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, 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 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.”

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

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

Robinson welcomed the extension stating: “I am very proud to be the Scotland Head Coach and I am delighted that the great work already underway will continue until after the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

"I am very happy with the progress that has been made by Scottish Rugby in recent seasons and have every confidence the Scottish professional teams will continue to play an important role in supporting the success of the Scotland team.

"I want to personally thank Scottish Rugby and the rugby public for the fantastic support the national team enjoys and I can assure them that I will be doing everything I possibly can along with my management team and the players to bring further success  to the nation in the years ahead.

“This Saturday’s  game against Wales provides  us with the perfect opportunity to get that  important first win in the RBS 6 Nations championship.”

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Executive Gordon McKie, hailed Robinson’s extension.  He said: “We are absolutely delighted that we have secured Andy until December 2015 .  I said when we appointed Andy back in 2009 that he would bring success to Scotland and I have every reason to expect that Scotland will continue to improve in the coming years under his leadership.

“Andy is an important part of the Scottish Rugby family and he has made a real impact on the national team taking us to seventh in the world and achieving fine victories over Southern Hemisphere opposition last year.

“Andy is highly regarded throughout the world as a coach and to have secured his services until beyond the Rugby World Cup in England in  2015 is a great coup and further underlines that rugby in Scotland  is in good health.”

Allan Munro, Chairman of Scottish Rugby, welcomed the news. “The Scottish Rugby Board was keen to keep Andy in Scotland and this extension until December 2015 will enable Andy to build on the recent improving performances of the national team.

"It’s great news for everyone associated with the game in Scotland.”

The Meadow Lane men have notched up five wins in the league over the last few weeks, even overcoming a momentum-reducing period of postponed games through December.

In a rearranged match from the end of November, Glenn Delaney will be unleashing the full power of his squad, including All Black Ali Williams who will be looking to leave the East Midlands with a bang after his month stay with the club.

Speaking ahead of the encounter (7.45pm kick off), the Director of Rugby said: “This is a test we’ve been looking forward to for a long time. The squad is looking strong and are determined to continue building toward the promotion playoffs.

“We know Roth will bring a very physical test but its an opportunity for us to show how we have developed over the last few months. The key thing for us is to continue to play hard fast attractive rugby”

The key encounter will be the first of a key run in match-ups, including Bedford away and Worcester at Meadow Lane on February 6 (5.45pm kick off).

The Warriors clash will see Nottingham host a “Help for Heroes” game which will include a host of spectacular events planned in aid of the charity for armed services personnel injured in Britain’s current conflicts.

Tickets for that game and the upcoming Rotherham clash are available by calling the club on 0115 9070070, priced as follows

:

Adults: £16
Concessions: £12
Students: £7
Children: £4

The Leicester Tigers number 8 was picked for December by a panel made up of rugby media representatives from print, TV, radio and the photographers.

Rugby World editor Paul Morgan, who chairs the panel, commented: “Since arriving from New Zealand, Thomas has really lived up to his nickname of ‘The Tank’ marauding around the Aviva Premiership Rugby and contributing to his team’s recent impressive performances. He is world-class in the tight but what sets him apart is his love of the open spaces, where he is a sensational runner, and up there with the most consistent players in Europe. A very well deserved winner.”

The powerful, ball carrying New Zealander renowned for his gutsy displays, has found real success at the base of the scrum playing a pivotal role in the Leicester pack and helping his team climb to the top of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table.

Thomas spoke of the pride he felt for being named December’s Player of the Month: “It is very special to win the award,” “It was unexpected but I will definitely take it.

“I feel like I have been playing some good rugby in a team that has been playing some good football and it is nice to get recognised.

“It has been going really well for the team, we have worked hard and when we have had an injury people have stepped up but we know there is a long way to go.”

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: “We knew we were signing a very good player when we brought Thomas in during the summer and I’m delighted that he’s settled so well. He has been playing well, he gives us a good balance in the back row, he is enjoying his rugby and his family like it here.”

Heather Smith, Head of Sponsorship for Premiership Rugby sponsors Aviva added: “Thomas’ work ethic and attitude is symptomatic of Leicester Tigers approach to the game. He has been a consistent performer and who strives to give 100% in every match.”

Thomas Waldrom

Position: 8

Date of birth:   April 28, 1983 (age 27)

Place of birth:  Lower Hutt, New Zealand

Height:1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)

Weight:            111 kg (17 st 7 lb)

Nickname: Thomas The Tank Engine

He has played for the Hurricanes 30 times before moving to the Crusadersfor the 2009 season. Waldrom played 80 games for Wellington at a provincial level before moving to the Hawke’s Bay for the 2009 season. On February 23, 2010 English Champions Leicester Tigers announced the signing of the back rower.

The away B&I Cup fixture against Pontypridd, originally scheduled for the 18th December, will now take place at Sardis Road Pontypridd on Tuesday 25th January, kick off 7.45pm.

The home Championship tie against Rotherham Titans, postponed from Boxing Day, will now be played at Damson Park on Wednesday 2nd February, with another evening Kick off at 7.45pm.

Commenting on the announcement, Bees’ Director of Rugby Russell Earnshaw said, “The rescheduling of these two games means that we will play 4 games in the space of 12 days between the Llandovery B&I Cup game in Wales on the 22nd January and the Rotherham game on the 2nd February. Whilst this is not ideal in terms of player preparation and recovery time, the injury situation at the Club is much improved and we have greater strength in squad terms to be able to manage what will be a tough fortnight for the playing staff.”

In a further amendment to the published fixture list, the Bees’ Championship game away at Bedford Blues will now take place on Friday 11th February, Kick off 7.45pm at Goldington Road. The game has been moved forward from Saturday 12th February by mutual consent of both Clubs to avoid clashing with England’s Six Nation game against Italy.

The away B&I Cup fixture against Pontypridd, originally scheduled for the 18th December, will now take place at Sardis Road Pontypridd on Tuesday 25th January, kick off 7.45pm.

The home Championship tie against Rotherham Titans, postponed from Boxing Day, will now be played at Damson Park on Wednesday 2nd February, with another evening Kick off at 7.45pm.

Commenting on the announcement, Bees’ Director of Rugby Russell Earnshaw said, “The rescheduling of these two games means that we will play 4 games in the space of 12 days between the Llandovery B&I Cup game in Wales on the 22nd January and the Rotherham game on the 2nd February. Whilst this is not ideal in terms of player preparation and recovery time, the injury situation at the Club is much improved and we have greater strength in squad terms to be able to manage what will be a tough fortnight for the playing staff.”

In a further amendment to the published fixture list, the Bees’ Championship game away at Bedford Blues will now take place on Friday 11th February, Kick off 7.45pm at Goldington Road. The game has been moved forward from Saturday 12th February by mutual consent of both Clubs to avoid clashing with England’s Six Nation game against Italy.