England turn to Baxter

Posted on Mar 26, 2013 in England

Rob Baxter has spoken of his delight after it was confirmed today that he will form part of England’s coaching team for their summer’s tour to Argentina.

The Exeter Chiefs head coach, along with Saracens defence and forwards coach Paul Gustard, will form part of the coaching team assembled by England head coach Stuart Lancaster for the trip to South America in June.

Subject to Aviva Premiership placings, Tavistock-born Baxter will link up with Lancaster and attacking skills coach Mike Catt to prepare for the Killik Cup against the Barbarians at Twickenham on May 26, while Gustard will be available once Saracens’ Premiership and Heineken Cup involvement has ended.

It is – according to the man himself – a "massive honour", but it’s a challenge and experience the 42-year-old is keen to take on having overseen the rise of the Chiefs out of the Championship in 2010. Since then Baxter has been the guiding light as the Devon club made their mark in the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup.

"Obviously I am delighted to have been asked to be part of Stuart’s coaching team," he said. "I see it as a fantastic opportunity for me to do what we keep saying to the players here at the club, which is to keep learning; keep doing better and experience new things. For me, this is a fantastic opportunity to experience something different; learn from other coaches such as Stuart, Mike Catt and Paul (Gustard); learn from different experiences and work with some different players.

"As a coaching staff we often talk about how important it is that we work as hard as the players in terms of the things we do. Personally, I see this as a chance to do that, but also a chance to work in a different environment and see what I can bring back to the club."

Since leading the Chiefs into the top flight, Baxter – who figured in excess of 300 league and cup games for Exeter during his playing days – has not been short of creditable suitors around the game. Many have praised his coaching abilities, whilst last season his efforts were rewarded when he collected the Aviva Premiership Director of Rugby accolade.

However, Baxter insists the rise of his team has been down to those working alongside him at Sandy Park. He added: "Yes this is a fantastic opportunity for me personally, but I am also very aware that opportunities like this come along because other people work within the club have worked very hard as well. I’ve said many times that we have a really good set of coaches here, not just on the rugby side, but conditioners, physios and the off-field staff too.

"The way those people work, along with the players, have given me this opportunity simply because of the hard work they’ve all put in. By having good seasons and good performances, the people that are in charge are seen as doing a good job. I don’t think I would get seen quite as well if the team did not perform so well.
In some ways, it’s a nice little reward for those people as well, but as tends to happen when you’re the boss, I am the guy that gets the credit. But from my perspective, I like to thank them all of them for their hard work as this is what creates opportunities like this."

And it is club matters that will keep Baxter fully focused in the build-up to the June tour. He continued: "I am very pleased to have been considered for the position, but what I have to do now is do a good job for Exeter. First and foremost, it’s about putting all this to the back of my mind for now and worrying more about it when the season finishes.

"I certainly won’t be doing too much before then as we have to get through what is a very important set of fixtures for the club. We’ve got some very big games coming up and that has to be my main focus."

With many of England top name stars likely to be needed with the Lions Down Under, the Argentina tour not only offers Baxter a chance to sample life at international level, but also players who will be keen to stake their claim under Lancaster.

"Because of the Lions tour, it will be a slightly different squad of England players going on tour. It will be an opportunity for some to go out and perform for England, so I am hoping that it makes it very exciting for those guys. They will all want to play well, but it’s going to be tough against what will be a very solid Argentina squad. However, I am sure that is how Stuart will want it. He will want a tough environment for his players as ultimately that will be how they improve as a team.

"My role primarily will be to look after the forwards, but what I will need to do is meet up with Stuart and Graham Rowntree and look at things they are working on and what they want to have in place for next year. Obviously part of my role will be to put a bit of a personal stamp on things, but mainly it’s about fitting into what is there already. They’ve just had a successful Six Nations with their current group and it’s very much about maintaining a lot of what they’ve done in that and then looking to improve in other areas."

