Marriott London Sevens hits new heights at Twickenham Stadium

Posted on May 10, 2012 in Sevens

The Marriott London Sevens is set to hit new heights with another world record weekend at Twickenham Stadium in the final leg of this season’s HSBC Sevens World Series.

More than 90,000 tickets have been sold for the tournament – launched today at the EDF Energy London Eye and the London Marriott Hotel County Hall with coaches and captains from the competing nations – and this weekend’s total attendance is expected to climb past last year’s high of 100,094.

The Marriott London Sevens is also the final major event in the calendar before the sport is welcomed into the Olympic family after the London 2012 Games, and for the first time both men’s and women’s events will be staged at Twickenham.

New Zealand are close to completing the defence of their overall HSBC Sevens World Series title, with Fiji in second place. Dubai champions England are in third and aiming to finish on a high after their impressive performances at Glasgow last weekend.

The IRB Women’s Challenge Cup sees England aiming to add more silverware to their collection after lifting the Hong Kong title with hot competition expected from the likes of World Cup winners Australia and Dubai title-holders Canada.

The tournament’s ‘70s Disco theme will attract thousands in fancy dress and create a carnival atmosphere with house band Love Train playing live inside the stadium and a Funky Town fan village in the West Car Park as well as a host of other entertainment for supporters of all ages.

Rob Andrew, RFU Professional Rugby Director, said: “The Marriott London Sevens continues to grow and get bigger and better each year both on and off the pitch, which is a testimony to the strength of the event and the appeal of the sport.

“This weekend, for the first time, Twickenham Stadium is the finale of what may be the most competitive HSBC Sevens World Series of them all.

“The athleticism and skill levels of the players are astonishing now and that goes for the women’s game as well as the men’s, with two competitions running alongside each other throughout the weekend.”

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Falcon’s Pilgrim re-signs

Posted on May 9, 2012 in Newcastle Falcons, Premiership

Chris Pilgrim is the latest player to pledge his future to the ambitious Newcastle Falcons after signing an extension to his contract.

Pilgrim, 26, who joins Jimmy Gopperth, Ally Hogg and Rob Vickers on the committed list, reveals he is excited at the prospect of developing his game under the stewardship of incoming director of rugby Dean Richards.

He told the Falcons official website: “I am delighted to have signed a new contract and I am really looking forward to working under Dean Richards.

“The fact that Dean Richards is coming in has had a massive bearing on my decision to stay in the North East and there is certainly a very bright future for the club.

“I want to be a part of something special here – now my aim is to get my head down and keep working hard in training.”

The Birkenhead-born No.9 has competed with Will Chudley and latterly Peter Stringer for a starting berth this campaign.

Pilgrim admits Ireland international Stringer has had a significant impact on his game since joining the Falcons on loan from Munster.

“Peter [Stringer] has really helped my game both on and off the field,” said Pilgrim.

He added: “The way he goes about his business from a game management point of view and how he interacts with the forwards is world class.

“I have learnt a lot from him in recent weeks and I cannot wait to develop my skills in pre-season. Since Gary [Gold] came in things have also improved for me.”

Joining the Falcons in the summer of 2009 from Championship outfit Nottingham, Pilgrim played a key role in helping his side lift the J.P Morgan Premiership Rugby 7’s trophy last year.

The former Loughborough student believes the Falcons can go all the way to the top with the backing of owner Semore Kurdi.

He said: “Semore is very passionate about rugby in the North East and he wants the Falcons to go all the way to the top.

“He has signalled his intent with a number of changes such as the restructuring of the academy, the new medical suite and of course the appointment of Dean.”

Toby Booth, Justin Bishop and Neal Hatley to leave London Irish

Posted on May 8, 2012 in London Irish, Premiership

London Irish have confirmed today that Toby Booth, Justin Bishop and Neal Hatley will be leaving the Club.

Toby and Neal have decided to join the new coaching set up at Bath Rugby, which has been announced today. Justin has decided to progress onto new opportunities within rugby and will announce his next move in due course.

Andy Martin, London Irish’s Chief Executive said: “Toby, Justin and Neal have been at the heart of London Irish for many years and we are all extremely proud of their achievements. Toby has led the team through one of its most successful ever periods and they have all been instrumental in recruiting and developing some of the Club’s most outstanding talent. We are extremely sad that they are leaving, however we understand the lure of career progression and so we sincerely thank them for their unfaltering commitment to London Irish and wish them all the very best of luck in their new endeavours.

“Our plans for next season are shaping up well. We have made some very strong player signings over the last few weeks to add to our existing talent and our priority now is to ensure that we have an equally strong back room set up under Brian Smith. Those wheels are already very much in motion and we will make further announcements as soon as possible.”

After joining the club as Assistant Academy Manager over a decade ago in January 2002, Toby Booth rose quickly up the ranks and was appointed as the Exiles’ Head Coach in 2008. He steered the Club through its most successful period of the professional era – leading the squad through a Premiership Final as well as securing qualification for the Heineken Cup for the three consecutive seasons. From 2003 his involvement with the Exiles’ senior squad increased and in 2004 he took on responsibility for the scrum and lineout. He was appointed Forwards Coach in June 2005 and since that time the London Irish pack has consistently been among the most effective in the Premiership. He was also forwards coach of the England Saxons team that successfully defended the Barclays Churchill Cup in June 2008.

Toby said: “After 10 years London Irish will always be part of me and the decision to leave was not taken lightly especially after the fantastic support shown to me by the fans throughout my time here. Moving is going to be a big change but I feel now is the right time for a fresh challenge. I have worked with fantastic players and coaches over the years and I would also like to thank everyone who has supported me. I wish London Irish the very best of luck for the future.”

