Rob Kearney named ERC European Player of the Year

Posted on May 22, 2012 in Irish Rugby, Leinster

Rob Kearney (Leinster Rugby) has been named ERC European Player of the Year 2012.

The prestigious award crowns an outstanding season for the full-back who started every one of Leinster’s nine European games as the Irish club triumphed in the Heineken Cup for an unprecedented third time in four years. Kearney succeeds teammate, Sean O’Brien, as the winner of northern hemisphere rugby’s ultimate individual accolade.

The 26-year-old scored six tries during the campaign and pushed himself into contention for the honour with a series of high-quality displays in the tournament’s pool and knockout stages.

Kearney scored two tries in the quarter-final victory over the Cardiff Blues, then followed that up by creating a try for Cian Healy and landing a superb drop goal in the thrilling semi-final success against ASM Clermont Auvergne, before playing a key role in Leinster’s record-breaking 42-14 final win over Ulster Rugby at Twickenham Stadium last Saturday.

Kearney was presented with his award, a specially struck gold medal, by ERC Chief Executive, Derek McGrath, at a ceremony in ERC offices in Dublin today (Monday, 21 May 2012).

“Rob was both rock-solid in defence and inspirational in attack during what was another magnificent Heineken Cup campaign for our 2012 champions, Leinster,” said McGrath. “He scored six tries, ran powerfully, kicked superbly and the sheer all-round quality of his performances made him an excellent choice as ERC European Player of the Year 2012.”

“It really is an honour to have won this award,” said Kearney. “While I am delighted with the recognition, an individual player is powerless without the support of his teammates. So I owe this to the Leinster squad, to the management and to all the backroom staff at the club.”

The search for the best player from the 44 clubs in ERC’s two tournaments, the Heineken Cup and the Amlin Challenge Cup, was undertaken by a Judging Panel which comprised of:

Stuart Barnes (Sky Sports), Raphael Ibanez (2011/12 Heineken Cup Ambassador),  Stephen Jones (Rugby Correspondent, The Sunday Times), Emmanuel Massicard (Editor, Midi Olympique) and Gerry Thornley (Rugby Correspondent, The Irish Times).

(more…)

Confidence in Crane as winger re-signs

Posted on May 18, 2012 in Nottingham

In one scintillating passage of play winger Rhys Crane earned a contract extension with Nottingham.

The 26-year-old is the first player to pen a new deal with the Green and Whites for the 2012/13 RFU Championship, adding to the 13 players already contracted for the new campaign.

Despite enduring a nightmare season, which amounted to three cameo appearances and more than 13 months on the sidelines with injury, Crane’s potential could not be ignored.

From little more than 100 minutes of game time, between recovering from knee surgery, a broken jaw, a debut lasting just 30 seconds and a career-first red card, he still found time to convince Nottingham Director of Rugby Glenn Delaney to re-sign him.

It was his explosive impact off the bench against London Welsh in the final match of the season, putting on a big hit to win possession before crossing for a try with his first touch of the ball, which sealed it.

“He earned his contract off the bench that day. He showed us exactly what he is about, adding energy and enthusiasm to the game at a time that it was lacking on the pitch,” Delaney said.

“He showed fantastic desire to play for this club, his attitude, application and potential is everything we look for in a player.

“He is clearly a talented player who had a horrendous season with injury. That broken jaw that took him out against Esher in December isn’t the sort of start anyone wanted for him.”

With a thorough understanding of Crane’s recent injuries, Delaney didn’t hesitate in signing the athletic back.

“He is no more of a risk than any other player, he proved his fitness at the end of last season and has put those knee problems behind him,” Delaney said.

“We are not worried about what’s happened in the past, we are only concerned about what he can do for us in the future.”

(more…)

Italy 8 England 32

Posted on May 16, 2012 in England Women

England women on course to defend their crown

England Women are on course to defend their European Cup crown after a second successive victory, this time against Italy, which saw Graham Smith’s side run in six tries against a determined Italian outfit in Rovereto, Italy.

Bristol’s Sally Tuson, on just her second cap, ran in a brace of tries, while Harriet Millar-Mills (pictured), Lydia Thompson, another new cap, Danielle Waterman and Rowena Burnfield all crossed Italy’s line. England’s defence also stood up to a tough test with a feisty Italian side pushing England throughout the game.

