Connacht sign Dan Parks

Posted on Feb 28, 2012 in Cardiff Blues, Connacht, Irish Rugby, Welsh Rugby

Connacht Rugby have confirmed the signing of former Scottish international outside half Dan Parks.

Parks will join Connacht from the Cardiff Blues at the end of the current season on a two year deal which will see the legendary Scottish outside half ply his trade at the Sportsground until at least the end of the 2013/14 season.

Dan is the RaboDirect’s all-time leading point’s scorer with a phenomenal 1322 points to his name. In his seven seasons with Glasgow and two with Cardiff Blues he has scored an impressive 19 tries and kicked 274 penalties to leave his haul of points a staggering 473 points ahead of nearest rival Ronan O’Gara. As a prolific goal kicker he has a kicking record of 73.4% which puts his accuracy ahead of kicking sensations such as Stephen Jones, Ruan Pienaar and Leigh Halfpenny.

The pivotal position was an area Connacht identified for strengthening and the 33 year old, New South Wales born outside half will be charged with bringing through Connacht’s emerging talent whilst helping to turn some of Connacht’s narrow losses into significant victories.

The experienced outside half, who was the first to reach the 1000 points milestone in the Magners League, comes with serious international pedigree. He has amassed 67 caps for Scotland since his international debut in 2004, the most recent being against England in this year’s RBS 6Nations Championship. It is this knowledge and expertise that Connacht will look to harness and Dan’s considerable experience looks set to compliment the exciting, youthful backline that Head Coach Eric Elwood and Backs Coach Billy Millard already have in place.

Millard spent two seasons with the Cardiff Blues as Backs Coach and he was key to enticing the outside half to Connacht.

Speaking about the signing Billy Millard said:

"I’m excited about working with Dan, especially in the setup we have here at the moment. He’s an absolute professional and I think he will bring an extra layer of experience to the squad. We spoke at length about the ambitions of Connacht Rugby, Dan knew the culture of the club and respected what we’re trying to do here and this was one of the main reasons he agreed to come to Connacht. He is a great guy, a leader and will add value on and off the field"

Looking forward to the move Dan added:

"It’s been a huge decision in my life to move away from Cardiff to Connacht but a move which I am thrilled about. There is a fantastic mix of youth and experience at the club and for me I am really excited about the future of Connacht rugby. With my nine years of playing in the league I will be looking to bring that experience to Galway. I am looking forward to the next two seasons and the great challenges that will come with it. The four coaches Eric, Dan, Billy and Mike have lots of energy and are very determined to make Connacht rugby a fun and successful club. I am very happy to be joining a club which I believe is on the up and has a very bright future ahead."

Head Coach Eric Elwood was delighted with the signing:

"Having Dan Parks come on board next season is a huge boost to the club. Having someone of his experience, both internationally with the number of caps he has and in the league as the highest points scorer of all-time, is a massive bonus. As a seasoned international we are confident he will bring a huge amount of experience to our team. He knows what we’re about, what we’re trying to do and his attitude and work ethic will add to the culture of the club. We are all looking forward to working with him and bringing through the next generation of Connacht players"

Dan Parks retires from International Rugby

Posted on Feb 8, 2012 in Scotland, Scottish Rugby

Scotland stand-off Dan Parks today announced his retirement from international rugby with immediate effect.

In his eight year international career, Parks won 67 caps for Scotland, scoring 266 points, including a Scottish record 17 drop-goals.

He was the pivotal figure in Scotland’s successes in 2010, winning a host of Man of the Match awards and steering the side to a historic, unprecedented Test series triumph in Argentina and memorable victories against Ireland and South Africa.  It should also be remembered that he was the Scotland players’ player of the World Cup in 2007, testament to his talent and his immense popularity with his peers.

Parks (Cardiff Blues), 33, had been thinking over his decision following the Rugby World Cup, in which he was Man of the Match in the final pool game against England.

He told www.scotlandrugbyteam.org: “I was thinking about it but the first game of the Six Nations was against England, the auld enemy, Jacko (Ruaridh Jackson) was injured and being able to play against England was huge for me as there was a sense of unfinished business.

“On reflection after the game, after talking it over with my family, girl-friend and close friends I’ve come to the decision that now is the right time to retire from the international game.

“There are some really talented guys coming through – Jacko (Ruaridh Jackson), Greig (Laidlaw) and Duncan (Weir) – and although I’m sad to be finishing my international career I have some fantastic memories of playing for Scotland and what that has meant to me.

“I’ve no regrets at what has been an amazing career for me.  I’ve got my favourite moments for Scotland – uppermost being the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

“That was my first World Cup, something that as a youngster you would always aspire to play in, and it was just such a happy, exciting, positive time.  It was also where I met my girl-friend, Laetitia.

“Other memorable moments have been the two wins against England at home (2006 and 2008), the win against South Africa here at Murrayfield, the two wins in Argentina in 2010 and one in 2008 and the Ireland game in 2010 which was a great occasion.

“I’ve made some incredible friends here in Scotland and in the Scotland team and a lot of those friendships were forged in Glasgow.

“There are a lot of people within Scottish rugby who have been good to me.  I would like to thank Matt Williams, Frank Hadden, Andy Robinson and all the various assistant coaches over the years, alongside the medical, fitness, kit, administrative and media staff who have helped me.

