Shane Monahan wings in to Gloucester Rugby

Posted on May 4, 2012 in Gloucester, Premiership

Gloucester Rugby have boosted their three quarter resources for next season with the signing of Irish winger Shane Monahan from Championship side Rotherham.

The 25 year old has been a stand out performer for the Titans this season, scoring eleven tries as they finished seventh in the table.

Also capable of appearing at outside centre, he started out at Boyne RFC and was a member of the Ireland squad that won the U20s Six Nations Grand Slam in 2007 alongside the likes of Leinster’s Cian Healy and Munster’s Keith Earls.

At 6ft 2 and weighting in at over 16 stone, his physicality and eye for the try line will make him a valuable addition to Gloucester’s back line options next season.

Now preparing himself for a crack at the Aviva Premiership with Gloucester, Monahan admits that he’s looking forward to the summer move to Kingsholm.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to pit myself against the very best in the English club game.

“Gloucester already have some really talented backs in the squad and it’s going to be great for my game to work with them. They’ve also signed some class players for next season so it’s a really exciting prospect.

“I’m genuinely excited about joining such an historic club. Kingsholm is one of the most famous club grounds in the world and the support is second to none. I can’t wait to get down there, meet my new team mates and start preseason.”

Scottish Exiles’ James Brown to retire from the game

Posted on May 3, 2012 in Championship, London Scottish

James Brown, London Scottish player/backs coach, has announced his retirement from the game.

Brown has been part of both the coaching and playing set up at London Scottish for the past four years after spells with Coventry, London Irish and Worcester Warriors.

He won the Powergen Cup with London Irish in 2002, and also represented England at ‘A’ level and England 7s. He also appeared for the Barbarians in the annual Mobbs Memorial Match in 2010.

An integral part of the team both on and off the pitch that brought London Scottish up to the Championship, ‘Brownie’ now feels the time is right to take the next step in his career.

Brown: “I’ve had an amazing 4 years playing and coaching at London Scottish and have memories I will never forget; two promotions in 3 years, the last minute try at Barking and the last game of the season decider v Esher to name a few.

After fulfilling my promise to Rod Lynch and Malcolm Gillespie when I first joined to get Scottish to the Championship in 4 years, I feel it’s time to work out what’s next for me.

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McLaughlin Focussing on PRO12

Posted on May 3, 2012 in Irish Rugby, Ulster

After Saturday’s historic Heineken Cup semi final win over Edinburgh, Ulster have turned their attentions back to the RaboDirect PRO12 and the trip to Thomond Park to take on Inter-pro rivals Munster.

Head Coach Brian McLaughlin said: “The mood in the camp has been fantastic this week. We are back in training and the standard has been high as we prepare for Munster on Saturday. It is always a difficult place to go and Munster will put everything into winning the PRO12. It is another vital match for us.”

Going into the last round of fixtures, Ulster need to register a bonus point win and hope Glasgow and Scarlets pick up nothing from their games, if they are to reach the PRO12 play off for the second successive year. McLaughlin is fully aware that the chances of progression are slim:

“We have to be honest; it’s a long shot now with one game remaining. But we did a great job in Limerick a few weeks ago in the quarter final and we will approach the game with the same mindset. We have proved Ulster can do a job no matter where we play. We need to get a win and hope that other results are favourable so it’s not ideal.”

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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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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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