Warriors versus Tigers a Sixways sell-out

Posted on Dec 8, 2011 in English Rugby, Leicester, Leicester Tigers, Premiership, Worcester Warriors

Worcester Warriors have this morning (Wednesday) confirmed that the Aviva Premiership festive fixture with Leicester Tigers at Sixways Stadium on Tuesday, December 27 is sold out.

Warriors have been inundated with ticket requests ahead of the massive league clash and now all seats have been sold by the Warriors Box Office.

A capacity crowd of 12,024 is guaranteed for a mouth-watering top-flight clash, the first sell-out crowd of the season at the home of the Warriors.

Club officials have confirmed that the sell-out is one of the earliest ever announced by the club, with just under four weeks until the game.

The last 50 hospitality places are now available for groups and individuals, starting from £75 per person. Please contact the Sales Team on 01905 459354 for more information.

The Warriors Box Office are continuing to sell match tickets at pace for other forthcoming fixtures, including the Amlin Challenge Cup fixture against Bucharest Wolves on December 17 and local derby in the Aviva Premiership against Gloucester Rugby on January 7.

Dowson suspended for two weeks for dangerous tackle

Posted on Dec 8, 2011 in English Rugby, Northampton, Premiership

Phil Dowson of Northampton Saints was this evening suspended for two weeks for a dangerous tackle, contrary to Law 10(4)(j), on Saracens’ Alex Goode during the Aviva Premiership match at Franklin’s Gardens on November 26, 2011.

Dowson, who pleaded guilty, was suspended from December 7 to December 20 by an RFU Disciplinary Panel of His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett, Jeremy Summers and Christopher Quinlan QC in the Offices of the Judge Advocate General in the Royal Courts of Justice, London.

The panel deemed that the offence merited a low end entry point sanction of three weeks but gave the player credit for his guilty plea.

He can play again on December 21. He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs.

Martyn Thomas leaves the RFU

Posted on Nov 3, 2011 in English Rugby, RFU

The Rugby Football Union’s Board of Directors held its scheduled November meeting today and approved the following:

• Martyn Thomas has decided to leave his post as RFU Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on December 16, 2011 following the end of his contract
• RFU Chief Financial Officer Stephen Brown (pictured), in addition to continuing to fulfil his current responsibilities, will become RFU Acting CEO on December 16, 2011 until the start date of a new permanent CEO
• Martyn Thomas will on December 16 relinquish the chairmanship of England Rugby 2015 and directorship of European Rugby Cup Ltd. He will also step down from the International Rugby Board Council and Six Nations Committee
• The Cotton Review will not take place. However, the Board has committed to an Independent Review to ensure the best performance systems are in place going towards RWC 2015.  This Independent Review will be undertaken after the conclusion of the Professional Game Board Review. The make-up of the review panel and terms of reference will be confirmed at a later date

RFU Chairman Paul Murphy said: “On behalf of the RFU I would like to thank Martyn for his contribution and dedication to rugby and the Union over the years, particularly in his last six as Chairman and latterly as Acting Chief Executive. He has been an integral part of the growth of the Union and the game as well as securing the 2015 Rugby World Cup for England as hosts. I know he will continue to support the Union with all his efforts until his contract ends."

“As a sport we face some exciting and challenging times leading up to 2015, which will be a massive opportunity for the game in this country and as a Union it is important that the leadership structure is in place as soon as possible. The recruitment of new Chief Executive is well underway with an appointment expected by December 14. The Board has been hugely impressed with Stephen Brown since he joined. He is a great asset and we are fortunate to have someone of his calibre to lead the Union in this period.”

Martyn Thomas said: “It has been an honour to be part of the Union, most particularly for the past six months as Acting Chief Executive where I have been lucky enough to get to know better the RFU staff who work tirelessly for the good of the game. Stephen Brown for one has been a phenomenal addition to the Executive Team and, having got to know him very well over the last few months, I have total faith that he will provide the stability and leadership needed at this important time.

“I feel that now is the right time to spend more time with my family. As a result I have decided not to renew my contract at its conclusion in December.”

Twickers to see Grewcock lace his boots one last time…

Posted on Sep 27, 2011 in Help for Heroes

World Cup winner Danny Grewcock will lace up his boots one last time after today announcing he will scrum down at Twickenham for the Heroes Rugby Challenge on Saturday December 3.