Baxter’s call-up has been backed by officials at the Chiefs and the coach was quick to praise the support he has received from the board and chief executive, Tony Rowe OBE

"For England to talk to me they had to get permission from the club," explained Baxter. "Throughout, the club and the board have been very supportive. They are very aware it’s a good chance for me to improve as a coach and they’ve given me 100 per cent backing from the outset.

"Sometimes when you look back and see how the club has progressed over the last few years – like playing in the Premiership and the Heineken Cup; like having international players and the opportunity to go on international tours – these are all things we want to progress at the club. We want to be seen as a positive and progressive club and hopefully more of these things will come to our players and our coaches in the future."

Will Greenwood on the JP Morgan Sevens

Posted on Mar 25, 2013 in Sevens

By Paul Smith, Sportsbeat – There has never been a more exciting time to prove your worth as a sevens rugby player according to England World Cup winner Will Greenwood.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s tournament, for which he is an ambassador, Greenwood claimed those involved may have a realistic chance of choosing between a push for England’s 2015 World Cup squad or alternatively the Rio Olympic Games a year later.

Sevens rugby will be part of Rio 2016, adding to the excitement at this year’s J.P. Morgan 7s, and Greenwood believes it is the ideal chance for young professionals at Aviva Premiership clubs to show what they can do.

"In 2010 when Saracens won the first tournament it was a bit of a toe in the water and since then it has grown year-on-year," said Greenwood. "You get a glimpse of the future in seeing a lot of the academy lads coming through.

"It’s a real opportunity for the coaches. You never know what you are going to get in terms of the players that will be there – either the next generation of England players or England players returning to form – but what you are absolutely guaranteed is pace, athleticism and fun.

"It is good for the academy lads who are pushing to try and get into their senior sides to showcase their talent before the season starts.

"If you are 18, 19 or 20 now and you have got bags of pace and commitment you have got wonderful choice – do I focus on my XVs and try and win a World Cup with England at Twickenham? Or do I switch and give Ben Ryan a call and try and play 7s and win an Olympic gold medal in Rio? Nice decisions to have."

The J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s kicks off on 1st August at Kingsholm with rounds at Franklin’s Gardens and Allianz Park and the final at The Recreation Ground. For tickets and more information visit: www.jpmorgan7s.com or follow @jpmorganrugby7

Wasps international stars ready for return to action

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in London Wasps

Wasps take on Northampton in a return to Aviva Premiership action on Saturday at Adams Park (15.15)

James Haskell won his 50th cap in the final game of the 6 Nations against Wales, and he says despite the disappointment of the loss, it was a proud moment.

“When you start out your career, getting one cap is a huge honour and so to get to 50 is massive for me. It was a frustrating end to the tournament and on a personal note even more so as that’s twice in my career a Grand Slam has slipped away. However I think that the atmosphere that Stuart Lancaster has created is great and we are heading in the right direction with lots of young talent coming through. I am almost 28 but I hope there are a few years ahead of me at international level as this is a side with a lot of potential. There are so many guys coming through in the back row so the competition is fierce. The important thing when you come back to your Club is that you have to get straight back into it”
Looking ahead to Northampton Haskell added.

“I am happy to be back and preparing for the game on Saturday. I got a bit of banter from Dai Young of course when I got back, but it’s good be amongst it again. Northampton have huge aspirations and forwards wise they are outstanding so we need to make sure we bring our A game up front if we want to get back winning.”

Joe Launchbury started every 6 Nations game and the 21-year-old says he has soaked up huge experience to bring back to Wasps.

“It is a long tournament and it’s mentally draining with the turnaround you get. It’s nice to be back at Wasps with a bit more of a regular life and crack on here now even though I hugely enjoyed being part of the England set up. It’s a great environment and in large parts of the tournament we were able to show that we were thriving on that, but of course we are bitterly disappointed with how it ended up. We have to remember that pain and remember how it felt to watch Wales lift the Championship in front of us. We need to use it to get better.”

Launchbury is relishing getting back to club action.

