Home sweet home for Aly

Posted on Jul 11, 2011 in Exeter, Exeter Chiefs, Premiership

Exeter may only have been back in pre-season for a week, but already summer signing Aly Muldowney admits he is feeling at home with the Chiefs.

As one of nine newcomers brought to Sandy Park by head coach Rob Baxter during the close season, settling in within a new team and a different environment can sometimes take a while to get to grips with.

However, as the 27-year-old forward insists his move from Glasgow Warriors to the Westcountry has been a smooth transition and now he is looking to crack on as he looks to realise a lifelong dream of playing within English rugby’s top flight.

"My dream when I started playing rugby was to try and play at the highest level possible and play in the Premiership – it is something I have wanted to achieve for a while," he said. "Coming to Exeter, I have that chance now. I won’t say I am a Premiership player until I have got myself into the team, but now I have the chance to work hard and try and get myself into that team."

Having previously played against Exeter for Moseley, Muldowney was already well aware of the backing the Chiefs received from the club’s supporters – and discussions with Baxter ahead of his move merely confirmed his early impressions.

"One of the main reasons I came was the town itself and how much the people love their rugby here," added Muldowney. "Previously I have played in Birmingham and Glasgow, both of which I would say are football cities, but somewhere like Exeter you can see how much they buy into the rugby team and how much they follow the club, so it was a massive attraction to play somewhere that has that kind of support."

Breaking into the Chiefs squad, however, will be no formality for Muldowney who will be battling it out with a handful of other locks. It is, according to the man himself, a challenge he is ready to take on.

"There are quite a few players in that (second row) area, but it is going to be a long old season. Of course it’s good to have competition for places as it brings the best out of us all."

For now though, Muldowney’s immediate aim is to work hard during these opening few weeks of pre-season, a period he admits no player ever enjoys.

"Pre-season wherever you play is always tough and horrible," he said. "The conditioners try to bring as much fun into it as possible, but pre-season is a horrible process to get through.

"The trainers are all working very hard, this is a massive time in the season for them, they’re getting programmes in place and making sure we are getting a lot of hard work done.

"I can’t say I am enjoying getting up for the early morning swims, I’m not the strongest swimmer in the world and making me do a lot of swimming isn’t great, but it’s all part of it at the end of the day.

"The good thing about here, unlike a lot of other clubs, is that we have done quite a bit of rugby already – that has been a big plus for me, especially as a newcomer coming into the club.

"That is why it is so good we are doing so much rugby in this first week – because we can get used to all the patterns. When you go to a new club it can be several weeks before you really know all the moves and that, so already we are getting an insight into how the team plays."

England lose close encounter with NZ U20

Posted on Jun 27, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

A spirited England Under 20 side were unable to complete their Italian job after suffering final heartache against New Zealand, losing 33-22 in Padova, Italy. A brutish display from Rob Hunter’s side ensured England were always within touching distance of their southern hemisphere rivals, but clinical finishing from the Baby Blacks cost England dear.

England’s three tries came from London Wasps wing Christian Wade, who grabbed a brace, and Sale Sharks prop Henry Thomas. Leicester Tigers fly half George Ford kicked the other seven points.

England had started much the brighter of the two sides, displaying their intent from the off and took the lead with six minutes on the clock. A smart run by Saracens No. 12 Owen Farrell opened space up for Wade out wide, and when Farrell found the Wasps man, he made no mistake in going over for his sixth try of the competition, with Ford adding the extras to make it 7-0.

New Zealand almost hit back with 22 minutes played when a kick from Saracens full back Ben Ransom was charged down and the Kiwis forced the ball out wide, but an excellent cover tackle by Thomas pushed the player into touch and the try was disallowed by the TV Match Official.

However , they did get onto the scoreboard when South African referee Jaco Peyper penalised England for an offside in the same passage of play and fly half Gareth Anscombe scored to make the score 7-3. With the momentum in their favour, the Kiwis went over for their first try soon after, Charles Piutau scoring in the corner after Lima Sopoaga attacked the right hand side of the pitch where Worcester wing Andy Short lay injured, freeing up space to exploit.

Both sides then exchanged penalties to make the score 13-10 in New Zealand’s favour, and the Kiwi’s scored their second try of the game just before half time. Prop Ben Tameifuna forced his way over the try line, with Anscombe adding the extras to make the score 20-10 at half time.

England conceded a penalty early in the second half, Anscombe converting to make the score 23-10. Ford looked to reduce the deficit to ten with a penalty of his own, but his kick sailed marginally wide.

