Confidence in Crane as winger re-signs

Posted on May 18, 2012 in Nottingham

In one scintillating passage of play winger Rhys Crane earned a contract extension with Nottingham.

The 26-year-old is the first player to pen a new deal with the Green and Whites for the 2012/13 RFU Championship, adding to the 13 players already contracted for the new campaign.

Despite enduring a nightmare season, which amounted to three cameo appearances and more than 13 months on the sidelines with injury, Crane’s potential could not be ignored.

From little more than 100 minutes of game time, between recovering from knee surgery, a broken jaw, a debut lasting just 30 seconds and a career-first red card, he still found time to convince Nottingham Director of Rugby Glenn Delaney to re-sign him.

It was his explosive impact off the bench against London Welsh in the final match of the season, putting on a big hit to win possession before crossing for a try with his first touch of the ball, which sealed it.

“He earned his contract off the bench that day. He showed us exactly what he is about, adding energy and enthusiasm to the game at a time that it was lacking on the pitch,” Delaney said.

“He showed fantastic desire to play for this club, his attitude, application and potential is everything we look for in a player.

“He is clearly a talented player who had a horrendous season with injury. That broken jaw that took him out against Esher in December isn’t the sort of start anyone wanted for him.”

With a thorough understanding of Crane’s recent injuries, Delaney didn’t hesitate in signing the athletic back.

“He is no more of a risk than any other player, he proved his fitness at the end of last season and has put those knee problems behind him,” Delaney said.

“We are not worried about what’s happened in the past, we are only concerned about what he can do for us in the future.”

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Mallinder signs new contract with the Saints

Posted on May 17, 2012 in Northampton

Northampton Saints today announced that director of rugby Jim Mallinder has signed a new contract with the club, which will extend his tenure at Franklin’s Gardens until at least 2015.

In just five short years Mallinder has taken the Saints from the pain of relegation to being considered one of the top clubs in Aviva Premiership Rugby and in the Heineken Cup.

Indeed the club has not enjoyed such consistent levels of success – four trophies; five finals in five years, including the 2011 Heineken Cup final; and three successive Aviva Premiership Rugby semi-finals – since the 1950s and 60s.

Individuals have also flourished under the Yorkshireman’s guidance, with a modern-day record of eight players chosen in England’s 2012 Six Nations Elite Player Squad and no fewer than six England regulars having made their international debut since joining the club.

Mallinder has also rejuvenated the Saints Academy, appointing Dusty Hare to manage a production line which is now providing the first team squad with a steady stream of exciting young and talented players.

Already Aviva Premiership Rugby’s longest-serving current director of rugby, by the end of his new contract Mallinder will have been in charge of the team at Franklin’s Gardens for eight years, stability which chairman Leon Barwell says is vitally important for the continued growth and development of the club.

“Jim signing his new contract is terrific news for the club and underpins our aspirations for the future,” he said. “As we see so often in sports across the world having continuity of management is crucial in a club’s long-term success, and this is exactly what Jim brings to the Saints.

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Cardiff Blues hold on to Alex Cuthbert

Posted on May 16, 2012 in Cardiff Blues

Cardiff Blues have held on to their Welsh international winger Alex Cuthbert,  with the young star deciding to sign a new contract extension with the region.

Cuthbert underlined his credentials during the Blues Heineken Cup campaign in November scoring a brace of tries against Racing Metro in Paris and was picked for Wales soon after, making his debut against Australia in December 2011.

It has been a meteoric rise from UWIC, Cardiff RFC, and Cardiff Blues to Wales Grand Slam winner for the young Gloucester man who extends his contract with the Cardiff Blues this week.

Speaking of his decision to stay with the region, Cuthbert, said:

“I am very pleased to be re signing for another year with The Blues and I can now look forward to the summer tour with Wales and next season with the region”

“I had a few offers outside of Wales and having gone through all the options thoroughly with family and friends, I came to the conclusion that the best option was to stay at the Blues, showing my loyalty to the region, coaches and the fans”

“Playing for Wales was a huge part of my decision to stay with the Blues and playing for the region regularly will hopefully strengthen my chances of keeping my place in the Wales team.”

“Obviously with Phil taking over as Head Coach it’s exciting times for the region as well. I know Phil from my time with the Wales Sevens where he was involved. He’s a great coach, I’ve heard he’s very well organized and puts good structures in place which I know will benefit the club next season.”

“I’m also very excited that the Blues are moving back to the Arms Park, I’m yet to play there in front of a full crowd so hopefully we can do that next season. I’ve watched a few games down there and the atmosphere is unbelievable and if we maintain good crowds that will help us no end on the pitch.”

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Falcon’s Pilgrim re-signs

Posted on May 9, 2012 in Newcastle Falcons, Premiership

Chris Pilgrim is the latest player to pledge his future to the ambitious Newcastle Falcons after signing an extension to his contract.

Pilgrim, 26, who joins Jimmy Gopperth, Ally Hogg and Rob Vickers on the committed list, reveals he is excited at the prospect of developing his game under the stewardship of incoming director of rugby Dean Richards.

He told the Falcons official website: “I am delighted to have signed a new contract and I am really looking forward to working under Dean Richards.

“The fact that Dean Richards is coming in has had a massive bearing on my decision to stay in the North East and there is certainly a very bright future for the club.

“I want to be a part of something special here – now my aim is to get my head down and keep working hard in training.”

The Birkenhead-born No.9 has competed with Will Chudley and latterly Peter Stringer for a starting berth this campaign.

Pilgrim admits Ireland international Stringer has had a significant impact on his game since joining the Falcons on loan from Munster.

“Peter [Stringer] has really helped my game both on and off the field,” said Pilgrim.

He added: “The way he goes about his business from a game management point of view and how he interacts with the forwards is world class.

“I have learnt a lot from him in recent weeks and I cannot wait to develop my skills in pre-season. Since Gary [Gold] came in things have also improved for me.”

Joining the Falcons in the summer of 2009 from Championship outfit Nottingham, Pilgrim played a key role in helping his side lift the J.P Morgan Premiership Rugby 7’s trophy last year.

The former Loughborough student believes the Falcons can go all the way to the top with the backing of owner Semore Kurdi.

He said: “Semore is very passionate about rugby in the North East and he wants the Falcons to go all the way to the top.

“He has signalled his intent with a number of changes such as the restructuring of the academy, the new medical suite and of course the appointment of Dean.”

Munster Appoint Penney As Head Coach

Posted on May 2, 2012 in imb, Irish Rugby, Munster

Munster today announced the appointment of New Zealander Rob Penney as Head Coach, subject to him securing a valid work permit.

Penney has signed a two-year contract with the province  ahead of other candidates Anthony Foley and Tana Umaga.

Penney has been Head Coach of Canterbury since 2006, and last season took them to their fourth straight ITM Cup national provincial title. He also has Super Rugby coaching experience with the Crusaders where he was assistant coach in 2005 when they won the Super 12 title and he has maintained his involvement with the Crusaders as Development Squad Coach.

A former Canterbury Academy Manager, Penney will coach the defending World Champion New Zealand Under 20 side during next month’s IRB Junior World Championship in South Africa,and he is expected to arrive in Munster in mid July for the start of a two year contract.

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