Nigel Redman to join Worcester Warriors from RFU

Posted on May 22, 2012 in Worcester Warriors

Nigel Redman is to leave the RFU and return to Worcester Warriors as the new forwards coach of the Aviva Premiership club.

The move ends his eight years working for the Union as an RFU National Academy Coach, England Under 20 head coach and Elite Coach Development Manager.

The Cardiff born former Bath and England lock left Sixways to become a National Academy Coach in 2004 and coached the national Under 21 and Under 19 teams before leading England Under 20 to a Six Nations Grand Slam and a Junior World Championship final in 2008.

Since then he has worked with Head of Elite Coach Development Kevin Bowring to support the development of coaches in England teams,  the National Academy, Premiership and Championship clubs, and academies.

Redman, an RFU Level 5 Coach and a graduate of the UK Sport Elite Coach Programme, links up with former Bath and England teammate Richard Hill in July.

Nigel Redman said: “It was a tough decision to make but I’m passionate about coaching people and I’m excited about what is happening at Worcester and want to be part of that process.

“Kevin Bowring, Rob Andrew [Professional Rugby Director] and Nathan Martin [Professional Rugby General Manager] at the RFU have been very supportive in getting me to where I am and in making my decision, and now I’m looking forward to working with Richard Hill, the coaches, players and people at Worcester.

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Phil Davies “very humbled” at receiving Cardiff call

Posted on May 11, 2012 in Cardiff Blues

By MARTYN WINTERS. Cardiff new boy, Phil Davies, can’t wait to get stuck into running the region.

The ex-Worcester forwards coach was commenting on his appointment as Director of Rugby at the troubled capital city regional outfit. The former Scarlet outlined his plans for the region and his aim to stem the tide of poor results that have stricken the club in recent months.

Davies said: "There are a lot of good jobs in rugby but when you get offered the role of being the Director of Rugby for Cardiff Blues, which is one of the most recognised teams in Europe, then I didn’t have to think twice."

In a nod to the recent run, and his hopes for the future, he commented: "There’s a lot of work to be done but it’s a chance and an opportunity for the next generation to come through and keep the Blues region at the top of the game."

The severe financial restrictions afflicting all the regions in Wales was uppermost in his thoughts when he said: "The salary cap will focus the mind and I genuinely believe we have to work through the change, there maybe growing pains but we can become competitive again."

"There’s a lot of history that goes with the Blues region from the great Pontypridd teams from the 80′s and 90′s when Lynn Howells and Dennis John were coaching and Neil Jenkins was kick goals and Dale McIntosh charging everywhere, to the Cardiff RFC teams of Gareth Davies, Gareth Edwards and Terry Holmes. The heritage is massive and the passion is there."

"We need to get the region to understand that we are proud of that history but embrace it and move forward."

"I’m very humbled and privileged to have this role and will work as hard as I can to make sure it’s successful."

Four uncapped players will make their England debuts against Spain

Posted on May 10, 2012 in England Women

Four uncapped players will make their England debuts in Saturday’s opening FIRA-AER European Cup campaign against Spain, kick off 430pm BST, in Rovereto, Italy.

Worcester’s Lydia Thompson, Bristol’s Sally Tuson and Darlington Mowden Park Sharks’ Ruth Laybourn will form a new look backs line-up for England, while Bristol’s Kate Newton will join an experienced front-row comprising of Rochelle Clark and Emma Croker who share 93 caps between them.

Worcester’s Danielle Waterman will start at fullback, her first game since the victorious autumn international series against world champions New Zealand, whilst Ceri Large and Georgina Rozario are the half backs.

In the forwards, Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter wears the captaincy armband and she is joined in the pack by fellow Six Nations winners Emily Braund, Tamara Taylor, Marlie Packer and Harriet Millar Mills.

On the bench Fiona Davidson (Richmond) and Lauren Cattell (Chesham) are also set to make their England debuts.

Graham Smith, England’s Head Coach for this tournament, said: “Despite this being a relatively new look England side, training has gone well and the squad have come together really well. I have been impressed with the squad’s approach to training and their discipline and they are working together really well. There will obviously be some challenges for the new caps on Saturday and that is where our experienced players will be vital.”

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Chiefs sign Horstmann

Posted on May 4, 2012 in Exeter Chiefs, Premiership

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says he is looking forward to working with new recruit Kai Horstmann after the back-row forward today completed his move from Aviva Premiership rivals Worcester Warriors.

The 30-year-old, who has agreed a two-year deal with the Chiefs, has become Baxter’s sixth new capture ahead of the 2012/13 campaign, linking up next term with fellow newcomers Dean Mumm, Ian Whitten, Will Chudley, Alex Brown and Jack Yeandle.

Horstmann arrives at Sandy Park having previously played for both Harlequins and Worcester, the latter of whom he has been with since 2005.

Welcoming the Harare-born forward to the Chiefs, Baxter said: “We are a team that is looking to improve and keep strengthening all the time and we feel Kai is a very experienced Premiership performer.

“He is a guy who I have had a very close look at and I like the way he plays. I think he will fit in very well for us; he’s mobile and athletic; reads the line-out well and the basics of his game stand up very well.”

Having closely monitored Horstmann, who has previously represented both England Saxons and England Sevens, Baxter admitted he was impressed by the player’s all-round capabilities, particularly in a number of his displays earlier this season.

“We’ve had a good look at him and we think he is a guy with a lot still to give,” said the coach. “He’s 30, but that is not that old for a back-row forward. His experience, especially going into the Heineken Cup, is also a big factor for us as is his ability to play in a similar way to the back-row forwards we like.