Just when New Zealand threatened to run away with the game, England began to dominate possession, causing New Zealand plenty of problems. England eventually turned their pressure into points when Thomas barged his way over the line to score a brilliant team try, making the score 23-17 after Ford’s conversion.

With 50 minutes on the clock, it was England’s turn to have a try disallowed. Worcester Warriors flanker Matt Kvesic dived over between the posts, but the TMO deemed the ball not to have been touched down.

England were certainly in the ascendancy at that point, and with the ball in hand always looked liked scoring. Their third try came on the hour through Wade, who kicked through to score after some excellent work by club mate Elliott Daly. Ford’s conversion would have given England the lead, but his kick went wide, leaving his side one point behond at 23-22.

A successful New Zealand penalty, again by Anscombe, soon after the restart made the score 26-22 and in the final ten minutes the Baby Blacks effectively put the game to bed when full back full back Beauden Barrett touched down a grubber to make the score 33-22. New Zealand then held out to win their fourth successive Junior World Championship.

Speaking after the game, England captain Alex Gray said that his side had a real chance in taking the trophy home: "It was a tough battle and I imagine it was quite good watching. We came here thinking we could take it and if things had been different way we could have done, but congratulations to New Zealand, they showed they are a class team and good luck to them.

“That was my last game in an England U20 jersey and it’s a shame we couldn’t end with a win, but we gave it everything and can be proud with ourselves, it’s been an honour playing with these lads. There’s no tomorrow for me, but I’m sure that the boys will give it their best shot next year. "

Points: Wade 2T, Thomas 1T ; Ford 2C, 1P.

England U20 team v New Zealand:
15) Ben Ransom (Saracens)
14) Andy Short (Worcester Warriors)
13) Elliot Daly (London Wasps)
12) Owen Farrell (Saracens)
11) Christian Wade (London Wasps)
10) George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
9) Chris Cook (Bath Rugby)
1) Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
2) Mikey Haywood (Northampton Saints)
3) Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks)
4) Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
5) Charlie Matthews (Harlequins)
6) Sam Jones (London Wasps)
7) Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors)
8) Alex Gray (Captain) (Newcastle Falcons)

Replacements:

16) Rob Buchanan (Harlequins) on for Mikey Haywood 73 mins
17) Will Collier (Harlequins) on for Henry Thomas 61 mins
18) Sam Twomey (Harlequins) on for Matt Kvesic 75 mins
19) Matt Everard (Leicester Tigers) on for Same Jones 73
20) Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby) on for Chris Cook 61mins
21) Ryan Mills (Gloucester Rugby) on for Owen Farrell 49 mins
22) Marland Yarde (London Irish) on for Andy Short 43 mins

England U20 through to JWC Final

Posted on Jun 23, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

England U20 are through to the final of the IRB Junior World Championship for the third time in four years after beating northern hemisphere rivals France 33-18 in Treviso, Italy. They will play the winners of the second semi-final between Australia and New Zealand.

Tries from London Wasps wing Christian Wade, Leicester Tigers fly half George Ford, Saracens full back Ben Ransom and Newcastle Falcons No. 8 and captain Alex Gray helped England to the win in what was a topsy-turvy encounter, played in hot conditions.

England started with real intensity and a strong scrum in the middle of the park was rewarded with a penalty that was kicked into touch by Ford. Northampton Saints hooker Mikey Haywood delivered a good throw from the line out and the ball was worked back to Farrell who kicked a grubber through for Wade to touch down for his fifth try of the competition. Ford missed the conversion.

France’s response was immediate, heavy pressure from the restart resulted in USA Perpignan prop Sebastian Taofifenua burrowing over to score, and the successful conversion from Jean Pascal Barraque gave France the lead at 7-5.

Both sides then exchanged penalties, Barraque for France and Ford for England, to make the score 10-8. Ford then missed a three-pointer that would have reclaimed the lead for Head Coach Rob Hunter’s men, dragging his kick just wide.

Ford’s nifty footwork freed up space in open play minutes later, but the 18-year-old fly half couldn’t find the support to back him up. England were applying heavy pressure on the French defence and almost broke through five minutes before the break. Ransom found some space behind the French line but was denied by an excellent last-ditch cover tackle.

England’s second try came just before half time, again, sustained pressure from the English pack resulted in Ford displaying some deft footwork to dodge several French tackles before crashing over to make the score 13-10 at the break, after the conversion was missed.

Sloppy play from England at the start of the second half handed France two early penalties, No. 13 Barraque missed the first but made no mistake with the second to tie the scores up at 13-apiece.

French wing Marvin O’Connor scored his side’s second try of the game with 52 minutes on the clock, making some space for himself along the touchline before cutting inside Ransom to touch down. The conversion was missed, giving France a five-point lead at 18-13.

