Andy Robinson extends contract

Posted on Feb 9, 2011 in Rugby News

Scottish Rugby announced today (Wednesday 9 February) that it has reached agreement with Andy Robinson to extend his contract until 31 December 2015.  This will keep Robinson at the helm of the national team beyond the Rugby World Cup in England in 2015.

Robinson welcomed the extension stating: “I am very proud to be the Scotland Head Coach and I am delighted that the great work already underway will continue until after the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

"I am very happy with the progress that has been made by Scottish Rugby in recent seasons and have every confidence the Scottish professional teams will continue to play an important role in supporting the success of the Scotland team.

"I want to personally thank Scottish Rugby and the rugby public for the fantastic support the national team enjoys and I can assure them that I will be doing everything I possibly can along with my management team and the players to bring further success  to the nation in the years ahead.

“This Saturday’s  game against Wales provides  us with the perfect opportunity to get that  important first win in the RBS 6 Nations championship.”

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Gordon McKie, hailed Robinson’s extension.  He said: “We are absolutely delighted that we have secured Andy until December 2015 .  I said when we appointed Andy back in 2009 that he would bring success to Scotland and I have every reason to expect that Scotland will continue to improve in the coming years under his leadership.

“Andy is an important part of the Scottish Rugby family and he has made a real impact on the national team taking us to seventh in the world and achieving fine victories over Southern Hemisphere opposition last year.

“Andy is highly regarded throughout the world as a coach and to have secured his services until beyond the Rugby World Cup in England in  2015 is a great coup and further underlines that rugby in Scotland  is in good health.”

Allan Munro, Chairman of Scottish Rugby, welcomed the news. “The Scottish Rugby Board was keen to keep Andy in Scotland and this extension until December 2015 will enable Andy to build on the recent improving performances of the national team.

"It’s great news for everyone associated with the game in Scotland.”

Warrior Rasmussen returns for televised trip

Posted on Feb 7, 2011 in Rugby News

Powerful centre Dale Rasmussen is recalled to the starting line-up as league leaders Worcester Warriors travel to Meadow Lane to face Nottingham Rugby in the RFU Championship on Sunday (kick-off 5.30pm).

Rasmussen will join forces with Alex Crockett in midfield as Head Coach Richard Hill makes five changes to the team that produced a stunning comeback to edge out Cornish Pirates last weekend.

Tom Arscott is named at full back while an all-new front row sees Callum Black, Aleki Lutui and Bruce Douglas pack down.

Pat Sanderson will make his 150^th career start for Warriors in the back row alongside captain Kai Horstmann and Neil Best.

Powerhouse prop Oliver Tomaszczyk is named among the replacements alongside back row Adam Balding.

Head Coach Hill admits his Warriors will need to eradicate any of the tactical mistakes made at Pirates as they face a free-scoring and dangerous Nottingham side that are one of the best attacking sides in the RFU Championship.

“Nottingham thrive on your mistakes,” said Hill. “When we played them at Sixways the first try they scored against us came after Andy Goode had made a lovely break. His pass inside didn’t go to hand and they then counterattacked to score under the posts.

“The Nottingham back three is strong, particularly the full back, and if you make an error they will punish you.

“Keeping the ball in hand is crucial. We were guilty of kicking a bit aimlessly during the first half at Pirates and we cannot repeat that and allow talented teams to counterattack against us.”

Warriors vs. Nottingham Rugby

15 Tom Arscott
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Alex Crockett
12 Dale Rasmussen
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Andy Goode
9 Jonny Arr

1 Callum Black
2 Aleki Lutui
3 Bruce Douglas
4 Greg Rawlinson
5 Craig Gillies
6 Neil Best
7 Pat Sanderson
8 Kai Horstmann (c)

Replacements
16 Chris Fortey
17 Oliver Tomaszczyk
18 Will Bowley
19 Adam Balding
20 Ollie Frost
21 Joe Carlisle
22 Rob Higgitt

Simpson-Daniel signs on for three more years with Gloucester

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 in Rugby News

Gloucester Rugby have announced that star winger James Simpson-Daniel has signed a new three year deal with the club.

Following this week’s announcements that Andy Hazell and Alex Brown have committed their futures to Kingsholm, securing the signature of one of the club’s most popular players is a huge coup.