“I was proud of myself in the way I came back from trouble off the pitch in order to regain my position firstly within the Glasgow team and then the Scotland team.

“I want to say a massive thank you to my family and close friends.  They’ve been invaluable for their constant support over the years.

“I also want to thank the loyal fans of the Scotland team.  It’s been a rocky road for me at times but at the end I’ve always given 100 per cent to play at my best and succeed for Scotland.

“This is not the end of me as a rugby player.  My international career is over but I want to keep playing club rugby.  I always enjoyed my time in Glasgow.  It’s one of great cities I’ve visited, so who knows what will happen in the future.”

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: “I have really enjoyed working with Dan.  He wasn’t in my first Scotland squads but through his own determination, hard work, skill and competitive spirit he forced his way back into selection.  It’s never an easy decision to make but I feel Dan has made the right decision and thank him for his contribution over the years.”

Parks’ half-back partner on many occasions, Edinburgh Rugby’s Mike Blair said: “The reaction of all the guys when Parksy announced his retirement said it all – stunned silence and emotion.

“Dan is a hugely popular and respected member of the squad and his contribution to some of Scotland’s most famous victories cannot be under-estimated.

“2010 sticks in my mind the most.  Dan coming back from the wilderness to win MOTMs against Wales, Italy, Ireland, South Africa and Argentina in that year just showed how resilient and competitive he is.  His humour, talent and energy will certainly be missed around the Scotland camp.”

Lock Alastair Kellock, a team-mate and captain of Dan with both Glasgow Warriors and Scotland, added: “International rugby has enormous highs and lows and it’s testament to the credibility of Dan’s character that he managed to bring positivity to every day he was involved.
“It’s been a huge privilege to have played with him over so many years for Glasgow and Scotland.”

The Scotland team to play Wales in Cardiff on Sunday will be announced tomorrow.

England crush Wales in NZ Sevens

Posted on Feb 7, 2011 in Rugby News

Ben Ryan’s sevens team got the day off to a perfect start for England fans with a 33-7 win over Wales at the NZI Sevens in Wellington.

The HSBC Sevens World Series leaders topped Pool A following their victories against the Welsh, the USA (31-10) and the Cook Islands (21-17).

England now face Argentina in the quarter finals with Samoa or Fiji awaiting the winners at the Westpac Stadium.

Against Wales there were two tries for former Moseley forward James Rodwell and one apiece for ex-Northampton Saints scrum half John Brake and Bristol Rugby wing Dan Norton. Captain Ben Gollings added four conversions to extend his series points tally to 2,485.

“It was a very satisfying opening day and we really gelled against Wales,” said head coach Ryan.

“Argentina were battered by New Zealand in their final group game and we know they’ll bounce back strongly against us so we’ll have to be at our very best.”

Earlier England breezed past the USA with two more tries for Norton and one apiece for Simon Hunt (Birmingham Solihull), Dan Caprice and Gollings, who also kicked three conversions.

They stuttered early on against the flamboyant Cook Islands, who led 17-0 before being overhauled with two tries from Mathew Turner, one from Gollings and the captain’s three conversions.

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.

Bedford ready for Nottingham visit

Posted on Jan 28, 2011 in Rugby News

Bedford Blues return to Championship action this weekend with the visit of a Nottingham side which is enjoying an excellent run of league results.

The Blues mini Welsh tour was cut short last week following a frost in Swansea, but the break was certainly a welcome one which gave the players and coaches extra time to prepare for the visit of the Green and Whites who haven’t lost in the league since November.

Bedford’s time in Wales did have a negative though as Duncan Taylor suffered a acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury during the game against Neath. An MRI scan earlier this week has revealed that the young winger suffered ligament damage and faces up to six weeks on the sidelines. James Pritchard misses Saturday’s game due to a slight thigh strain, Jackson Wray will be representing Saracens in the LV Cup and there was also bad news for Will Fraser who will be out of action for three months following ankle surgery.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game, Blues director of rugby Mike Rayer said: “Getting back to winning ways in the British and Irish Cup has been very important for us and we now need to continue this momentum in the Championship.

“Nottingham are on a great run at the moment and they will be looking at this weekend’s fixture as an opportunity to move closer to the top of the table and I’m sure Glenn Delaney will have his men prepared for the task ahead. They are a very dangerous side who like to play width and we certainly won’t be taking anything for granted.

“The end of the regular season is not that far away so we need to continue working at certain aspects of our game leading into the play offs.

“We had a great result up at Meadow Lane in October but that will count for nothing come 3pm Saturday especially as Nottingham are bang in form. We are going to have to be at our best again tomorrow to get the result that we all want."

Starting line-up:

15. Edd Thrower
14. Handre Schmidt
13. Brendan Burke
12. Tom Bedford
11. Ollie Dodge
10. Myles Dorrian
9. Will Chudley

1. Sam Walsh
2. Dan Richmond (c)
3. Phil Boulton
4. Mike Howard
5. Alex Rae
6. Gregor Gillanders
7. Sacha Harding
8. Paul Tupai

Replacements: 16. Joe Clark, 17. Dan Seal, 18. Chris Goodman, 19. Ben Lewitt, 20. Nick Walshe, 21. Jake Sharp, 22. Ian Vass.