Munster Match Day Squad (v Connacht)

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Munster

Paul O’Connell is back in the starting XV for the first time since October and all credit to the Munster Medical and S&C staff for having him back weeks ahead of schedule.

Rob Penney has made just three changes from the side that drew with Ospreys, all those up front and more specifically in the back five.

Not surprisingly O’Connell’s return forces Billy Holland to the bench and just as unsurprisingly Donncha O’Callaghan gets to partner him while in the backrow Sean Dougall returns to the starting line-up for the first time since the January 9th League encounter with Edinburgh.

The backline remains the same as does the front row while Niall Ronan is included in the match day squad for the first time since November.

Munster: F Jones; D Howlett, C Laulala, J Downey, D Hurley; R O’Gara, C Sheridan; D Kilcoyne,D Varley, S Archer; Donncha O’Callaghan, P O’Connell; T O’Donnell, S Dougall, J Coughlan. Replacements: M Sherry, W du Preez, BJ Botha, B Holland, N Ronan, D Williams, I Keatley, I Dineen.

Duncan Jones signs for two more years at the Ospreys

Posted on Mar 19, 2013 in Ospreys

The Ospreys have announced that Duncan Jones has signed a new two-year contract.

An Ospreys ‘original’ who has been with his home region since its inception in the summer of 2003, Jones was out of contract at the end of this season. However, he has now committed himself to the Ospreys until the end of the 2014/15 campaign.

Having made his regional debut midway through the Ospreys inaugural season, featuring in a Heineken Cup defeat to Toulouse at Stade Ernest Wallon, he has been a mainstay of the region for a decade. He currently stands third in the all-time Ospreys appearance list on 182, just six behind Andrew Bishop at the top of the pile.

“I’m delighted to have sorted out the next couple of years”said Jones after signing his new deal.

“This is my home region and I’ve always enjoyed playing here. Since the very first day of the Ospreys we’ve always been faced with challenges, and it’s the sign of a progressive organisation that we’ve always responded in the right way and used those challenges to evolve.

“I think we are at the start of another new challenge here, right now. A lot of the faces have changed and I think it is an exciting time. We’ve got a lot of youngsters starting to make their mark and I’m pleased to be around to help in whatever way I can to help keep the Ospreys at the top.

“I haven’t signed for two years just to make up the numbers though. I realise that Ryan Bevington is playing very well but I intend fighting him all the way for the shirt over the next two years.”

Andy Lloyd, Ospreys Rugby Operations Manager, commented:

“Duncan has been outstanding for the Ospreys since day one. He has a huge desire to represent the Ospreys and he still considers it an honour to do so, even after 10 years, which is an example to any young players coming through the ranks,

“It’s great to have people like Duncan in the environment, sharing his knowledge and setting the highest standards for both himself and the wider group. He does a great job in the scrum and around the field, while off the field he is fantastic working with younger boys coming through, passing on his considerable knowledge. His work ethic remains second to none, he is the ultimate professional who gives everything to the cause.

“It’s important for the future of the region that we can call on the services of individuals who live by the right values. As a business, thanks to the work being done behind the scenes we are in a stronger position to make strategic decisions for the long-term good of the region, including retaining the services of people like Duncan.”

The news of Duncan signing a new deal comes two weeks after Joe Bearman and Rhys Webb committed their futures to the Ospreys, along with the announcement of the addition to the squad of Italian international Tito Tebaldi for next season. Young forwards James King and Lloyd Peers have also committed their futures to the region.

Ross poised to bring up century for London Welsh

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 in London Welsh

A cricketer of some repute in his day, Gordon Ross will bring up a century of a different kind when he runs out for London Welsh against Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop on Saturday in the LV= Cup.

The fly half, 34, has been enjoying an Indian summer of a season in the Aviva Premiership, racking up 124 points in 12 appearances and using all his experience and cunning to help the Exiles carve out four wins and occupy tenth in the table.

Saturday will be appearance number 100 for Ross in a London Welsh jersey in all competitions, with his previous 99 yielding 525 points.

