England Sevens win South Africa plate

Posted on Dec 14, 2009 in Rugby News

England beat South Africa 21-7 to win the plate at the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens.

It was only the second time England had beaten the Boks in sevens on South African soil in what was a hyper-competitive plate competition.

England had to bounce back from their cup loss against winners New Zealand to beat Australia 24-5 in the plate semi final.

The last time an England side had beaten a South Africa side on their home patch was in 2003, but with Christian Wade (London Wasps), Worcester’s Jake Abbott, Ben Gollings (Gold Coast) and Isoa Damudamu (British Army) in inspired form Ben Ryan’s side ground out an impressive win, the biggest defeat Paul Treu’s side had faced in 80 matches.

England add 12 points to their World Series tally which puts them in third place behind Fiji and New Zealand respectively after reaching the Dubai cup semi final earlier this month.

England: Jake Abbott (Worcester Warriors), Kevin Barrett (capt, Saracens), Chris Brightwell (Birmingham & Solihull), Dan Caprice (Blackheath RFC), Chris Cracknell (Unattached), Isoa Damudamu (British Army), Ben Gollings (Gold Coast, Australia), Dan Norton (Bristol Rugby), James Rodwell (Moseley RFC), Nick Royle (Fylde RFC), Matt Turner (Bristol Rugby), Christian Wade (London Wasps)

England Sevens Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens results:

• December 11, England 42-0 Tunisia
• December 11, England 17-7 Argentina
• December 11, Scotland 19-29 England
• December 12, cup quarter final England 19-22 New Zealand
• December 12, plate semi final England 24-5 Australia
• December 12, plate final England 21-7 South Africa

Warriors swoop for sevens star Cracknell

Posted on Dec 14, 2009 in Rugby News

Worcester Warriors have announced the signing of England Sevens star Chris Cracknell until the end of the 2009/10 season. The highly-rated Windsor-born back row, recently on England Sevens duty in Dubai, will link up with his new team-mates at Sixways Stadium from Monday.

The 25-year-old has previously played at Bath Rugby, Exeter Chiefs, Cornish Pirates, Newbury and Harlequins.

A hugely gifted Sevens performer, Cracknell earned rave reviews just last week as he scored two tries as England were narrowly beaten in the IRB Dubai Sevens, where he played alongside new Worcester team-mate Jake Abbott.

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Fortey set for two hundred

Posted on Nov 26, 2009 in Rugby News

Hooker Chris Fortey is set to join the exclusive ’200 Club’ in the Guinness Premiership when Worcester Warriors entertain table topping Saracens at Sixways Stadium on Friday evening (kick-off 8pm).

Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock has selected the same starting line-up that drew 12-12 on home soil with Bath Rugby just seven days earlier as he looks for Warriors to secure a third home win of the campaign.

Fortey is named among the replacements and if he plays a part in the encounter will hit the magical 200 game mark in the English top-flight and move to fifth in the all-time league standings for games played.

“Chris is about to hit the 200 Club in the Guinness Premiership and this is yet another example of the durability, professionalism and skill of this Warrior over an extended period,” said Ruddock.

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Hostmann returns for Worcester

Posted on Nov 19, 2009 in Rugby News

Back row Kai Horstmann returns to the starting line-up for Worcester Warriors as they entertain Bath Rugby in the Guinness Premiership at Sixways Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 8pm).

Horstmann, who has been out of action since mid-September, returns to the pack for his fourth league appearance of the campaign.

Director of Rugby Mike Ruddock makes a total of 13 changes to the line-up that faced Scarlets in the LV= Cup last weekend as he recalls those who were rested for the trip to Wales.

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Garvey returns to Warriors starting lineup

Posted on Nov 6, 2009 in Rugby News

Wing Marcel Garvey returns to the Worcester Warriors team as the club launches its LV= Cup bid against Newcastle Falcons at Sixways Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 12.30pm).

Speedster Garvey is back in the starting line-up for the first time since injuring his hand against Montpellier in early October.

New Zealand ace Rico Gear moves to outside centre to join forces with Sam Tuitupou, with Alex Grove not considered for selection after an intensive three-day training camp with Scotland this week.

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