Dragons prop Hall hangs up his boots

Posted on Oct 18, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Dragons prop Nigel Hall has been forced to retire from rugby due to injury.

The 32-year old tighthead ruptured his Achilles tendon during the region’s Heineken Cup game against London Wasps in December 2010.

“I’m obviously disappointed at being forced to retire,” he said. “It was always going to be really tough coming back from an injury like that but it’s still a big blow.”

Hall joined the Dragons in 2008 from Nottingham, making his debut in the festive fixture against the Scarlets on January 1st 2009. A strong player both in the scrum and in open play, he has been a key member of the Dragons squad, making 28 appearances for the region despite a 6-month lay-off with shoulder surgery following an injury in the Heineken Cup game against Gloucester in October 2009.

“It’s been really tough for me. I was at Nottingham for 5 years and played every game so to have 2 major injuries during my time at the Dragons has been really unlucky.”

“I’d like to thank everyone at the Dragons who have been really supportive during my rehab. It was easy to move down here and fit in with the squad and I wish them all the best of luck going forward.”

Dragons Director of Rugby Robert Beale said “Nigel has been a model professional during his time at the Dragons and his retirement will leave a big hole in our squad.
“I would like to thank Nigel for his honesty and commitment to our organization and wish him and his family the very best of luck for the future.”

Falcons give Hall a two year deal

Posted on Jan 25, 2011 in Rugby News

Falcons chief Alan Tait has strengthened his armoury upfront, with robust prop James Hall signing a new two-year deal at the club.

Hall joined the Falcons from Championship outfit Coventry in the summer of 2010 and has impressed during his seven first team outings to date.

The 24-year-old has figured prominently in the Falcons European campaign, as well as featuring in the Development Team’s charge towards the end of season play-offs.

“It feels like a weight off my shoulders, and now I can just get on with my rugby for the rest of the season without having to worry,” said Hall.

He added: “I’m looking forward to improving as a professional player over the next two seasons, and with new signing Euan Murray on board there’s a really good role model to learn from and tap into.

“I like the philosophy of the club, and the ambition of the place. It’s not quite happened yet in terms of moving up the league, but I can see it will come and I think it’s inevitable with the quality here that we will improve as a team.”

Vickerman issues Varsity challenge to Oxford

Posted on Nov 19, 2009 in Rugby News

Cambridge Captain Dan Vickerman has issued the official challenge to Oxford University to meet at Twickenham on Thursday, December 10 to decide the 128th Nomura Varsity Match (kick off 2.00pm).

According to tradition the losing team from the previous year travels to their opponent’s home ground and issues the challenge to meet again. Vickerman, a World Cup finalist for Australia in 2003 who is currently midway through a three-year Land Economy course at Hughes Hall College, was accompanied by his fellow Blues from last year’s team and issued the challenge to Oxford’s captain Dan Rosen prior to the start of Oxford University’s annual Major Stanley Match.

Vickerman, who played 55 times for Australia, said. “As captain of this year’s Cambridge University XV, I challenge you Dan Rosen to bring your Oxford University team to Twickenham on the 10th December to compete for the 128th Nomura Varsity Match when we will go all out to win the Nomura Trophy.”

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Cambridge issue challenge to Oxford for 128th Nomura Varsity Match

Posted on Nov 17, 2009 in Rugby News

On Wednesday, the captain of Cambridge University, Dan Vickerman, will go to Oxford University’s Iffley Road ground to officially challenge Oxford to meet Cambridge at Twickenham on December 10 (ko 2.00pm) to decide the 128th Nomura Varsity Match.

According to tradition the losing team from the previous year travels to their opponent’s home ground and issues the challenge to meet again. Vickerman, a World Cup finalist for Australia in 2003 who is currently midway through a three-year Land Economy course at Hughes Hall College, will be accompanied by his fellow Blues from last year’s team and will issue the challenge to OURFC’s captain Dan Rosen prior to the start of OURFC’s annual Major Stanley Match at 7.15pm on November 18.

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Falcons make 12 changes for LV= cup

Posted on Nov 4, 2009 in Rugby News

Newcastle Falcons have freshened up their squad for Saturday’s LV= Cup trip to Worcester, making 12 changes from the side which beat the Warriors at Kingston Park last weekend.

Left wing Uche Oduoza makes his Newcastle debut against his former club, with the England Sevens international having racked up the tries for the Falcons Development Team following his summer move from Japan.

Cumbrian Mark Wilson makes his debut on the openside flank, with the 20-year-old’s form for Blaydon and the Newcastle second-string earning him a call-up to the senior side.

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