“I knew I was coming up to 100 but I didn’t actually realise I was on 99 until this week,” said Ross. “I’m looking forward to Saturday now; I’ve really enjoyed my three and a half seasons here.

“I’ve seen a lot of changes at the club, both on and off the field, and the reward of getting promoted last season was outstanding.

“I’ve no plans to retire yet – the body’s feeling good. I’ve been lucky enough this season to be given the odd weekend off by Lyn [Jones – head coach] and the conditioning staff realise my age and they look after me a little bit.

“I’ve managed to keep relatively fit and healthy during my time at London Welsh and if that can continue, and I feel I can contribute on the pitch, then hopefully I can carry on for as long as both parties are happy.

“I’m not going to target 150 games – I’ll get to 100 first and then we’ll just take each game as it comes after that!”

Ross won 25 caps for Scotland, the last in 2006, and his playing career spanned Heriots FP, Edinburgh Reivers, Leeds Tykes, Castres and Saracens before arriving at Old Deer Park in 2009.

Ross has witnessed some remarkable changes in his time at the club, including the introduction of professionalism, administration and two losing Championship semi-final campaigns, before culminating in last season’s success and subsequent promotion.

“There have been massive changes over the last three and a half years that I’ve been here,” he said.

“There’s never a dull moment but in a way it brings the lads closer together, and it’s certainly worked in our favour in difficult circumstances both on and off the pitch. We’ve worked very hard as a group and we got our just rewards last season.”

Ross sat out London Welsh’s remaining two Amlin Challenge Cup games after picking up a knock on his calf against Harlequins in their Premiership meeting at the Kassam.

With the English champions having qualified for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals as top seeds and still on course for a possible treble, Ross is aware of the size of the challenge that awaits the Exiles at the Stoop on Saturday, especially as Welsh’s last visit to Quins saw them on the receiving end of a 40-3 defeat.

“It’s going to be a tough day for us but when we played them a couple of weeks ago at the Kassam we played some very good rugby in the second half. Our challenge this weekend is to do it from the word go and not after they’ve already scored 20-odd points,” he said.

“We’ve got to start well otherwise it’s going to be a long day at the office, as we’ve found out twice this season.

“We’ve not really competed in the first 20 minutes against them. The start is going to be massive for us and if we can compete it will hopefully make the afternoon a little bit easier than it was been the last two times.

“I’ve seen Harlequins play twice in the LV= Cup this season and they’ve got the same mentality no matter who they play. If it’s a dry ball and a nice firm pitch, which I imagine it will be at the Stoop, then they’ll try and keep the ball moving.”

Defeats to Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester in the LV= Cup have left the Exiles bottom of Pool 4, but the next two weekends of action are vital says Ross if the club are to hit the ground running for their trip to Welford Road on February 3, as the Premiership run in begins.

“The Amlin Cup gave an opportunity to guys coming back from injury and who’d joined the club recently. Hopefully over the next two weekends we’ll be nice and competitive and we’ll play some good rugby that will lead us back into the Premiership at Leicester.

“Every day in training we’re working on things to try and make sure we’re getting better. We’ve a huge month ahead of us in February and we’ve got to make sure we’re as competitive as possible, get a few wins together and try and pick off one or two of the teams above us.”

Draw released for the Rugby Championship 2013

Posted on Jan 15, 2013 in SANZAR, The Rugby Championship

SANZAR today announced the full draw for The Rugby Championship’s second year, kicking off with a popular clash between the Wallabies and 2012 season’s winners, the All Blacks, at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday 17 August.

That same day the Springboks will host the Pumas at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The Pumas will replicate the 2012 draw for their home matches and the Pumas will play their first home match of The Rugby Championship in Round Two against the Springboks at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza on Saturday 24 August, with the All Blacks hosting the Wallabies at Westpac Stadium in Wellington the same day.

Test matches in Brisbane, Hamilton, Perth, Auckland, Cape Town and La Plata will follow during The Rugby Championship in 2013.

The final round will be played in Johannesburg between the Springboks and the All Blacks at

Coca-Cola Park Stadium, while the Pumas will host the final match of the Championship by hosting the Wallabies at Estadio Gigante de Arroyito, in Rosario.

