Dai Young previews Saracens clash

Posted on Mar 26, 2013 in London Wasps

London Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young previews this weekend’s Aviva Premiership game against Saracens (Saturday, March 30th, Adams Park, 15.00)

Wasps welcome table toppers Saracens to Adams Park this weekend aiming to bounce back from a last second heart-breaking defeat to Northampton Saints last time out.

Young conceded that a positive result last weekend would have given his side an unlikely win, but added that plenty of hard work this week will prepare his side well for the leading side in the league.

“We were out muscled last weekend and you can’t say that Northampton hadn’t done enough to win it. But we showed our ability to play some really high quality rugby to get back into it and we had our noses in front going into last few minutes. We couldn’t quite hold onto the field position we needed to win it, but after a rocky start we did get stuck in with a great crowd behind us.”

Young said that the hard work this weekend will start up front.

“We have had a tough time of it in specific areas up front in the last few games and teams are starting to target us. The boys were very disappointed with that in our review this week and we’re working incredibly hard to get that right because we know if we do we have a chance of winning any game with the kind of ability we have in attack when we get good ball”

He also praised the form of Saracens of late.

“They are going very well and are showing as well a real willingness to play wider. But we know as well they will be incredibly physical so the battle will start for us up front.”

Wales Sevens not resting on laurels

Posted on Mar 25, 2013 in Sevens, Wales

A ‘buoyant’ Wales Sevens side landed in Tokyo this morning braced for a tough draw in round seven of the HSBC Sevens World Series, the Tokyo Sevens at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground.

Paul John’s men put up a heroic performance in the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens in the weekend, losing a nail-biting final against defending champions Fiji in front of a packed Hong Kong Stadium.

It was the first time Wales had ever reached a Cup final in the IRB Sevens series. Leading 19-0 at halftime, Wales were just 10 minutes away from glory but super-sub Osea Kolinisau entered the fray and scored a second half hat-trick to deny Wales glory.

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“It was an amazing atmosphere as there was a lot of Welsh support there,” said Wales Sevens head coach Paul John. “I’m really proud of the effort the boys put in.

“The boys played some cracking rugby and entered the competition with a great attitude. They really accounted themselves well throughout the tournament. To go 19-0 up against a very good Fiji side in the first half of the final was an exceptional effort. Unfortunately we couldn’t get our hands on the ball in the second half and Fiji came away with the title.

“There is no time rest on our laurels though as we’ve got Kenya, USA and Scotland this week in the Japan Sevens. Some might say it is an easy group but as last weekend proved, there are no longer any easy groups on the circuit.

“We’re carrying a few bumps and bruises but just have to re-charge our batteries and maintain the momentum into this weekend.

“Kenya will be looking for revenge after we beat them in Hong Kong in the semi-finals and are looking for a top three finish while USA and Scotland will be desperate to get away from the bottom of the series standings as they won’t want to be relegated.”

Wales’ haul of 19 points for reaching the final has seen them jump to sixth place in the overall standings with 63 points with New Zealand leading the way with 113 with three rounds to play.

Leinster Squad Update

Posted on Mar 25, 2013 in Leinster

The Leinster squad have stepped up their preparations for Saturday’s RaboDirect PRO12 clash against Ulster in the RDS (KO: 6.15pm) with their first on-field training session of the week on Monday afternoon.

Unfortunately Jordi Murphy has been ruled out of this weekend’s fixture with a hand injury that may see him miss the next 4 or 5 weeks but apart from bumps and bruises there were no other casualties from what was a highly combative top of the table clash at the RDS last Saturday.

David Kearney received on field attention for a dislocated finger but the Cooley Peninsula outside back finished the game and is expected to be joined in the panel this week by his elder brother Rob and several other Ireland internationals whose return to provincial action were managed last week.

Amongst the possible returnees for Saturday’s interprovincial derby are Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Sean O’Brien and Mike Ross while the province is hopeful that Fergus McFadden (rib) will also be available for selection. Naas man Heaslip’s next appearance will be his 160th for the province.

Gordon D’Arcy and Quinn Roux both successfully came through their respective comebacks after injury on Saturday. Second row Tom Denton is also available for selection.

The team will be named at midday on Friday.

Ospreys injuries update

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Ospreys

With the Ospreys returning to RaboDirect PRO12 action in a Welsh derby against Newport Gwent Dragons at the Liberty Stadium on Friday night, Head Physio Chris Towers has issued the following update on some of the players who are unavailable for selection this weekend:

Ian Gough – Suffered a back spasm in training but is expected to be available for selection next weekend.

Joe Rees – Is being reintegrated back into the group as he continues his rehabilitation following neck surgery. He is building up his scrum work in training and is on course for potential selection in early April.

Ryan Jones – Further investigation has confirmed that a fracture to the shoulder blade is stable and it is just a case of waiting for it to heal. Providing there are no problems, he has a realistic chance of being back playing before the end of the season.

Eli Walker – Is suffering from a back injury picked up while away during the Six Nations period. A decision will be made on the best course of treatment for the problem over the next week or so following consultation with specialists.

Andrew Bishop – Is recovering well following surgery on a disc problem in his back. If he continues with his current rate of progress, the medical team are not ruling out the prospect of him returning before the end of the season.

Tom Smith – Remains sidelined with an ongoing chronic groin issue

Bedford Blues boosted by Saracens return

Posted on Mar 21, 2013 in Bedford

As Bedford Blues prepare for the visit of Doncaster Knights this weekend, they have been boosted by the news that three dual registered Saracens players will be available for selection.

Hooker Scott Spurling has recovered from a hand injury that he picked up during the British & Irish Cup trip to Neath back in December, while Ben Ransom returns to the squad after making a huge impression for his parent club in the LV=Cup competition.

The duo will also be joined by winger James Short who spent several months with the Blues during the 2010/11 season which included a memorable four try haul during the Ladies Day fixture against Moseley.

The arrival of the reinforcements is a welcome boost to Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer who has seen his squad depleted this season following long term injuries to Sacha Harding, Henry Staff, Captain James Pritchard and most recently lock Ben Gulliver who broke a bone in his wrist and is ruled out for at least a month.

Rayer said: “We have picked up a number of injuries this season and while we do have cover, it is great to have Scott and Ben back and available to us for a very important game against Doncaster this weekend.

“Having James joining up with the squad again is also a massive bonus and will really add plenty of fireworks to the backs as we saw a couple of years ago what he is capable of.”

Saturday’s game against Doncaster is a huge match for both teams as Bedford look to bounce back from two defeats and make a push for one of the three remaining play-off places while the Knights, who are bottom of the Championship, look to make ground on their nearest rivals Jersey.