Teague to captain England Counties

Posted on Jan 25, 2013 in English Counties

Teague is a well-known name in rugby circles and today sees another achievement for the family as Rory Teague is named captain for the England Counties squad seeking to secure a first Counties victory on Irish soil.

The Blackheath fly half, related to British and Irish Lion Mike Teague, brings experience to the role, having represented England at U18, U19 and Students level, as well as playing for the Counties during their ground breaking 2012 summer tour to East Africa.

Teague, aged 27, will lead the side in two challenging fixtures against Ireland Club XV (February 8, Cork) and France Amateurs (February 22, Ealing Trailfinders).

“It is a great honour to represent your country at any level in any sport, and it is a big achievement for all the players who have been selected,” said Teague. “To be part of the Counties legacy is something that I will cherish when my playing days are over.”

“I was ecstatic to get the call as captain.  Hopefully we can do everyone proud as a team – it is not about individuals, it is about everyone pulling together for what will be two very tough matches.”

The England Counties is formed of players from National 1 and 2, with 13 clubs represented in the current squad.  The side will meet for the first time on Wednesday February 6 ahead of their first fixture on the Friday night.

“You are playing with some of the best players in the league,” said Teague. “They have been selected on merit and everyone wants to step up their game to put in a performance worthy of wearing the England shirt.

“Never having won in Ireland is extra motivation and will add to the hype of the week.  There will be a phenomenal atmosphere in Cork, we know how passionate the Irish are about their rugby.  We are already preparing ourselves mentally and physically for the intensity of international rugby.  Our aim is to get to know each other and create our own team culture as quickly as possible.”

The fixtures mirror the England Senior schedule with the Counties matches on the Friday evening of the Ireland and France weekends.

“It is definitely on your mind that you are part of a bigger picture,” acknowledges Teague.  “There is a great feeling surrounding England Rugby after the win against New Zealand. For all supporters that was a special day.

“To be part of an England team during an exciting period for the sport in this country, is a real privilege.  We want to make sure that we contribute to the positive direction of England Rugby.  The environment Stuart Lancaster has created within the senior team has had an impact at all levels of the game and is something we can learn from and draw upon as a squad.”

Teague’s grandfather Colin played for Gloucester, as did Mike and Rory is his early career but it is Mike’s achievements on the international stage which have been inspirational.

“Mike’s representative honours and career speak for themselves,” said Teague. “I really look up to him and admire what he achieved, especially knowing that it is not easy to accomplish what he did, particularly in the amateur days.”

Since the start of his career at Gloucester in 2003, Teague has played for Tarbes Pyrenees Rugby, FC Grenoble and Cinderford RFC where he was the league’s top points scorer for the 2011/2012 season.

Now at Blackheath, Teague combines playing with coaching and works with rugby scholarship students at Harrow School, mentors at London Wasps Academy in a kicking capacity and supports rugby development in Lewisham schools.

“I enjoy the diversity in the roles I have.  There is some real talent out there and it helps being able to relate to the young players going through a similar process to the one I went through.

“For some of the guys in Lewisham, the contact element is a release for them, many have never played rugby before but have real potential and introducing them to rugby’s core values and discipline is very rewarding.”

England Counties Squad to play Ireland Club XV in the Ulster Bank International:

Forwards: Dave Allen*^ (Blackheath); David Dickinson *^(Tynedale); Tom Fidler (Cambridge); Mark George (Stourbridge); Matt Hall*^ (Blaydon); James Inglis (Esher); Billy Johnson* (Old Albanian); Robbie Kalbraier*^ (Blaydon); Sam Shires*^ (Ealing); Ollie Stedman (Tynedale); Will Warden (Richmond); Ben West (Cinderford)

Backs: Jack Adams (Cinderford); Lewis Barker (Coventry); Scott Barrow (Fylde); Nev Edwards (Rosslyn Park); Chris Elder (Esher); Matt Heeks (Rosslyn Park); Peter Hodgkinson*^ (Ealing); Will Hurrell (Stourbridge); Ollie Marchon (Old Albanian); Rory Teague* (Blackheath).

* Previous ECXV Cap (8 players)                

^ Played v Ireland at Preston 2012 (6 players)

Tynedale prop, David Dickinson comes into the squad in place of Alex Loney (Fylde) who misses out due to injury.

England Counties Spring International Fixtures:

England Counties v Ireland Club XV (Friday 8 February) Cork, Ireland
England Counties v France Amateurs (Friday 22 February) Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club

Sale Sharks Sign Ingall

Posted on Sep 20, 2012 in Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks announce that three quarter Charlie Ingall has signed a one-year contract with the club.

Ingall (23) has been training at the club’s Carrington High Performance Centre during pre-season and played in the warm up matches against Fylde, Glasgow and Leinster, followed by the ‘A’ League matches against Newcastle Falcons and Gloucester.

