Chiefs v Tigers is a sell-out

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Exeter Chiefs

Saturday’s Aviva Premiership encounter between Exeter Chiefs and Leicester Tigers is now a complete sell-out.

The final few tickets for the game, which will kick-off at the slightly later time of 5pm, were sold on Wednesday morning.

That means a capacity crowd will be turning out to see if Rob Baxter’s side can build on their recent wins over London Welsh and Harlequins, whilst at the same time looking to avenge their 30-8 defeat earlier in the season by the Tigers at Welford Road.

Commenting, Exeter Rugby Club chairman and chief executive, Tony Rowe OBE, said: "Games between ourselves and Leicester are always hugely entertaining affairs and we expect this one to be no different.

"The fact that both sides are pushing hard at the top end of the table, I think it means this game has all the makings for another top quality encounter."

Tickets for Exeter’s final two home games against London Irish (April 13) and Gloucester (May 4) are also selling fast, so supporters are advised to purchase their tickets now in a bid to avoid disappointment. These can be purchased either online via the Exeter Chiefs official website or through the Trading Post, which is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.

Croft shocked at England recall

Posted on Jan 14, 2013 in emb, England

By Paul Smith, Sportsbeat: Returning England flanker Tom Croft admits his recall to the national squad after an eight-month injury layoff came as a shock – but his Six Nations participation remains in doubt.

The Leicester Tigers ace suffered a broken neck following a mistimed tackle on former England team-mate Nick Easter during an Aviva Premiership clash against Harlequins last April.

After his recovery took longer than expected, the 27-year-old returned to action for the Tigers in a Premiership clash with Worcester Warriors at the start of January and he has now been named in Stuart Lancaster’s elite player squad for next month’s Six Nations campaign.

However, Croft insists he is only concentrating on getting more match action under his belt with his club, and revealed that if he features in England’s Six Nations campaign at all, it will only be during the very late stages.

"After eight months out with my neck injury, and only playing 50 minutes of rugby, it is quite a shock to be involved," said Croft on his England recall.

"Obviously the back row is a highly contested area in English rugby so to be kept in the squad is massive, but I won’t be rushing back.

"I need to get the injury right first to make sure I am fit enough and at the right level to play for my country.

"I won’t be available for the first few games and I’m probably looking more at the back end, if at all.

"The most important thing is getting back playing for Leicester and getting back to how I was playing prior to injury. England is blessed with a lot of depth in the back row so those boys will be playing and if I regain any sort of form it is then up to the coaches to decide when to put me in."

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Beck will miss Tigers and Treviso HEC games for Ospreys

Posted on Jan 11, 2013 in Ospreys

Ospreys medics have confirmed that centre Ashley Beck will miss the crucial Heineken Cup games against Leicester and Benetton Treviso due to an ankle ligament injury.

The 22-year old has been sidelined since suffering the injury during a fleeting appearance off the bench against Newport Gwent Dragons on New Year’s Eve, and Head Physio Chris Towers has confirmed the duration of his lay-off following an extensive investigation over the last week.

Towers said:

“Ashley suffered a significant ligament injury to his ankle during the New Year’s Eve fixture at Rodney Parade. 

“We’ve conducted investigations over the course of the last week to determine the full extent of the ligament damage and plan his rehabilitation effectively. Based on the advice received, we are currently treating this as a 6-8 week injury so would expect to see him back in action by the end of February.”

Drauniniu wings back in to tackle the Tigers

Posted on Jan 3, 2013 in Worcester Warriors

Wing Josh Drauniniu makes his first league start since November as Worcester Warriors face Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership at Sixways Stadium on Friday night (kick-off 8pm).

Head Coach Richard Hill makes a total of six changes to the starting line-up from the side that lost to Sale Sharks as Warriors look to start 2013 with a crucial victory and maintain the club’s strong home form.

Scrum half Jonny Arr will partner Andy Goode at half back, with former England international Paul Hodgson ruled out of the game with a jaw injury.

Centre Jon Clarke is also named in the back division with Josh Matavesi among the replacements.

Three changes in the pack see a return for hooker Aleki Lutui while Sam Betty plays in the back row alongside Matt Kvesic and Semisi Taulava. Ex-Ireland ace Neil Best is named on the bench and could make his 50th appearance for Warriors if he features.

Lock Dean Schofield will join James Percival, who retains the captaincy, in the second row.

Fit-again prop Matt Mullan is recalled to the bench alongside scrum half Ollie Frost.

Hill said: “There are a number of changes to the starting line-up as we look to keep the squad fresh after a run of bruising encounters.

“There were a number of battered and bruised bodies after the game at Sale and it is vital the team that starts is in the best physical shape for such a crucial game.

“Paul Hodgson misses out after picking up a jaw injury, but I know Jonny Arr will be keen to grasp this opportunity. We also call-up Aleki Lutui, Dean Schofield, Sam Betty, Jon Clarke and Josh Drauniniu and they will be determined to take advantage of this chance to shine.

“We have a real sense of pride when playing in front of our fans at Sixways, but this will undoubtedly be our toughest challenge yet,” added Hill.

“If we want to keep our home record intact we have got to pull out all the stops and raise the bar once more against Leicester Tigers.”

Tickets for the game remain available from the Warriors Box Office on 01905 454183.

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Burns is back as Gloucester prepare for Tigers clash

Posted on Oct 26, 2012 in Gloucester

Freddie Burns is back at fly half as Director of Rugby Nigel Davies makes five changes to his Gloucester Rugby line up for the visit of Leicester Tigers to Kingsholm on Saturday afternoon in the Aviva Premiership (kick off 4:45pm).

Burns returns having missed the club’s two recent European outings, one of two changes in the back line with Rob Cook replacing Martyn Thomas at full back.

Up front, Nick Wood and Rupert Harden return at loose head and tight head respectively while Tom Savage replaces the injured Jim Hamilton in the second row.

The visit of the Tigers will be a stern examination of Gloucester’s credentials despite Davies’ side being unbeaten in seven games, and recent meetings between the two teams at Kingsholm have been close fought encounters.

It’s a fact not lost upon Davies, but he insists that it won’t be anything new for his team.

“We’ve had a few of those this season so we’re used to them! Leicester are very good at staying strong until the end of matches and grinding out results.

“I’m sure it’ll be a tight, tough encounter. We’ve also gained a lot of experience in the past five or six matches of getting results towards the end of the game, so it should be an exciting fixture which goes right to the death.”

The Tigers obviously have a Premiership pedigree that is the envy of many clubs, and Davies that Gloucester will respect them totally but focus primarily on themselves.

“We respect every team we play. It’s not about looking for weaknesses, it’s about bringing our own game and making sure we’re good at what we do.”

Gloucester Rugby:

Rob Cook; Charlie Sharples, Mike Tindall (captain), Billy Twelvetrees, James Simpson-Daniel; Freddie Burns, Jimmy Cowan; Nick Wood, Huia Edmonds, Rupert Harden; Tom Savage, Will James; Sione Kalamafoni, Akapusi Qera, Ben Morgan

Replacements:

Koree Britton, Dan Murphy, Shaun Knight, Peter Buxton, Matt Cox, Dan Robson, Martyn Thomas, Shane Monahan