Kellock to captain Scotland

Posted on Jan 25, 2011 in Rugby News

Alastair Kellock, the 29-year-old Glasgow Warriors lock, was named today as the man to lead Scotland into the 2011 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Head coach Andy Robinson is restoring Kellock to the captain’s role which he performed with distinction on last summer’s tour to Argentina, where Scotland posted a historic 2-0 series success.

Robinson declared: “Al’s leadership on and off the field was a key element to our success in Argentina and, since his return from knee surgery, the quality of both his personal displays and the way he has galvanised the Glasgow side, especially over the last month, has been really pleasing.

“I have spoken about the importance of broadening the influence of leaders throughout the side and Rory Lawson, Mike Blair and Chris Cusiter have all led the side well.”

Kellock made his Championship debut against France in 2006 and he will lead Scotland in the competition for the first time against the same opponents at the Stade de France a week on Saturday.

In addition to the victories in South America last summer, Kellock also took on the captaincy when Chris Cusiter was injured at Murrayfield against Australia in the autumn of 2009 and piloted Scotland to that epic win – the first over the Wallabies in 27 years.

Scotland go into their match against France in 11 days’ time having won five of their last six cap internationals, a sequence which has seen them triumph in Ireland for the first time in 12 years and defeat world champions South Africa en route to rising to seventh in the IRB’s world rankings.

Kellock, who has won 27 caps, told NOWRugby today: “To get the chance to captain Scotland for the opening Six Nations game is huge.

“I was delighted to make the squad, especially after being out for almost six months with my knee after Argentina, and now to be named as captain, is a real highlight, particularly with the competition for places.”

Kellock, who first experienced captaincy in the age-group teams at the Allan Glen’s club, went on to skipper Edinburgh, his first professional side, and Glasgow Warriors.

He contends that he learned much from Todd Blackadder, the former All Blacks captain, during his stint with Edinburgh.  “When (Todd) got to a point in his career when he was 27 or 28 he said to himself ‘What are you waiting for?’.  You are not going to get anywhere in rugby by sitting back and saying: ‘what if’.  That has stuck with me quite a lot,” he explained.

England Sevens win South Africa plate

Posted on Dec 14, 2009 in Rugby News

England beat South Africa 21-7 to win the plate at the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens.

It was only the second time England had beaten the Boks in sevens on South African soil in what was a hyper-competitive plate competition.

England had to bounce back from their cup loss against winners New Zealand to beat Australia 24-5 in the plate semi final.

The last time an England side had beaten a South Africa side on their home patch was in 2003, but with Christian Wade (London Wasps), Worcester’s Jake Abbott, Ben Gollings (Gold Coast) and Isoa Damudamu (British Army) in inspired form Ben Ryan’s side ground out an impressive win, the biggest defeat Paul Treu’s side had faced in 80 matches.

England add 12 points to their World Series tally which puts them in third place behind Fiji and New Zealand respectively after reaching the Dubai cup semi final earlier this month.

England: Jake Abbott (Worcester Warriors), Kevin Barrett (capt, Saracens), Chris Brightwell (Birmingham & Solihull), Dan Caprice (Blackheath RFC), Chris Cracknell (Unattached), Isoa Damudamu (British Army), Ben Gollings (Gold Coast, Australia), Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby), James Rodwell (Moseley RFC), Nick Royle (Fylde RFC), Matt Turner (Bristol Rugby), Christian Wade (London Wasps)

England Sevens Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens results:

• December 11, England 42-0 Tunisia
• December 11, England 17-7 Argentina
• December 11, Scotland 19-29 England
• December 12, cup quarter final England 19-22 New Zealand
• December 12, plate semi final England 24-5 Australia
• December 12, plate final England 21-7 South Africa

Barrett called to captain England Sevens

Posted on Dec 1, 2009 in Rugby News

Kevin Barrett has been named captain for the Emirates Airline Dubai and South Africa Sevens (Dec 4-5 & 11-12).

After helping his club Saracens beat World Champions South Africa, 24-23 last month, the England scrum half will take the lead from last season’s IRB Sevens Player of the Year Ollie Phillips (Stade Francais).

Last season Barrett also helped England to win the cup trophies at the Wellington and London legs of the IRB Sevens World Series.

This Friday England will take on Russia, USA and Kenya on day one and Barrett is looking forward to leading his team to the field.

“I’m really excited. Ben (Ryan) gave me the news the other day and I felt very privileged but we have lots of leaders in this team like Ben Gollings (Gold Coast), Chris Cracknell, Isoa Damudamu (British Army) and James Rodwell (Moseley RFC) so I’m hoping I can call on all of them.” said Barrett.

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Rhydian to raise the roof at Millennium Stadium

Posted on Nov 27, 2009 in Rugby News

The Welsh Rugby Union will be hitting all the right notes with fans tomorrow (Saturday, 28 November) – as Rhydian Roberts is set to perform new hit ‘O Fortuna’ before the Invesco Perpetual Autumn Series clash with Australia at the Millennium Stadium.

The classically trained X Factor finalist will raise the iconic roof with the title song from his new studio album before joining the traditional choir for a medley of Welsh rugby favourites and the national anthems.

Rhydian, who sang for the first time at the Millennium Stadium at the Grand Slam party in 2008, said: “I’m so grateful to the WRU for giving me this opportunity to fulfil a life time ambition of mine.

“The Millennium Stadium is my favourite place to sing and I’m more excited than ever before about tomorrow’s encounter between Wales and Australia. Diolch o’r galon. Cymru am byth!”

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England captain Alex expands horizons with Canterbury pilgrimage

Posted on Nov 27, 2009 in Rugby News

One of England’s brightest back row talents has been working alongside Richie McCaw to develop his game during a three-month spell in New Zealand.

Athletic number eight Alex Gray has returned to Newcastle Falcons after three months with Canterbury and heads for a warm weather training camp in Portugal tomorrow with Mark Mapletoft’s England Under 20 squad.

Gray made his debut in England’s Under 18 side as a 16-year-old before leading them through two unbeaten campaigns that culminated in a thumping 45-13 victory over South Africa in Kimberley in August.

Instead of returning to the North East and straight into full-time rugby with the Falcons, the Newcastle-born teenager opted for a spell in Christchurch, playing for Canterbury’s unbeaten Under 20 side – prompting comparisons with the way current England boss Martin Johnson did so with King Country before launching his own international career.

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