Two Rising Stars Re-sign for London Irish

Posted on Dec 22, 2010 in Rugby News

Two of the rising stars of the London Irish squad have re-signed for the club. Alex Corbisiero and Tom Homer have committed their future to the Exiles by signing new two year contracts that will keep them at the club until the end of the 2012-13 season.

Corbisiero who was born in New York City, was introduced to rugby while at school in Wimbledon.  He joined the London Irish Academy in August 2005 and made his senior debut in the Premiership on 6th September 2008. He went to the Under 19 World Championships in 2007 with the England Under 19s and his continued improvement saw him start every game of the 2008 Under 20 Six Nations at tight-head, scoring two tries.

The 22-year-old is now a member of the England Saxons squad and has made 50 senior appearances to date for the Exiles and scored four tries. 

Tom Homer joined the London Irish Academy in July 2008 and went on to make an exceptional impact in his first season with the club. The Salisbury-born player impressed in the centre for England’s unbeaten Under 18 side in 2008 and toured with them to South America that summer.

That progress was overshadowed by his dramatic impact on his Premiership debut for London Irish, scoring two tries against Saracens as an 18-year-old in November 2008. In June 2009 he was the leading points-scorer in the England Under 20 team that competed in the IRB Under 20 Junior World Championship in Japan.  He again went onto to represent the U20’s in Argentina earlier this year.

Twenty-year-old Tom who has impressed whether playing on the right wing, at centre or at full back, has made 34 senior appearances to date for his club and scored seven tries.

Commenting on the re-signings London Irish Head Coach Toby Booth said, “Alex and Tom have had a major impact both in the Premiership and international rugby since they graduated from our Academy to the senior squad.  We’re delighted that they have extended their contracts as they will have key roles to play in realising the ambitions of this club.”

A minute’s silence for Tom Walkinshaw

Posted on Dec 16, 2010 in Rugby News

A minute’s silence will be observed at all Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup Round 4 matches this weekend involving the 12 English clubs as a mark of respect for the late Tom Walkinshaw, Gloucester Rugby Chairman since 1997 and former ERC Director, who died last Sunday aged 64.

Tom Walkinshaw

Posted on Dec 13, 2010 in Rugby News

The Now Rugby  team would like to express our deep sadness at the passing away of the former Premiership Chairman, Tom Walkinshaw. He had been battling with cancer for some time.

Tom was a driving force over the last 15 years not only in the success of the professional Club game in England, but also in the creation of European competitions. During this time, he served two terms as Chairman of Premiership Rugby and most recently he led the successful negotiations with the RFU for a long term agreement running through to Rugby World Cup 2015.

Quentin Smith, Chairman of Premiership Rugby said, “In so many respects, the success of professional club rugby is testament to the vision, leadership and drive of Tom Walkinshaw. His determination and energy helped create the Premiership Rugby and European competitions we know and love today. He will be sadly missed.”

Mark McCafferty, Chief Executive of Premiership Rugby said, “I worked closely with Tom over the last few years and unquestionably he was one of the founding fathers and leaders in the creation and growth of professional club rugby, not only in England but across Europe. His vision and drive was decisive in today’s success and the legacy he leaves is the enjoyment of so many each weekend of the season.”

Mr Walkinshaw bought a 73% stake in the Gloucester in 1997 increasing it to 98% two years later.

Walkinshaw was born at Mauldslie Farm, near Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland. The son of a Scottish farmer, Tom Walkinshaw made his name in motor sport establishing Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) in 1976. In 1983, his team took an amazing eleven consecutive victories in the British Touring Car Championship and won the European Touring Car Championship in 1984.

He began racing in 1968, starting in an MG Midget, before moving on to a Lotus Formula Ford car. The following year he won the Scottish FF1600 title at the wheel of a Hawke. In 1970 he entered the British Formula Three championship with Lotus. He later moved to the March ‘works’ team, where he broke his ankle in a racing accident. Continuing his career despite this setback, he drove in many classes, including Formula 5000 and Formula Two.