A player of Simpson-Daniel’s calibre, one of the most gifted and talented of his generation, was bound to attract attention from other parties and persuading the Stockton-on-Tees born flyer to remain at Kingsholm is a massive statement of intent.

Currently away on England Saxons duty and set to play against Italy A tomorrow afternoon at Sixways, he has been capped 10 times by England and would surely have won a hatful more but for unfortunate illness and injury at inopportune times.

28 year old Simpson-Daniel has spent his entire playing career to date at Kingsholm and is currently enjoying a testimonial campaign.

He made his debut as a teenager against Rotherham in 2001 and marked the occasion with a superb individual try.

Since then, he has delighted Gloucester supporters on numerous occasions with the quality and the commitment of his play.

He has gone on to make more than 200 appearances and scored more than 100 tries.

Head Coach Bryan Redpath told the club website that he’s delighted that Simpson-Daniel has put pen to paper.

“It’s great news. Sinbad is a huge part of what we are as a club and what we’re hoping to achieve over the next few years.”

“He’s one of the most talented players that I’ve had the pleasure of working with and a true professional as well. He’s a pleasure to work with.”

Paul Turner relieved of duties as Newport coach

Posted on Jan 28, 2011 in Rugby News

Newport Gwent Dragons Head Coach Paul Turner has been relieved of his duties pending a hearing into disciplinary matters.

A statement from the Dragons says “As previously announced, the region’s LV= Cup games against Sale Sharks this weekend and next weekend’s game against the Scarlets will be led by the assistant coaching team as part of the region’s ongoing policy of coach development.”

The Dragons also said: there will be no further comment on this issue until disciplinary proceedings have been completed.

The action follows a spat with Walesonline reporter Andy Howell, who had questions Turner’s future at the region following a dreadful HEC campaign in which the Dragons failed to chalk up a single win.

Turner’s recent behaviour has been seen as erratic in some quarters – particularly amongst fans. His claims that Dan Lydiate had been injured by Wales following an assessment had been met with incredulity, and prompted the WRU to issue a statement repudiating Turner’s claims.  

Following his award of Magners Coach of the Year last season, all seemed rosy in the garden, but bad results and a poor media image have turned things for the worse.

RFU Podcast: Lewis Moody, Martin Johnson, Manu Tuilagi, Andy Robinson, Tommy Bowe and Glenn Delaney

Posted on Jan 28, 2011 in Rugby News

England captain Lewis Moody believes that Martin Johnson’s side need to take each game as it comes in this year’s RBS 6 Nations campaign if they are to be successful.

Although the 32-year-old flanker may not be able to take part in the early rounds due to a knee injury received while playing for Bath, his combative nature suggests that he will return stronger, ready to aid England’s cause:

Moody said: “Previous competitions have shown how difficult it is to win a 6 Nations, let alone a Grand Slam so we’re focused on the first game, and after that, we’ll focus on the next one. You don’t think about the bigger picture, you just think about performing in each game.

“Every player knows that around the corner there could be an injury,” Moody explained. “You enjoy your time on the pitch and you make the most of it. If you get injured you deal with it and make sure you come back fitter and stronger.

“I’ve got a lot of rehab to do before I start thinking about the games. I’ll still be with the squad though; I feel a lot more onus to be part of the set-up having been captain for the past few games and I’m fortunate to have the support of Bath and England and hopefully I’ll be back playing as soon as possible.”

Also on this week’s RFU.com podcast:

• Strong-Bowe – Ireland wing Tommy Bowe talks about his two tries against England at Twickenham last year and discusses his side’s chances in this year’s competition
• Johno in Portugal – England Team Manager Martin Johnson explains why his squad have headed over to Portugal pre-6 Nations
• Strong squad for Robbo – Scotland boss Andy Robinson says that the competition for places in his squad is a good thing as they prepare to face France in Paris
• Manu’s mission – Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi discusses his inclusion in the England Saxons starting line up to face Italy A in Worcester on Saturday
• Delaney’s delight – Nottingham Head Coach Glenn Delaney gives us his thoughts after his side beat Rotherham 37-8 in the Championship on Tuesday night

The RFU.com podcast takes you inside English rugby from the grassroots to the elite.