Bath Rugby change four for Sale challenge

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Bath

Bath Rugby have made four changes to the side that faced Harlequins two weeks ago, as they prepare for the away Aviva Premiership match against Sale Sharks on Friday night, kick-off 20.00.

All four changes come in the pack. Test props Paul James and David Wilson return to the front row following the culmination of the RBS 6 Nations Championship, where they are joined by another international in hooker Rob Webber who comes back into the starting line-up.

Club captain Stuart Hooper also returns to the starting line-up, with Dominic Day moving to the bench. Hooper partners Dave Attwood, who it was announced this week had extended his contract with the Club, in the second row. The abrasive pairing of Francois Louw and Carl Fearns continue on the flanks, with Ben Skirving again taking his place at the base of the scrum.

Peter Stringer, whose loan deal with Bath will now run until the end of the season, and Tom Heathcote continue to build their half-back partnership, with the backline unchanged. Kyle Eastmond and Matt Banahan link up in the centres once more, whilst Tom Biggs and Horacio Agulla provide speed, agility and power out wide. Nick Abendanon completes the line-up at full-back.

Bath Rugby are back in action at the Recreation Ground next Saturday as we host London Welsh. Tickets are available now, so contact the Ticket Office on 0844 448 1865 today to secure your tickets for this vital game.

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Tom Arscott Signs For Sale Sharks

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks have announced the signing of Tom Arscott from London Welsh. Tom (25) will join Sale Sharks at the end of the current season.

Tom previously played for Worcester,Bristol and Plymouth Albion and has also represented England at U19 and Saxons level.

Director of Rugby Steve Diamond said, “ Tom is an exciting player who can play both Full Back and Wing. He has been a regular for London Welsh this season having played 23 times and scored 4 tries. He played in both the games against us this season and I was very impressed with him and am sure he will be a great asset to us.”

Thomas called up to England training

Posted on Jan 29, 2013 in England, England Saxons

HENRY THOMAS of Sale Sharks will train with the England squad ahead of Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations match against Scotland at Twickenham Stadium (4pm, live BBC One).

Thomas has been called up to the team’s training base at Pennyhill Park as temporary injury cover for Alex Corbisiero, who remains at London Irish for treatment on his knee.

Ugo Monye (Harlequins) will also train with the squad while Freddie Burns (knee) stays at Gloucester Rugby for treatment.

England Saxons will meet up in Newcastle tomorrow morning ahead of their match with Scotland A at Kingston Park on Friday, February 1 (8pm, live on SkySports 2 HD). Shaun Knight has returned to Gloucester Rugby for treatment on a knee injury.

England Senior training squad (33)

Chris Ashton (Saracens)

Brad Barritt (Saracens)

Mouritz Botha (Saracens)

Mike Brown (Harlequins)

Danny Care (Harlequins)

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)

Owen Farrell (Saracens)

Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)

Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)

Alex Goode (Saracens)

Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)

James Haskell (London Wasps)

Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)

Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors)

Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

Joe Marler (Harlequins)

Ugo Monye (Harlequins)

Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)

Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)

Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)

David Strettle (Saracens)

Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks)

Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)

Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)

Billy Vunipola (London Wasps)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens)

Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)

David Wilson (Bath Rugby)

Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

England Saxons training squad (24)

Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby)

Kieran Brookes (Leicester Tigers)

Rob Buchanan (Harlequins)

Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers)

Elliot Daly (London Wasps)

Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints)

Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)

George Ford (Leicester Tigers)

Will Fraser (Saracens)

Joe Gray (Harlequins)

Jamie Gibson (London Irish)

George Lowe (Harlequins)

Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers)

George Kruis (Saracens)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)

George Robson (Harlequins)

Joe Simpson (London Wasps)

Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)

Joel Tomkins (Saracens)

Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)

Christian Wade (London Wasps)

Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)

Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)

Blues select side for Saracens clash

Posted on Jan 25, 2013 in Cardiff Blues

Cardiff Blues return to LV=Cup action this weekend taking on Saracens in their new ground, Allianz Park.

Cardiff Blues are currently third in Pool 2 behind Worcester Warriors and Sale Sharks but ahead of Leicester Tigers. With teams in pool 1 playing those in pool 4 and teams in pool 2 take on teams in pool 3, round three sees the rest of the matches played on Saturday afternoon.

Sale Sharks play the Scarlets, Leicester Tigers play London Wasps and London Irish take on Worcester Warriors.

With Cardiff Blues having nine players in the Wales Six Nations squad Phil Davies has made a number of changes to the side that beat Sale Sharks in the Heineken Cup last Saturday.

Jason Tovey comes in at fullback, Owen Williams moves to the wing meaning there is a new centre partnership of Gavin Evans and Dafydd Hewitt. Harry Robinson remains on the other wing but there is a new halfback partnership with Ceri Sweeney linking up with Lewis Jones.

There is almost a totally new pack with Sam Hobbs the only player from the starting line up from last Saturday’s match.

Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, Phil Davies, said,

“The match against the Sale Sharks was a game we were able to field a full Welsh qualified team.”

“It shows that our Academy system is working well as it has done for a number of years.”

“It has produced some of the best players in Europe with the likes of Jamie Roberts, Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny.”

“There is a new crop of youngsters who have come through which is fantastic and it’s exciting to see these young players develop, and they will have an opportunity to show what they can do on Sunday.”

Sunday 27 January, 3pm kick off, Allianz Park, London.

Saracens v Cardiff Blues (KO 3pm)

Cardiff Blues 15. Jason Tovey  14. Owen Williams  13. Gavin Evans (c)12. Dafydd Hewitt  11. Harry Robinson 10. Ceri Sweeney 9. Lewis Jones

8. Robin Copeland 7. Rory Watts-Jones  6. Luke Hamilton 5. Macauley Cook  4. Michael Paterson  3. Beniot Bourrust  2. Kristian Dacey 1. Sam Hobbs

16. Rhys Williams  17. Nathan Trevett  18. Taufa’ao Filise 19. Cory Hill 20. Thomas Young  21 Alex Walker  22. Gareth Davies  23. Tom Williams

Not available for selection:

Andi Kyriacou- Neck operation return in April

Dan Fish- Suffered shoulder nerve palsy in match against Zebre. Return late January

Tom James- Fractured sesamoid (big toe). Surgery to remove pin on Wednesday 5th December, return in late February.

LONG TERM

Jake Copper- Woolley- right knee ACL injury 4 months

Tom Davies- ACL knee reconstruction this week, 4 months

Billy Vunipola Wins Gatorade Game Changer Award For December

Posted on Jan 10, 2013 in London Wasps

Billy Vunipola has won the Gatorade Game Changer Award for December for his performance against Sale Sharks at Adams Park. The Game Changer rewards the player responsible for the most effective single performance each month, according to Opta’s Performance Statistics®.

Vunipola registered 11 carries, 11 tackles and beat five defenders in open play whilst covering 111 metres when Wasps took on the then bottom team.

Vunipola is the fourth player this season to receive the Gatorade Game Changer Award. Each of the Game Changer winners will be competing for the Game Changer of the Season Award in May. Last season’s Award was won by Exeter Chiefs’ Gonzalo Camacho.

On being presented the Award by Gatorade, an Official Performance Partner to Premiership Rugby, Vunipola said: “The season so far has been really good for us, everyone is in high spirits and looking forward to a strong 2013. It is always great to have performances recognised with awards such as the Game Changer.”