During his time as a student at Newcastle University, Charlie played for the Newcastle Falcons Academy and Tynedale. Charlie has represented England Counties and the Barbarians, and was in the Irish U.18 and U.20 squads, and spent a year in the Southern Hemisphere at Queensland University Academy, the IRANZ Academy and representing the Manly Marlins.

Prior to joining Sale Sharks in June, Charlie had played for London Wasps.

Charlie said, "After a season of injuries last year, I’m really happy to be at an ambitious club like Sale Sharks. I’ve enjoyed being in such a positive environment so far and want to keep learning from players who have played at the highest level. I hope to play a part here at Sharks and am happy at the club."

Carnegie increase their options in the back row with the signing of Baldwin

Posted on Sep 19, 2012 in Leeds Carnegie

Leeds Carnegie have announced the signing of Wharfedale captain and number eight Rob Baldwin for the remainder of the 2012-13 season.

The 27-year-old joined up with his new team mates this week ahead of the visit of Bristol to Headingley Carnegie this Sunday in the RFU Championship.

Commenting on signing for Leeds Carnegie, the England Counties player said, “I am really pleased to have the chance to play in the Championship with Leeds Carnegie. I would not have left Wharfedale for any other club but the chance to train full time and play at a higher level was a great opportunity and one that I did not want to look back on and say ‘what if’.

“I have had other chances down the years but things have not worked out for me workwise. I am the Production Director for my family business, Byworth Boilers, so I didn’t want to be too far from home, coming to Leeds Carnegie is perfect for me.

“I have worked with Leeds forwards coach Dave Baldwin before with England Counties and I am looking forward to working with him again. He initiated the move to Leeds Carnegie so I have a lot to be thankful to him for. There is a lot of competition in the back row at Leeds so I know I will have a big job on my hands but I am looking forward to that and hopefully can prove my worth,” added Baldwin.

Leeds Carnegie Director of Rugby Chris Gibson commented, “Rob is a great addition to our squad and someone who has a wealth of experience from his time at Wharfedale and Otley. He has fitted in extremely well with the squad already and will give us another option in our back row with his style of play.”

Graham joins Leeds Carnegie as Freer heads to Saints

Posted on Aug 30, 2012 in Leeds Carnegie

Leeds Carnegie have confirmed that they have signed Newcastle Falcons hooker Joe Graham, 25, on a season long loan after Scott Freer, 24, has gone on trial to Aviva Premiership side Northampton Saints.
Freer has a year remaining on his contract with Leeds Carnegie however he was given permission to speak to Northampton after the club enquired about his availability.

Graham arrives at Headingley Carnegie with immediate effect and is expected to be involved in the squad for this Friday’s trip to Nottingham for the opening game of the new RFU Championship season.

Making 22 appearances last term, the Brampton-born front-row penned a one-year contract extension during the summer with Newcastle.

Playing his junior rugby for Carlisle, Graham moved to Tynedale for the 2009-10 season where he scored 11 tries in 25 games for the National League One club to earn himself a permanent move to the Falcons.

He has also played for England Counties where he was coached by Leeds Carnegie Forwards Coach Dave Baldwin, who highly recommended him to the Leeds management. Baldwin commented, "Joe has got Premiership experience at Newcastle and I am delighted we have secured a player of his quality for the season. I have worked with him a few times and he has a great work ethic and is a real honest player. His set piece is very good and he is a mobile player around the pitch. He will give us plenty of options this season within our squad."

Director of Rugby Chris Gibson added, "We are pleased to have secured Joe ahead of the new season. Northampton were in a position that they wanted to sign a hooker for the new season. Scott is contracted to us and we are keen to keep him at Leeds Carnegie however we recognise the fact that if a Premiership club make it known to a player that they are interested in him, that that can become a distraction."

Leeds Carnegie sign up former Rotherham prop

Posted on Aug 13, 2012 in Championship, English Rugby, Leeds Carnegie

Leeds Carnegie have signed former Rotherham prop Ben Harris on a short term contract until 31st December to bolster their squad ahead of the new Championship season.

Harris, who stands at 6’4" tall and weighs 125kg, can play on either side of the scrum and is originally from Huddersfield. He has previously played under Leeds Carnegie forwards coach Dave Baldwin for the England Counties side and began training with the club last week.

Commenting on the signing, Director of Rugby Chris Gibson said, "Ben is a only 23, which is young in terms of prop forwards but he has shown great potential during his time at Rotherham. Mo Mustafa currently has a shoulder injury that is likely to rule him out for the start of the season so it is good that we have been able to bring in some cover to our front row. The short term contract was something that worked well for us last season with Sam Lockwood and Mo Mustafa and I am sure Ben will be out to impress when he gets his chance."

Meanwhile, Gibson has also confirmed that scrum half Brad Field has been released after signing for the club earlier this summer. "We have agreed to release Brad so he can return home to the South West and look for other options closer to home."