Warrior Rasmussen returns for televised trip

Posted on Feb 7, 2011 in Rugby News

Powerful centre Dale Rasmussen is recalled to the starting line-up as league leaders Worcester Warriors travel to Meadow Lane to face Nottingham Rugby in the RFU Championship on Sunday (kick-off 5.30pm).

Rasmussen will join forces with Alex Crockett in midfield as Head Coach Richard Hill makes five changes to the team that produced a stunning comeback to edge out Cornish Pirates last weekend.

Tom Arscott is named at full back while an all-new front row sees Callum Black, Aleki Lutui and Bruce Douglas pack down.

Pat Sanderson will make his 150^th career start for Warriors in the back row alongside captain Kai Horstmann and Neil Best.

Powerhouse prop Oliver Tomaszczyk is named among the replacements alongside back row Adam Balding.

Head Coach Hill admits his Warriors will need to eradicate any of the tactical mistakes made at Pirates as they face a free-scoring and dangerous Nottingham side that are one of the best attacking sides in the RFU Championship.

“Nottingham thrive on your mistakes,” said Hill. “When we played them at Sixways the first try they scored against us came after Andy Goode had made a lovely break. His pass inside didn’t go to hand and they then counterattacked to score under the posts.

“The Nottingham back three is strong, particularly the full back, and if you make an error they will punish you.

“Keeping the ball in hand is crucial. We were guilty of kicking a bit aimlessly during the first half at Pirates and we cannot repeat that and allow talented teams to counterattack against us.”

Warriors vs. Nottingham Rugby

15 Tom Arscott
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Alex Crockett
12 Dale Rasmussen
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Andy Goode
9 Jonny Arr

1 Callum Black
2 Aleki Lutui
3 Bruce Douglas
4 Greg Rawlinson
5 Craig Gillies
6 Neil Best
7 Pat Sanderson
8 Kai Horstmann (c)

Replacements
16 Chris Fortey
17 Oliver Tomaszczyk
18 Will Bowley
19 Adam Balding
20 Ollie Frost
21 Joe Carlisle
22 Rob Higgitt

Bourgoin vs Newcastle match postponed

Posted on Jan 23, 2011 in Rugby News

The Amlin Challenge Cup Pool 3 Round 6 game between Bourgoin and Newcastle Falcons at Stade Pierre Rajon has been postponed for a second time.

The game was initially due to be played on Saturday, 22 January, but was postponed because of a partially frozen pitch.

The game was rescheduled for today (Sunday, 23 January) at 14h00. However, following a pitch inspection by the referee Neil Paterson (Scotland), the playing surface was once again deemed to be unplayable and the game will now not take place.

The circumstances surrounding the postponement of the fixture will be considered by the Board of ERC who will determine the outcome of the match.

Ulster Ravens team update

Posted on Jan 21, 2011 in Rugby News

There has been a change to the Ulster Ravens line-up. Mark McCrea is a direct replacement for Jamie Smith at fullback.

Ulster Ravens: (15-9) Mark McCrea; Tommy Seymour, Michael Allen, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy; Patrick Jackson, Michael Heaney (1-8) Conor Carey, Niall Annett, Alan Whitten, Ryan Caldwell, Ian Henderson, Scott Lavella, David McGuigan, Neil McComb

Replacements (16-22) John Burns, Kyle McCall, Ross Hackney, Paul Pritchard, Blane McIlroy, Niall O’Connor, Johnny Shiels

Sale Sharks deliver Christmas presents to young cancer patients at The Christie

Posted on Dec 22, 2010 in Rugby News

England International and Sale Sharks players made a special visit to The Christie, one of Europe’s leading cancer centres, to deliver Christmas presents to young cancer patients.

Stars from the rugby union premiership side Mark Cueto, Andrew Sheridan, Matthew Tait, James Gaskell and Neil Briggs visited the teenage cancer unit and handed out Sale Sharks shirts and gifts.

Long standing supporter of The Christie, Mark Cueto, who plays for Sale Sharks, England and the British Lions, said; “It was a real honour to visit the teenage cancer unit at The Christie and a pleasure to hand out presents.

“We players face tough challenges on the rugby pitch but nothing compared to the challenges these youngsters face on a daily basis – they are truly inspirational.”

Andrew Sheridan added; ““If our visit can go some small way to putting a smile on their faces at Christmas then it is tremendously worthwhile.

“We hope this is the first step in a partnership between Sale Sharks and The Christie.”

Young patient Adam Garswood, 13, from Wigan, who is undergoing radiotherapy at The Christie got to meet the players and fulfil his dream of interviewing Mark Cueto and Andrew Sheridan for Sky Sports News, his favourite channel, who were covering the visit.

Sports fan Adam said; “It was really exciting and great to meet the players. I’m looking forward to seeing myself on TV.”

Christie patient Nathan Grimes, 21, from Leigh, added; “It was amazing to meet the players. As a rugby fan, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the professionals.”

The Christie’s award-winning teenage cancer unit is one of only ten dedicated cancer units in the country providing specialist care and facilities for young patients between 16 and 24 years of age.

Sonny Bill swaps his boots for gloves

Posted on Dec 15, 2010 in Rugby News

Canterbury, Crusaders and All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams will switch his rugby boots for boxing gloves in a bout approved under his agreement with the New Zealand Rugby Union.

Williams will fight Scott Lewis in Newcastle, Australia, on January 29 next year, it was announced today.

NZRU General Manager Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen said: “It was agreed with Sonny Bill as part of his contract with the NZRU that he would be able to undertake professional boxing fights and we are comfortable with the timing of this event.”

Mr Sorensen added that Williams had experience as a professional boxer prior to signing with New Zealand rugby and was working with a professional boxing team to prepare for his fight, the third of his professional boxing career.

“We are comfortable that his boxing training regime and the bout itself won’t impact on his preparations for the Super Rugby season with the Crusaders and he will re–join the Crusaders squad for pre–season training again after the fight.”