Falcons loan is Goode move for James

Posted on Feb 24, 2012 in English Rugby, Newcastle Falcons, Ospreys, Premiership, Welsh Rugby

Ospreys lock James Goode has completed a loan move to Aviva Premiership side Newcastle Falcons until the end of the current season.

The 29-year old made the switch to Kingston Park after finding his opportunities restricted this season, with just five appearances so far and just the one PRO12 start.

Chief Operations Officer, Andrew Hore, explained:

“Second row is a position where we enjoy considerable strength in depth, with a number of senior Welsh internationals supplemented by stalwarts such as Ian Gough who remains with the region during international periods. In addition, the development pathway is producing some exciting young players like James King, Lloyd Peers, Jack Jones and Rhodri Hughes, who all have a bright future ahead of them with the region.

“This is a good move for James who feels that he needs to be playing regular rugby at the moment, and that is an admirable attitude. This loan will allow him to get game-time in the Premiership, helping Newcastle at a crucial time of the season so it will be beneficial to everyone.”

James Collins’ Sharks move falls through

Posted on Jul 11, 2011 in Premiership, Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks have announced that back row forward James Collins will not be joining the club. Extensive medical screening has revealed that James has not recovered from a previous injury.

Subsequently, James has not yet been able to commence pre-season training and it was felt that his prospects of making a start were some way off.

Sale Sharks’ Executive Director of Sport Steve Diamond said, “It’s a big disappointment for James and for Sale Sharks but we have to consider the player’s welfare. We wish him well in his future career.”

Chief Executive Mick Hogan added, “We are sorry that this situation has arisen, and extend to James our best wishes for his long-term future.”

Tincknell leaves intensive care

Posted on Mar 16, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Leeds Carnegie have announced that centre James Tincknell has left intensive care as he recovers from the road traffic accident he was involved in in February.

The 22-year-old had been in intensive care at The James Cook University Hospital since then however this week he was moved to continue his rehabilitation.

On behalf of everyone at Leeds Carnegie and the Tincknell family we would like to thank the staff at James Cook University Hospital for their support of James throughout the last few weeks. We would also like to thank all the many well wishers from clubs across the country who have sent their best wishes and prayers for James’ safe recovery.

Club Doctor Jon Greenwell commented, “Having spoken to James at the weekend, he is in good spirits and very grateful to everyone for their support. There is still a long road to recovery for James but we will be giving him all our backing.”

Wales squad to play Scotland

Posted on Feb 8, 2011 in Rugby News

Wales have made three changes, one positional, to the side defeated by England for their RBS 6 Nations Round 2 clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday (kick-off 5.00 pm).

Osprey James Hook wins his 49^th cap and starts at fly half for the first time since the Championship win over Italy in 2009, with Stephen Jones, who has taken a limited part in training after a bump to his neck during his last outing, moving to the bench.

Hook’s regional colleague Lee Byrne reclaims the vacated full back berth.

“James has a real opportunity to show what a quality player he is,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland.

“There  is a certain amount of risk involved as he has not started a game at fly-half this season, but the decision was made easier considering Stephen has been limited in what he can do in the early part of this week after the bump he picked up early on against England.”

Up front Ryan Jones (also Ospreys) returns to the back row in place of injured Wasps No8 Andy Powell (shoulder), with the coaches saying ‘same again’ to the rest of the pack.

“The forwards were in a battle last week, but there were plenty of things that went right and we want them to go up to Murrayfield and give it a shot,”said Wales assistant coach (forwards) Robin McBryde.

“Our front five was an asset in the Autumn and Craig Mitchell has come in and done well and helped give us platform off the scrum and line-out.  We have talked about better execution and accuracy but largely we want the same again from the forwards with Ryan (Jones) coming back into the mix as well.

“Ryan has shown his true character after some set backs in terms of selection and playing in different areas of the pack and he has come out on top.”

