Ospreys team to face the Scarlets

Posted on Nov 4, 2011 in Ospreys, Welsh Rugby

The Ospreys team to play the Scarlets at Liberty Stadium on Saturday 5th November 2011, kick off at 6.30pm, will be as follows:

15 Richard Fussell

14 Tommy Bowe

13 Andrew Bishop

12 Ashley Beck

11 Eli Walker

10 Dan Biggar

9 Kahn Fotuali’i

1 Duncan Jones

2 Richard Hibbard

3 Cai Griffiths

4 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt)

5 Ian Evans

6 Joe Bearman

7 Justin Tipuric

8 Jonathan Thomas

Replacements:

16 Huw Bennett

17 Ryan Bevington

18 Aaron Jarvis

19 Ryan Jones

20 Tom Smith

21 George Stowers

22 Rhys Webb

23 Shane Williams

Andrew Bishop becomes the fourth Ospreys player to make 150 appearances for the region, behind Paul James (168), Jonathan Thomas and Sonny Parker (both 153)

Eli Walker makes his first Liberty Stadium RaboDirect PRO12 start

Kahn Fotuali’i makes his first Ospreys start

The following players were not considered because of injury:

Gareth Owen – ACL

Nikki Walker – Medial Ligament

Paul James – Thumb

Adam Jones – Calf

Forthcoming fixtures

Sat 12 Nov – Ospreys v Biarritz – Liberty Stadium – Heineken Cup – 3.40pm

Sat 19 Nov – Benetton Treviso V Ospreys – Stadio Comunale di Monigo – Heineken Cup – 2.30pm

Sat 26 Nov – Connacht v Ospreys – The Sportsground – RaboDirect PRO12 – 6.30pm

Sat 3 Dec – Ospreys v Munster – Liberty Stadium – RaboDirect PRO12 – 6.30pm

Ireland team to play the USA

Posted on Sep 9, 2011 in Ireland, Irish Rugby, Rugby News, Rugby World Cup

The Ireland team to play the United States of America in the opening Pool C game in the Rugby World Cup will see nine of the starting team making their debuts at a Rugby World Cup tournament, with a further two possible debutants named among the replacements.

Geordan Murphy is named at full back with Tommy Bowe and Keith Earls completing the back three combination.  Jonathan Sexton and Conor Murray start an international together for the first time as the half backs, while centre Gordon D’Arcy will be winning his 60th cap.

The team will be captained by Brian O’Driscoll.

Ireland XV
15 – Geordan Murphy (Leicester Tigers)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)*
13 – Brian O’Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) Captain
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)*
10 – Jonathan Sexton (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)*
9 – Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)*
1 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)*
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 – Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)*
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster)
6 – Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)*
7 – Shane Jennings (St.Mary’s College/Leinster)*
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)*

Replacements:
16 – Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster)
17 – Tony Buckley (Sale Sharks)*
18 – Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)*
19 – Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster)
20 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 – Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)

*Denotes Rugby World Cup debut

RFU Podcast: Lewis Moody, Martin Johnson, Manu Tuilagi, Andy Robinson, Tommy Bowe and Glenn Delaney

Posted on Jan 28, 2011 in Rugby News

England captain Lewis Moody believes that Martin Johnson’s side need to take each game as it comes in this year’s RBS 6 Nations campaign if they are to be successful.

Although the 32-year-old flanker may not be able to take part in the early rounds due to a knee injury received while playing for Bath, his combative nature suggests that he will return stronger, ready to aid England’s cause:

Moody said: “Previous competitions have shown how difficult it is to win a 6 Nations, let alone a Grand Slam so we’re focused on the first game, and after that, we’ll focus on the next one. You don’t think about the bigger picture, you just think about performing in each game.

“Every player knows that around the corner there could be an injury,” Moody explained. “You enjoy your time on the pitch and you make the most of it. If you get injured you deal with it and make sure you come back fitter and stronger.

“I’ve got a lot of rehab to do before I start thinking about the games. I’ll still be with the squad though; I feel a lot more onus to be part of the set-up having been captain for the past few games and I’m fortunate to have the support of Bath and England and hopefully I’ll be back playing as soon as possible.”

Also on this week’s RFU.com podcast:

• Strong-Bowe – Ireland wing Tommy Bowe talks about his two tries against England at Twickenham last year and discusses his side’s chances in this year’s competition
• Johno in Portugal – England Team Manager Martin Johnson explains why his squad have headed over to Portugal pre-6 Nations
• Strong squad for Robbo – Scotland boss Andy Robinson says that the competition for places in his squad is a good thing as they prepare to face France in Paris
• Manu’s mission – Leicester Tigers centre Manu Tuilagi discusses his inclusion in the England Saxons starting line up to face Italy A in Worcester on Saturday
• Delaney’s delight – Nottingham Head Coach Glenn Delaney gives us his thoughts after his side beat Rotherham 37-8 in the Championship on Tuesday night

The RFU.com podcast takes you inside English rugby from the grassroots to the elite.

Ireland announce team

Posted on Feb 9, 2010 in Rugby News

Ireland Coach Declan Kidney has named the team to play France in the second game of the RBS 6 Nations Championship in Paris on Saturday. Keith Earls has been selected on the left wing in place of Andrew Trimble.  Donncha O’Callaghan has not recovered from the injury that ruled him out of the opening game. Leo Cullen has been named to start in the second row.

A vacancy has been left blindside flanker pending confirmation of the fitness of Stephen Ferris. Both players took part in training with the Ireland team today but a final decision will be made on Thursday. The seven replacements will also be finalised on Thursday from the possible nine players named today.
(more…)

Fussell moves to Ospreys

Posted on Feb 9, 2010 in Rugby News

Richard Fussell has revealed that his ambition to play for Wales was behind his decision to sign a two-year contract with the Ospreys.
The 25-year old Newport Gwent Dragons wing has penned a deal that will see him arrive at the Ospreys in the summer after five years at Rodney Parade, and he says that the motivating factor for his switch to Ospreylia was the region’s track record in developing players for the national set-up.

Fussell commented: ”I’m excited about the prospect of moving to the Ospreys. I’ve made the decision purely on the basis of where I feel I can develop my game best over the next couple of years. I’ve spoken to people about the set-up at the Ospreys and it’s all been very positive. They have excellent facilities and a track record in developing players so I see it as a real opportunity for me to kick on another level in my game. If you look at the number of players that the Ospreys bring through for Wales, then it is clear that they are doing something right and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.

“There are some great coaches at the Ospreys, they have exciting plans for the region and I’m looking forward to working with them. It’s going to be a real challenge for me personally to go into that environment and try and make an impact. I realise that they have real strength in the wing position; In Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe I’d say that they’ve probably got two of the best wingers in the world, and there is also Nikki Walker and some really talented youngsters coming through, so being around players of that quality and working with them day in, day out, and testing myself in training against them can only be a positive thing for me personally. Hopefully, it will allow me to improve my own game to the level where maybe I can get closer to international rugby.

“Clearly, while I’m looking forward to joining up with the Ospreys, there’s a lot of rugby to be played between now and the end of the season. I’ve been at the Dragons for five years, I’ve really enjoyed my time with them and as a professional rugby player my focus between now and then will be 100 per cent on the Dragons and doing my best for them, which is as it should be.”