Glasgow Warriors head to Dublin for semi final challenge

Posted on May 11, 2012 in Glasgow, RaboDirect Pro 12

Glasgow Warriors head coach Sean Lineen has challenged his players to take their game to the next level in Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 semi-final against Leinster at the RDS (kick-off 7.35pm, live on BBC ALBA).

The play-off match will see the Warriors seek to become only the second team to defeat the reigning European champions twice this season, Glasgow having recorded a 23-19 success in the first RaboDirect PRO12 meeting between the teams in Ireland last September.

Leinster have since lost just once in all competitions, with the Warriors one of only two teams to take points off them in the RaboDirect PRO12 this calendar year, courtesy of a 10-10 draw at Firhill back in February.

The Dubliners underlined their class in the Heineken Cup head-to-heads, inflicting a 38-13 defeat on the Warriors at the RDS before edging a tighter affair 23-16 in Glasgow.

Lineen believes it will take “something truly special from all 23 players” to see off a team who have booked another Heineken Cup final date for the following week, but has emphasised the belief underpinning his squad’s approach.

The head coach commented: “We’ve shown great consistency and character to reach the semi-finals, but this is where the hard work really begins.

“We’re not satisfied just to be in the play-offs; we’re absolutely determined to keep our run going, and that means finding a way to beat a side who are the benchmark for every other team in Europe.

“Leinster’s record in both the RaboDirect PRO12 and Heineken Cup these past few years speaks for itself, and you only need to look at the statistics to see how hard it is to beat them.

“But we have confidence in ourselves, our game plan and each other and while we have huge respect for Leinster, we won’t be standing back and admiring them.

“To win, we need every player to be better than they’ve ever been before. That’s a big ask, but it’s what it will take, and we’ve every confidence the players will deliver. They’ve risen to every challenge we’ve put in front of them this season, and this is undoubtedly the biggest yet.”

The Warriors team for Saturday’s match will be confirmed tomorrow morning. Lineen said: “Training has been excellent all week. As you would expect, the hunger and intensity have been right out of the top drawer, with everyone absolutely desperate to get into the 23 for the weekend.

“It promises to be another fantastic occasion, and the players will soak up the experience. But most of all they will be inspired by it and work to show the wider audience just how good a team they are.”

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Four uncapped players will make their England debuts against Spain

Posted on May 10, 2012 in England Women

Four uncapped players will make their England debuts in Saturday’s opening FIRA-AER European Cup campaign against Spain, kick off 430pm BST, in Rovereto, Italy.

Worcester’s Lydia Thompson, Bristol’s Sally Tuson and Darlington Mowden Park Sharks’ Ruth Laybourn will form a new look backs line-up for England, while Bristol’s Kate Newton will join an experienced front-row comprising of Rochelle Clark and Emma Croker who share 93 caps between them.

Worcester’s Danielle Waterman will start at fullback, her first game since the victorious autumn international series against world champions New Zealand, whilst Ceri Large and Georgina Rozario are the half backs.

In the forwards, Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter wears the captaincy armband and she is joined in the pack by fellow Six Nations winners Emily Braund, Tamara Taylor, Marlie Packer and Harriet Millar Mills.

On the bench Fiona Davidson (Richmond) and Lauren Cattell (Chesham) are also set to make their England debuts.

Graham Smith, England’s Head Coach for this tournament, said: “Despite this being a relatively new look England side, training has gone well and the squad have come together really well. I have been impressed with the squad’s approach to training and their discipline and they are working together really well. There will obviously be some challenges for the new caps on Saturday and that is where our experienced players will be vital.”

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Falcon’s Pilgrim re-signs

Posted on May 9, 2012 in Newcastle Falcons, Premiership

Chris Pilgrim is the latest player to pledge his future to the ambitious Newcastle Falcons after signing an extension to his contract.

Pilgrim, 26, who joins Jimmy Gopperth, Ally Hogg and Rob Vickers on the committed list, reveals he is excited at the prospect of developing his game under the stewardship of incoming director of rugby Dean Richards.

He told the Falcons official website: “I am delighted to have signed a new contract and I am really looking forward to working under Dean Richards.

“The fact that Dean Richards is coming in has had a massive bearing on my decision to stay in the North East and there is certainly a very bright future for the club.

“I want to be a part of something special here – now my aim is to get my head down and keep working hard in training.”

The Birkenhead-born No.9 has competed with Will Chudley and latterly Peter Stringer for a starting berth this campaign.

Pilgrim admits Ireland international Stringer has had a significant impact on his game since joining the Falcons on loan from Munster.

“Peter [Stringer] has really helped my game both on and off the field,” said Pilgrim.

He added: “The way he goes about his business from a game management point of view and how he interacts with the forwards is world class.

“I have learnt a lot from him in recent weeks and I cannot wait to develop my skills in pre-season. Since Gary [Gold] came in things have also improved for me.”

Joining the Falcons in the summer of 2009 from Championship outfit Nottingham, Pilgrim played a key role in helping his side lift the J.P Morgan Premiership Rugby 7’s trophy last year.

The former Loughborough student believes the Falcons can go all the way to the top with the backing of owner Semore Kurdi.

He said: “Semore is very passionate about rugby in the North East and he wants the Falcons to go all the way to the top.

“He has signalled his intent with a number of changes such as the restructuring of the academy, the new medical suite and of course the appointment of Dean.”

England Women hunting a second successive Sevens crown

Posted on May 8, 2012 in England Sevens, England Women

England Women’s Sevens captain Michaela Staniford says England will be looking to make it two wins from two at this weekend’s IRB Women’s Challenge Cup at the Marriott London Sevens (May 12-13), Twickenham.

England head into the tournament on the back of a thrilling 15-10 victory over world champions Australia in the final of Hong Kong, and with Head Coach Barry Maddocks naming a strong squad, boosted with a handful of Six Nations winners, the home side will be amongst the favourites to lift the crown again.

“We have reached the last two Challenge Cup finals but have only won one of them so the girls are not fully satisfied,” said the England skipper. “Without a doubt this squad, which has been further strengthened after Hong Kong, have the ability to get to the final and win but we all know Sevens can be a brutal game. What may seem like a small error can easily be capitalised on by the opposition. We need to focus on our game and have the ability to perform game after game. Good teams win games, world class teams repeatedly win finals and that’s what we are aiming for.”

The third IRB-sanctioned tournament, which runs alongside the HSBC Sevens World Series, will see 12 invited teams from six continents compete for the prized Cup.

Joining England in Pool A are South Africa, Kazakhstan and Olympic Games 2016 hosts Brazil.  The pool games of the IRB Challenge Cup will be played on the neighbouring Cardinal Vaughan pitches, with the semi-finals and final on the famous Twickenham pitch.

“This is another tough pool for England,” added Staniford, who plays her club rugby for Wasps. “South Africa are the team that jump out at me. They have been developing at an impressive rate over the past few years and definitely our toughest opponents in Dubai, where we only won by two points.

“Kazakhstan have a very athletic side with a fantastic work rate and a never die attitude which they demonstrated in the XVs World Cup in 2010. Sevens is certainly the perfect game for these girls who love to run with the ball. Like Kazakhstan, Brazil and England have not met on the Sevens circuit yet so we need to expect a very competitive pool stage for England.”

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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.