Jones caps debut campaign with new contract

Posted on Mar 23, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Edinburgh winger Lee Jones today reached another landmark in an already impressive debut campaign as a professional by securing a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the capital club until at least the end of May 2013.

The 22-year-old, who can also play scrum-half, becomes the fourth player to pledge his future to Edinburgh in the last two months, with Tim Visser, the reigning Magners League Young Player of the Season and the competition’s current leading try scorer, British and Irish Lion Ross Ford, and young gun Tom Brown having also agreed new deals.

Jones’ extension is reward for the immediate impact he has made in both the Magners League and Heineken Cup, the Selkirk RFC product having already crossed the try-line in each of Europe’s leading club competitions after scoring twice on his first home appearance, against London Irish last August.

Such fine form saw the Borderer called up to the Scotland A side for their November clash with USA Eagles at Netherdale, and he instantly repaid this show of faith with another debut brace of scores as the Scots ran out 25-0 victors.

He retained his place in the starting XV for the early 2011 wins over Ireland Wolfhounds and Italy A, and was part of the Scotland 7s team who competed in the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October 2010.

Jones had previously impressed in the abbreviated form of the game with both the national side in the IRB Sevens World Series and his club, Selkirk, on the Borders circuit. Jones was similarly a mainstay of the Philiphaugh outfit’s fifteen-a-side operation before winning a call-up to the professional ranks last summer.

He today expressed delight at putting pen to paper for a further two seasons, saying: “I’m really pleased to have been given a further opportunity to keep improving as a player with Edinburgh.

“It was great to get the initial chance last year, and I’ve certainly learned a massive amount from working beside back-three guys like Mossy [Chris Paterson], Viss [Tim Visser], Webbo [Simon Webster] and Jim [Thompson].

“I’ve enjoyed the challenge of stepping up to the level of performance and intensity that’s required in the Magners League and Heineken Cup, and I’ll be working as hard as I can to keep putting myself in the picture for selection.

“We’ve got a lot of big games coming up in the last few weeks of the season, starting with Ospreys at Murrayfield on Saturday, and I know that everyone in the dressing room is desperate to produce a strong finish to the season.”

Edinburgh’s interim head coach Nick Scrivener welcomed the news of Jones’ retention, saying: “Lee has shown a lot of ability and potential in his first season with the club. He came in with exactly the right attitude and has consistently put his hand up for selection right from the off.

“If he keeps showing the same commitment to improving, he’ll be a real asset for the club going forward and I’m delighted to have secured his services.”

Edinburgh are back in Magners League action this Saturday, when they take on Welsh cracks Ospreys at Murrayfield (kick-off 6.30pm).

Odejobi set for England Sevens debut in Las Vegas

Posted on Feb 11, 2011 in Rugby News

Former England Under 20 wing Mark Odejobi is set to make his England Sevens debut in Las Vegas this weekend.

The 23-year-old from London has been called up for the USA Sevens to replace Isoa Damudamu, who returned home after last weekend’s NZI Sevens in Wellington for treatment to a shoulder injury.

Odejobi joins an England side riding high at the top of the HSBC Sevens World Series after one tournament win and two runners-up places in the first three stages of the eight event series.

"Mark’s played in a Junior World Championship final on the wing, played for England’s age group teams and has trained with us for the last year," said head coach Ben Ryan.

"It’s a great opportunity for him to establish himself and he’s a powerful player."

Odejobi, who has played for Esher this season in the RFU Championship, joined the side earlier this week for a key stage in the series and a unique tournament.

England triumphed in the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens but were beaten in George and Wellington by New Zealand, going down 29-14 in last weekend’s final, something Ryan’s side want to make amends for in Nevada in front of a live NBC TV audience.

On Saturday, they face Guyana (5.24pm), France (9.40pm) and Argentina (12.51am Sunday) in Pool A on the opening day with Kenya the likely quarter final opponents (5am Sunday) if they top the group.

"Everything’s different in Vegas," said Ryan. "We play with a different ball on a narrow pitch and with four games [rather than three] on day one but we knew about all that in advance and it’s important that we maintain the consistency we’ve shown so far this season.

"New Zealand have come back at us over the last two legs and have had the upper hand so now we want to rewind and get back to where we were in Dubai."

England do have the advantage of being led by points machine Ben Gollings, who is on the threshold of another staggering sevens landmark in Vegas.

The captain has a world record 2,495 series points – including 210 tries – banked since his series debut in 1999 and should go through the 2,500 barrier on the opening day.

A measure of achievement is how far ahead of the opposition Gollings now is. In second place is the Fijian legend Waisale Serevi, nearly 1,200 points behind.

England Sevens
Greg Barden (Royal Navy)
John Brake (England Sevens)
Dan Caprice (England Sevens)
Chris Cracknell (England Sevens)
Ben Gollings (England Sevens)
Simon Hunt (Birmingham & Solihull)
Nick Royle (England Sevens)
Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby)
Mark Odejobi (Unattached)
Tom Powell (England Sevens)
James Rodwell (England Sevens)
Mathew Turner (England Sevens)

Demas returns and San Martin makes his debut as Aironi face Leinster

Posted on Feb 9, 2011 in Rugby News

The Aironi team shows several changes for their Magners league Round 14 game against Leinster at the RDS in Dublin on Thursday evening.

With several players involved in the Italian squad which will face England and others return ing from Italy A duty carrying injuries Rowland Phillips is forced to opt for a completely new XV.

