Pitman pitches in to boost warriors back row

Posted on May 27, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Glasgow Warriors head coach Sean Lineen has added extra spice to the club’s back row selection battle by securing the services of Rory Pitman on a six-month loan from Ospreys.

The 21-year-old, who has represented Wales at under-16, under-18 and under-20 level, is primarily a No.8, but is also at home at blindside flanker or in the second row.

A product of the Bridgend club, Pitman came through the Ospreys under-16, under-18 and under-20 sides and has played for the Swansea-based outfit in the Magners League.

He spent the summer of 2009 in New Zealand, featuring for Taranaki at provincial level after impressing in the local club competition.

Pitman’s arrival brings to six the number of confirmed new faces to be on show when the Warriors squad return for pre-season training on 6 June.

Props Michael Cusack and Gordon Reid, stand-off Scott Wight, centre Troy Nathan and wing Tommy Seymour have all signed up for the new campaign, which is set to start with a bang when Newcastle Falcons visit Firhill for a friendly on the weekend of 12-14 August (precise date and kick-off time to follow).

Lineen today welcomed Pitman to the club, backing him to provide some welcome selection headaches. The head coach confirmed: “We’re excited about adding Rory to the mix, because he’s got a lot to offer and has made it clear just how determined he is to hit the ground running and show why we’ve brought him here.

“He’s a big, ball-carrying back-rower and I’m delighted to have another talented player to add to our options in that area of the team.

“The competition for places among the loosies is already pretty fierce, but across the board there is the opportunity for players to put their hand up and demand selection through the work they do in training. We’ve got three back-rowers in the wider Scotland squad for the Rugby World Cup, so it’s good to be adding to our strength in depth.

“In terms of the deal itself, we had a similar situation last season with Tom Ryder, who initially came on loan, did really well and ended up signing for the club. Rory’s deal is for six months – I look forward to seeing him contribute positively in that period and we’ll then assess our options.”

Pitman told us of his excitement at joining the Warriors, saying: “I’m delighted to be coming to Glasgow and can’t wait to meet the rest of the squad in a couple of weeks’ time.

“The coaches have been very positive about what they think I can bring, and I was excited by what I saw when I came for a look around the training facilities at Scotstoun and heard Sean’s passion for the club.

“My task is to work extremely hard and prove I’m worth a place in the team.”

Ireland team to play Italy

Posted on Feb 1, 2011 in Rugby News

The Ireland team to play Italy in Rome this Saturday in the opening game of the 2011 RBS 6 Nations Championship contains one new cap and nine changes to the side from the game against Argentina last November.

Fergus McFadden will win his first cap for Ireland and is selected on the right wing and will play in a new combination back three with Keith Earls picked on the left wing and Luke Fitzgerald being chosen at full back for Ireland for the first time. The final change to the backline sees Tomas O’Leary come into the scrumhalf position after missing all of the Guinness Series in November due to injury.

In the pack, Rory Best returns to the side at hooker with Mike Ross earning his first start in the championship at tight head prop. Paul O’Connell is another who returns to the team to earn his 71st cap in the second row.

The back row is also a new combination at international level with Denis Leamy selected alongside David Wallace and Sean O’Brien, who earns his first RBS 6 Nations start for Ireland.

Ireland Team (to play Italy, RBS 6 Nations Championship, Stadio Flaminio, Rome on Saturday, February 5th, 15:30)

15 – Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster)
14 – Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Keith Earls (Thomond/Munster)
10 – Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
9 – Tomas O’Leary (Dolphin/Munster)
1 – Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 – Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 – Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
7 – David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
8 – Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)

Replacements:
16 – Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)
17 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 – Leo Cullen (Blackrock College/Leinster)
19 – Shane Jennings (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
20 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 – Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)

Lewis re-signs with Gloucester

Posted on Feb 1, 2011 in Rugby News

Scrum half Dave Lewis has become the latest member of the Gloucester Rugby squad to agree a new contract with the club, signing a new deal to keep him at Kingsholm until the end of the 2012-3 season.

Lewis joined Gloucester from the Exeter Chiefs ahead of the 2007-8 season combining his rugby  with a course in Sports Coaching and Conditioning at Hartpury College.

He made just the one first team appearance in that first season but made more of an impression in his second campaign and was a regular in the England U20 side that participated in the Junior World Cup in Tokyo in June 2009.

