RaboDirect PRO12 games: 21-17 at home to Munster on 11 March. Aironi have won four home games in Viadana this season.

Scarlets have won three of their last four games in the PRO12. Scarlets only defeat to an Italian opponent since September 2010 was 10-20 in Treviso on 1 October 2011. Scarlets have won all three previous encounters with Aironi.

Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said:  “We know this is a must-win game for us out in Italy and the boys have been frustrated after their performance in Brive last weekend in the quarter-final.  This is a time for them to get some momentum back and we know we are still in with a fighting chance with our league campaign.   We have two great home fixtures ahead in our run in back at Parc y Scarlets with Munster next Saturday and then the Cardiff Blues (5th May) which will both be great occasions for the side and our supporters to be part of.

“Our team selection for Aironi in many ways reflects the new generation of Scarlets who are stepping up and being handed responsibility and will take rugby forward for the Scarlets into next season.

“We have been very impressed with Jon Davies’ approach and maturity this season and it his a chance for him to stamp his mark on the way the team approaches this game and good to see him wanting to take responsibility and direction.

“There is some real competition now within this group of players for places and that’s shown by Ken Owens getting his chance at hooker – after showing some great form at the weekend and he now deserves his chance.”

Dom Day comes back into the second row with Aaron Shingler who returns from a toe injury and in an unchanged back row Josh Turnbull is named as vice-captain.  Young Wales and Scarlets Prop Rhodri Jones moves from loosehead Prop last weekend to give him an opportunity at tighthead furthering his development and experience as a key front row player for the future.

Scarlets team against Edinburgh at Murrayfield, Friday March 30th 2012 kick off 7.35pm: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Sean Lamont, 13 Nick Reynolds, 12 Jon Davies (capt), 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Rhodri Jones, 4 Aaron Shingler, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 8 Ben Morgan.

Replacements: Matthew Rees, Peter Edwards, Simon Gardiner, Mat Gilbert, Kieran Murphy, Stephen Jones, Viliame Iongi.

Those unavailable for selection through injury:  Centre Gareth Maule sustained a broken finger last weekend against Brive and will be out for a minimum of six weeks.  Scott Williams, centre (shoulder) will be tested for fitness next week.  Scrum-half Tavis Knoyle will be playing his first game back against Llanelli RFC this weekend after his shoulder operation.  Lou Reed, second row is out and in rehab with a knee injury, Sioni Timani (second row) is out with a knee injury, Prop Deacon Manu is not fit after suffering a concussion two weeks ago and wing George North is rested with a minor groin strain and will be tested for fitness next week before Munster.

Aironi team announcement

Posted on Mar 9, 2012 in Aironi, Aironi, RaboDirect Pro 12

Sunday at Stadio Zaffanella in Viadana sees Aironi play their third home game in a row hosting Munster in the RaboDirect PRO12 round 14. The match was called off one month ago due to heavy snowfall in Italy. Kick-off scheduled is at 3 pm (2 pm GMT).

Coach Rowland Phillips faces several injuries (Williams, Trevisan, Buso, Denti, Robertson and Viljoen), suspensions (Mauro Bergamasco and Gilberto Pavan) and players away on international duty (ten players are with Italy). There are five changes in the starting line-up. The most important news is Tito Tebaldi starting at fullback, while Matteo Pratichetti is back into action at outside centre alongside Gabriel Pizarro. Riccardo Pavan and Sinoti Sinoti retain their place on the wings.

There’s a new pair of half-backs, where Italian international fly-half Luciano Orquera starts for the first time in a couple of months after returning from injury last week in the game against Leinster. Tyson Keats will play at scrum-half.

The only new face in the pack is Filippo Ferrarini replacing Simone Favaro at flanker in a back row line completed by no.8 Josh Sole and openside flanker Nicola Cattina. Carlo Del Fava is able to play after being hurt against Leinster and plays in the second row with George Biagi. In the front row Matias Aguero and Lorenzo Romano are the props, with hooker Roberto Santamaria skippering the team for the tenth time.

Two permit players from the Italian championship are amongst the replacements: Filippo Cazzola (lock from I Cavalieri Prato, one cap with Aironi) and Emiliano Caffini (back rower from Crociati, who could make his debut in the competition).

AIRONI: 15 Tito Tebaldi; 14 Riccardo Pavan, 13 Matteo Pratichetti, 12 Gabriel Pizarro, 11 Sinoti Sinoti; 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Tyson Keats; 8 Josh Sole, 7 Nicola Cattina, 6 Filippo Ferrarini; 5 Carlo Del Fava, 4 George Biagi; 3 Lorenzo Romano, 2 Roberto Santamaria, 1 Matias Aguero.

Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Salvatore Perugini, 19 Filippo Cazzola, 20 Emiliano Caffini, 21 Giorgio Bronzini, 22 Naas Olivier, 23 Alberto Benettin.

Coach: Rowland Phillips.

Munster Squad for Aironi

Posted on Mar 8, 2012 in Irish Rugby, Munster

David Wallace is included in the 27 strong Munster squad for the trip to Parma and RaboDirect PRO12 clash with Aironi.

It’s the first time Wallace has featured in a Munster squad this season having sustained a knee injury in the August international against England in Dublin.

Also included in the squad are Simon Zebo and Denis Hurley.

Both spent last week with the Ireland squad in Carton House, Hurley only released on the Friday morning. However, neither are required this week and will travel with the squad to Parma from Dublin Airport on Friday morning.

One notable absentee from the squad is Dave Foley who dislocated a shoulder on Saturday in Newport. He’ll see a specialist on Monday to determine the exact extent of the injury.

Munster Squad: M Horan, W Du Preez, BJ Botha, J Ryan, D Fogarty, M Sherry, S Archer, B Holland, I Nagle, M O’Driscoll, Dave O’Callaghan, T O’Donnell, P Butler, J Coughlan, D Wallace, C Sheridan, D Williams, I Keatley, S Deasy, S Zebo, L Mafi, S Tokula, L O’Dea, D Hurley, F Jones, S Scanlon, J Murphy.