London Welsh confirm further re-signings

Posted on May 8, 2012 in London Welsh

Adam Brown (pictured), Dan George, Ashley Smith and Billy Moss are the latest players to pledge their futures to London Welsh.

Player’s Player of the Year Brown, 24, has enjoyed a fantastic first season at the club, after joining from Newport Gwent Dragons last summer.

A Wales U19 Grand Slam winner in 2006, Brown has been ever present in the Exiles’ second row this season, making 28 appearances in all competitions. His debut try for the club came in the play-off win over Nottingham at Old Deer Park.

“I’ve played a lot of rugby this year and Lyn [Jones – head coach] has worked hard with me to improve my game,” said Brown.

“Hopefully I can continue that through to next year and keep developing and learning and getting better as a rugby player.

“As a young front five forward you need to be playing to improve and I feel I’ve contributed something to the team.

“Winning the Player’s Player of the Year award does mean a lot as the boys have voted for it, but it won’t mean half as much as getting to a Championship final.”

George is in his second spell at London Welsh. The hooker originally arrived at Old Deer Park in 2008 and helped the club reach a Championship semi-final in 2010.

A product of the Scarlets’ Academy, he left the club at the end of that season to join Principality Premiership side Carmarthen Quins, only to return in early 2011.

George, 25, captained Wales U19s during the IRB World Championships in South Africa in 2005, and the following year played in the IRB U21 World Championships in France

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D’Arcy signs new international contract

Posted on Apr 30, 2012 in Ireland, Irish Rugby, Leinster

The Irish Rugby Football Union and Leinster Rugby is pleased to announce that Gordon D’Arcy has signed a new international contract that will see him remain in Ireland to play with Leinster for a further two seasons until 2014.

D’Arcy has had a glittering career for both province and country, winning his first piece of silverware with Leinster in 2001 as part of the side that won the Celtic League. He made his debut for Leinster in 1998 and has gone on to make over 200 appearances for his home province. 

He made his debut for Ireland as a 19 year old in the Rugby World Cup in 1999, playing on the wing against Romania.  He moved successfully to the centre for Ireland and Leinster in 2004, winning a triple crown with Ireland and it was a move which saw his representative career for Ireland accelerate to the point where he has become the second most capped centre in Irish history, behind his long-time playing partner Brian O’Driscoll.

He represented Ireland in a further two Rugby World Cups, in 2007 and the recent tournament in New Zealand and was an integral part of the Ireland team that won the RBS Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam in 2009.  That same year he won his first Heineken Cup with Leinster and was part of the side that again won the trophy in 2011.

He has also represented the British & Irish Lions on two tours, to New Zealand in 2005 and to South Africa in 2009.

Commenting on the announcement, IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: “Gordon is a wonderful servant for both Ireland and Leinster and this is proof of his undoubted talent that was identified at a very early age. I am delighted that he has committed himself to playing in Ireland and is another indicator of the successful policy of keeping as many of our top players here so that they can continue to contribute to the success of both Ireland and the provincial teams.

Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt added: "Gordon is a born and bred Leinster man and since his debut in 1998 he has been a highly consistent performer for Leinster. His competitiveness and ability have had added huge value both on and off the field.  We’re delighted that Gordon will be extending his long association with his home province and I am confident that he will continue to make a positive impression both on and off the field."

Career Details

Gordon D’Arcy
Born: 10th February 1980

Ireland Career

Debut: V Romania 15/10/1999
Caps: 68
Points: 35 (7 Tries)

Leinster Career

Debut: V Llanelli 19/09/1998
Caps: 203
Points: 299 (53 tries, 2 conversions, 4 drop goals, 6 penalties)

British & Irish Lions

Debut: V Argentina 23/05/2005
Appearances: 10

Strong Sharks side named to face Agen

Posted on Dec 8, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Ostrikov to make debut against old club

Russian international forward Andrei Ostrikov makes his debut for Sale Sharks in their Amlin Challenge Cup game at S.U.Agen tomorrow (Thursday). Kick off at the Stade Alfred Armandie is at 20.30 hrs., one hour ahead of UK time.

The 24-year-old is named in the second row against the club for whom he played before joining Aurillac. Scrum half Cillian Willis makes his second start in the competition, and Luther Burrell again plays on the right wing  in Europe. There is a welcome return from injury for Rob Miller, who is named on the bench.

Sale Sharks:

• 15. Mark Cueto
• 14. Luther Burrell
• 13. Andrew Higgins
• 12. Sam Tuitupou (capt)
• 11. Joaquin Tuculet
• 10. Nick Macleod
• 9.  Cillian Willis
• 1.  Vadim Cobilas
• 2.  Marc Jones
• 3.  Tony Buckley
• 4.  Andrei Ostrikov
• 5.  James Gaskell
• 6.  Richie Vernon
• 7.  David Seymour
• 8.  Andy Powell

Replacements

• 16. Tommy Taylor
• 17. Alasdair Dickinson
• 18. Henry Thomas
• 19. Fraser McKenzie
• 20. Kearnan Myall
• 21. Scott Mathie
• 22. Rob Miller
• 23. Tom Brady

Sharks’ Executive Director of Sport Steve Diamond said, “We’re taking a strong team and we need to build on the confidence provided by the win at Bath. If we can win this game, we’re ‘back in it’. It comes down to beating Agen in the return, hopefully we can beat La Vila, then we’ll need to win against Brive at home in January by more points than they beat us.  That should be the way through. Thursday’s match is a big game, and Agen is a great place to visit.”