“As I said, he’s athletic and mobile; a good ball handler; a good distributor; he’s also a good line-out athlete, so those are all things we like in our players. For us we saw this as a good fit all around, especially as Kai was coming to an end of his contract at Worcester, plus we were looking to bring some more experience into what is already a very strong back-row unit.”

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Chiefs side to face Worcester

Posted on Apr 13, 2012 in English Rugby, Exeter, Exeter Chiefs, Premiership

Head coach Rob Baxter has challenged his Exeter Chiefs side to continue to be ambitious over the final weeks of only their second-ever Aviva Premiership campaign.

With just three scheduled league games remaining for the Devon club, Baxter knows his side still have plenty to play for as they look to secure not only a possible place in next season’s Heineken Cup competition but, potentially, a spot in the division’s end of season play-offs.

Currently lying fifth in the standings, just three points adrift of next best Northampton Saints, the Chiefs head for Worcester Warriors tomorrow (3pm) in search of their 12th league victory.

Having defeated the Midlanders 15-9 at Sandy Park earlier in the season, Exeter’s experienced leader knows his side can expect a stiff examination from last season’s Championship winners.

"It’s a very important game for us," said Baxter. "The reality, as we’ve said to the players, is that we are now at the business end of the season and we’re still fighting for things. A week ago we were in Paris fighting in a quarter-final of a European Cup competition – and now were fighting to see if we can establish ourselves either in the Heineken Cup or that top four.

"Saturday is another great opportunity for us, but the key is not to look too far ahead of ourselves and instead concentrate fully on Worcester. We know going up there will be a very tough game because they have a very good home record; defensively they are very strong; they play with good spirit and they want to prove to people that they have set some very solid foundations within the Premiership.

"Let us not forget they won a pretty tough Championship play-off scenario last season and we know how tough that was. We also know from our own experiences how good that can be in building a good team, a good culture and good team spirit. The reality for us, however, is we know it’s going to be tough, but that’s probably just what we need.

"We’ve spoken as a group that if you’re going to be in the fight at this stage of the season, you’re going to have a lot of tough games. They’re going to be like knockout cup games, so if we aspire to be a team that wants to be in these games, this is the type of fixture you need to perform in."

In the December meeting between the two sides, it was Argentine fly-half Ignacio Mieres who proved the match winner for the Chiefs as he slotted five successful penalties in a keenly contested contest.

Baxter expects this latest showdown to be just as tough, warning: "It was a tough old game down here; a lot of battering went on by both sides and ultimately goal kicks were what decided the scenario. For us, though, it’s about us talking about being ambitious and then following it through on the pitch. Right now we are enjoying how we are playing, we’re enjoying getting after games, and we’re talking about the things we can achieve. That, I believe, has to be our mantra for the rest of the season.

"I know if we get after a game we’re a good side, then we just have to be prepared to take the result on the chin. The only thing that will disappoint me with the Worcester game is if we don’t go up there and attack the game. If we go up there, we’re nervy and we worry that we still need points to get into the Heineken or if we start worrying about things like that, you’re never going to perform well. As far as I am concerned, I want us to get out there enjoy the game, maximise our inputs and then take whatever comes."

Against a star-studded Stade Francais side a week ago, the Chiefs came within a whisker of booking themselves a place in the last four of the Amlin Challenge Cup. Sadly it was not to be on the night for Baxter and his troops, but the coach insisted there were plenty of positives to take from the game and that lessons had been learned.

"Although we were disappointed to lose the game, it was another important step in our development," added Baxter. "We’ve gone to a good team, who put out a very strong side against us, away from home and we’ve performed very well. I suppose it’s a stage in our development that we’ve gone over there, created as many chances as we did, but not quite taken them.

"As we said last season, we were on a big learning curve and that we would learn from those experiences and I suppose it’s the same this season. I know as a group we are still improving and games like that at Stade Francais, this weekend at Worcester and those games down the line, they are all fantastic to be involved in.

"We have to remember that this is still only our second season as Premiership side and that we are still looking to develop. Of course we enjoy these moments when they come along because we have worked so hard to get them, but at the same time we don’t get too dispirited if things don’t always turn out right. This happens in professional sport and we are well aware things can still go against you. Right now we’re in a nice place in nice place, we’re not too battered, the grounds are firming up and we’re enjoying it."

Ahead of kick-off, Baxter has been forced into change in his starting line-up. Welsh international Craig Mitchell injured his shoulder during the Stade game, so Hoani Tui moves across the front-row to fill the void at tight-head and Ben Moon is promoted from the bench. Brett Sturgess – who broke his arm in the home game against Leicester Tigers in February – is added to the squad.

The other change comes in the back where Luke Arscott returns for the first time since the Perpignan game in January at full-back. Phil Dollman, who has replaced Arscott in the No.15 jersey, slots into the midfield alongside Bryan Rennie as Jason Shoemark is ruled out with injury.

TEAM

15 Luke Arscott

14 Gonzalo Camacho

13 Bryan Rennie

12 Phil Dollman

11 Matt Jess

10 Ignacio Mieres

9 Haydn Thomas

1 Ben Moon

2 Chris Whitehead

3 Hoani Tui

4 Tom Hayes (capt)

5 James Hanks

6 Tom Johnson

7 James Scaysbrook

8 Richard Baxter

16 Neil Clark

17 Brett Sturgess

18 Chris Budgen

19 Aly Muldowney

20 Ben White

21 Kevin Barrett

22 Gareth Steenson

23 Sireli Naqelevuki