Ford hired Walkinshaw to drive a Capri on the British Touring Car Championship circuit in 1974. This resulted in him winning his class that year. In 1976 Walkinshaw established Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR), continuing to drive for his own team. In 1984 he won the European Touring Car Championship in a Jaguar XJS.

In 1985, Walkinshaw teamed up with Jaguar and entered a three-car team in the Bathurst 1000 touring car endurance race in Australia. The pairing of John Goss and Armin Hahne won the race, while Walkinshaw himself placed third, driving alongside Win Percy.

Walkinshaw retired from driving after 1988 to concentrate on the management of TWR’s increasing motorsports portfolio.

In 1975 Walkinshaw established Tom Walkinshaw Racing  (TWR), a group whose business was the manufacture and design of racing and road cars. TWR ran touring car programmes in the mid 1970s and early 1980s. In 1983 the TWR team took an amazing eleven wins in eleven races in the British Saloon Car Championship running Rover Vitesses, before being stripped of the title for a technical infringement. TWR also ran a Jaguar XJ-S ETCC touring car programme before taking on their World Sportscar Championship programme. In six years the programme won Le Mans twice and the World Championships three times. The same team brought engineer Ross Brawn to prominence.

In 1991, Tom was recruited as the Engineering Director for the Benetton F1 team which subsequently won the 1994 Formula One World Championship.

In 1995, he became the owner of the Arrows team and was voted AutoCar Man of the Year in 1997.

A big rugby fan, he would make the trip from his home in Oxfordshire to Kingsholm whenever he could with his family to support Gloucester.

Rugby union turned professional in 1996 and this brought new challenges for the Gloucester. Invited by the Club, Tom became Club Chairman in 1997 and set about ensuring that the Club maintained its position as one of the top clubs in the country.

Gloucester went on to win the Zurich Championship in 2002, the Powergen Cup in 2003 and the European Challenge Cup in 2006.

Tom was also instrumental in the biggest construction project in the Club’s history, the redevelopment of the South Stand in 2007.

Tom’s role in rugby stretched well beyond Kingsholm as he also served as Chairman of Premier Rugby from 1998-2002 and helped establish stability after a chaotic period for the newly-professional sport.

During his four year tenure as Chairman, Premier Rugby introduced the salary cap and the average attendances in the Premiership increased by 33%.

His passion and vision led the clubs’ team negotiating with the Rugby Football Union over the release of England players and a commercial structure that created a commercial vehicle for the healthy progression of English rugby.

His leadership in this role is widely recognised in establishing an English league that is widely regarded as one of the strongest in world rugby, a contributing factor to England winning the Rugby World Cup in 2003 and reaching the final in 2007.

An inspirational Chairman, Tom was always keen to advocate the wider role of Gloucester Rugby in the community adding his support to many childrens’ and local charities.

Ken Nottage, Managing Director of Gloucester Rugby said today: “It’s a sad day for everyone connected with Gloucester Rugby and our thoughts are obviously with Tom’s family at this difficult time.”

“The role that Tom played in the early days of professional rugby cannot be underestimated and it’s fair to say that Gloucester Rugby would not find itself in the strong position that it does today without his great leadership.”

The Walkinshaw family are planning to hold a Memorial Service for Tom at Gloucester Cathedral in early February details of which will be communicated in due course.

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) today added its heartfelt condolences to the family of Tom Walkinshaw who passed away this weekend. One of the early movers in defining the future of professional rugby Tom will be greatly missed by all in the game.

Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the RFU Board, commented, “Soon after the game went professional in 1995 Tom acquired the iconic Gloucester Club in 1997 and was at the very centre of the rugby revolution battling hard for what he felt was right. He was always forthright and passionate and earned huge respect because there was no doubting his commitment to his beloved club and the game. I think the fact that we were able to reach an agreement that delivered professionalism but which also protected the fabric of the game we both held dear and which will safeguard its future is to his huge credit. When the history of rugby union in England is written then Tom’s name will be to the fore.”