England hit back with their third try just five minutes later. Ransom, who came within meters of scoring in the first half, made no mistake second time around, touching down wide of the posts after some strong phase play from his teammates. Ford’s successful conversion gave England back the lead at 20-18.

A Ford penalty after 65 minutes opened England’s lead up to five points, but France almost scored their third try ten minutes later in bizarre circumstance. A French line-out was won by England, but another ball appeared on the pitch while England had possession and the line-out was taken again. France won at the second attempt and almost scored in the corner, but the TV Match Official ruled that the ball wasn’t touched down.

Ford’s radar was again spot on with seven minutes left to play, converting a long range penalty to give England an eight point lead at 26-18. France then went over England’s try line, but Irish referee John Lacey pulled it back after spotting a forward pass in the build up.

With the clock past 80, France were throwing everything at England, but a loose pass in their own half was snapped up by captain Gray who ran through unopposed to touch down between the posts and Ford’s conversion brought the game to a close.

Points: Wade 1T, Ford 1T, Ransom 1T, Gray 1T; Ford 3P 2C.

England U20 starting XV v France:

15 Ben Ransom (Saracens)
14 Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)
13 Guy Armitage (London Irish)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens)
11 Christian Wade (London Wasps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
9 Chris Cook (Bath Rugby)
1 Mako Vunipola Saracens
2 Mikey Haywood (Northampton Saints)
3 Will Collier (Harlequins)
4 Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
5 Charlie Matthews (Harlequins)
6 Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors)
7 Matt Everard (Leicester Tigers)
8 Alex Gray (C) (Newcastle Falcons)

Replacements:

16 Rob Buchanan (Harlequins) on for Mikey Haywood 53 mins
17 Ryan Bower (Leicester Tigers) on for Will Collier 77 mins
18 Sam Twomey (Harlequins) on for Joe Launchbury 77 mins
19 Sam Jones (London Wasps) on for Matt Kvesic 57 mins
20 Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby) on for Chris Cook 65 mins
21 Ryan Mills (Gloucester Rugby) on for Owen Farrell 50 mins
22 Marland Yarde (London Irish) on for Guy Armitage 56 mins

Second string Wales crushed by Baby All Blacks

Posted on Jun 15, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Wales Under 20 suffered a crushing 92-0 defeat to New Zealand in Round 2 of the IRB Junior World Championship in Rovigo.

The triple world champions were in destructive form, punishing every mistake and finishing every opportunity with clinical tries.

Wales were undone in the first minute when New Zealand opened up the Welsh defence, first right, then left for flanker Sam Cane to score in the corner.

Wales had some ball early on but were unable to get through the notorious New Zealand defence.

Despite Wales stealing an opposition line-out ball, New Zealand recovered possession and spun the ball wide for their second try via wing Charles Piutau, this time converted by Gareth Anscombe, taking the score to 12-0 within ten minutes of kick-off.

The third try was far too easy, with Piutau strolling through the Welsh defence for Cane to score his second score with Anscombe adding the extras.

The fourth, bonus point try came just before the 20 minute mark with full back Beauden Barrett going over in the right hand corner after quick handling left the Welsh defence for dead.

New Zealand were too powerful for Wales at the breakdown, and terrifically quick in the loose, punishing every mistake. Captain and No 8 Luke Whitelock, brother of All Blacks Sam and George scored their fifth try under the posts just before the half hour mark, Anscombe again converting, taking the score to 31-0.

Llanelli full back Liam Williams made Wales’ first break, kicking through for Owen Williams to chase, gaining the first real attacking position with a line-out within the New Zealand 22 but the youngsters were unable to capitalise and lost their line-out.

Wales lost another crucial line-out in their own 22 before half-time, and again, New Zealand were quick to pounce on the loose ball for lock Steven Luatua to score and Anscombe to convert, a score that was quickly followed by New Zealand’s seventh try, scored by Welsh born Rhys Llewellyn in the right hand corner, Anscombe converting from the touchline, taking the half-time score to 45-0.

They were at it again straight from the restart, centre Lima Sopoaga sprinting over to score under the posts.

Wales made brief inroads into the New Zealand 22, but breakdowns were a constant source of turnover ball and this time scrum half TJ Perenara raced over, Anscombe converting, with Sam Cane getting his hat trick a minute later, Anscombe again adding to his points tally. Charles Piutau got his brace at the next restart, taking the score to a humiliating 71-0.

A yellow card for Wales flanker Ed Siggery made matters worse, New Zealand quickly taking advantage of the numerical advantage with Brad Shields next on the score sheet. Replacements Glen Robertson and Brad Weber also ran over for tries in the dying moments.

