TEAM NEWS: Bristol Rugby vs Cornish Pirates

Posted on May 11, 2012 in Latest Rugby News

Bristol prepare for the return leg of the semi-finals knowing that nothing less than the performance of the season will see them progress to the RFU Championship final.

Liam Middleton’s men must overturn a 21-point deficit at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday without skipper Iain Grieve and prop Jason Hobson among their ranks (12.45pm KO).

The Head Coach makes four changes from the side that suffered a 45-24 defeat in the first leg. Ben Glynn replaces the injured Glen Townson, while Wayne Thompson and Henry Vanderglas also come into the pack.

Matty James is preferred to Matthew Jones at fly-half and makes his first league start since February.

Will Helu, who has notched five tries during the play-off campaign, retains his place on the wing in an otherwise unchanged backline.

Middleton retains a five forwards and two backs split on the replacements bench, with Tristan Roberts and Mariano Sambucetti included in the 22-man squad.

Bristol Rugby team to face Cornish Pirates at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday, 13 May (12.45pm KO):

Jon Goodridge; Jack Tovey, Fautua Otto, Luke Eves, Will Helu; Matty James, Ruki Tipuna; Mark Irish, Jason Harris-Wright, Wayne Thompson, Ben Glynn, Roy Winters, Henry Vanderglas, James Merriman (c), Dan Montagu.

Replacements: Tom Channon, Mark Lilley, Mariano Sambucetti, Marco Mama, Redford Pennycook, Tom Slater, Tristan Roberts.

Ben Glynn agrees new deal with Bristol

Posted on Apr 4, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Lock-forward Ben Glynn has committed his future to Bristol Rugby after agreeing terms ahead of the 2011/12 season.

Chief-executive Steve Gorvett made the announcement on the pitch at half-time of Friday’s play-off fixture with London Welsh. Glynn has been ruled out of action since suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his knee during the 38-20 defeat to Worcester at Sixways in October 2010.

The 20-year old has made 15 first team appearances, including 5 Championship starts this year, since his debut in 2009.

Glynn, a product of Filton College, becomes the 7th member of the Bristol Rugby Academy to put pen to paper following the announcement that Marco Mama, Mark Davies, Darren Barry, Jack Gadd, Jack Tovey and George Watkins had all signed new deals.

Chief-executive Steve Gorvett commented: “We’re very pleased to confirm the re-signing of Ben, he’s a very talented lock-forward and a player that will make a big difference to our pack next year. Ben’s attitude since his serious injury has been excellent and a new contract is richly deserved.”

England Under-19 Regional Academies beat Australia Schools

Posted on Dec 10, 2009 in Rugby News

England’s Under 19 Regional Academy opened a four-match touring programme by the Australian Schools by scoring four tries to two to claim a 27-12 victory at Lymm RFC this afternoon.

Coach John Fletcher was always confident that his side had the talent to test the visitors and they fulfilled all his expectations in holding the whip-hand from the moment full-back Jonathan Joseph (London Irish) crossed for the opening try and fly-half Jake Sharp (Saracens) converted.

Sharp claimed the second after 19 minutes and converted his own score for a 14-0 lead and while Australian centre Matthew Garland cut the deficit with a 29th minute try to raise the visitors’ morale and make the interval scoreline 14-5.

However, a third try from wingman Earl Collins (Worcester Warriors) on 40 minutes opened up the lead once again, although once again the tourists refused to concede the struggle and rallied with a try by flanker Jack de Guingand that scrum-half and captain Matthew Lucas converted to bring his side within a score at 19-12.

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