Will Greenwood on the JP Morgan Sevens

Posted on Mar 25, 2013 in Sevens

By Paul Smith, Sportsbeat – There has never been a more exciting time to prove your worth as a sevens rugby player according to England World Cup winner Will Greenwood.

Speaking at the launch of this year’s J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s tournament, for which he is an ambassador, Greenwood claimed those involved may have a realistic chance of choosing between a push for England’s 2015 World Cup squad or alternatively the Rio Olympic Games a year later.

Sevens rugby will be part of Rio 2016, adding to the excitement at this year’s J.P. Morgan 7s, and Greenwood believes it is the ideal chance for young professionals at Aviva Premiership clubs to show what they can do.

"In 2010 when Saracens won the first tournament it was a bit of a toe in the water and since then it has grown year-on-year," said Greenwood. "You get a glimpse of the future in seeing a lot of the academy lads coming through.

"It’s a real opportunity for the coaches. You never know what you are going to get in terms of the players that will be there – either the next generation of England players or England players returning to form – but what you are absolutely guaranteed is pace, athleticism and fun.

"It is good for the academy lads who are pushing to try and get into their senior sides to showcase their talent before the season starts.

"If you are 18, 19 or 20 now and you have got bags of pace and commitment you have got wonderful choice – do I focus on my XVs and try and win a World Cup with England at Twickenham? Or do I switch and give Ben Ryan a call and try and play 7s and win an Olympic gold medal in Rio? Nice decisions to have."

The J.P. Morgan Premiership Rugby 7s kicks off on 1st August at Kingsholm with rounds at Franklin’s Gardens and Allianz Park and the final at The Recreation Ground. For tickets and more information visit: www.jpmorgan7s.com or follow @jpmorganrugby7

Falcons team news

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Newcastle Falcons

Adam Powell will make his Newcastle Falcons debut in tomorrow night’s RFU Championship clash with Nottingham at Meadow Lane (kick-off 7.45pm).

The 26-year-old centre who has made the move north from Saracens is one of two changes as the Falcons aim to maintain their unbeaten run going into the play-offs.

Gloucester-bound James Hudson misses out through injury with Sean Tomes getting the nod in the engine room.

“Nottingham are a good side and they have a lot of quality players at their disposal,” said director of rugby Dean Richards.

“They have a really good, well-balanced team that plays a good brand of rugby, and the pitch at Meadow Lane has enabled them to play good rugby all year,” he added.

Richards’ men defeated Nottingham 29-9 in the reverse fixture back in November, and the Falcons boss is expecting another stern test against the East Midlands club.

“It is no surprise to see them where they are,” Richards said of second place Nottingham.

He added: “It is actually a surprise to see how they have slipped up on a couple of games this season, games that they probably should have won.

“They are a good team with good coaches.”

Newcastle come into this weekend’s clash on the back of an edgy affair with Bedford Blues a fortnight ago, in which a Noah Cato try and a Jimmy Gopperth conversion in the dying embers of the game ensured the Falcons’ 100% record remained intact.

Richards said: “After the Bedford game we spoke to the players about how we can control the game better, and I think it is fair to say that we went a little bit off-plan against them which is disappointing, but at the same time the boys know exactly where we went wrong.

“They understand how they can put things right this week, and they are itching to get out there and show what they can do.”

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom Catterick, 14 Noah Cato, 13 Adam Powell, 12 Jamie Helleur, 11 Ryan Shortland, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Rory Lawson, 1 Jonny Golding, 2 Matt Thompson, 3 Oliver Tomaszczyk, 4 Sean Tomes, 5 Scott MacLeod, 6 Mark Wilson, 7 Will Welch (c), 8 Ally Hogg

Replacements: 16 Rob Vickers, 17 Kieran Brookes, 18 James Goode, 19 Ollie Stedman, 20 Warren Fury, 21 Joel Hodgson, 22 Alex Crockett

Grabham wings in with a two-year deal with Ospreys

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Ospreys

Ospreys Rugby have confirmed that young winger Tom Grabham has signed a new contract with the region.

21-year old Grabham is a product of the Ospreys’ development pathway, starting off in community rugby playing for local club Tondu before graduating through the system to represent Bridgend District and play age-grade rugby for the region.

He then gained his first senior experience with Bridgend Ravens, helping them win promotion to the Premiership in 2010/11 before featuring regularly for the club last season.