Justin Bishop has been the London Irish Defence Coach this season. Prior to this he was Assistant Academy Manager. He enjoyed an illustrious playing career for the club playing 280 games for the Exiles, scoring 58 tries. He also represented Ireland on 25 occasions, scoring eight tries. He received the London Irish Player’s Player of the Season Award in 2000/2001 and London Irish Try of the Season in the same year. Justin was named Irish Post Awards Sports Personality of the Year 2006.

Justin Bishop said: “I have enjoyed almost two decades at London Irish and will go away with some fantastic memories, both as a player and a coach. It has been a privilege to be a part of but it is now time to move on and experience some new opportunities within rugby.”

Neal Hatley has been the London Irish Academy Manager since 2008 and has been assisting with the 1st XV forwards for the past two seasons. Prior to this, for over a decade, Neal enjoyed a successful career as a prop forward in the London Irish front row after joining the club in 1998. Playing over 250 top class games for the Exiles, Neal received Player of the year and Players Player of the year during his playing time at Irish. He also represented England A and was a senior England Tourist in 2003. In 2007 he captained the England Saxons side to Churchill Cup success, lifting the trophy after his side defeated New Zealand Maori at Twickenham.

Neal Hatley said: “London Irish has been a huge part of my life for so long and the decision to leave was a very difficult one. However the chance to further my career and become a forwards coach at a club like Bath was too difficult to pass up. I would like to thank everyone associated with the club and wish everyone at London Irish the very best for the future.”

All three coaches have played a pivotal role in the development of the Club’s home grown talent and can be credited for the outstanding progress of young players such as Delon Armitage, Topsy Ojo, David Paice, Nick Kennedy Alex Corbisiero, Jonathan Joseph, Tom Homer, Jamie Gibson and Anthony Watson.

England Women hunting a second successive Sevens crown

Posted on May 8, 2012 in England Sevens, England Women

England Women’s Sevens captain Michaela Staniford says England will be looking to make it two wins from two at this weekend’s IRB Women’s Challenge Cup at the Marriott London Sevens (May 12-13), Twickenham.

England head into the tournament on the back of a thrilling 15-10 victory over world champions Australia in the final of Hong Kong, and with Head Coach Barry Maddocks naming a strong squad, boosted with a handful of Six Nations winners, the home side will be amongst the favourites to lift the crown again.

“We have reached the last two Challenge Cup finals but have only won one of them so the girls are not fully satisfied,” said the England skipper. “Without a doubt this squad, which has been further strengthened after Hong Kong, have the ability to get to the final and win but we all know Sevens can be a brutal game. What may seem like a small error can easily be capitalised on by the opposition. We need to focus on our game and have the ability to perform game after game. Good teams win games, world class teams repeatedly win finals and that’s what we are aiming for.”

The third IRB-sanctioned tournament, which runs alongside the HSBC Sevens World Series, will see 12 invited teams from six continents compete for the prized Cup.

Joining England in Pool A are South Africa, Kazakhstan and Olympic Games 2016 hosts Brazil.  The pool games of the IRB Challenge Cup will be played on the neighbouring Cardinal Vaughan pitches, with the semi-finals and final on the famous Twickenham pitch.

“This is another tough pool for England,” added Staniford, who plays her club rugby for Wasps. “South Africa are the team that jump out at me. They have been developing at an impressive rate over the past few years and definitely our toughest opponents in Dubai, where we only won by two points.

“Kazakhstan have a very athletic side with a fantastic work rate and a never die attitude which they demonstrated in the XVs World Cup in 2010. Sevens is certainly the perfect game for these girls who love to run with the ball. Like Kazakhstan, Brazil and England have not met on the Sevens circuit yet so we need to expect a very competitive pool stage for England.”

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Vote on the IRB Sevens Player of the Year

Posted on May 8, 2012 in IRB, Sevens

A shortlist of three nominees, two New Zealanders and one Englishman, has been unveiled for the IRB Sevens Player of the Year Award, in association with HSBC.

With just one round left to play in the 2011/12 HSBC Sevens World Series, in England’s capital London, Tomasi Cama (NZ), Frank Halai (NZ) and Mat Turner (ENG) have been nominated for the award.

The outstanding trio were shortlisted from a vote by the management teams of the 12 core sides who compete at each and every round of the Series.

The winner will be announced following the conclusion of the Marriott London Sevens, at Twickenham Stadium on 13 May.

Fijian-born playmaker Cama is up for the award for the second year running, having lost out to South Africa’s Cecil Afrika last season. Cama’s sharp rugby brain and astute Sevens acumen has once again been a key factor behind New Zealand’s drive for a 10th World Series success. He is also currently the season’s top point-scorer with 330 and has 28 tries to his name.

Giant wing Frank Halai has also touched down 28 times for the New Zealanders this season. His powerful presence out wide has often proved the difference for the kiwis, no more so than at their home event in Wellington and also in Port Elizabeth, where they won back to back titles.

For England, Mat Turner has produced performances of a consistently high level. Operating from the scrum-half position and out wide, his pace off the mark and eye for a gap has often lifted his side and his was the telling contribution when Ben Ryan’s men retained the Cup title in Dubai, and reached the final in Glasgow.

"Between them, these three players perfectly sum up the skill, excitement, pace and power on show in our magnificent Olympic game of Rugby Sevens," said IRB Chairman, Bernard Lapasset.

"All three have been outstanding players and sportsmen this season and to be shortlisted by the teams they have played against shows just how significant their individual contributions have been."

You can vote on the IRB Sevens Player of the Year 2012 on the IRB’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/irbsevens