Danny Cipriani will complete a remarkable recovery on Wednesday after being named in the Wasps’ team to face Bath. The 20-year-old fly half sustained a serious ankle injury against the same opposition at the end of last season but has made lightning-quick progress with his rehabilitation. Wasps rugby director Ian McGeechan, commented, “Danny has made [...]
Gatland would relish Lions role
Warren Gatland says he would be “honoured” to take up a coaching role on the Lions’ tour of South Africa next year. The Wales coach admits he has been in talks with Ian McGeechan and hopes that he is given the opportunity. “The first steps are under way in terms of the process but there’s [...]
Wilkinson reclaims Premiership crown
Jonny Wilkinson reclaimed the title of all time leading points scorer in the Premiership after helping Newcastle to a 17-3 win at home to Bristol. The England fly-half scored two conversions and a penalty to take his tally to 1,486 points and overtake former Leicester man Andy Goode. Bristol coach Richard Hill was unhappy with [...]
Booth relieved after dramatic Irish win
London Irish coach Toby Booth admitted he was relieved after his side fought back to claim a famous 27-28 victory against Harlequins. Delon Armitage was the hero for Irish as he claimed two tries to overturn the 20-8 half-time deficit and Booth recognised the importance of his performance. He commented, “The try from Delon Armitage [...]
Tigers confirm Hamilton signing
Leicester Tigers have announced that New Zealand international full-back Scott Hamilton will join the club on a two-year deal in November from Canterbury. Hamilton, 28, says he is delighted with the move and in particular the chance to link up with former team-mate Aaron Mauger. He commented, “It’s great to have Aaron over there. He’s [...]
Guscott believes Wasps will come good
Former England centre Jeremy Guscott believes it is only a matter of time before Wasps rediscover the form that carried them to their eventual Premiership title. So far this season, Wasps have been defeated in all three of their opening fixtures but Guscott says it won’t be long until their fortune changes. Speaking in his [...]
Wasps blame referee for Haskell suspension
The one-week ban that was handed down to James Haskell for head-butting has caused major controversy, after the RFU disciplinary chief Judge heaped blame on referee Martin Fox. During the match in question (Wasps V Worcester), two Worcester players were seen to repeatedly strike Wasps captain Phil Vickery with Haskell requesting referee Fox step-in to [...]
Cipriani set to make comeback
Danny Cipriani could be back in the Wasps side sooner than expected, after making a speedy recovery from a serious ankle injury. The England fly-half wasn’t expected to return until at least November, but has made remarkable progress with rehabilitation on his dislocated ankle and could feature against Bath on October 1. Cipriani is already [...]
Our Rugby Club Launched
A new website has been set up to give rugby fans the chance to invest money in a club and become part of an exciting venture. Our Rugby Club is looking to sign-up 10,000 members who are willing to pay £30 a year – every penny of which will be invested in the chosen club [...]
Australia introduce four new faces to squad
Australia have named their 34 man squad for their up-coming tour of Europe and there are four new faces in the crowd. Fly-half Quade Cooper, prop Sekope Kepu and flanker David Pocock join teenager James O’Connor in a new look Aussie squad. The full Australia squad reads: Backs: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Luke Burgess, Quade [...]
Haskell slapped with one week ban
James Haskell has been given a one week ban after being found guilty of a head-butt in Wasps’ defeat against Worcester. The England flanker could have been facing a much longer ban, had the disciplinary panel not decide their were mitigating circumstances and the offence was of a “less-serious kind”. Haskell is now out until [...]
Charity match raises £1.1 million
The Help for Heroes match at Twickenham on Saturday raised a massive £1.1 million for injured servicemen and women. The HFH team was led by Lawrence Dallaglio and triumphed 29-10 against an international XI, captained by Scott Gibbs. The former England captain Dallaglio was delighted with the turn out for the match and commented, “We [...]
Fitness wins the day for Leicester
Leicester coach Heyneke Meyer believes it was his sides superior fitness that carried them to a narrow victory against Worcester. Toby Flood’s four penalties as well as a converted try from Julien Dupuy gave the Tigers the win and Meyer had high praise for both sides after the match. He commented, “It was high-intensity rugby [...]
