RFU Podcast: Rowntree, Joseph, Wilkinson, Balshaw, Dallaglio

Posted on May 18, 2012 in Latest Rugby News

Graham Rowntree analyses the unique challenges facing England on this summer’s tour to South Africa in this week’s RFU Podcast.

We also hear from a stellar cast including Jonny Wilkinson, Iain Balshaw and Lawrence Dallaglio as well as England youngster Jonathan Joseph.

England forwards coach Rowntree has first-hand experience in South Africa as forwards coach with the British & Irish Lions in 2009 and insists any side that wants to win there has to earn the right to play at the breakdown.

He also analyses the prospects for newcomers like Tom Youngs, Graham Kitchener and Joe Launchbury who are all part of Stuart Lancaster’s 42-strong touring squad.

Centre Joseph, coached by new England man Mike Catt at London Irish, tells us he’s ready to stake his claim on tour and in the Killick Cup game against the Barbarians on May 27 at Twickenham Stadium.

World Cup winners Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) and Iain Balshaw (Biarritz) talk about being on opposite sides on Friday night at the Stoop in the final of the Amlin Challenge Cup.

The Dallaglio-Flintoff Cycle Slam is due to finish on Friday after an epic 2,872km trek from Greece to London raising money for Cancer Research UK and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Dallaglio reports on his progress and weighs up the prospects for Leinster and Ulster at Twickenham Stadium in this weekend’s Heineken Cup final.

O’Gara named in Munster squad for Ospreys clash

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Munster

Ronan O’Gara has been named in a 27 strong Munster squad for the RaboDirectPRO12 semi final clash with Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Friday 97.35pm). It’s the first time he’s been included in a Munster squad since the Heineken Cup quarter final.

O’Gara suffered a leg injury in that game that has kept him sidelined until this week and his return comes at a more than opportune time as Munster’s latest bout of injury removed Paul O’Connell and Damien Varley from the Swansea equation.

A big crowd is expected at the Liberty for what may be a final goodbye from wing legend Shane Williams to the Ospreys fans

Coach Steve Tandy confirmed today that Williams, will be in his starting XV on Friday.

Munster will name their starting XV tomorrow at midday before flying out to Bristol in the afternoon.

Munster Squad: F Jones, D Barnes, J Murphy, I Dineen, K Earls, L Mafi, S Zebo, T O’Leary, C Murray, S Deasy, I Keatley, R O’Gara, D Kilcoyne, W du Preez, S Archer, J Ryan, M Sherry, D Fogarty, S Henry, BJ Botha, Donncha O’Callaghan, M O’Driscoll, D Ryan, T O’Donnell, Dave O’Callaghan, P O’Mahony, P Butler.

O’Connell & Varley doubtful for Ospreys clash

Posted on May 8, 2012 in Munster

Paul O’Connell and Damien Varley are rated unlikely to feature in the RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final clash with Ospreys having sustained injury in the game last night against Ulster.

O’Connell departed the scene in the 55th minute with a knee injury while Varley, having replaced Mikle Sherry in the 45th minute, sustained an ankle injury with just two minutes of play remaining.

Medical examination this morning showed Varley had suffered an ankle sprain but O’Connell will need to see a specialist later in the week to determine the exact nature of his injury. Both have been ruled out or Both are considered doubtful for Munster’s semi final next Friday.

However news of Ronan O’Gara is that he’s expected to resume training this week with a view to being in consideration for the Ospreys game as is Ian Keatley who missed the Ulster game after sustaining a knock in training last Thursday.

Pro12 Play-offs confirmed

Posted on May 8, 2012 in RaboDirect Pro 12

Following the conclusion of the Round 22 RaboDirect PRO12 games on Saturday, the line up for the Play-Offs can now be confirmed.

Top seed Leinster will host fourth placed Glasgow Warriors at the RDS, Dublin, on Saturday 12 May (kick-off 7.35pm), whilst the second and third placed teams, Ospreys and Munster, will face each other at the Liberty Stadium 24 hours earlier on Friday 11 May (7.35pm kick-off).

Welsh must earn final place, says Corker

Posted on May 2, 2012 in Championship, London Welsh

After losing two semi-finals London Welsh might be forgiven for thinking they’ve paid their dues, but the Exiles must earn the right to contest this year’s Championship final, according to Matt Corker (pictured).

The second row was part of the Welsh side which lost out to Bristol in 2010 and the Cornish Pirates last year, but Corker says such near misses will count for nothing against Bedford.

Goldington Road will host Friday’s 1st leg of the sides’ semi-final meeting, with Bedford travelling to Old Deer Park on May 13.

“You don’t get anything by rights – it’s got to be a complete performance from 1-22 for us to make the final,” said Corker, who’ll make his 149th appearance for the Exiles in Friday’s 1st leg.

“You can enjoy the play-offs, but this is where it gets really serious – I’m desperate to play in a final.

Bristol proved too good at the Memorial Stadium two years ago, winning 28-15, but the passing of time hasn’t altered Corker’s view of last year’s defeat to the Pirates at Mennaye Field. For Corker, it remains an opportunity missed.

The Exiles led 10-3 at half-time thanks to a rare Corker try, only to lose their way in the second half. From the moment Gavin Cattle ghosted down the blindside to score it was just a matter of time, and they duly ran out 18-10 winners.

“That was the disappointing thing; we did put ourselves in a great position at half-time,” recalled Corker.

“We played some good rugby, we played in the right areas of the field, our lineout I remember was working well, but we went away from what we were doing well.

“We had a couple of injuries and perhaps our squad wasn’t quite as strong in depth as it is this year. I think we’re very lucky to have a bench that can make a real impact.

“That’s not to take anything away from Pirates. Anyone at this stage of the competition are not going to roll over.

“You’ve got to play for 160 minutes and that’s what we’ve got to take away from that game. An 80 minute performance isn’t going to be enough.”

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