He has put pen to paper on a two-year deal that runs until the summer of 2015, and will continue to combine his fledgling rugby career with his university studies as he completes a BSC in Biochemistry.

“I’m really happy to sign for another two years” said Grabham after the new contract was signed.

“It’s my home region and it’s a good environment to be in as a developing player. This has been my first full season and I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve played a few games, I’ve been fortunate enough to get the opportunity to be involved in some big matches and I want push on from here, between now and the end of the season and then next year.

“I’ve settled well into the group and I think I’ve done well when I’ve been given a chance on the wing. It’s been a good season for me so far, I’m really enjoying myself, now it’s important that I keep improving. I’ve got another two years and I want to make the most of it.”

Grabham made his senior regional debut last season in the LV= Cup game away to Exeter Chiefs, finishing the campaign with three substitute appearances to his credit.

This season has seen him feature regularly for the Ospreys, with 10 more appearances to his credit, his first start coming against Glasgow in the PRO12 in September and his Heineken Cup debut away to Treviso two months ago.

He has also gained international experience with Wales, captaining his country on the IRB Sevens World Series.

Rugby Operations Manager at the region, Andy Lloyd, said:

“Tom is an up and coming young player who has already made an impression when given the chance to play for the region on the wing.

“He’s a very intelligent young man who understands his roles and responsibilities and is very diligent in everything he does which will stand him in good stead if he is going to progress and establish himself fully as an Osprey. He works his socks off and ultimately is a very professional rugby player who is developing the right habits on and off the field.

“He’s got great feet, he’s powerful, and he understands what we want from him as a wing. This isn’t just about the here and now, this is good news for the future as we have secured the services of a real prospect from within the region for the next two years.”

This is the latest good news for the Ospreys in terms of players signing new deals with the region, as Grabham becomes the seventh player to commit recently after Tom Isaacs, Duncan Jones, Rhys Webb, Joe Bearman, Lloyd Peers and James King.

Prop Fainga’anuku to join Worcester Warriors

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Worcester Warriors

Powerhouse prop Ofa Fainga’anuku is to join Worcester Warriors from next season after agreeing a deal to move to Sixways from RaboDirect PRO12 club Glasgow Warriors.

Giant front row Fainga’anuku – who stands a menacing 6ft tall and weighs 19 stone 10lb –represented Tonga in the 2012 Pacific Nations Cup and has previously had a spell with the Waratahs in Australia.

The 30-year-old, who has also featured for the Central Coast Rays and Eastern Suburbs in Sydney, started out in rugby league, but later switched to union.

Fainga’anuku signed for Glasgow in September 2012 on a short-term contract, but after impressing extended his stay to the end of this season.

Head Coach Richard Hill is delighted with his latest signing and believes the loosehead will be a powerful acquisition for Warriors.

“We looked at a number of props and there were several loose-heads in the market and available,” revealed Hill. “However, when all the coaches sat down and looked at video, it was very clear that Ofa was the one who made us all stand up. We quickly realised there was something special about him. He has that X-Factor.

“He is a big man but moves very quickly, a dynamic ball carrier and very good in defence which comes from his rugby league background.

“Ofa has grown up playing rugby league so has soft hands and likes to pass out of the tackle, but he also has a huge work-rate and the ability to tackle and get back in the line quickly.

“It’s vital that he can be strong in the scrum for us week in and week out. He has learnt very quickly from his spell in the RaboDirect PRO12 and impressed us in the set piece in games against Ulster, Cardiff Blues and Newport Gwent Dragons,” added Hill.

“Ofa is a very powerful man and will be one of the strongest in our squad. The strength and conditioning staff are naturally very excited about working with him.

“He has been to Sixways to see what we are all about and is now very keen to join us. He has been playing at a very good standard in Glasgow, with the Warriors topping the RaboDirect PRO12, and he is an international who wants to become a regular for his country.

“Ofa is an exciting signing for us and we are looking forward to him becoming a Warrior at Worcester.”

Iain Henderson injury update

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Ulster

Ulster backrow forward, Iain Henderson, suffered an injury to his left foot playing for Ireland against Italy in the RBS 6 Nations last Saturday.

Following a scan in Dublin on Sunday, he underwent an X-Ray in Belfast yesterday. There it was confirmed that he has suffered soft-tissue damage.

He will continue to be monitored, but it is expected that he will make a return to rugby in the coming weeks.