London Welsh appeal hearing details

Posted on Mar 19, 2013 in London Welsh

London Welsh’s appeal against this month’s Panel of Inquiry’s decision in respect of a breach of Premiership Regulations will be heard in London on Thursday, March 21.

The club appealed against the decision to deduct five league points and fine them £15,000, with a further five point deduction suspended until the end of the 2013-14 season, for fielding an ineligible player in 10 Aviva Premiership matches this season.

The appeal will be heard at 4pm on Thursday by an independent panel of Gareth Rees QC, Jim Sturman QC and Philip Evans at the offices of Sport Resolutions, 1 Salisbury Square, London EC4Y 8AE.

Kvesic, Botha and Monye called up to England training squad

Posted on Jan 20, 2013 in England

MATT KVESIC (Worcester Warriors), Mouritz Botha (Saracens) and Ugo Monye (Harlequins) have been called up to the England training squad to prepare for the RBS 6 Nations.

Kvesic reported to the camp in Leeds this evening as injury cover for Exeter Chiefs’ Tom Johnson (knee) while Botha will arrive tomorrow in place of Northampton Saints’ Calum Clark (shoulder). Johnson and Clark will remain at their clubs for treatment.

Monye will join the squad as cover while players competing in the weekend’s Heineken Cup are assessed by the England medical team.

Jamie Gibson of London Irish replaces Kvesic in the Saxons squad for their games against 02 Ireland Wolfhounds in Galway on Friday, January 25 and Scotland A at Kingston Park, Newcastle seven days later.

Also included are Harlequins’ Rob Buchanan, Gloucester Rugby’s Nick Wood, Saracens’ George Kruis, Leicester Tigers’ prop Kieran Brookes for the injured David Paice (London Irish), Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby), Tom Palmer (London Wasps) and Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks) respectively, while Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers) replaces Billy Vunipola (London Wasps) who is training with the Senior squad.

The Saxons meet at Surrey Sports Park tomorrow before flying to Galway on Thursday and Head Coach Jon Callard said: “Rather than take the whole squad into camp we have cut it down to really focus on this young and dynamic group who’ve been in good form this season and have got lots to offer England in the future. Both games provide us with a really tough test and will be a great way to measure their potential and progress.”

The Saxons side will be named at 9am on Thursday, January 24.

England Senior training squad (34)

Chris Ashton (Saracens)

Brad Barritt (Saracens)

Mouritz Botha (Saracens)

Mike Brown (Harlequins)

Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)

Danny Care (Harlequins)

Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)

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)

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 (25)

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)

Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby)

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)

Leinster squad update

Posted on Jan 14, 2013 in Leinster

The Leinster squad were put through their paces ahead of Saturday evening’s final Heineken Cup Pool encounter against Exeter Chiefs in Sandy Park (KO: 6pm) with a training session in UCD on Monday afternoon.

Following Saturday night’s bonus point victory over the Scarlets, there are a number of niggles which will be monitored by the medical team ahead of Friday’s lunchtime team announcement prior to the squad’s departure to the south of England.

Brian O’Driscoll experienced some discomfort after rolling his right ankle which may limit his on-field involvement early in the week but the management are confident he will be fit for selection by Thursday. Cian Healy was replaced at half-time after producing a typically lung-bursting display, while Jonathan Sexton, who received plenty of physical attention from the Scarlets, was replaced by Ian Madigan late on as a precaution.

The Scarlets victory marked forward duo Tom Denton and Aaron Dundon’s Heineken Cup debuts for the province, the latter being particularly impressive with ball in hand.

Otherwise, the management should be in a position to select from a strong panel for Saturday’s game. Sean O’Brien was a late withdrawal from the game due to illness, but he is expected to resume full training this week as will Kevin McLaughlin (shoulder). Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss will be available for selection, while Isa Nacewa successfully came through his comeback game after missing the last few weeks with a forearm injury.

In a further boost, following his recent quad injury David Kearney successfully came through his comeback game in the ‘A’ team’s British & Irish Cup victory over Pontypridd earlier on Saturday afternoon in a game which also saw second row Mark Flanagan (back) return to action. The ‘A’ team travel to Leeds Carnegie this Saturday (KO: 2pm) in the final round of the Pool stages.

No place like home for Haskell

Posted on Dec 11, 2012 in London Wasps

James Haskell, who returned to Wasps this season after three years overseas, made his 100th appearance for the club last month against Saracens, and says he is relishing life back at his old Club.