Croft signs new contract with Tigers

Posted on Dec 13, 2010 in Rugby News

International back-rower Tom Croft has signed a new contract with Leicester Tigers.

Croft made his Tigers debut just a week after his 20th birthday in 2005 and has become an established England international as well as a

British & Irish Lions cap since coming through the ranks at Welford Road.

Croft, 25, said: “I’ve played all of my senior rugby at Leicester after coming through the Academy and I’m very happy to agree a new contract.

“We’ve had some success over the last few seasons and I’ve enjoyed being a part of that. This is a great place to play your rugby, we’ve got an excellent group of players and coaches to work with and the supporters home and away play a big part too.

“As a player you always want to enjoy your rugby, but you also want to test yourself at the highest level possible and I am doing that with Tigers.”

Croft, who is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury picked up during the autumn internationals, added: “All I want to do now is get back to fitness and get back to training. We’ve still got a lot to play for this season and I want to be a part of it.”

Richard Cockerill, Tigers’ director of rugby, said: “Everyone here is delighted that Tom has signed a new contract. He came through our Academy and is now a top-class player.

“He really wanted to stay, the club really wanted him to stay and we’re very happy that the details have been agreed and he has signed.

“Crofty had to work really hard when he came into the squad as a youngster and he was determined to have a real crack at his rugby. He epitomises the spirit of the club and he is already seen as a senior player at a relatively young age. He is another example of how well players can develop within our environment.

“He proves what hard work and determination can do in the game and that sets a great example for other young players.

“He is not new on the international scene but he is now being talked about as a world-class player at the very top end of the game. And, at 25, he can get even better.

“His decision to re-sign shows that we can hold on to our players. It’s not just about money, it’s about playing for the club you love and Tom appreciates this is a good environment to work in and improve in.”

Leicester Tigers 18–13 Harlequins

Posted on Nov 21, 2010 in Rugby News

 

The visitors were hoping to claim a second victory at Welford Road in two weeks, but were undone by the boot of Billy Twelvetrees.

Quins had started the game brightly and were 3-0 up almost straight away after winning a penalty from a Leicester scrum after Evans had kicked the kick-off out on the full.

The visitors were 6-0 up after ten minutes and were in full control of the game and doing most of the attacking, with 19 year old Manu Tuilagi being the only threat from the Tigers.

It could have been 13-0 if it hadn’t been for a forward pass by Tom Guest. This was shortly followed by a missed drop goal attempt by Nick Evans.

Leicester finally got into the game when after a turnover the ball found itself in the hands of Tuilagi, who proceeded to smash past several defenders and get himself deep into Quins territory before losing the ball.

It was then Quins turn to concede the penalty at the scrum, and Twelevetrees kicked the penalty to get the Tigers onto the scoreboard.

Quins butchered a second try scoring opportunity when Tom Guest broke down the field and when confronted with the final defender, instead of giving a simple outside pass to winger Tom Williams, decided to fling it inside to Nick Evans who uncharacteristically knocked it on.

To add further insult to injury to the visitors Twelevetrees kicked a further two penalties to give the home side a 9-6 lead at half time.

The second half saw a reversal of the first half, as it was now the Tigers who were in control of the game and had all the territory. Quins discipline fell apart as the Tigers got the better of them at the breakdown.

Within a ten minute spell the Tigers scored a further nine points to make it 18-6 and were now firmly in the driving seat.

It could have been more but Twelevetrees missed his seventh penalty attempt, and Leicester managed to blow a two on one overlap in what was probably their only realistic try scoring opportunity of the game.

The visitors did start to get more ball but despite some promising moves they kept knocking it on or throwing a forward pass.

Quins did manage to score the only try of the match when Tom Williams crossed the line and in the process secured a losing bonus point. However the visitors would be disappointed that they didn’t take their chances and take more out of the game.

Leicester on the other hand will be glad to have ended their losing streak of four games and to take the four league points on offer. They face Newcastle at home next week and will be hoping to rack up some more league points before Christmas and get themselves back into contention come the business end of the season.