On the bench two players, back row Josh Turnbull and fly half / full back Rhys Priestland (both Scarlets), could gain their first caps – with Turnbull replacing the promoted Jones and joining Jonathan Thomas and Richard Hibbard (Ospreys) and John Yapp (Blues) in providing the forward cover.

Elsewhere fellow Scarlet Tavis Knoyle covers the scrum half position in place of Sale Shark’s Dwayne Peel, with Peel unable to train after pulling up with a sore hip training yesterday (Monday).

“Last week in the first half we struggled for field position, which meant we didn’t attack in the way we would have liked and we are hoping to put that right this week,” added McBryde.

“We know we are under pressure, but the pressure we put on ourselves is more than enough and there is no-one working harder than us to put things right.

“We need to maintain our accuracy under pressure, look after the things we can control on the field on Saturday and we will not be far away.”

WALES:Lee Byrne; Morgan Stoddart, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Shane Williams; James Hook, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Matthew Rees (Capt), Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Ryan Jones

Replacements: Richard Hibbard, John Yapp, Jonathan Thomas, Josh Turnbull, Tavis Knoyle, Stephen Jones, Rhys Priestland

WALES

  15 Lee BYRNE (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,041)
  DoB: 01.06.80. 6’3" / 1.91m. 14st 12lb / 94kgs
  International record: 39 caps (W 14, L 23, D 2; 45 pts – 9T)

  14 Morgan STODDART (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,056)
  DoB: 23.09.84.  6’1” / 1.86m. 14st 13lbs / 95kgs
  International record: 4 caps (W 1, L 3; 15 pts – 3T)

  13 Jamie ROBERTS (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,057)
  DoB: 08.11.86.  6’4” / 1.93m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
  International record: 25 caps (W 10, L 15; 10 pts – 2T)

  12 Jonathan DAVIES (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,066)
  DoB: 05.04.88. 6’1” / 1.86m. 16st 3lb / 103kgs
  International record: 8 caps (W 4, L 4; 10 pts – 2T)

  11 Shane WILLIAMS (OSPREYS – Cap No 976)
  DoB: 26.02.77. 5’7” / 1.71m. 12st 1lb / 77kgs
  International record: 76 caps (W 35, L 39, D 2; 255 pts – 51T)
  10 James HOOK (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,047)
  DoB: 27.06.85. 6’0” / 1.83m. 14st 12lbs / 94kgs
  International record: 48 caps (W 18, L 28, D 2; 240 pts – 11T, 34C, 36PG, 3DG)
  9 Michael PHILLIPS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,022)
  DoB: 29.08.82. 6’3” / 1.91m. 15st 10lb / 101kgs
  International record: 47 caps (W 21, L 24, D 2; 20 pts – 4T)
  1 Paul JAMES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,021)
  DoB: 13.05.82. 6’1” / 1.86m. 18st 2lbs / 115kgs
  International record: 18 caps (W 5, L 12, D 1)

  2 Matthew REES (SCARLETS, CAPTAIN – Cap No 1,033)
  DoB: 09.12.80. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 1lbs / 108kgs
  International record: 43 caps (W 17, L 25, D 1; 10 pts – 2T)

  3 Craig MITCHELL (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,068)
  DoB: 03.05.86. 6’1” / 1.85m. 17st 2lbs / 109kgs
  International record: 5 caps (W 3, L 2)

  4 Bradley DAVIES (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,065)
  DoB: 09.01.87.  6’6” / 1.98m. 19st 1lbs / 121kgs
  International record: 18 caps (W 6, L 11, D 1)

  5 Alun Wyn JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,046)
  DoB: 19.09.85. 6’5” / 1.96m. 18st 10lbs / 119kgs
  International record: 44 caps (W 16, L 28; 25 pts – 5T)

  6 Dan LYDIATE (NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS – Cap No 1,071)
  DoB: 18.12.87. 1.93m / 6’4”. 17st 10lbs / 112kgs
  International record: 6 caps (W 1, L 4, D 1)