“It feels like a long time since I was here so I’m delighted to be back. I was a bit ill for a few days when the tournament ended so I had a few long sleeps and had a few days to recover but I am raring to go now again. It is a big challenge for us, up front this weekend. Northampton have some huge ball carriers so we need to impose ourselves physically. The games we have left are challenging but it’s a really exciting time and we’re not shying away from it. We want to be in the knock out stages of major competitions and it is up to us to take these next few weeks by the throat and take what we can out of it.”

Andrea Masi was one of the stars of Italy’s 6 Nations campaign, also returning to Wasps in the middle of the tournament.

“I am tired because there were so many games in the last few weeks but it is always a pleasure to come back here and play for Wasps. The next few games are hugely important for us and I want to be part of all of them and take a break when the season ends.”
On Italy’s overall tournament, Masi is taking plenty of positives, while playing down his nomination for 6 Nations Player of the Tournament.

“We finished the tournament well with the win over Ireland and overall I think we played our best rugby ever at times in the 6 Nations and that’s important as we are now really building something for the next World Cup. The game against England was disappointing that we didn’t win it and we needed a bit more belief but we were very competitive against one of the best sides in the world which we need to take positives from. Being nominated for that award is nice but I don’t feel I deserve to be in that category. There are so many players in Wales who deserve that much more than me.”

Tom Arscott Signs For Sale Sharks

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of Tom Arscott from London Welsh. Tom (25) will join Sale Sharks at the end of the current season.

Tom previously played for Worcester,Bristol and Plymouth Albion and has also represented England at U19 and Saxons level.

Director of Rugby Steve Diamond said, “ Tom is an exciting player who can play both Full Back and Wing. He has been a regular for London Welsh this season having played 23 times and scored 4 tries. He played in both the games against us this season and I was very impressed with him and am sure he will be a great asset to us.”

Wales will celebrate again on Judgement Day

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys, Scarlets

The RBS 6 Nations trophy will return to the scene of its dramatic capture by Wales at the Regional double-header match to be held at the Millennium Stadium a week on Saturday.

Over 30,000 Welsh rugby fans have already bought tickets to the ‘Judgement Day’ fixture, which pits the Dragons against the Scarlets and the Blues against the Ospreys in an East versus West Rabo Direct Pro12 double derby day clash, which will now also become a celebration of the national cause.

Most of the Wales squad which retained the title they took in 2012 with a clean sweep, by recording the nation’s greatest ever victory over England last weekend, will be on display on the pitch in Regional team colours introducing some fascinating head to head clashes.

But the coaching team which played its own integral role in the 30-3 victory over England and the retention of the Championship title in 2013, will also attend as special guests and to see their latest acquisition of silverware paraded in front of the Welsh fans.

The Welsh Rugby Union is hoping to use the event to help fans show the national squad just what their recent successes have meant to them and also allow fans to relive the glorious scenes of Wales’ consummate demolition of England in the capital less than a week ago.

The Judgement Day event in itself represents the first time all four Welsh rugby Regions have come together to play under the same roof and is a chance to celebrate the regional game in Wales and its value to the national game.

“The trophy will be displayed proudly at pitchside and paraded around the ground at both matches,” said a WRU spokesman.

“It’s incredibly difficult to quantify what success on the rugby pitch means for the nation,but the scenes at the Millennium Stadium last weekend go some way to explaining just how passionate we all are about our national sport.

“Judgement Day, a week on Saturday, is a perfect and timely opportunity for us to celebrate again the success of the Wales national squad, to let them know how proud we all are of them and to watch some fascinating clashes as many of them go head to head in their Regional colours.”

Wales flankers Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) and Sam Warburton (Blues) provide the most direct match up of the day, but the likes of Dan Biggar, Adam Jones (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny (Blues),Andrew Coombs, Toby Faletau (Dragons), George North and Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) are also set to return to the Millennium Stadium turf to take on their national team-mates.

Judgement Day – Millennium Stadium, Saturday 30 March
Dragons v Scarlets 2.30pm
Blues v Ospreys 5.15pm
Tickets: Adults £25, U18s £10, Family ticket £50 (two adults, two children)