Matthews set to make international debut as England Women’s team is announced to take on France

Posted on Nov 4, 2011 in England, English Rugby, Women's Rugby

Richmond flanker Alexandra Matthews is set to make her England debut this Saturday when England take on France at the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium in Chateaurenard, kick off 2pm GMT.

Matthews, 18, is one of nine changes, two positional, to the England starting line-up that was defeated 14-5 by France in Wednesday’s uncapped match in Marseille. And as Matthews collects her first cap tomorrow she will become the second member of the Matthews family to be capped for England. Older sister Francesca, who plays on the wing, is also a member of the England Elite Playing Squad and she has gone on to amass 18 caps for her country.

Saracens’ Hannah Gallagher, Lichfield’s Harriet Millar-Mills, Bristol’s Isobel Noel-Smith and Worcester’s Ceri Large could all be set to get their first cap for England too as they have been named on the bench. England also welcome back Emily Scarratt, Georgina Roberts and La Toya Mason to the starting line-up.

England Head Coach Gary Street said: “This is the strongest starting XV we can select from this squad and we will be expecting another tough and extremely physical test against a very motivated French team. We learnt some valuable lessons from Wednesday’s match and some of the players really excelled so they will have another opportunity to show what they can do on Saturday.

“Alex had an outstanding game on Wednesday and I am really excited about her ball carrying skills and defensive qualities that she brings to our game. We also have four uncapped players on the bench and they have brought energy into this squad. With this being our last game ahead of the three autumn international tests against world champions New Zealand this is a huge opportunity for all our players to step up and show what they can do.”

England

15 Kay Wilson (Bristol)

14 Katherine Merchant (Worcester)

13 Georgina Roberts (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

12 Emily Scarratt (Lichfield)

11 Michaela Staniford (Wasps)

10 Kimberley Oliver (Bristol)

9 La Toya Mason (Wasps)

1 Rochelle Clark (Worcester)

2 Victoria Fleetwood (Lichfield)

3 Laura Keates (Worcester)

4 Tamara Taylor(Darlington Mowden Park Sharks)

5 Rowena Burnfield (Richmond)

6 Alexandra Matthews (Richmond)

7 Marlie Packer (Bristol)

8 Sarah Hunter (Lichfield)

Replacements:

16 Amy Turner (Richmond)

17 Rosemarie Crowley (Lichfield)

18 Harriet Millar-Mills (Lichfield)

19 Hannah Gallagher (Saracens)

20 Isobel Noel-Smith (Bristol)

21 Natasha Hunt (Lichfield)

22 Ceri Large (Worcester)

England Autumn International Series

Nov 2nd France v England, Jean Bouin Stadium, Marseille, France 14 England 5

Nov 5th France v England, Pierre de Coubertin Stadium at Chateaurenard, KO 2pm GMT

Nov 26th England v New Zealand, Twickenham Stadium, KO 5pm

Nov 29th England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, KO 7pm

Dec 3rd England v New Zealand, Esher RFC, 2pm

Tickets for the game at Twickenham on November 26th are available from Ticketmaster.co.uk and group booking are available from the RFU by calling 0871 22 22 017, option 6. Prices range from £65 to £35. Junior tickets cost just £15.

Tickets for the international tests at Esher RFC on November 29th and December 3rd will be available on the gate and cost £10 for adults and £5 for juniors.

Powell makes debut for Sharks

Posted on Oct 27, 2011 in English Rugby, Premiership, Sale Sharks

Welsh international forward Andy Powell is set to make his debut for Sale Sharks against Leicester Tigers in Friday’s Aviva Premiership match at Edgeley Park (kick off 7.45 p.m.)

There’s a new pairing at centre, Sam Tuitupou and Johnny Leota, whilst in the back row of the pack Richie Vernon starts at Number 8 for the first time. Prop Tony Buckley has recovered from flu and takes his place on the bench alongside returning hooker Joe Ward.

Sale Sharks: 15.Rob Miller, 14.Tom Brady, 13.Johnny Leota, 12.Sam Tuitupou (capt.), 11.Mark Cueto, 10.Nick Macleod, 9.Dwayne Peel, 1.Alasdair Dickinson, 2.Marc Jones, 3.Henry Thomas, 4.Fraser McKenzie, 5.Kearnan Myall, 6.James Gaskell, 7.David Seymour, 8.Richie Vernon.

Replacements 16.Joe Ward, 17.Vadim Cobilas, 18.Tony Buckley, 19.Mark Easter, 20.Andy Powell, 21.Will Cliff, 22.Luther Burrell, 23.Will Addison.

Sharks’ Executive Director of Sport Steve Diamond commented, "Andy Powell returned to the club on Tuesday, chomping at the bit, and went straight into training with the lads, whom he’d already met during pre-season. He will be taking some part in the game against the Tigers.

"We’ve had some good sessions this week, working on several issues raised by last week’s game; we’re one big unit and know where we need to focus.

" The match against Leicester will be very tough – probably our hardest task of the season. We can’t wait! Edgeley Park is definitely the place to be on Friday night, and we’re looking to our fans to roar us on in this vital game."