Carnegie welcome back McColl

Posted on Feb 24, 2012 in Championship, English Rugby, Leeds Carnegie

Leeds Carnegie will welcome back Stevie McColl to the starting line up for their final regular league game of the season against London Welsh, this Saturday, kick off 12.30pm

The Scottish full back has been out of action for Leeds since the away game against Bedford back in October, having undergone surgery on a shoulder injury.

Diccon Edwards has made a further 12 changes to the starting line up who played Nottingham on Wednesday. Andy Titterrell comes back in at hooker, with Phil Nilsen, who picked up an injury in that game, starting on the bench. Halani Aulika is set to make his second appearance, as is Ed Williamson, who retains his place in the side.

This will be Leeds Carnegie’s third game in six days and Jacob Rowan is the only player to start in each of those fixtures. In the backs Joe Ford returns at fly half and Will Cliff will start at scrum half.

The team in full is:

1. Sam Lockwood
2. Andy Titterrell
3. Halani Aulika
4. Jon Pendlebury
5. Dan Hemingway
6. Ed Williamson
7. Jacob Rowan
8. Ryan Burrows
9. Will Cliff
10. Joe Ford
11. Peter Lucock
12. Scott Barrow
13. Iain Thornley
14. Michael Stephenson
15. Stevie McColl
16. Phil Nilsen
17. Gareth Denman
18. Mo Mustafa
19. Richard Beck
20. Alex Rieder
21. Robbie Shaw
22. Jordan Davies

Albion team to take on Carnegie

Posted on Oct 21, 2011 in Championship, English Rugby, Leeds Carnegie, Plymouth Albion

Plymouth Albion will be looking to build on their late win over London Scottish last weekend when they make the long trip to Headingley on Sunday to take on Leeds.

Albion finished strongly against Scottish with replacement Steve Johns grabbing victory for his side with the last move of the game.

Johns is rewarded for his efforts with his first Championship start of the season on Sunday.

Canadian World Cup star Aaron Carpenter has failed to recover from a knee injury in time to take his place in Albion’s starting line-up team, but Plymouth hope he might be fit enough to take a place on the bench.

Carpenter’s number eight shirt goes to 19-year-old former Leeds Academy player James Tyas, who will be hoping to impress on his return to Headingley.

Albion, who will be looking for their first away win of the season after narrow defeats at Doncaster, Bristol and London Welsh, are able to welcome back forwards Herbie Stupple and Addison Lockley to their squad following injuries.

Plymouth and Leeds currently sit level of points with both teams having won three matches this season.

Albion: 15 James Love, 14 Steve Johns, 13 Bevon Armitage, 12 Keni Fisilau, 11 Mick McGrath, 10 Paul Bailey, 9 Ruairi Cushion, 1 Rob Dugard, 2 Gareth Evans, 3 Ryan Hopkins, 4 Dan Collier, 5 Tyler Hotson, 6 Sam Hocking, 7 Wayne Sprangle, 8 James Tyas.
Replacements: 16 Dale Farnham, 17 Cameron Mitchell, 18 Tyson Lewis, 19 David Morton, 20 Davy McGregor, 21 Addison Lockley, 22 Herbie Stupple, 23 Aaron Carpenter.

Blackett returns to Carnegie line-up as Carnegie take on Pirates

Posted on Sep 23, 2011 in Championship, Cornish Pirates, English Rugby, Leeds Carnegie

Leeds Carnegie Head Coach Diccon Edwards has named his side for the trip to Cornish Pirates this Saturday 24^thSeptember, kick off 4.15pm

Lee Blackett returns to the starting line up, coming in at full back in place of the injured Stevie McColl.  Dan Hemingway retains his place in the side following his appearance in the mid week game against Rotherham in British and Irish Cup and he replaces the injured Tom Denton, whilst Ollie Richards has been named on the wing, with Michael Stephenson also missing out through injury.

On the bench there are two changes to the one that was named in the team’s last Championship outing against Bristol with Richard Beck and loan signing Tommy Bell, who made his debut against Rotherham in the British and Irish Cup, both amongst the replacements.