“I didn’t realise it was the 100th game until afterwards but it’s a nice achievement. I had always wanted to come back home to Wasps and it’s been good to come back in and try and fit in with what Dai Young is trying to do here. I had been out of the loop for a while and a lot has changed in three years. Hopefully the problems the Club has had are behind us and we’re starting to do our talking on the pitch now. For me it’s been great to come back in and see a lot of young guys really starting to push through the ranks. Guys like Sam Jones, Joe Launchbury and Billy Vunipola are all hugely talented players to have pushing into our pack and it’s good to see that sort of enthusiasm that they are bringing to training every day.”

Ahead of the game against Bayonne on Thursday night, Haskell, who played for two years in France with Stade Francais, says his side face a tough clash.

“They’re a side with a lot of rugby rock stars in their team and they can turn it on and cause you a lot of problems on their day, so we’ve got to play pretty well to get this win. We want to progress in this competition, like every one we’re competing in, and we’ve put ourselves in a decent position and need to just back it up this Thursday. I was lucky enough to be involved in a side who got to an Amlin Challenge Cup final with Stade and I know that progressing throughout a Cup campaign can give you a lot of confidence.”

Having recently returned from England duty, Haskell is also enjoying being back in the international mix.

“Playing for England at Twickenham still gives me such a massive high. Everything about it, the anthems, the noise, the flames as you run out and everything that goes with it still makes the hair stand up at the back of your neck, and I really enjoyed the last few games. In 45 caps I’ve never been involved in a win over a southern hemisphere side so it was fantastic to get on and play a part in the win over New Zealand.”

He adds that he has been very impressed at the ease with which Wasps teammate Joe Launchbury has taken to international rugby.

“He’s a quiet lad and he gets a lot of respect for how he does his talking on the field. To be honest he is the polar opposite to me off the pitch but we get on very well! He has taken his chance and winning the QBE Man of the Series is testament to that. He’s come back with a spring in his step and fair play to him; he’s got a big future.”

London Wasps play Bayonne on Thursday, December 13 at Adams Park at 19.45. To be there call 0844 225 2990 or book online at wasps.co.uk

England squad for autumn internationals

Posted on Oct 26, 2012 in England

England have announced the squad to prepare for the first QBE International against Fiji at Twickenham Stadium on November 10.

Thirty-two players will meet at St George’s Park, Burton on Sunday, including James Haskell (London Wasps), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens) and Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers) – all promoted from the England Saxons Elite Player Squad as injury replacements for Tom Croft, Ben Foden, Alex Corbisiero and Rob Webber respectively.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “As a coaching team we can’t wait to go into camp and get the guys focused on what will be a massive challenge in the QBE Internationals – Fiji and then the three major Southern Hemisphere teams in successive weeks.

“We have been impressed with some of the rugby we have seen in the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup and are looking forward to the players bringing that form to Twickenham.

“It’s great to be able to give Mako a chance in the squad. He has come through our age grade sides and made a real impact at Saracens. Likewise Tom Youngs,  who was with us on tour in South Africa, and we know what James Haskell and Ugo Monye are capable of if they get their opportunity.”

England will be at the Football Association’s new sports training and development centre from Sunday, October 28 to Thursday, November 1 before returning to their usual training base of Pennyhill Park, Bagshot on Sunday, November 4 ahead of the Test against Fiji.

Meanwhile, the England Saxons coaching team has been finalised, with John Fletcher joining as backs coach for the internationals against the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds and Scotland A in the New Year.

The former Newcastle Falcons boss returns to Kingston Park on Friday, February 1 for the match against the Scots, a week after the Saxons face the Wolfhounds in Ireland.

Fletcher, the England Under 18 Head Coach and RFU’s Professional Player Development Manager, will join Head Coach Jon Callard, with Simon Hardy responsible for the forwards.

Callard said: "We are delighted to have John on board as we focus on winning two demanding games. His expertise working with a wide group of players makes him a perfect fit for England Saxons and he’ll bring tremendous passion to the role."

ENGLAND SQUAD FOR QBE INTERNATIONALS

FORWARDS (17)

Mouritz Botha (Saracens)

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

James Haskell (London Wasps)

Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)

Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)

Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

Joe Marler (Harlequins)

Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)

Tom Palmer (London Wasps)

Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)

Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens)

Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)

David Wilson (Bath Rugby)

Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

BACKS (15)

Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers)

Chris Ashton (Saracens)

Brad Barritt (Saracens)

Mike Brown (Harlequins)

Danny Care (Harlequins)

Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)

Owen Farrell (Saracens)

Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)

Alex Goode (Saracens)

Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)

Ugo Monye (Harlequins)

Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)

Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)

Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)