Grewcock will join the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio and Jason Leonard, together with Welsh legend Ieuan Evans, who will manage the Northern Hemisphere XV against an all-star Southern Hemisphere XV side which will be overseen by Australian and All Black World Cup winners Michael Lynagh and Sean Fitzpatrick.

This year’s fixture, which will mark the tenth anniversary of Britain’s Armed Forces Operations in Afghanistan, promises to be an even bigger attraction to rugby fans than the first Heroes Rugby Challenge in 2008 when over 52,000 spectators helped raise £1.46m for Help for Heroes. 

The aim of the Heroes Rugby Challenge and the international all-star cast on show is simple – to pack out Twickenham Stadium on 3rd December and raise more than £1 million for Help for Heroes, supported by J.P. Morgan, in the process.

And Grewcock, who retired from rugby in the summer and is now enjoying his first season as Bath Rugby’s academy director, admitted he did not have to think twice about packing down. 

“I’m absolutely delighted to be part of the Northern Hemisphere side and I’m really looking forward to being back at HQ again,” said Grewcock, who will also line-up with a host of players from the Armed Forces as well as star names from the world of rugby.

“The Heroes Rugby Challenge is a great opportunity to see some of the best rugby players in the world in action.

“But it’s also an opportunity for rugby fans to come together and show their support for the brave servicemen and women who serve our country in areas of conflict.

“To achieve this, we need the public to really get behind this game and show their support by buying a ticket and encouraging everyone they know to do the same.”

Rugby fans can show their support for the Heroes Rugby Challenge by visiting the Facebook page www.facebook.com/heroesrugby or receive updates via Twitterwww.twitter.com/heroesrugby

Heroes Rugby Challenge, Saturday 3 December 2011 at Twickenham Stadium, kicks off at 1630. Ticket prices start at £30 for adults, £10 for under 16’s, and are available through Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling 0844 847 2492

Connacht XV to face Aironi

Posted on Mar 10, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Connacht have today announced their team to face Aironi in the Sportsground this Friday, 11th of March, 7.35pm.

This re-scheduled fixture is the first meeting of any sort between the teams and the only Magners League Fixture this weekend.

Connacht are on a good run of late winning five out of their last six games in all competitions with the only loss coming at the hands of last season’s Magners League champions the Ospreys. Aironi on the other hand are still at the foot of the table but have put in some very impressive performances of late ,including last week in Ravenhill where they put in a spirited performance against Ulster.

Connacht’s team shows one change from the XV that beat Treviso last Friday. Hooker Sean Cronin has been selected in the Ireland squad to face Wales in the 6 Nations, so Adrian Flavin returns to the front row with Dermot Murphy coming in to the bench.

The other change on the bench is the return of club captain John Muldoon after a three month lay-off with a broken arm. Muldoon suffered the injury in December’s Amlin Challenge Cup tie with Harlequins, and his return is a welcome boost to a Connacht back-row that has been outstanding of late. With Muldoon on the bench, the team will again be captained by Galwayman Johnny O’Connor. The centurion has been leading by example on the pitch since he stepped in to the breach, showing his tenacity at the breakdown and winning two man-of-the-match awards.
Connacht would also like to re-assure fans that all tickets bought for the original fixture in December are valid for tomorrow’s encounter. There will be a family atmosphere in the Sportsground with face painting and some goodies for kids. Tickets are on sale now.
Connacht Team to face Aironi (The Sportsground, Friday 11/03/11, 7.35pm)

15 Duffy, Gavin
14 Tuohy, Brian
13Ta’auso, Niva
12 Nathan, Troy
11 Carr, Fionn
10 Keatley, Ian
09 Murphy, Frank
01 Wilkinson, Brett
02 Flavin, Adrian
03 Hagan, Jamie
04 Swift, Michael
05 McCarthy, Michael
06 Browne, Andrew
07 OConnor, Johnny (C)
08 Ofisa, Ray
16 Murphy, Dermot
17 Loughney, Ronan
18 Ah You, Rodney
19 Bernie, Upton
20 Muldoon, John
21 Willis, Cillian
22 Nikora, Miah
23 Matthews, Keith