Wayne Smith opts to stay in New Zealand but Catt joins England team

Posted on May 1, 2012 in England, English Rugby

Wayne Smith has decided to stay in New Zealand for personal reasons rather than join the England coaching team.

Wayne Smith said: “I was very impressed with Stuart [Lancaster] when I met him. He is an outstanding individual and will be a great plus for England Rugby and anyone who works in his team will be very fortunate. England have some fantastic young players and the opportunity to work with them ahead of the 2015 World Cup was very appealing.

“I also want to compliment the RFU on the way they have conducted the process. They have acted with integrity, diligence and patience.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision but ultimately I have decided to stay in New Zealand, mainly for personal reasons. I took the job with the Chiefs so I could move nearer to elderly parents. I have travelled the globe with rugby for the last 15 years and I want to fulfil my commitment to be closer to them.

“I do also feel some loyalty to the Chiefs and the job that I have with them and leaving after eight months when I have a year left on my contract did not feel right.”

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “Wayne rang me this morning and I fully respect his decision which, as he says, was a difficult one.

“He is clearly a coach of quality, honesty and integrity. I enjoyed meeting him and wish him all the best for the future in his coaching role with the Chiefs. All my energy will now go into preparing for an exciting tour to South Africa and I will reassess the coaching team post tour prior to the start of the QBE Internationals.”

RFU Chief Executive Officer Ian Ritchie said: “We are disappointed but it is important to remember we already have some very talented coaches on board. We will take stock after the tour and make sure we do all we can to support Stuart in building a coaching team to take us through to 2015.”

Mike Catt joins England coaching team for South Africa

Mike Catt will join the England coaching team for the five-match tour of South Africa next month.

Mike will leave London Irish after their final Aviva Premiership match with Gloucester Rugby at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday and start work with England on May 7 through to June 30.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “Mike has played at the top level and is highly respected. He has done a great job whilst coaching at London Irish and we are looking forward to working with him on this South Africa tour. He is experienced in playing in South Africa and this will be invaluable as we prepare for this challenging and exciting tour.

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Brown Named Aviva Premiership Rugby Player Of The Month

Posted on Jan 16, 2012 in English Rugby, Harlequins, Premiership

Mike Brown of Harlequins has been voted the Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month for December.

The Harlequins’ full-back was chosen as the month’s stand out performer by a panel of distinguished rugby media – including writers, broadcasters and photographers.

“Mike has reinvented himself this year and turned himself into a world class player who we believe will deservedly make his Test debut in this year’s RBS 6 Nations," said Panel Chairman Paul Morgan.

"He exemplifies the reasons why Harlequins sit on top of the Aviva Premiership Rugby table and the award is our way or showing how impressed we have been with Mike’s form."

Brown spoke of the pride he felt for being named December’s Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month: "I am so happy to receive this award from Aviva. It’s a great time to be involved with Harlequins. I couldn’t have found my recent form without the constant help and support from my teammates and the Quins coaching staff, they have all had a massive influence on me over the past few months and I’d like to thank them all.

"Aviva have kindly donated £500 to the charity of my choice – and I’ve chosen Macmillan Caring Locally. The reason I have chosen this charity is because my Gran recently passed away. Before she passed on, she asked for people to donate to the charity, instead of buying flowers for her funeral, as it was a charity that she supported. So in memory of her, I would like to donate to Macmillan Caring Locally."

Director of rugby at Harlequins Conor O’Shea said: “I’m delighted that Mike has been given this Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month award. He has been in great form for us all season and he deserves this recognition. I hope that Mike can continue his fine form for the remainder of the season.’’

Louisa Cheetham, Head of Sponsorship at Premiership Rugby title sponsors Aviva added: “Mike has been knocking on the door of the England squad for some time now.  His outstanding form for Harlequins this season looks has been rewarded with a place in the England elite player squad which is testament to the professionalism and determination of the player; a deserved winner of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Player of the Month award."