Jones delighted with Saracens victory
Eddie Jones, the director of rugby at Saracens was delighted with his side’s 44-14 victory against Newcastle Falcons. Jonny Wilkinson continued his good form with 9 points but was unable to prevent Falcons slipping to a heavy defeat. Jones meanwhile, believes that Saracens are playing the kind of rugby that will win games as it [...]
Overplaying cost Wasps – McGeechan
Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan believes his side were guilty of overplaying in their 24-20 defeat to Northampton. Last season’s champions have now lost three matches on the spin, but McGeechan remains confident they can turn it round. He commented, “Obviously it was one we wanted to win and we came here with that [...]
Nutbrown crushed by injury
Jamie Nutbrown will be out of action for around two months after breaking his left foot in the match against Glasgow Warriors. The 27-year-old scrum-half only arrived at the club last week and his injury leaves Ospreys short of nines, with only Rhodri Wells and teenager Rhys Webb currently available. Chris Towers, the Ospreys physio [...]
Hadden calls up 50 players
Scotland coach Frank Hadden has included a huge 50 players in his original pool for the upcoming Autumn Tests. Amongst the crowd there are 7 new faces, all hoping to win their first cap for their country. Max Evans, Moray Low, Dan Turner and Mark McMillan from Glasgow Warriors all get their chance to show [...]
Williams injury not as bad as first feared
Wales and Cardiff Blues star Martyn Williams hopes to be fit for his club’s first match in the Heineken Cup, after picking up what looked like a serious injury against Ulster. The 33-year-old flanker has suffered ligament damage in his left ankle but won’t need an operation to repair the damage, meaning he will be [...]
Robinson delighted to play again
Jason Robinson says he is delighted to be returning to the playing field, as he prepares to take part in a friendly match at Twickenham alongside other England greats. Martin Johnson, Richard Hill, Will Greenwood and Lawrence Dallaglio are also included in the Englad team, who will take on an International XI featuring Scott Gibbs [...]
Jonny stars in return to side
Jonny Wilkinson said he was just happy to be back in action after destroying Northampton with the boot in Newcastle’s 32-22 victory. The returning Wilkinson scored 2 penalties, 5 drop-goals and a conversion to finish with a 22 point haul, his late 5th drop goal denying Northampton a bonus point. After game the England fly-half [...]
Worcester deserved win – Ruddock
Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock says his side deserved their shock victory over Wasps, after they edged out the reigning champions 11-10. A penalty 10 minutes into injury time from Loki Crichton secured the win, but Ruddock believes it was the least Worcester deserved after playing bravely against one of top sides in the [...]
Wilkinson to make comeback against Northampton
Newcastle and England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson will make a return to action against Northampton on Sunday following shoulder surgery over the summer. Wilkinson who has been hampered by injury through-out his career missed England’s New Zealand tour and the Falcons’ opening-day defeat by Sale. “Jonny is in great shape and raring to go,” said Newcastle’s [...]
Scarlets drop Llanelli from name
Welsh regional team Llanelli Scarlets have decided that from now on they will be known only as the Scarlets. The change has been decided to help reflect more accurately the Scarlets’ geographical area of influence. Stuart Gallacher, the Scarlets chief executive, said: “The Scarlets represent an area which stretches far beyond the town of Llanelli. [...]
Seymour out for up to eight weeks
Saracens have been hit with the news that flanker Dave Seymour will be out for up to eight-weeks with knee ligament danage. The 23-year-old open-side was taken off at Twickenham midway through the second half against Harlequins on Saturday. Saracens director of rugby Eddie Jones told the club’s website: “It’s a blow for the squad [...]
Falcons Parling out for three-months
Newcastle Falcons lock Geoff Parling faces a three-month lay-off following surgery on the cheekbone he damaged in Sunday’s 14-9 loss against Sale. Parling, 24, went off nursing a facial injury and coach Steve Bates has already begun planning his replacement for the visit of Northampton on Sunday. “Geoff went to hospital with a broken cheekbone, [...]