At fullback Paolo Buso, who scored a try for Italy A against England Saxons, will make his first start after playing the second half against the Blues, while for the first time in this season, Aironi can start with both Kaine Robertson and Danwel Demas adding speed on the wings. Demas is coming back from a car accident he was involved in last October.

There is also a new pairing in the centre with the Argentinian-born duo of Gabriel Pizarro and Horacio San Martin. For San Martin this will be the first game with the Aironi’s shirt.

Tito Tebaldi and James Marshall at half back

Nick Williams also returns at No8 after missing last two matches, and Jaco Erasmus and Nicola Cattina will be the flankers. Marco Bortolami will skipper the team from the second row, with young talent Joshua Furno alongside. The front row is composed of props Fabio Staibano and Alberto De Marchi, with Roberto Santamaria hooking.

AIRONI

15 Paolo Buso; 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gabriel Pizarro, 12 Horacio San Martin, 11 Danwel Demas; 10 James Marshall, 9 Tito Tebaldi; 1 Alberto De Marchi, 2 Roberto Santamaria, 3 Fabio Staibano; 4 Marco Bortolami (cap), 5 Joshua Furno; 6 Nicola Cattina, 7 Jaco Erasmus, 8 Nick Williams. Replacements: 16 Luigi Ferraro, 17 Andrea De Marchi, 18 Luca Redolfini, 19 George Biagi, 20 Andrea Benatti, 21 Pietro Travagli, 22 Alberto Benettin, 23 Matteo Pratichetti.

Moseley v Birmingham

Posted on Jan 24, 2011 in Rugby News

RFU Championship:
Moseley v Birmingham & Solihull, Saturday 29th January
3.00pm kick off at Billesley Common, Birmingham

Moseley’s preparations for the eagerly awaited local derby on Saturday received some good news on the injury front.

Having had all four locks absent through injury in the victory over Neath last weekend the club expects at least three to be available for selection for the visit to Billesley Common of Birmingham & Solihull.

That victory propelled the red “n” blacks to top spot in top pool C in the B&I Cup with three wins from three with only two matches (away at Ulster and Bedford in February) to go.

Moseley’s Head Coach Ian Smith had elected not to risk an early return for either David Lyons or Paul Spivey in the second row and played five back row forwards in the pack instead. The tactic meant that, while some specialisations may have been lost, the forwards gained through creating fast service for the backs – and three tries in the process.

In just his second game for the club, centre Joe Munro got on the score sheet last weekend and Chris Bishay made a solid and tidy debut on the wing. The third recent new signing Dai Bishop is undergoing a medical this week to determine if he will also be in the reckoning for his debut on Saturday.

Moseley won the corresponding match earlier in the season at Birmingham & Solihull but only with a last gasp converted try. This ‘return leg’ undoubtedly has supporters of both sides looking forward to another high tempo encounter.

Moseley management is expecting the biggest crowd of the season on Saturday and is urging both sets of supporters to use public transport where possible. Billesley Common is served by the most extensive bus service in the area and supposedly in Europe. Supporters can plan their door to door service by public transport using the link on the club’s website ‘How to find us’.
Once again the club is laying on an extensive range of Real Ales as well as its award winning catering that will keep both sets of supporters happy. Early bird bargains are available for purchase of five or more adult tickets (not available on match day).

Hospitality Suite bargains
Only two hospitality boxes remain unsold and a bargain £599 for twelve people including match entry, quality hot meal, priority parking etc.

Murray makes Falcons debut v Sharks

Posted on Jan 6, 2011 in Rugby News

Big name signing, Euan Murray will make his debut against Sale Sharks in the Aviva Premiership on Friday (kick off 7.45pm).

The 30-year-old Scotland international has been handed the No. 3 jersey as Falcons boss, Alan Tait makes three changes to the side that was defeated at Wasps last week.

Charlie Amesbury returns to the wing after a horrific eye injury sustained during Newcastle’s 12-6 victory over Gloucester back in November, as Tait rotates the backline. South African flyer, Gcobani Bobo moves to the centres, with Luke Eves dropping to the bench.

And, Brent Wilson comes in to the pack replacing West Countryman, Redford Pennycook who provides quality in reserve.

“We’ve been boosted by Jonny Golding this week,” said Tait.

“He will take a place on the bench, and Andrew Van der Heijden has also been doing contact work with the boys this week. The Sale game has just come a bit quick for him, but what a difference it makes to see quality like that on the training field.

“Euan Murray’s debut is another thing to look forward to, and this is a game that I’ve been waiting for all season,” he added.

Newcastle face a Sharks outfit revitalised by their win at home to Saracens last weekend, and Tait is expecting a tough challenge.

“That’s what happens, and this Aviva Premiership is full of those surprises. You can see that they’ve changed coaches, and the senior players seem to be having a fair bit to say in leading the ship.

“Pete Anglesea is a young coach, and the older players there, look to be leading the way. The likes of Charlie Hodgson and Mark Cueto seem to be going out there and just enjoying their rugby – and they’re throwing it about well and they caught Saracens by surprise,” said Tait.

Newcastle

15. Jeremy Manning
14. Luke Fielden
13. Gcobani Bobo
12. Tane Tu’ipulotu
11. Charlie Amesbury
10. Jimmy Gopperth
9. Micky Young
1. Grant Shiells
2. Matt Thompson
3. Euan Murray
4. James Hudson
5. Tim Swinson
6. Brent Wilson
7. Will Welch
8. Ally Hogg

Replacements

16. Joe Graham
17. Jonny Golding
18. Kieran Brookes
19. Filipo Levi
20. Redford Pennycook
21. Jason Spice
22. Luke Eves
23. Danny Williams