Tinds back in the EPS

Posted on Nov 29, 2011 in England, English Rugby

Mike Tindall’s fine for breaches of the England Elite Player Squad Agreement during the 2011 Rugby World Cup has been reduced from £25,000 to £15,000 and he has been reinstated into the England Elite Player Squad.

Regarding Mike Tindall, Martyn Thomas, Acting Chief Executive Officer who heard the appeal, said, “We accept that there were mitigating factors which do not appear to have been taken into account to the extent that they might otherwise have been. These include;

i. Mike did not intentionally mislead the RFU team management when he stated that he could not remember where he was on the night of September 11, and that he was relying on other people’s versions of events which were relayed to him

ii. That there was no evidence of any suggestion of sexual impropriety of any nature with the woman in question and we accept the fact that she is a family friend who he has known for a long time

iii. That Mike expressed deep regret during the appeal meeting about his behaviour and that he had apologised to Martin Johnson and the team for the events which unfolded as a consequence

iv. That there was no evidence that Mike had been involved in any incidences in the past which could contribute as aggravating factors.

“Taking all these factors into account we have decided to reduce the fine to £15,000 and reverse the decision to remove Mike from the England Elite Player Squad. It is however important to stress that we believe Mike’s behaviour fell way below that to be expected of somebody of his calibre and experience. He exposed himself to a very compromising position and exposed the rest of the team to damaging publicity.”

“We are aware that the EPS Squad will be reviewed on January 1, 2012 and wish to make it clear that this decision does not prevent those deciding the composition of the EPS Squad from taking into account this incident when making that decision.”

Whitehead’s South Yorkshire return

Posted on May 9, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Knights’ Director of Rugby Brett Davey begins another closed season week at Castle Park with the news of a fresh signing to wear the number 10 Jersey for the South Yorkshire club.

The former Wasps and England U21 star put pen to paper on a deal this week which begins to solve the riddle of how the back division will line up at Castle Park for the RFU Championship 2011/12 season.

Helping guide Esher to safety in their inaugural Championship season White head was a standout player against the Knights, a feat he has achieved in the past with former club Rotherham Titans with whom he spent over 5 seasons. Previously London Welsh had the benefit of his tactical talent making Whitehead a key signing for the Armthorpe Rd club.

On the signing of Whitehead, Davey told us “ In a way this signing has been years in the making. While playing at Coaching at Coventry I remember playing against Mike and studying DVDs of his game and thinking he had something about him. Having seen his performances against us for two different clubs now I can safely say he still has it. He is another part of the balanced side we are trying to build as his tactical rugby ability and experience will be a benefit to the younger players we have on the books.” He finished “ Mike also brings a more physical presence at Fly Half which we perhaps have been missing in some games.”

Mike, as previously mentioned, is no stranger to South Yorkshire and should have no problem settling back into the county.

Mike Ross commits to Ireland

Posted on Mar 24, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Mike Ross has become the latest Ireland international player to commit his future to playing in Ireland by agreeing a new IRFU international contract to remain with Leinster up to the end of the 2013 season.

Ross, who has now won 7 caps at tight head for Ireland since making his debut against Canada in 2009, has also made 39 appearances for Leinster since moving from English premiership side Harlequins in 2009.

Mike Ross said, “It’s been an enjoyable couple of months for me and I am delighted to be able to have my new contract agreed and to remain playing for Leinster. Since coming back to Ireland, Leinster really has become my home and hopefully I can continue to maintain my performance levels to help keep the team successful and also keep me in the frame for selection for the Ireland team.”

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney said, “The IRFU’s policy of keeping as many players in Ireland as possible is an important part to helping Irish Rugby challenge for success in competitions at all levels. The news that Mike has made the decision to carry on his career in Leinster is good news for everybody concerned as he has continued to progress well and is a valued member of the international squad.”

Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt said, “Mike has been a consistent performer for Leinster this season and we are delighted that he has committed his future to the province. A popular member of our squad and a formidable scrummager, Mike has really come into his own at provincial level and more recently at national level and we are confident that his best years are still ahead of him.”