  7 Sam WARBURTON (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,070)
  DoB: 05.10.88. 1.88m / 6’2”. 16st 4lbs / 103kgs
  International record: 10 caps (W 4, L 6)

  8 Ryan JONES (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,029)
  DoB: 13.03.81. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 5lbs / 110kgs
  International record: 47 caps (W 23, L 22, D 2; 5 pts – 1T)

  REPLACEMENTS

  16 Richard HIBBARD (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,048)
  DoB: 13.12.83. 6’0” / 1.83m. 17st 7lbs / 111kgs
  International record: 10 caps (W 3, L 7)

  17 John YAPP (CARDIFF BLUES – Cap No 1,031)
  DoB: 09.04.83. 6’2” / 1.88m. 19st 4lbs / 122.4kgs
  International record: 18 caps (W 12, L 6)

  18 Jonathan THOMAS (OSPREYS – Cap No 1,013)
  DoB: 27.12.82. 6’5” / 1.96m. 17st 7lbs / 111kgs
  International record: 63 caps (W 27, L 33, D 3; 35 pts – 7T)

  19 Josh TURNBULL (SCARLETS)
  DoB: 12.03.88. 1.93m / 6’4”. 15st 8lbs / 99kgs
  International record: Uncapped

  20 Tavis KNOYLE (SCARLETS – Cap No 1,076)
  DoB: 02.06.90. 6’1” / 1.85m. 14st 5lbs / 91kgs
  International record: 1 cap (L 1)

  21 Stephen JONES (SCARLETS – Cap No 966)
  DoB: 08.12.77.  6’1” / 1.86m.  14st 7lbs / 92kgs
  International record: 96 caps (W 39, L 54, D 3; 870 pts – 7T, 137C, 181PG, 6DG)
  22 Rhys PRIESTLAND (SCARLETS)
  DoB: 07.01.87 1.82m / 6’0”. 13st 9lbs / 87kgs
  International record: Uncapped

Mullan makes comeback against Currie

Posted on Feb 7, 2011 in Rugby News

England prop Matt Mullan will make his long-awaited playing comeback as Worcester Warriors travel north to face Scottish side Currie in the British & Irish Cup on Tuesday night (kick-off 7.30pm).

Mullan will make his first appearance of the season after recovering from a shoulder injury as Worcester hunt a crucial victory at Malleny Park that will keep the club’s cup hopes alive.

Rob Higgitt, Oriol Ripol, Willie Walker and Joe Carlisle are all named in an attacking back line while Adam Balding will captain the side and form part of a powerful pack eager to produce in the Scottish capital. Highly-rated forward Rob Wood is among those named on the replacements bench.

Andrew Stanley, Head of Skill Development and Academy Manager at Warriors, said: “The game in Currie is a very important one for us and one we must win for our hopes for making the knockout stages.

“Currie have a big set of forwards and a back line that is committed to attack. It is going to be a difficult place to go and we can expect a stern test. It’s imperative we do a professional job in Scotland and get the right result

“It is fantastic news for everyone connected with Warriors to see Matt Mullan back in a Worcester shirt after a number of months out injured. We are all looking forward to seeing him in action and he has been very strong in training.

“Rob Wood will also play his first game for the club after a lengthy layoff after knee problems and will be keen to make an impact off the replacements bench.”

Warriors vs. Currie RFC

15 Willie Walker
14 Mike Penn
13 Rob Higgitt
12 Greg King
11 Oriol Ripol
10 Joe Carlisle
9 Ollie Frost

1 Matt Mullan
2 Ed Shervington
3 Oliver Tomaszczyk
4 Nile Dacres
5 Will Bowley
6 James Freeman
7 James Collins
8 Adam Balding (c)

Replacements
16 Will Radburn
17 Callum Black
18 Mike Hill
19 James Clutterbuck
20 Rob Wood
21 Louis Silver
22 James Whybrow