The team in full is:

15. Lee Blackett
14. Ollie Richards
13. Iain Thornley
12. Joe Barker
11. Curtis Wilson
10. Joe Ford
9. Craig Hampson
1. Gareth Denman
2. Andy Titterrell (c)
3. Phil Swainston
4. Jon Pendlebury
5. Dominic Barrow
6. Dan Hemingway
7. Jacob Rowan
8. Ryan Burrows

16. Phil Nilsen
17. David Young
18. Richard Beck
19. Chris Walker
20. Robbie Shaw
21. Scott Barrow
22. Tommy Bell

Carnegie have grounds for optimism says Hohneck

Posted on Aug 22, 2011 in Championship, English Rugby, Leeds Carnegie

Leeds Carnegie second row Sean Hohneck says the club has plenty of grounds for optimism as they approach life in the Championship this season.

Hohneck, 32, is an experienced head in a youthful looking squad under new Head Coach Diccon Edwards but he believes that despite relegation the club is in a position to move forward.

The former New Zealand Maori commented, “Last year was very frustrating for me because of the injuries I picked up after moving here from Italy. Pre-season has been really positive though and I am fully fit. The coaching staff and physios have looked after me and made sure that I have kept off my feet to give my ankle the best chance to recover so I haven’t been pounding the field but doing work on the bike. There is a good feeling in the camp but we realise there is a long way to go before we reach our goals.

“There are a lot of young guys in the squad but they bring enthusiasm with them and a positive outlook, having said that they do make you feel old at times!” joked Hohneck.

Whilst some opponents may see the low average age of the Leeds’ squad as a weakness, Hohneck believes it will stand the club in good stead in the short and long term. “We all start with a clean slate this season with a new coaching team and a fresh group of players. What has gone on in the past is history and we are looking forward. There are seven or eight experienced players in the squad and we will be doing everything we can to make sure we bring the best out of the young guys.

“I have never played in the Championship but we know it will be a tough challenge with plenty of old, grizzled pros out there looking to take our scalp. We obviously want to win it but at this stage of the season, our focus has been on ourselves and what we have to do to make sure we perform on a weekend,” added Hohneck.

Following the departure of former captain Marco Wentzel to London Wasps in the summer, Hohneck is also taking a more hands on role with the club’s line out strategy. He commented, “Losing Marco was a big blow for us especially in the line out but that is the nature of the game and we have to move on. I will have more of a role with the line outs and that is something I enjoy.

“We are fortunate to have four very good hookers in Scott Freer, Harry Hannan, Phil Nilsen and Andy Titterrell and that gives us a good foundation to build on. Having Andy back fit is a massive for us because of his experience and ability on the park. However, the other three hookers will all have important roles to play because of the amount of games we have this season and the key to any success we may achieve this season will be down to how well our squad performs as a whole,” added Hohneck.

Danny Paul agrees new deal with Carnegie

Posted on Jun 13, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Leeds Carnegie number eight Danny Paul has agreed a new one year contract with the club and says he is excited about the Championship campaign next season.

Paul, 24, has undergone an operation on a hip injury in the close season but is hopeful of being fit for the start of the new campaign under the leadership of his former Academy boss Diccon Edwards.

Commenting on the first day of pre-season the Kippax-born forward said, “There is a great atmosphere within the squad. It is a young group this season and there are a few of us with a point to prove. For a few years now people have said that we are the up and coming stars but now it is time for us to start producing the goods on a consistent basis.

“I had my operation at the start of May and things are going well so far. I am still on the crutches so that I am not putting too much weight on my hip but hopefully I can be back for the start of the season. It is going to be a long, tough campaign for us in the Championship but everyone is looking forward to it.

“Despite relegation last season, the belief within the squad is really high. I am looking forward to working with Diccon Edwards again. He is someone who is very passionate and enthusiastic about the club and that will be important,” added Paul.

Edwards first decision after becoming the Head Coach was to appoint former England hooker Andy Titterrell as captain and Paul is in complete agreement with his new boss’ choice. He added, “Once Andy agreed to stay at the club there was only one choice for who should be captain. He is an inspirational figure both on and off the field. Two seasons ago he only played the second half of the season but he turned our campaign around and things might have been different last year had he not suffered his season ending injury. There are a few old heads in the team plus some exciting young players and I think we have got the mix right.”