Felix Jones injury update

Posted on Aug 22, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Following an MRI scan that was undertaken yesterday, it was confirmed that Ireland full back Felix Jones has sustained an injury to one of the stabilising ligaments in his foot following an awkward fall during the game against France yesterday.

The injury will be further reviewed by a specialist to rule out the need for surgery, but it will require a six week period of immobilisation, meaning that Jones has been ruled out of contention for selection in the Ireland Rugby World Cup squad that is due to be announced tomorrow at 1.00pm.

Ireland Manager Paul McNaughton said, "The squad and management are bitterly disappointed for Felix to suffer an injury at such a vital time in terms of selection for the final touring party.  He had certainly put himself into contention over preseason and the games in the last three weeks.  We all wish him a speedy recovery and that he is back playing as soon as possible."

SANZAR appoints Operations Manager

Posted on Jan 31, 2011 in Rugby News

Leading rugby administrator Brendan Morris has been appointed Operations Manager for the newly-established SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand, Australia Rugby) organisation.

Morris has been involved in the management of international sporting events and elite teams for 12 years and most recently worked in a team management role during the 2010 Tri Nations competition. Prior to that, he worked at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games as Venue Systems Manager.

He has also worked as SANZAR Regional Tournament Director for Australia, was Team Manager for the Queensland Reds for two years and also ARU International Tours and Competitions Manager. He also worked in an operational role at the 2000 Sydney Olympics and 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics.

Morris will be responsible for the management and implementation of SANZAR’s two competitions: the three-country, 15-team, four-month Super Rugby competition and the Tri Nations.

SANZAR CEO Greg Peters said he was delighted to have someone of Morris’s calibre on board in a key role.

“Brendan was the candidate with the strongest direct experience in this area and won the position against a strong field of international applicants.  He is hugely experienced with both rugby and Olympic experience and is highly regarded by his peers,” Peters said.

“He arrives at an exciting time for SANZAR as we prepare to kick off the new, expanded Super Rugby season next month and look forward to this year’s crucial Tri Nations competition,” Peters added.

Morris said he saw the new job as “a challenging but fulfilling role with plenty of opportunity.

“It’s an exciting time for the evolution of the SANZAR joint venture with  a fresh new Super Rugby Competition and the introduction of a 15th team and an expanded finals series, and the Tri Nations just around the corner.

“Over the years working in rugby I have been lucky to work with some very dedicated and talented people across the three SANZAR territories and I am really looking forward to renewing those relationships.”

Cronin signs for Leinster

Posted on Jan 25, 2011 in Rugby News

Leinster Rugby have signed Ireland hooker Sean Cronin who will join the province in the summer on a two year deal.

Cronin, 24, was educated at Ardscoil Rís in Limerick and has previously played with Munster and Connacht, whom he joined in the summer of 2008.

A former Ireland Schools representative, Cronin featured in the AIB League for Shannon and he earned his first Ireland cap against Fiji in the RDS in November 2009, incidentally in the same match as Jonathan Sexton and Sean O’Brien.

He won his first start against New Zealand in the 2010 Summer Tests and also started against Australia. Cronin has also represented Ireland Schools, U-19, U-21, and ‘A’ (Ireland Wolfhounds) levels.

The Limerick man played three games in the recent Guinness series against Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina and has featured 7 times for Ireland to date.

Sean Cronin said: “I am delighted to put pen to paper on a deal to join Leinster this summer and I believe that with the exciting players in the squad, the future looks bright.

“I have been hugely impressed by Leinster’s displays both in the Magners League and in the Heineken Cup so far this season and the province’s ambitions mirror my own. Hopefully I can establish myself in the squad when I join up in a few months time.

“I am grateful for the opportunity that Connacht have given me over the last three years to play for a fantastic club. They will continue to grow from strength to strength under Eric Elwood and the existing management team and I will do my utmost to help improve our Magners League standing over the coming months.”

Commenting on Cronin’s signing, Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt said: “It’s great that Sean has confirmed that he will join us this summer. He is a dynamic and talented front rower who will add experience at hooker following the retirement of John Fogarty earlier this season.”

Leinster move Heineken Cup quarter final to the Aviva Stadium

Posted on Jan 25, 2011 in Rugby News

Leinster Rugby have announced the forthcoming Heineken Cup quarter final against Leicester, to be played on the weekend of 8-10 April, will be played in the Aviva Stadium.

The decision by the Leinster Professional Board to play the fixture in the Aviva Stadium was taken in consultation with the Leinster team management and squad. Having won two matches so far this season in the Aviva Stadium against Munster (Magners League) and ASM Clermont Auvergne (Heineken Cup), the Board is confident that this decision will give the opportunity to the greatest number of Leinster supporters to see the game.

Full ticket details for the Heineken Cup quarter final will be available in the coming days once the kick off time and date have been confirmed by ERC.

Leinster Chief Executive Mick Dawson commented: “I would firstly congratulate the entire team and management on reaching the quarter finals in what was, arguably, the toughest pool that the province has ever faced.

“To reach the knock-out stages – and achieve a home quarter final draw in the process – is an impressive achievement and due reward, not only for the team, but also for our loyal supporters who have followed the team across Europe at great expense and also established their own reputation as a significant element in the Leinster quest to regain the Heineken Cup. They once again added to this reputation last Friday night when over 1,000 supporters made the trip to Paris and gave wonderful vocal support throughout the game.

“In our two fixtures in the Aviva Stadium to date we have enjoyed two outstanding spectacles with the team having been inspired to victory by close to 100,000 supporters over the course of both games.

“Existing Leinster season ticket holders will be offered the priority option to purchase tickets for this game and information will be circulated shortly. There will also be a range of family packages and junior tickets on public sale.

“We will continue the increasingly popular ‘One Province’ scheme as we do for all of our home matches, a community ticketing initiative designed specifically for underage groups travelling to matches at discount prices.

“We remain committed to our home in the RDS, but given the manner in which our Leinster supporter base has grown in recent years, we believe that we have a duty to cater for as large an audience as possible for special one off matches such as this, which will be a local and international event.

“I would like to thank Martin Murphy and his team for facilitating our plans to play in the Aviva Stadium, a venue which is fast becoming one of the leading arenas in Europe.

“Over the coming days we will finalise competitive ticket prices, mindful of the difficult economic climate and the great commitment of our supporters, both at home and abroad, over recent seasons.”

Esher out in force to battle the cold snap

Posted on Dec 16, 2010 in Rugby News

As ‘the cold snap’ continues, Esher Rugby are preparing for the next instalment of wintery weather.

With the original Championship fixture against Nottingham having fallen foul to the elements on Saturday 4th December, Esher’s grounds men, staff and players have been out in force to lay pitch covers ahead of the anticipated cold spell over the weekend, to ensure that every effort is made for the rescheduled fixture next Tuesday to go ahead as planned.

The management of Esher rugby are appealing for volunteers willing to arrive early on Tuesday evening to assist in removing of the covers. If you can help, please contact the office on 01932 220 295.