The two travel byes will take place on Saturday 31 August and Saturday 21 September respectively.

SANZAR CEO Greg Peters said it was exciting to release the draw for The Rugby Championship as Test rugby closed out for the year.

“In 2012 we saw The Rugby Championship played for the first time, welcoming the Pumas into the fold alongside the original Tri-Nations teams, which saw the All Blacks claim inaugural success with an unbeaten charge to the title,” Peters said.

“The Rugby Championship will again feature the best teams in the world.  With the recent End of Year Tests yielding 10 victories for our competing rugby nations."

"The Pumas claimed a historic win in Cardiff against Six Nations champions Wales, the Springboks went through Europe unbeaten, while the All Blacks and Wallabies won three of their four Tests.”

Mr Peters said that the new dimension that Argentina brought to The Rugby Championship was evident with the fan response through the six rounds.

“A total of over 16 million viewers tuned into the twelve Tests of The Rugby Championship and an average of 44,000 attended the matches, which saw stadiums at 91% capacity, with the 88,739 crowd that saw the All Blacks come back from a half time deficit to defeat the Springboks 32-16 at FNB Stadium in Soweto the most attended match of the season,” Peters said.

“The first round of action, with the Wallabies playing the All Blacks in Sydney, and the Springboks hosting the Pumas in Bloemfontein, will have added spice considering the last time each of these two nations played – the result was an 18-18 and 16-16 draw respectively.”

"We are also pleased to announce that the format for 2013 will be consistent with the recent season to enable Unions and fans to have certainty on which weekends matches will be played in their territories."

The draw, with confirmed dates and venues, is attached.

Full kick off times will be confirmed at a later date by SANZAR, as will all other particulars involving The Rugby Championship in 2013.

No place like home for Haskell

Posted on Dec 11, 2012 in London Wasps

James Haskell, who returned to Wasps this season after three years overseas, made his 100th appearance for the club last month against Saracens, and says he is relishing life back at his old Club.

“I didn’t realise it was the 100th game until afterwards but it’s a nice achievement. I had always wanted to come back home to Wasps and it’s been good to come back in and try and fit in with what Dai Young is trying to do here. I had been out of the loop for a while and a lot has changed in three years. Hopefully the problems the Club has had are behind us and we’re starting to do our talking on the pitch now. For me it’s been great to come back in and see a lot of young guys really starting to push through the ranks. Guys like Sam Jones, Joe Launchbury and Billy Vunipola are all hugely talented players to have pushing into our pack and it’s good to see that sort of enthusiasm that they are bringing to training every day.”

Ahead of the game against Bayonne on Thursday night, Haskell, who played for two years in France with Stade Francais, says his side face a tough clash.

“They’re a side with a lot of rugby rock stars in their team and they can turn it on and cause you a lot of problems on their day, so we’ve got to play pretty well to get this win. We want to progress in this competition, like every one we’re competing in, and we’ve put ourselves in a decent position and need to just back it up this Thursday. I was lucky enough to be involved in a side who got to an Amlin Challenge Cup final with Stade and I know that progressing throughout a Cup campaign can give you a lot of confidence.”

Having recently returned from England duty, Haskell is also enjoying being back in the international mix.

“Playing for England at Twickenham still gives me such a massive high. Everything about it, the anthems, the noise, the flames as you run out and everything that goes with it still makes the hair stand up at the back of your neck, and I really enjoyed the last few games. In 45 caps I’ve never been involved in a win over a southern hemisphere side so it was fantastic to get on and play a part in the win over New Zealand.”

He adds that he has been very impressed at the ease with which Wasps teammate Joe Launchbury has taken to international rugby.

“He’s a quiet lad and he gets a lot of respect for how he does his talking on the field. To be honest he is the polar opposite to me off the pitch but we get on very well! He has taken his chance and winning the QBE Man of the Series is testament to that. He’s come back with a spring in his step and fair play to him; he’s got a big future.”

London Wasps play Bayonne on Thursday, December 13 at Adams Park at 19.45. To be there call 0844 225 2990 or book online at wasps.co.uk