Premiership coaches visit USA

Posted on May 11, 2012 in Premiership Rugby

PREMIERSHIP RUGBY COACHES VISIT THE U.S.A. TO PROMOTE & DEVELOP RUGBY

Premiership Rugby is travelling to the United States of America at the end of May to play a key role in the development and promotion of rugby in the country.

12 coaches, one from each of the Premiership Rugby clubs, will be travelling to New York along with four members of Premiership Rugby’s Community Team to help promote the game.  The visit follows Premiership Rugby’s successful trip to Brazil in March to help in the development of rugby in South America.

The core values of rugby will be used by coaches in their work with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in New York to help improve self-esteem, community cohesion and other social outcomes.

The visit will run from 28th May to 2nd June and involves the following Premiership Rugby coaches:  Caryl Thomas from Bath Rugby, Marc Dibble from Exeter Chiefs, David Barley from Gloucester Rugby, Thomas Williams from Harlequins, Christophe Ridley from Leicester Tigers, Michael Crump from London Irish, Ian Isham from London Wasps, Gavin Beasley from Newcastle Falcons, Benjamin Mann from Northampton Saints, Richard Spencer from Sale Sharks, Max Malkin from Saracens and Tamara Taylor from Worcester Warriors, alongside Wayne Morris, Sophie Hartley, Helen Clayton and Scott Watson from Premiership Rugby’s Community Department.  

On Thursday 31st May Premiership Rugby coaches will help launch the Great Campaign Sports Festival, a touch tournament in Central Park, and then will be attending an end-of-season awards event in Harlem with youngsters’ friends and family.

On Friday 1st June, the Public School Athletics League High School Rugby 7s Final will be taking place in New York.  During the week leading up to the Final and for the Final itself, two Premiership Rugby coaches and one Play Rugby USA coach will be assigned to mentor each school.

On Saturday 2nd June, Premiership Rugby will be running fan engagement fitness testing sessions in the fans village at the 2012 USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship in Philadelphia, where the Aviva Premiership Rugby trophy will also be on display.

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Hamilton and Paice suspended

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Gloucester, London Irish

Jim Hamilton (Gloucester Rugby) and David Paice (London Irish) were both suspended for seven weeks at an RFU Disciplinary Hearing today.

Hamilton and Paice were both sent off for striking in the Aviva Premiership match between sides at the Madejski Stadium on May 5.

Hamilton’s suspension runs until August 19, covering Scotland’s warm-up and tour matches this summer, and warm-up games at the start of next season.

Paice’s suspension runs from August 10 to September 23 next season.

The panel of His Honour Judge Jeff Blackett (chair), Robert Horner and Jeff Probyn considered that both offences required top-end entry points because they were committed after the players had been issued yellow cards.

Both players have a right of appeal.

Danny Wilson leaves the Dragons

Posted on May 8, 2012 in Newport Gwent Dragon, Welsh Rugby

Newport Gwent Dragons have confirmed that forwards coach Danny Wilson will leave the region to take up a post with an undisclosed team at the end of the season.

Danny has been with the region as forwards coach since 2010 and has overseen the rise of a number of the Dragons’ young front rowers who have been thrust into the squad following retirements to key players.

Dragons Director of Rugby Rob Beale said “We would like to thank Danny for his contribution to the region and we wish him well in his future career.”

Danny said “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Dragons. I’d like to thank the region for the opportunities offered to me and wish them the best of luck for next season and beyond.”

London Irish’s Kieran Roche to retire at the end of the season

Posted on May 8, 2012 in London Irish

After much thought and discussion with his family, Kieran Roche has decided to call an end to his rugby career at the end of this season. Kieran has enjoyed 14 years as a professional (nine at London Irish) and is excited by the challenges that a new career in a different field will provide.

Kieran joined the club in January 2003 and has since made 179 appearances. A utility forward, playing in both the second and back row, Kieran has been one of the most consistent players of the Premiership era. Along with Bob Casey and Nick Kennedy, Kieran formed one of the most notorious line-out trio’s the Premiership has ever seen.

London Irish head coach, Toby Booth said: “Kieran has been one of London Irish’s greatest servants. A true professional and we thank him for his outstanding dedication and commitment to the Club. We would like to wish him and his family all the very best for the future. We know that he will be successful in his future career and we wish him luck. ”

Kieran Roche said: "I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in my rugby career, from my school days onwards, including the players, coaches and support staff that I have worked alongside both at Saracens and London Irish. I would also like to thank the supporters of both clubs; particularly those at London Irish who have made me feel a real part of such a great club for the last 10 years. A special thank you goes to my family who have given so much in support of my rugby.

“As with all players moving on from the game I will leave having made many lifelong friends and with many great memories of my time playing rugby. I’m looking forward to taking to the field one last time for London Irish at Madejski Stadium this weekend alongside some of those friends and hoping for a victorious send off for everyone who is moving on.”

Ospreys’ Tandy ready for semi-final challenge

Posted on May 1, 2012 in Ospreys, Welsh Rugby

Head Coach Steve Tandy has revealed that he’s hoping to tap into the feel-good factor at the Ospreys as he looks to path a course for his team into the RaboDirect PRO12 final at the end of the month.

A fourth successive win last weekend saw the Ospreys secure second spot, and with it a home semi-final on Friday 11th May with a game to spare, and Tandy insists that getting the maths sorted out early is a huge bonus to the team’s preparations.

“Getting to the play-offs was the target when we took over so I’m pleased that we’ve managed to achieve that with a game to spare” he said.

“It’s a real boost for the business and I think there’s a real positive feel about the place at the moment which is great.

“As far as the team is concerned, securing the home semi with a game to spare is really important. It means we’ve got extra preparation time for the game. Yes, we don’t know who we are playing yet but it’s given us another two weeks to prep and get the team ready to go, rather than having to wait with a few different scenarios on the go. The uncertainty has been lifted and when we are planning for the next couple of weeks we know exactly where we are and what we are doing which has to be a huge benefit in terms of our preparations for 11th May.

“We’ve got Aironi first up though and we know we can’t take them lightly. While as coaches we have to plan further ahead, as far as the team is concerned it’s one game at a time and Aironi will present a real challenge. It could be their final game, which gives it that something extra and it will be an emotional evening there. They are a physical bunch and just looking at their results at home you can see what they are capable of. They’ll want to go out on a high.

“The players are aware that every game they are involved in they are representing the Ospreys at all times and will go out there looking to keep the momentum going with a good performance that will send us into the semi at the Liberty the following week in the right shape.”

The win over the Dragons last time out was witnessed by the highest crowd of the season, and Tandy is in no doubt that the big turnout provided his charges with a big lift. While the story of the night was all about Shane Williams and his last gap try, Tandy is quick to point out the importance of the late touchdown.

“It was superb at the stadium last time out, seeing so many supporters there” agreed Tandy.

“It really lifted the team and I’ve no doubt it helped us get the result in the end. It was a great occasion and the ending was very fitting for Shane, but you can’t lose sight of how important that try was for the team. It wasn’t just about Shane, we needed a fourth try for the bonus point and that bonus point in the end was enough to ensure that we have a home semi.

“That’s how important it was. It was a huge moment that has given that extra bit of breathing space and prep time that could be all important if we are going to be successful in the playoffs.

“To have 14,500 there was amazing but if we could go even better than that for the semi-final would be fantastic. It would give the boys such a boost to see so many people supporting them in a knockout game against Munster or Glasgow.”

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