2009-10 saw him make more than 20 first team appearances and he is well on the way to equalling that total in 2010-11 already having made 16 to date and scoring his first competitive try for the club in the Aviva Premiership victory over Harlequins.

Like several of his team mates, Lewis is simply glad to get it all done and dusted.

“It’s a big relief. It’s never a nice time if you don’t know what’s happening but Gloucester have been brilliant and got back to me quickly.”

“It’s a nervous time. You have to contemplate moving away which isn’t easy when you’re settled in a place as I am in Gloucester.”

“I’m really happy to have signed again. There was never any question in my mind of not signing. It was just a matter of putting the contract in front of me and getting it done.”

Despite the experience he has gained so far, Lewis is still only 21 years old and, while he appreciates he still has plenty to work on, he is determined to do so.

“All the scrum halves work closely together and push each other on which can only be good. For me personally I want to kick on.”

“Rory (Lawson) is the number one and I want to learn from him but I also want to push past him and make that jersey my own. That’s my ambition and challenge and Rory knows that!”

Ulster team news

Posted on Jan 6, 2011 in Rugby News

Ulster have named their starting XV and replacements to play Treviso in the Magners League at Ravenhill this Friday night (ko 7.05pm).

In the back line, only Simon Danielli retains the same position he played in the New Year’s Day derby against Munster at Thomond Park. While Paddy Wallace moves from out-half to inside centre, elsewhere it’s all change as D’Arcy replaces Smith at full-back, Trimble, rested last week, features on the right-wing, Nevin Spence is recalled to partner Wallace in the centre and Humphreys and Pienaar form the half-back partnership.

Up front Tom Court, another player rested last week as part of the player management programme and BJ Botha start in the front row with captain Rory Best. Johann Muller returns to action partnered by Tim Barker who retains his place from last week while Chris Henry and Pedrie Wannenburg start ahead of TJ Anderson and Robbie Diack in the back row.

Stephen Ferris is the notable inclusion on the bench having recovered from a leg injury sustained in training ahead of the December game against Bath at The Rec.

Ulster, who defeated Treviso 9-19 in the away fixture at the end of November, will be looking to get their Magners League campaign back on track after defeats to Leinster and Munster over the festive period, particularly with important games in Europe ahead. Benetton Treviso won both legs of their festive derbies against Aironi over the holiday period.

Gates open at 5.30pm and tickets for the match will be available to purchase on the gates.

Ulster (15-9) Adam D’Arcy; Andrew Trimble, Nevin Spence, Paddy Wallace, Simon Danielli; Ian Humphreys, Ruan Pienaar (1-8) Tom Court, Rory Best (Captain), BJ Botha, Johann Muller, Tim Barker, Chris Henry, Willie Faloon, Pedrie Wannenburg

Replacements (16-23) Nigel Brady, Bryan Young, Declan Fitzpatrick, Dan Tuohy, Stephen Ferris, Paul Marshall, Ian Whitten, David McIlwaine

Ireland team to play South Africa

Posted on Nov 2, 2010 in Rugby News

The Ireland team to play South Africa in the opening game of the 2010 Guinness Series shows the return of several players who missed the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Luke Fitzgerald starts his first international in nearly a year since playing in the Australia game last November and is named on the left wing, with Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney making up the other back three positions.

Eoin Reddan has been given the starting berth at scrum half and Rory Best will start at hooker after missing the summer tour due to an ankle injury.  Best will pack down in the front row with Tony Buckley and Cian Healy at tight and loose head respectively, both of whom started the last international against Australia.

Donncha O’Callaghan and Mick O’Driscoll also both started the game in June against Australia and will again be the second row partnership for this game.  Both Stephen Ferris and David Wallace are named in the back row alongside Jamie Heaslip.

The final replacement spot will be decided later in the week with Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble and Keith Earls all in the frame.

Ireland Team (to play South Africa, Guinness Series 2010, Aviva Stadium, November 6th, 17:30)

15 – Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrcok College/Leinster)
10 – Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)
9 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
1 – Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 – Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster)
6 – Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 – David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 – Sean Cronin (Buccaneers/Connacht)
17 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 – Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
19 – Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
20 – Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster)
21 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 – Keith Earls (Thomond/Munster) / Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) / Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)