After the game head coach Richard Webster said: “The boys were understandably deflated immediately after the final whistle, we never really got started in the game, but New Zealand are a formidable side that will take a lot of teams apart.

“The positives are that we are still in the tournament, and with a bonus point win over Italy, we could still qualify for the top four.

“We have already started to put the game behind us and look forward to the next game on Saturday.”

New Zealand scorers :

Tries : Cane(3), Piutau (2), Barrett, Whitelock, Luatua, Llewellyn, Sopoaga, Perenara, Shields, Robertson, Weber

Cons : G Anscombe (11)

Pens:

Wales:
Liam Williams; Iolo Evans, Owen Williams (Matthew Morgan 40), Lewis Robling, Dale Ford (Ross Jones 70); Steve Shingler, Lewis Jones (Jonathan Evans 71); Rhodri Jones), Kirby Myhill (Jamie Sollis 65), WillGriff John (Will Taylor 65), Lloyd Peers (capt, Macauley Cook 42) Ospreys/ Bridgend), Cory Hill, Edward Siggery, Thomas Young, Owen Sheppeard (Luke Hamilton 50).
New Zealand:
B Barrett; W Naholo, R Llewellyn, L Sopoaga, C Piutau; G Anscombe, TJ Perenara; S Sakalia, C Taylor, B Tameifuna, S Luatua, B Retallick, B Shields, S Cane, L Whitelock (capt) Replacements: S Setefano, M Kainga, D Bird, H Bedwell-Curtis, B Weber, F Saili, G Robertson

Referee: Greg Garner (RFU)

JWC: Wales get bonus point win against Argentina

Posted on Jun 13, 2011 in Latest Rugby News

Wales U20 34 v 8 Argentina U20 (Friday 10 June, 18.10, Stadio Plebiscito, Padua)

Matthew Morgan inspired Wales Under 20’s to an opening bonus-point 34-8 victory over Argentina in Pool A of the Junior World Championship.

The Ospreys fly-half scored 19 points, including a first-half try, to guide the Welsh side to a convincing win in Northern Italy.

Morgan slotted home the first of six kicks after three minutes before adding a superb solo score.

Liam and Owen Williams as well as hooker Kirby Myhill made the hard yards before Morgan worked his magic and ghosted through the Argentina defence to score.

Williams then crossed for a second try to put Wales 17 v 0 ahead.  Richard Webster’s side dominated in the scrum, and when the ball was sent wide in the 25^thminute, Williams crossed in the corner for a converted try.

Argentina clawed back a score before half time, scrum half Marcos Bollini going over in the corner.

From the restart, Wales showed more urgency and intent. Scarlets prop Rhodri Jones led the way with a charge in midfield. From the ensuing ruck, Morgan kicked ahead for Eli Walker to chase and touch down.

Argentina got a penalty and slowed down the game for the third quarter, but Wales brought on some fresh legs and got their fourth try through Williams after 68 minutes.

Good line-out ball went through the phases quickly, creating an overlap on the left for Williams to glide over. Morgan converted and slotted a second penalty to take the score to 34-8 with ten minutes to go.

Wales head coach Richard Webster said, "We are pleased with how the game went, our game-plan worked well.

"We still have areas in which we can improve, and we will have to up our game for New Zealand on Tuesday."

Wales Scorers:

Tries:

Matthew Morgan, Liam Williams (2), Eli Walker

Cons: Matthew Morgan (4)

Pens: Matthew Morgan (2)

Argentina Scorers:

Tries: Bollini

Pens : Ormson

Wales team:
Steve Shingler (London Irish); Liam Williams (Llanelli), Owen Williams (Blues /

Cardiff) (Iolo Evans Scarlets / Llanelli), Lewis Robling (Dragons / Newport), Eli Walker (Ospreys / Swansea); Matthew Morgan (Ospreys / Swansea (Rheon James Scarlets/ Carmarthen Quins), Jonathan Evans (Dragons / Newport) (Lewis Jones Blues / Pontypridd); Rhodri Jones (Scarlets / Llanelli), (Lewis Smout Blues / Pontypridd), Kirby Myhill (Scarlets / Llanelli) (WillGriff John (Blues/ Pontypridd), Will Taylor (Ospreys / Swansea), Macauley Cook (capt, Blues / Cardiff) (Lloyd Peers Ospreys / Bridgend), Cory Hill (Blues / Pontypridd), Edward Siggery (Pontypridd), Luke Hamilton (Blues / Glamorgan), Ben Thomas (Ospreys / Bridgend) (Owen Sheppeard Blues /