Ireland women’s squad to play Wales

Posted on Feb 29, 2012 in Women's Rugby

The Ireland Women’s team to play Wales in the RBS 6 Nations Championship has been named by Coach Philip Doyle.

Doyle has again named an unchanged team for the re-scheduled fixture on Saturday afternoon in Ashbourne RFC.

Ireland was scheduled to play Wales in the first round of the RBS 6 Nations championship, which was called off at half-time due to deterioration of weather conditions.

The Ireland side defeated their Italian counterparts 40-10 in their last outing.

Ireland Women’s Team (v Wales Women, RBS 6 Nations, Ashbourne RFC, Co. Meath – March, 3rd 14.30 GMT)
15. Ashleigh Baxter (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster)
14. Niamh Kavanagh (UL Bohemians – Munster)
13. Niamh Briggs (UL Bohemians – Munster)
12. Grace Davitt (Cooke – Ulster)
11. Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Highfield – Connacht)
10. Lynne Cantwell (Exile)
9. Amy Davis (Blackrock – Leinster)
1. Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians – Leinster) Captain
2. Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians – Munster)
3. Ailis Egan (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
4. Sophie Spence (Exile)
5. Marie Louise Reilly (Old Belvedere – Leinster)
6. Laura Guest (Highfield – Munster)
7. Claire Molloy (Bristol – Connacht)
8. Joy Neville (UL Bohemians – Munster)

Replacements:
16. Paula Fitzpatrick (St. Mary’s – Leinster)
17. Ruth O’Reilly (Galwegians – Connacht)
18. Siobhan Fleming (Tralee – Munster)
19. Heather O’Brien (Highfield – Munster)
20. Larissa Muldoon (Exile/UWIC – Ulster)
21. Nikki Caughey (Belfast Harlequins – Ulster)
22. Jennifer Murphy (Exile)

Ireland Women RBS 6 Nations Fixtures 2012 (All Kick-off Times GMT):
Sat 3rd Mar 14:30 Ireland v Wales – Ashbourne, Co. Meath
Fri 9th Mar 19:30 Ireland v Scotland – Ashbourne, Co Meath
Sat 17th Mar 14:00 England v Ireland – Esher RFC, SW London

Ireland injury update

Posted on Feb 28, 2012 in Ireland, Irish Rugby

Following the RBS 6 Nations Championship game against Italy, there were several minor injuries to report in the Ireland squad.

Robert Kearney reported a tight groin during the game and underwent a scan which revealed that there was no significant damage and he is expected to return to training this week.

Gordon D’Arcy took a blow to his shoulder, but showed no ill affects after the game and should also be fit to take part in training this week.

Cian Healy received a blow to the jaw and will perform modified training this week while he recovers.

Sean O’Brien turned an ankle during the game and went for a precautionary scan, but the scan was clear and he is also expected to take some part in training tomorrow.

Ireland’s Gert Smal too “unwell” for Italy game

Posted on Feb 24, 2012 in Ireland, Irish Rugby

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney confirmed at the scheduled Ireland press conference today that forwards Coach Gert Smal has been unwell during this week and will not be present at the RBS 6 Nations game between Ireland and Italy this weekend in the Aviva Stadium.

Smal had an existing condition affecting his eye sight which has been exacerbated over the last week and for which he is currently receiving treatment.  The medical advice has been that he rest and he will not be involved for the remainder of the six nations.

The Ireland Team management have confirmed that O2 Ireland Wolfhounds and Munster forwards coach Anthony Foley has been appointed in Gert Smal’s place to assist preparations for the last three weeks of the championship.

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said, “Our hope is that Gert will make a quick recovery and that he will be back working with the squad as soon as possible. The medical advice given to us is that he needs rest and that he would not be with us for the rest of the championship.

“We felt that Anthony (Foley), as Munster and Ireland Wolfhounds forwards coach was the best person to help us out in Gert’s (Smal) absence and we are delighted that both Munster and Anthony have agreed to our request.

Foley will complete his duties with Munster for their RaboDirect Pro12 game against Cardiff this evening and then join up with the squad ahead of tomorrow’s game against Italy.

Ireland team to face Italy

Posted on Feb 22, 2012 in Latest Rugby News

The Ireland team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, February 25th has been named.

The Ireland Management have named the same starting XV and replacements from the postponed game against France two weeks ago.

Centre Gordon D’Arcy will win his 65th cap for Ireland having first been capped against Romania in 1999. The uncapped Peter O’Mahony is included on the bench.

IRELAND Team & Replacements (v Italy, 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship, Aviva Stadium, Saturday, February 25, kick-off 1.30pm):

15 – Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 – Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
9 – Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1 – Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 – Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster) (capt)
6 – Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 – Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:
16 – Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
17 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 – Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
19 – Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) *
20 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 – Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
* Denotes uncapped player

Change to Scotland U20

Posted on Feb 21, 2012 in Latest Rugby News

There has been a change to the Scotland under-20 squad to face France under-20.  Further to the team outlined earlier today, on the bench Russell Anderson (Gala) replaces Fergus Scott (Currie).

15. Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Scotland 7s/Heriot’s)
14. Jamie Farndale (Edinburgh Rugby/Edinburgh Accies)
13. Robbie Fergusson (Ayr)
12. Finn Russell (Falkirk)
11. Michael Crawley (Boroughmuir)
10. Harry Leonard (Edinburgh Rugby) (capt.)
9. Matt Torrance (Ospreys)

1.Jamie Bhatti (Stirling County)
2.George Turner (Edinburgh Rugby/Stewart’s Melville)
3.Alex Allan (Loughborough Students)
4.Adam Sinclair (Stirling County)
5.Jonny Gray (Hamilton)
6.Mitch Eadie (Bristol Rugby)
7.Will Bordill (Sale Sharks)
8.Jamie Swanson (Boroughmuir)

Substitutes

16.Russel Anderson (Gala)
17.Gavin Robertson (Dundee HSFP)
18.Andrew Redmayne (Dundee HSFP)
19.Callum Reid (Edinburgh Accies)
20.Callum Maguire (Berwick)
21.Murray McConnell (Glasgow Warriors)
22.Jack Bradford (Nottingham)
23.Tom Steven (Glasgow Hawks)

Scotland Under-20 RBS 6 Nations fixtures are as below, with free entry to both home matches.

Friday 24 February, Scotland under-20 v France under-20, Netherdale, kick-off 7.30pm
Friday 9 March, Ireland under-20 v Scotland under-20, Dubarry Park, kick-off 7.05pm
Friday 16 March, Italy under-20 v Scotland under-20, Calvisano, Brescia, kick-off 6pm unday 5 February, Scotland v England, Lasswade RFC, kick-off 5pm
Sunday 12 February, Wales v Scotland, Cross Keys RFC, kick-off 1pm
Saturday 25 February, Scotland v France, Stirling County RFC, kick-off 2pm
Friday 9 March, Ireland v Scotland, Ashbourne RFC, kick-off 7.30pm
Sunday 18 March, Italy v Scotland, Rovato Stadium, Brescia, kick-off 2.30p