Bath’s David Barnes retires with immediate effect

Posted on Apr 13, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Bath Rugby have confirmed prop David Barnes is retiring from rugby with immediate effect.

The decision has been made after following medical advice on a neck injury.

Since joining Bath in 2000, David has gone on to make 266 appearances for the Club, and captained the England Saxons in the 2006 Churchill Cup.

Technically strong and very experienced, David is a very well respected player in the rugby world, and has been chairman of the Rugby Players Association since 2005.

Speaking about the decision, David said “I have immensely enjoyed my rugby career and especially the time that I have spent at Bath.

“I was looking forward to fulfilling my playing contract with Bath till the end of next season, however after consultation with a medical specialist I have been advised that it is no longer possible for me to continue to play.  Whilst it is extremely upsetting to be forced to end my playing career prematurely, I feel extremely fortunate to have been able to have run out at the Rec for the last 11 seasons and to have played alongside many great players in some truly memorable matches.

“I would like to thank everyone at Bath; the players, the coaches, the medical teams and all the staff, for making my time so enjoyable and especially the many supporters who ensure Bath remains a truly special club to be associated with.

“Throughout my career I have worked closely with the RPA Player Development Managers to develop additional skills in preparation for any career transition. I hope to bring those skills, in addition to my experience as a professional Rugby Player and RPA Chairman, to my next career and remain heavily involved in a rugby environment in the future.”

Director of Rugby, Sir Ian McGeechan, added “It is always sad when a player has to retire due to injury, especially one of David’s calibre. He is not only a very good player on the pitch, but he adds many things to the Bath squad off the pitch, which we will miss next season. We would like to wish him well with all his future endeavours, and thank him for the many games he has played in the blue, black and white.”

Whilst David has not finalised his plans for the future as yet, in the short term he will be taking part in the AXA Wealth Climb of Kilimanjaro in June, to raise money for Help for Heroes, and two rugby charities that look after severely injured players; the RPA Benevolent Fund and RFU Injured Players Foundation. For more information on how to support this, please visit www.axawealthclimb.co.uk

Nottingham Rugby: team announcement

Posted on Feb 9, 2011 in Rugby News

Glenn Delaney’s men take on Doncaster Knights in tonight’s Championship clash at Meadow Lane (7.45pm kick off).

Skipper Craig Hammond steps in at lock while impressive youngster Phil Eggleshaw fills the kiwi’s normal back row slot.

Jack Cobden makes his return to the side and will look to continue his attacking form after drawing the plaudits from his substitute’s display against Worcester.

USA Eagles international Junior Sifa comes in at centre to play alongside Tim Streather, while David Jackson remains at full back.

Delaney’s bench packs a punch with the likes of Tom Youngs, Luke Sherriff, Martin Halsall and Andy Savage all ready to step up to the action following their weekend run-outs against the Warriors.

Check out the team below;

1. Tom French
2. Jimmy Stevens
3. Ben Buxton
4. Alex Shaw
5. Craig Hammond
6. Phil Eggleshaw
7. Jonny Baird
8. Sione Kalamafoni

9. Tim Usasz
10. James Arlidge
11. Cesar Sempere
12. Junior Sifa
13. Tim Streather
14. Jack Cobden
15. David Jackson

16. Tom Youngs
17. Martin Halsall
18. Ian Kench
19. Nic Carter
20. Luke Sherriff
21. Finlay Barnham
22. Andy Savage

Ireland Wolfhounds 22 to play Saxons

Posted on Feb 1, 2011 in Rugby News

A twenty two man O2 Ireland Wolfhounds Squad to play the England Saxons in Ravenhill on Friday has been named.

The starting XV will be announced by the Wolfhounds Coaches at a press conference in Belfast on Wednesday.

Prop Tony Buckley is ruled out after picking up an injury in the game against Scotland ‘A’ last week.

Declan Fitzpatrick is named in the squad in place of Buckley. Mike McCarthy is also named in the squad while Paul Marshall, Ian Keatley and David Kearney have also been called up.

