Walker-Blair joins Pirates

Posted on Jul 25, 2011 in Championship, Exeter Chiefs

The Cornish Pirates have confirmed another new face, 23 year old Charlie Walker-Blair, has joined them on a dual registration agreement with Exeter Chiefs.

A back-rower who is 6′ 4″ tall and weighs in at nearly 15 and a half stones, Charlie has also played on the wing and has previously made appearances for Taunton, Minehead, and Carterton in New Zealand. His honours include playing for Somerset and for Wairapa Bush.

Charlie is the fifth player from Exeter to be dual registered with the Cornish Pirates, joining colleagues Tom Cowan-Dickie, Dave Ewers, Lloyd Fairbrother and Sam Hill.

Commenting with reference to Charlie’s dual registration, Cornish Pirates high performance manager Chris Stirling said:

“When recently discussing dual registered players with Rob Baxter, Charlie’s name was mentioned and he was strongly recommended as someone who is rated very highly.”

999 for Charlie

Posted on Apr 4, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Sale Sharks legend Charlie Hodgson will be hoping to reach another milestone on Friday evening against Gloucester. He currently stands at 999 points scored at Edgeley Park in all competitions.

Sale Sharks moved to Edgeley Park in 2003 but it wasn’t until November 2003 that Charlie made his Edgeley Park debut having recovered from a knee injury picked up playing for England.

In his Edgeley Park debut Charlie helped Sharks to a 37-21 win with a try in a bonus point win over Leeds Tykes.

Young stars commit future to Bath Rugby

Posted on Mar 9, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Bath Rugby has announced the signing of two highly talented young players – Carl Fearns, from Sale Sharks, and Charlie Beech, from London Wasps.

Carl has joined the West Country Club on a two year deal, with Charlie signing for three.

6ft 3in back row Carl has made 36 first team appearances for Sale, quickly becoming an integral member of the pack for the Sharks. A big, strong ball carrier who is quick and effective around the park and at scrum time, Carl has represented England at U16, U18 and U20’s level. His performances at the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship with the England U20’s team saw him nominated for the IRB Junior Player of the Year award.

Likewise, 18st 13lbs front row Charlie also has international experience, having played up to the U20’s level for England, including being part of the squad for the 2007 U20’s Six Nations tournament. Very strong and technically sound in the scrum, as well as being very mobile around the field, Charlie has made 31 appearances for the Wasps first team, including scoring a match winning try against Newcastle Falcons in just his second Premiership appearance.

Commenting on the move, Charlie said “I am really excited about moving to Bath Rugby. It is a Club with a great history, fantastic supporters, and a great future, and I am really looking forward to the challenges of next season and my future at Bath.”

Director of Rugby, Sir Ian McGeechan, said “We are thrilled that these two very promising young players have decided to join the Club. Both Carl and Charlie have very good set skills in their positions and will only get better over the coming seasons. They are both very ambitious players, who are keen to take the next step in their careers.”

Head Coach, Steve Meehan, added “Carl and Charlie will both be very welcome additions to the squad here at Bath. They both have top level experience already, both having made strong first team appearances, which will be very valuable to us. I also have no doubt they will both fit in very well here.”

Sale Sharks Team News v Petrarca

Posted on Jan 14, 2011 in Rugby News

Head Coach Pete Anglesea said, “It is very unlikely that we will qualify now but I want to carry on the momentum the team have shown recently. I have rested some of the players as we have played three big games in the space of eleven days. In doing so it opens the door for several of the squad players to put their hand up and take their opportunity. We have some big games coming up over the coming weeks and will be losing some players to the Six Nations. I want to finish the group games off with two good performances before we prepare for the big game against Newport Gwent Dragons in the LV=Cup in a fortnights time.”

Team: Nick Macleod, Mathew Tait, Jonny Kennedy, Andy Tuilagi, Mark Cueto, Rob Miller, Will Cliff, Lee Imiolek, Ben Roberts, Henry Thomas, Nic Rouse, Sean Cox, James Gaskell, Neil McMillan, Chris Brightwell

Replacements: Marc Jones, Aston Croall, Simon McIntyre, Wame Lewaravu, Carl Fearns, Chris Leck, Charlie Hodgson, Chris Bell

Hodgson joins Sarries

Posted on Jan 10, 2011 in Rugby News

Charlie Hodgson has signed a long-term contract to join Saracens from the start of next season.

The fly half said: “I am excited to be joining a club now recognised as the most ambitious and player-friendly in the Premiership. Saracens have great people and great plans – there really is something special happening in north London, and I’m looking forward to being part of it.”

Capped 34 times by England, Hodgson is also the all-time record points scorer in Premiership rugby.

Director of Rugby Mark McCall said: “As a club, we have been making massive strives over the past couple of years and the signing of Charlie Hodgson is another major step. He is a world class player whose personality and ability ideally suits our environment. Charlie was wanted by many leading clubs, and we are delighted he has chosen to sign with Saracens.”