Pennell signs new contract at Warriors

Posted on Feb 16, 2012 in English Rugby, Premiership, Worcester Warriors

Full back Chris Pennell has today become the latest player to pledge his future to Worcester Warriors after having signed a new contract with the club.

Home-grown ace Pennell, a product of the Warriors Academy system, has so far made 70 senior appearances for Worcester over the last five seasons and scored 15 tries.

The 24-year-old, who can play full back, wing or centre, has been one of the star performers at Warriors in recent seasons, culminating with being named club captain in 2010.

Head Coach Richard Hill said: “Chris is a player who, from the first moment I arrived at Sixways, I have always been impressed by. He has an absolutely superb attitude and real leadership qualities.

“He has endured a wretched time over the last few years with the injuries he has sustained and has shown great resolve and strength of character to comeback stronger.

“At the moment we are seeing him get back to real top form again and signs of the huge potential we all know he has got.

“Chris is a consistent performer, a great defender, hard tackler and someone who understands our defensive system under Phil Larder. He is also an excellent kicker with ball in hand and makes the right decisions, which is crucial for the position he plays in the team.

“I know that Chris will only get better at Warriors and so we are delighted to retain his services and that he will continue his career here.”

Pennell first broke into the Worcester team during the 2007/08 season when he made his Premiership debut away against Bath. Pennell made a total of 20 appearances during his first senior season for Warriors, including 12 in the top-flight.

Worcester born-and-bred, Pennell has represented England at Under-19 level and became a key performer for the club during the 2008/09 campaign until he suffered a serious knee injury in European competition.

The dynamic back returned to full fitness in the 2009/10 season and made a further 16 appearances during the campaign and scored five tries.

Pennell’s commitment and determination to battle back from adversity was again tested last season when, just weeks after being named captain, he suffered an ankle injury that ruled him out of the first half of the RFU Championship season. However, Pennell again came back stronger and played a key role from full back as promotion was secured back to the top-flight of English rugby.

“I’m obviously very pleased to be able to stay at a club that means so much to me,” said Pennell. “I am really enjoying my rugby at Sixways at the current time and being a part of the tight knit group of players that we have at the club.

“The team has started 2012 in strong fashion, particularly on home soil, and we’re all looking forward to making more progress not only in the closing months of the current Aviva Premiership season but also the future.

“We are approaching that time of year when some players will ultimately move on and new faces will come in. However, I’m excited by the club’s plans to take us to the next level and we have a very strong core of players that not only have the right work ethic but also a real determination to bring success to Sixways.”

Chris Henry commits future to Ulster

Posted on Oct 21, 2011 in Irish Rugby, Pro12, RaboDirect Pro 12, RaboDirect Pro12, Ulster

Ulster Rugby today announced that back row forward Chris Henry has signed a two year contract extension keeping him at the club until at least June 2014.

The once-capped Ireland international joined Ulster on a development contract in 2006 before signing his first professional contract with the Province in 2007/08.

Henry made 29 appearances for Ulster last season, more than any other player with the exception of Pedrie Wannenburg who also made 29. His role as a key member of the team which reached the Magners League play off and the Heineken Cup quarter finals was recognised with a nomination for ‘Player of the Year’ at the Ulster Rugby Awards last May.

This season, Henry was handed the captaincy by Brian McLaughlin in the absence of Rory Best and Johann Muller who were on World Cup duty for Ireland and South Africa respectively.

On signing the extension, Chris said:

“I’m delighted to have signed the extension. It’s something you have to think about hard but as far as I’m concerned I’ve had an absolute blast in my last couple of seasons at Ulster and this is where I want to be.

“I’ve dealt with Brian for a long time now since we worked together at Ulster Schools’ and I’ve built up a good relationship with him and the rest of the coaching staff as well. I’m very comfortable being here and I get on really well with everybody. It’s a really tightly knit group of players and coaches, and it’s a great working environment. I’m very excited to have got the contract signed and it allows me to concentrate solely on rugby for the next three years.

“In the last couple of years the team have definitely improved and moved forward. Our success last year has really given us motivation to carry that forward and without a doubt I want to win some silverware in my career and that’s hopefully where Ulster are moving forward to.”

Commenting on Ulster’s poor recent run of results he said:

“We started really well with our first three games and obviously it’s very difficult when you lose a certain number of games in a row and confidence is down. But we’ve got a lot of internationals coming back from the World Cup and we’ve got a really exciting team and we’ve just got to keep our confidence. Personally I’m really looking forward to the next run of games and hopefully getting some good results.”

Ulster Director of Rugby is delighted Chris has committed his long term future to the club:

“We are very happy to have secured Chris’ services beyond the end of this season until 2014. Over the past couple of years Chris has developed into a key member of the Ulster team and his ability to play in a number of positions across the back row had been invaluable to the squad and the coaching staff.

“In the modern game, player durability is becoming a vital part of player recruitment and Chris has been consistently available for selection throughout the last few seasons.

As one of our senior players, Chris has captained the team throughout the World Cup period and we are delighted that he has committed his future to Ulster Rugby.”

