Phil Davies appointed Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby

Posted on May 3, 2012 in Cardiff Blues, Welsh Rugby

Cardiff Blues have announced that Phil Davies has been appointed as Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby.

Davies played his club rugby for Llanelli and enjoyed a distinguished 46-cap career for Wales between 1985 and 1995.

The ex-Wales captain, born in Seven Sisters, spent a decade at Leeds Tykes between 1996 and 2006 taking the Yorkshire club from Division Three into top-flight Premiership rugby. He steered Leeds to their Heineken Cup debut in 2003 and to a Powergen Cup win in 2005. Davies also spent two years at the Scarlets, leading them to their first Heineken Cup semi-final in eight years.

The former Scarlets and Leeds boss Phil Davies joined Worcester Warriors as a forwards coach from his position at the WRU as Wales Under-20s coach and National Academy Manager in August 2010.

Commenting on the appointment, Cardiff Blues CEO Richard Holland said:

“Phil Davies is a hugely respected coach and we are delighted to have secured him as the new Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby.”

“He has shown during his time at the Leeds Tykes, when he took them from Division Three to the Premiership, that he can develop a young team and deliver success.”

“He is hugely knowledgeable about the game, extremely hard working and we look forward to having him with us for the forthcoming season.”

Speaking of his appointment, Phil Davies said:

“I’m really looking forward to starting the job. It’s a role I’ve been passionate about for a long, long time.”

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London Irish swoops for rugby league dual international centre Setaimata Sa

Posted on May 2, 2012 in English Rugby, London Irish, Premiership

London Irish have announced today that they have signed the Super League and Catalan Dragons’ star Setaimata Sa on a three year deal.

Standing 6’3” and weighing in at 102kgs, Setaimata is a powerful, imposing and versatile player who is able to play both as a line-breaking centre or back-rower. His impressive combination of speed, agility, skill and physicality enable him to play a number of positions, all at the highest level. He is equally comfortable breaking the line as a power runner or using his outstanding play-making skills to release his team mates in the wider channels.

The move to London Irish means that Setaimata will be returning to his sporting roots. Originally from Canterbury Crusader territory, as a schoolboy rugby union star in New Zealand he was scouted by NRL club, Sydney Roosters in 2006. He subsequently moved to the Super League and Catalan Dragons in 2010. Sa, as he prefers to be called, has a good try-scoring record in senior rugby league, scoring 13 tries in 66 games for the Sydney Roosters and 10 tries in 39 games for the Catalan Dragons. A dual rugby league international, he has been capped three times by New Zealand, helping them to win the world championship title in 2008 and five times by Samoa.

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Agulla lands Leicester Tigers awards double

Posted on May 2, 2012 in Leicester Tigers, Premiership

Horacio Agulla was a double winner at the Leicester Tigers Supporters’ Annual Awards.

More than 400 supporters joined the Tigers coaching staff and players for Tuesday night’s awards dinner in the Premiership Suite in the Caterpillar Stand at Welford Road.

Agulla won the fans’ vote for the Player of the Year and Try of the Season for his dramatic late score against Northampton Saints at Welford Road.

The Argentina international wing, who has scored six tries in 23 appearances this season, said: “I would like to thank the supporters for voting for me. Leicester Tigers is a special club and it is an honour to be named player of the year.”

George Chuter, the Premiership’s record appearance-maker, took home an Omega watch courtesy of sponsors Goldsmiths, after winning the Outstanding Service award.

Chuter said: “This is a great place to be. It is full of history and you can see that every match day at Welford Road.

“The club, the coaches, the set-up and the fans are fantastic and it is all conducive to a really great rugby club. That makes people come here and stay here.”

Back rower Julian Salvi, who has scored five tries in 28 appearances, won the Best Newcomer award and said: “It means everything to be part of this rugby club and to receive the award.

“I am aware of the quality of the Tigers players who have worn the No 7 shirt in the past. It spurs you on and makes you want to strive to be better.”

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Welsh must earn final place, says Corker

Posted on May 2, 2012 in Championship, London Welsh

After losing two semi-finals London Welsh might be forgiven for thinking they’ve paid their dues, but the Exiles must earn the right to contest this year’s Championship final, according to Matt Corker (pictured).

The second row was part of the Welsh side which lost out to Bristol in 2010 and the Cornish Pirates last year, but Corker says such near misses will count for nothing against Bedford.

Goldington Road will host Friday’s 1st leg of the sides’ semi-final meeting, with Bedford travelling to Old Deer Park on May 13.

“You don’t get anything by rights – it’s got to be a complete performance from 1-22 for us to make the final,” said Corker, who’ll make his 149th appearance for the Exiles in Friday’s 1st leg.

“You can enjoy the play-offs, but this is where it gets really serious – I’m desperate to play in a final.

Bristol proved too good at the Memorial Stadium two years ago, winning 28-15, but the passing of time hasn’t altered Corker’s view of last year’s defeat to the Pirates at Mennaye Field. For Corker, it remains an opportunity missed.

The Exiles led 10-3 at half-time thanks to a rare Corker try, only to lose their way in the second half. From the moment Gavin Cattle ghosted down the blindside to score it was just a matter of time, and they duly ran out 18-10 winners.

“That was the disappointing thing; we did put ourselves in a great position at half-time,” recalled Corker.

“We played some good rugby, we played in the right areas of the field, our lineout I remember was working well, but we went away from what we were doing well.

“We had a couple of injuries and perhaps our squad wasn’t quite as strong in depth as it is this year. I think we’re very lucky to have a bench that can make a real impact.

“That’s not to take anything away from Pirates. Anyone at this stage of the competition are not going to roll over.

“You’ve got to play for 160 minutes and that’s what we’ve got to take away from that game. An 80 minute performance isn’t going to be enough.”

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Biggs and McMillan extend their stay at Bath Rugby

Posted on May 1, 2012 in Bath, English Rugby, Premiership

Bath Rugby is pleased to announce that Tom Biggs and Mark McMillan have both extended their contracts with the Club, seeing them stay until 2014 and 2013 respectively.

Biggs has been a livewire for Bath, being the Club’s top try scorer this season, and scooping both the “Best Back” and “Supporters’ Player of the Year” awards at the Annual Awards Dinner recently.

He said: “It was an easy decision to extend my contract. I feel my game has really developed at Bath and I’m enjoying the style of rugby we’re looking to play. There is a lot of ambition here and a lot more to come from us, and I’m really looking forward to being part of everything.”

McMillan’s season has been hampered by a knee injury, but his determination and commitment to the Club throughout saw him chosen by the Bath coaching team for the “Spirit of Rugby” award this season.

Mark commented: “I’m delighted to have re-signed with Bath. It’s a great Club to play for and I’m excited about being part of its future. There’s a really good mix of experience and youth in the squad now and it’s a great thing to be part of it all.”

First Team Coach, Brad Davis, added: “Both Tom and Mark are exactly the kind of player we want here and we’re really pleased they’re staying. They contribute a lot both on and off the field and around the Club, and we’re looking forward to seeing them contribute even more over the coming seasons.”