Smith, who has taken on the Head Coach role for this tour, said: “It may be a cliché but I am extremely pleased and proud of this team. This tournament is proving that we have got some very good players coming through. We have got some really exciting players in Sally Tuson, Lauren Cattell and Lydia Thompson, while our more experienced players have been fantastic leading this young side both on and off the pitch.

“We played some quality rugby today, but at the same time we also need to be more consistent and work on our discipline as we gave away some penalties. Our defence, however, was awesome as Italy really could have scored more tries than they did and it is a testament to this side that we just kept knocking them back. ”

Italy punished England early on when England were penalised at the breakdown and fly-half Veronica Schiavon stroked over a penalty after just two minutes.

But the visitors were by no means put off their stride and a break by Richmond lock Burnfield saw the ball offloaded to Gemma Sharples and then out to the wing and into the clutches of centre Tuson who powered over the line. Chesham fly-half Lauren Cattell couldn’t make the conversion.

14 minutes in and England had established a 10-3 lead. A good England scrum, five metres out, saw the pack drive forward and Lichfield’s No. 8 Millar-Mills picked up to dive over the try-line.

England’s dominance continued with a try straight after the kick off when England secured the ball in their 22. The pack powered forward again, creating a solid platform for the backs which eventually saw vice-captain and fullback Danielle Waterman dive over under the posts.

(more…)

Sale’s Rob Miller named Aviva Premiership player of the month for April

Posted on May 11, 2012 in Premiership Rugby, Sale Sharks

It’s been a superb individual Aviva Premiership campaign for Miller, who won the panel’s vote for April and will look to take his form to Sale’s new home at Salford City Stadium.

The young full back has scored an impressive 10 tries this campaign, topping the Aviva Premiership Rugby try scoring charts and helping his club secure a place in next season Heineken Cup.

Player of the Month Panel Chairman Paul Morgan commented: “Rob is a game changer and has made a massive impact on the 2011-12 Aviva Premiership Rugby season so his award is deserved and some may say overdue,” said Paul Morgan Communications Director of Premiership Rugby, who chaired the panel.

“He’s a great example of home-grown talent making a big impression in Aviva Premiership Rugby. We all expect him to go on to the next level, sooner rather than later.”

Rob spoke of the pride he felt for being named April’s Player of the Month: I feel honoured to receive this award, getting the recognition for my performances is fantastic. However it would be amiss of me if I didn’t mention the immense contribution that our forwards have given, really allowing us to attack with quick ball.”

Louisa Cheetham, Senior Sponsorship Manager at Premiership Rugby’s title sponsors Aviva added: “This year’s Aviva Premiership has certainly given England fans plenty to be encouraged by. Rob is another young, talented home grown player to receive this award.”

Nottingham pay tribute to “Captain Fantastic”

Posted on May 11, 2012 in Championship, Nottingham

Nottingham Rugby’s most decorated captain is leaving the club for the opportunity of a life-time in Hong Kong.

After a decade-long career with the Green and Whites, skippering the side a record 227 times, Craig Hammond has accepted a job as player-coach of Hong Kong Scottish.

Until the 33-year-old lock got a phone call out of the blue from the Oriental rugby hot-bed, he was considering a contract extension to stay with Nottingham and was busy planning his testimonial year with the RFU Championship club.

But when invited to tour the facilities of the Premiership club in the City-State last week, Hammond simply couldn’t resists taking the bold step into management and penned a two-year deal with the outfit.

Having recently guided Midlands One East club Ilkeston to Derbyshire Cup glory, the New Zealander clearly indicated that he was thinking hard about life after playing.

“It’s been an emotional decision to come to, leaving a club, a city and people that have been so good to me for so long for an exciting chance to further my career in an amazing place like Hong Kong,” said Hammond, who will be relocating with his wife and three children in June.

“Sure, I could see myself playing at Nottingham for a few more seasons, but this opportunity is just too good to knock back.

“I’ll be mentored in coaching at a high level, working with both the Hong Kong Rugby Union and an ambitious side like Scottish.

I’ve just turned 33 so it’s a perfect time to transition from playing to coaching, which is what I’ve always wanted.”

(more…)