Chris Hala’ufia banned for 8 weeks

Posted on Feb 9, 2011 in Rugby News

Chris Hala’ufia of London Irish was this afternoon banned for eight weeks for a dangerous tackle on Northampton Saints’ Shane Geraghty during the LV= Cup match on January 29.

Hala’ufia pleaded guilty before an RFU Disciplinary Panel of Jeremy Summers (chair), Elizabeth Riley and Dr Julian Morris and was suspended until April 5. He can play again on April 6.

Summers said: “This was a cynical and deliberate act of foul play aimed at taking out an opponent, with the player making no attempt to execute a lawful tackle or to intercept the pass.

"Expert medical opinion has clearly identified the risk of serious injury arising from offending of this kind. Because of that risk, an IRB Memorandum of 21st  January 2011 made clear that tackles above the shoulder must be dealt with severely.

“This sanction reflects that direction. The player’s poor previous disciplinary record was also taken into consideration.”

The dismissal of Rob Hawkins of Leicester Tigers after receiving two yellow cards for foul play during the LV= Cup match against Bath Rugby on February 4 was deemed sufficient and he can continue playing.

Chris Ashton wins Try of the Year

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 in Rugby News

A wonderful individual try scored by England’s Chris Ashton at Twickenham against Australia in November has been named the International Rugby Players’ Association Try of the Year 2010.

The England international’s try won the public vote having fought off stiff competition from some outstanding scores finished by Mils Muliaina, Felipe Contepomi, Shane Williams and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 star Danielle Waterman.

Ashton’s memorable try, his second in the match, combined pace, power and panache as the wing raced clear to finish off a superb counter-attack that started near his own try-line.

The try received the most votes following an online poll at www.irb.com which saw the global Rugby family select his score from a shortlist of 18 from the RBS Six Nations, Tri Nations, Women’s Rugby World Cup, Pacific Nations Cup and IRB Nations Cup as well as the June and November internationals.

“It’s a fantastic accolade to win the IRPA Try of the Year Award, and it means a lot to me that so many people took the trouble to vote for me ahead of so many other great players,” said Ashton.

“Even though I had the job of putting the ball down over the whitewash it was a team effort with the whole team playing its part in defending and forcing the turnover before Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes gave me the ball. They all deserve the credit too – it wouldn’t have happened without all of us working together.”

IRPA Chairman Damian Hopley said: “The IRPA Try of the Year is a highly prestigious Award featuring world-class Rugby action from players representing seven nations. Chris Ashton’s outstanding try will live long in the memory of those of us fortunate enough to be at Twickenham that day, and he is a very deserving winner.”

“We had great difficulty narrowing the field from our original 230 entries to the 18 nominees which were presented for the public vote as there were many spectacular tries scored in 2010. The public vote proved equally close with Danielle Waterman and Israel Dagg polling considerable votes, before Chris emerged as the winner.”

The full shortlist was: Shane Williams (2), Ben Foden, Dan Carter, Felipe Contepomi, Gonzalo Tiesi, Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, James O’Connor, Danielle Waterman, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Huriana Manuel, Chrysander Botha, Nikola Matawalu, Juan Jose Imhoff, Chris Ashton, James Hook and Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Ashton follows in the footsteps of 2009 winner, South Africa centre Jaque Fourie, Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll in 2008 and Takudzwa Ngwenya of the USA who claimed the inaugural award in 2007.

Warriors team news

Posted on Jan 28, 2011 in Rugby News

Hooker Chris Fortey is called into the front row for Worcester Warriors as the league leaders make the long trip to tackle Cornish Pirates in a televised RFU Championship clash in Cornwall on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 1pm).

Vastly experienced Fortey will pack down with the recalled Tevita Taumoepeau and Adam Black as Head Coach Richard Hill makes four changes to the side that defeated Bedford Blues at Sixways in the last league outing.

Former New Zealand international Greg Rawlinson will team up with Craig Gillies in the second row, with lock Graham Kitchener in action for England Saxons on Saturday afternoon at Sixways.

Wing Miles Benjamin also returns to the back line, with Tom Arscott moving to the replacements bench, while Marcel Garvey will look to reinforce his position at the top of the league try scoring charts on the other flank.

Lock Will Bowley is among the new faces called up to the bench and he is joined by England Under-20 star Matt Kvesic.

“We know the Pirates will building it up, if they can beat us home and away that gives them real confidence going into the play-offs. We certainly don’t want to give them a boost and will go down there to try and beat them,” said Head Coach Richard Hill.

“It would be nice to put a good performance on in front of the Sky cameras and show Championship rugby in a good light. It is a good competition with good clubs.

“It should be a good game. Pirates play good rugby, we play some 15-man stuff. You have two teams that want to play so we could have a showpiece for the league.

Warriors vs Cornish Pirates

15 Joe Carlisle
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Alex Crockett
12 Rob Higgitt
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Andy Goode
9 Jonny Arr

1 Adam Black
2 Chris Fortey
3 Tevita Taumoepeau
4 Greg Rawlinson
5 Craig Gillies
6 Neil Best
7 Pat Sanderson
8 Kai Horstmann (c)

Replacements
16 Aleki Lutui
17 Bruce Douglas
18 Will Bowley
19 Matt Kvesic
20 Ollie Frost
21 Dale Rasmussen
22 Tom Arscott