Saracens team to face Leicester Tigers

Posted on May 11, 2012 in Premiership, Saracens

All eyes are on Welford Road on Saturday as Saracens face Leicester Tigers in the semi-finals of the Aviva Premiership.

In team news ahead of the game, Charlie Hodgson returns to start at fly half with Owen Farrell named at centre for the knockout clash. Will Fraser returns to the starting line-up while Matt Stevens and Carlos Nieto swap places with the England prop starting and Nieto among the replacements.

Chris Wyles moves to the wing with James Short on the bench along with the likes of John Smit, Richard Wigglesworth and Hugh Vyvyan.

Justin Melck has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury in the final minute of the match against Exeter Chiefs last weekend. The flanker underwent surgery on a damaged ACL on Thursday and is set to be ruled out for up to nine months.

“It’s a massive match,” explained Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall. “We’ve had a very good week of preparation but we know it is going to be a very tough game and we will have to be at our best to get the result we want.

“Leicester have a phenomenal semi final record but we have had some excellent performances in recent weeks with wins against London Irish, Newcastle Falcons and Exeter Chiefs so we are really looking forward to the match.”

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Semi-final ticket sales top 10,000 in 24 hours at Leicester Tigers

Posted on May 8, 2012 in Leicester Tigers, Premiership

Leicester Tigers have sold more than 10,000 tickets in the first 24 hours for next Saturday’s Aviva Premiership semi-final at Welford Road.

Tickets only went on sale at full-time in Tigers’ 28-3 victory over Bath on Saturday which guaranteed second place in the Aviva Premiership Rugby table and a home semi-final.

Tigers face defending champions Saracens at Welford Road next Saturday (5.30pm) with a place in the final at stake. The two sides have met in the last two Premiership Finals at Twickenham, recording one win each.

The Tigers ticket office reported roaring trade immediately after Saturday’s game and also throughout Sunday. The office is open again 10am-4pm on Bank Holiday Monday.

Semi-finals are not included in Tigers season tickets but season ticket holders will have their seats/places reserved until 4pm on Monday (May 7). A special discounted price will apply until that time for season ticket holders too.

Tickets are on general sale to all supporters and there is no restriction on numbers you can purchase, subject to availability.

Under-10s season ticket holders must apply for their free ticket, which will only be available if accompanied by an adult season ticket holder and if requested before 4pm on Monday.

Members will be guaranteed a ticket if they would like one but must contact the ticket office by 4pm on Monday to confirm payment.

All other supporters can also buy now. There is no restriction on ticket numbers you can purchase, subject to availability.

Tigers ticket office opening hours:
Bank Holiday Monday: 10.00am-4.00pm
Tuesday: 8.30am-5.00pm
Wednesday: 8.30am-8.00pm
Thursday: 8.30am-5.00pm
Friday: 8.30am-5.00pm
Saturday: from 9.00am

Cal in at Welford Road or phone the Tigers ticket hotline on 0844 856 1880 (option 2).

Or purchase online at www.leicestertigers.com. Season ticket holders need to log-in with the reference number found on season ticket cards and will find their seat/place appear automatically in the shopping basket.

There is no booking fee for any online sales for the semi-final.

Ian Humphreys set to join London Irish from Ulster

Posted on May 8, 2012 in London Irish, Ulster

Ian Humphreys has signed a three year deal with London Irish and will join the club for pre-season training in the summer.

The Ulster fly half, who has made 81 appearances scoring 617 points, is currently preparing for the Heineken Cup final where Ulster will take on Leinster at Twickenham on May 19th. Humphreys has played a pivotal role in the province’s Heineken Cup campaign thus far.

Ian has previous experience of playing Premiership Rugby following his spell with Leicester Tigers between 2005 and 2008. He re-joined Ulster from Leicester Tigers in 2008 having previously played for the Irish province at U21 level where he captained the side during the 2002/03 season. He has also represented Ireland at U19, U21 and A level, and captained the Irish side at the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in Hong Kong in March 2005. He made his Ireland A debut against England Saxons at Ravenhill in 2007.

London Irish director of rugby, Brian Smith said: “It is fantastic to have Ian on board for the next three seasons. He will bring with him a wealth of experience and leadership qualities. He is a constant threat with ball in hand and has a great ability to create space for his outside backs. He also has a fantastic kicking game. When I was previously at the club we tried to recruit Ian and Tomás O’Leary, now we have a pair of Irish half backs as good as any in Europe.”

Commenting on his decision to join the Exiles Ian said: “I’m very excited to be joining London Irish. They play an attractive style of rugby that I am looking forward to being involved in. My immediate focus however is with Ulster as we prepare for the Heineken Cup final.”

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Agulla lands Leicester Tigers awards double

Posted on May 2, 2012 in Leicester Tigers, Premiership

Horacio Agulla was a double winner at the Leicester Tigers Supporters’ Annual Awards.

More than 400 supporters joined the Tigers coaching staff and players for Tuesday night’s awards dinner in the Premiership Suite in the Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road.

Agulla won the fans’ vote for the Player of the Year and Try of the Season for his dramatic late score against Northampton Saints at Welford Road.

The Argentina international wing, who has scored six tries in 23 appearances this season, said: “I would like to thank the supporters for voting for me. Leicester Tigers is a special club and it is an honour to be named player of the year.”

George Chuter, the Premiership’s record appearance-maker, took home an Omega watch courtesy of sponsors Goldsmiths, after winning the Outstanding Service award.

Chuter said: “This is a great place to be. It is full of history and you can see that every match day at Welford Road.

“The club, the coaches, the set-up and the fans are fantastic and it is all conducive to a really great rugby club. That makes people come here and stay here.”

Back rower Julian Salvi, who has scored five tries in 28 appearances, won the Best Newcomer award and said: “It means everything to be part of this rugby club and to receive the award.

“I am aware of the quality of the Tigers players who have worn the No 7 shirt in the past. It spurs you on and makes you want to strive to be better.”

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Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Season Shortlist Announced

Posted on Apr 24, 2012 in emb, English Rugby, Premiership, Premiership Rugby

FIVE AVIVA Premiership Rugby clubs are represented in the shortlist for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Season, it was announced today.

Current Aviva Premiership Rugby leaders Harlequins lead the way in the shortlist with two players, full-back Mike Brown and captain Chris Robshaw, while Saracens, Leicester Tigers, Gloucester Rugby and Exeter Chiefs are also rewarded with players vying for one of rugby’s top honours.

Leicester Tigers’ flanker Julian Salvi is the only non-England qualified player on the list, joined by Saracens’ centre Brad Barritt, Gloucester Rugby prop Nick Wood and Exeter Chiefs’ flanker James Scaysbrook.

The shortlist was compiled by a panel of media professionals – Miles Harrison (Sky Sports), Alastair Eykyn (BBC 5 Live), Mick Cleary (Daily Telegraph), Ian Stafford (Mail on Sunday), Nick Mullins (ESPN), David Rogers (Getty Images), and Alan Pearey (Rugby World). They were joined by Corin Palmer (Premiership Rugby’s Head of Academies and Development) and Paul Morgan (Premiership Rugby’s Communication Director) who chaired the panel.

“The panel has come up with an incredibly impressive shortlist, which reflects the strength of Aviva Premiership Rugby,” said Premiership Rugby Chief Executive Mark McCafferty.

“It’s great to see players who have emerged from our Academies in what is undoubtedly a world-class list of players. It will be a tough job picking the winner as clearly all six would be a worthy Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Season.”

The winner will be announced on Tuesday 8 May at the sold out Aviva Premiership Rugby Awards at The Hilton, Park Lane. The Awards night will be shown on ESPN.