Tickets for the game against the Saxons are on sale from www.ulsterrugby.com

O2 Ireland Wolfhounds Squad (v England Saxons, Friday, Februray 4^th, Ravenhill, 19:30)

Backs (10) -

Isaac Boss (Terenure College – Leinster)
Fionn Carr (Galwegians- Connacht)
Ian Humphreys (Ballymena – Ulster)
David Kearney (Lansdowne – Leinster)
Ian Keatley (Galwegians- Connacht)
Denis Hurley (Cork Constitution – Munster)
Paul Marshall (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster)
Johne Murphy (Young Munster – Munster)
Eoin O’Malley (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch – Ulster)

Forwards (12) -

Nigel Brady (Dungannon – Ulster)
Willie Faloon (Ballynahinch – Ulster)
Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon – Ulster)
Jamie Hagan (Corinthians – Connacht)
Chris Henry (Ballymena – Ulster)
Mike McCarthy (Buccaneers – Connacht)
Ian Nagle (Cork Constitution – Munster)
Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution – Munster)
Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne – Leinster)
Donnacha Ryan (Shannon – Munster)
Damien Varley (Garryowen – Munster)
Brett Wilkinson (Galwegians – Connacht)

Paice re-signs with London Irish

Posted on Jan 26, 2011 in Rugby News

London Irish hooker, David Paice has re-signed with the club for a further three seasons which will see him stay with the Exiles until the end of the 2013/14 season.

David joined the London Irish Academy in 2003 and went on to become an integral part of the club’s U19 team that won the National Cup that season. What was meant to be a year long stay turned into a permanent move after he was promoted to the first team and has since gone on to make 136 senior appearances for the club, scoring six tries.

The Australian born hooker has represented England Saxons and gained full international selection when he played against New Zealand in July 2008.

London Irish head coach, Toby Booth said: “I have worked very closely with David since he first joined us in 2003. He is an accomplished lineout thrower and is great in the loose. We are all delighted that he will be with us for a further three seasons.”

Commenting on his decision to extend his current contract, David said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at London Irish and I am sure I will continue to do so. We have a squad full of class players and I want to be with them challenging for titles over the coming seasons.”

Slemen Rallies the Troops as Play-offs Approach

Posted on Jan 26, 2011 in Rugby News

As the regular rugby season draws towards its climax, Esher will have to be on their mettle if they intend to maintain their status in The Championship next season.

The playoffs are fast approaching; and Esher Skipper David Slemen will be instrumental to the Club’s chances of staying up. The 32 year old fly-half has sent out a rallying cry to his team mates ahead of Esher’s crunch clash with Rotherham Titans on Saturday.

"The game against Rotherham on Saturday is absolutely massive" claimed David.

"We need to get the winning mentality we had last season back; and I think the lads showed enough in the first half against Nottingham to suggest we can put a run of good results together."

The 7th placed side from Yorkshire are only two places above Esher in the table; so a win for Esher could see Rotherham get dragged back into the fight to avoid a bottom four finish and a place in the relegation play-offs. 8th placed Plymouth Albion will also have to negotiate a tricky trip to 6th placed Doncaster; but Slemen suggests that Esher have to concentrate on themselves rather than opposing teams.

"We have to get back to basics. We are capable of playing some excellent rugby, as we proved last year, and I believe if we concentrate on getting back to playing winning rugby then we have every chance of surviving in this division."

The past couple of weeks have seen Esher suffer three heavy defeats against Munster, Nottingham and Bristol; but Slemen remains positive;

"Of course the last couple of results do not look good on paper, but I feel that their have been some real positives to have come out of them. Against Munster and Bristol we rotated the team and fielded a lot of our academy players while they played their strongest sides, and the youngsters still managed to play some great rugby."

In the game against Nottingham, Esher went in level at half time only for the visitors to show their class late on, so it is easy to see why Slemen is remaining upbeat.

With less than a month until the end of the regular season, and Esher currently occupying 10th place in the table, it appears likely that the team from Molesey Road will have to endure the nerve shredding tension of the relegation playoffs.

However, Slemen remains confident that Esher will once again grace The Championship next season, and has urged the clubs supporters to get behind him and the team;

"The fans will be very important in helping us to stay up, as they always give us incredible backing and help push us that extra mile.

“There is a good chance we will be in the bottom four come the end of the season, but we fully expect to stay in The Championship."