Wales coach Warren Gatland doesn’t believe star wing Mark Jones will be fit in time to place world champions South Africa on November 8. The Scarlets man was taken off in the win over Bristol with a knee injury, but it was anticipated he would return for the start of the Autumn tests. However, Gatland [...]
Flood delighted with Johnson management
Toby Flood has told BBC Sport how happy he is with the way Martin Johnson coaches the side and praised his dedication to the job. The 23-year-old Leicester man has been in sparkling form for his club and believes with Johnson as national coach, he will only improve. “After every club game we have a [...]
England release stars for club duty
England have allowed eight players to be released from their training camp so they can play for their club sides in the EDF Energy Cup. Olly Barkley, Wasps duo Josh Lewsey and Tim Payne, George Chuter, Jordan Crane, Dan Hipkiss, Shane Geraghty and Peter Richards have all been allowed to join up with their club [...]
Vainikolo held after street fight
England star Lesley Vainikolo was arrested on Saturday night after being involved in a street fight in Bath, but was later released on bail. The Gloucester man was questioned by police over allegations of grievous bodily harm, after a man in his 20s was taken to hospital, suffering from head injuries. A spokesman from Gloucester [...]
Jones unhappy with Hartley tackle
Eddie Jones believes Dylan Hartley was lucky to escape a sending off after a high tackle on Moses Rauluni in Saracen’s 33-19 victory over Northampton. Hartley received a warning following the tackle but Jones commented that further action should have been taken. “He took the head of the player away from the ball and it’s [...]
Turner disapointed with Dragons defeat
Newport Gwent Dragons boss Paul Turner spoke of his disappointment after the 25-20 defeat to Gloucester, claiming his side had missed a good opportunity for a surprise win. Despite leading the match just before the interval, Dragons failed to push on and Gloucester fought back in the second half to claim the victory and a [...]
Three out for Scotland Tests
Scotland will be without three key players as they gear up for their autumn Test matches. Chris Cusiter, Rory Lawson and Graeme Morrison have all picked up injuries and are expected to miss out on the series of games against New Zealand, Canada and world champions South Africa. The experienced Cusiter has a fractured thumb, [...]
Tony Hanks joins Wasps coaching staff
Wasps have bolstered their coaching staff with the appointment of Tony Hanks as coach on a temporary basis. The Waikato coach will work with the squad from the start of November and is expected to remain at the club until March next year. With Ian McGeechan and head coach Shaun Edwards both dividing their time [...]
Gloucester star out of England Tests
James Simpson-Daniel has been ruled out of England’s forthcoming Tests because of ankle ligament damage and is set for three months on the sidelines. Its a cruel blow for the 26-year-old winger who has been in sparkling form over the last year, culminating in his Guinness Premiership Player of the Year Award for the 2007/08 [...]
Europe not on agenda for McCaw
Richie McCaw says he has “no inclination” to play club rugby in Europe but will be interested to see how Dan Carter finds the experience. Carter is set to join-up with Perpignan in December on a 6 month contract and McCaw admits he’ll be watching with interest. “I’m pretty happy with what I’m doing at [...]
Howley delighted with Lions inclusion
Rob Howley says he is delighted to be involved with the coaching set-up for the Lions tour of South Africa next summer. The 38-year-old was announced as attack coach yesterday and joins Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards in Ian McGeechan’s backroom staff. He commented, “When Geech phoned me, I was absolutely ecstatic to be part [...]
Cipriani in for injured Wilkinson
Danny Cipriani has been drafted into the England elite squad for the Autumn internationals, following the injury to Jonny Wilkinson. The Wasps fly-half has only recently returned to action himself, following a serious ankle injury and was left out of the original squad. Cipriani said he was delighted to get the call and believes he [...]
Gatland poised for Lions role
Warren Gatland is expected to be named forwards coach for the Lions tour today as the backroom staff starts to take shape. The Wales coach along with his assistants Shaun Edwards and Warren Howley will form part of the team that takes the Lions to South Africa next summer. Despite the enthusiasm Gatland has shown [...]
MacLeod fails routine drug test
Scott MacLeod has failed a drugs test and is facing a serious investigation into how his urine sample contained unusually high levels of testosterone. The Scotland forward reacted to the news by denying allegations of wrong-doing and demanding his B sample also be tested. It isn’t the first time MacLeod has been involved in a [...]
Henson included in Wales squad
Gavin Henson has been included in the Welsh squad for the upcoming autumn Tests, despite only playing one match so far this season. The Ospreys centre only recently returned from a long lay-off due to a ankle injury, but is currently serving a two match suspension for breaking club discipline rules. However, Wales coach Warren [...]
Phillips OK after street attack
Welsh international Mike Phillips is recovering at home after being attacked on a night out in Cardiff, early on Sunday morning. The 26-year-old Ospreys scrum-half was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure after the incident but was soon released after a check-up. A spokesperson from Ospreys added, “The matter has now been reported to [...]
Narraway a major England doubt
Luke Narraway is set to miss the Autumn Test matches for England after suffering a hamstring injury. The forward went off injured for Gloucester as they slumped to defeat against Cardiff in the Heineken Cup and isn’t expected to be fit in time for England duty. The first match is set to take place at [...]
O’Driscoll suffers injury setback
Brian O’Driscoll could miss out on the forthcoming Ireland test matches, after it was revealed his knee ligament injury requires further investigation. The 28-year-old picked up the knock in Leinster’s emphatic victory over Wasps on Saturday and only played the first half. Club officials say O’Driscoll will undergo a scan in the next couple of [...]
10 Awesome Rugby Fights
As if it wasn’t enough to tear each other limb from limb during a match, rugby players love nothing more than to get involved with some serious face pounding action. Here are 10 of my personal favourite clips. #10 – The French What I particularly enjoyed about this clip is the variety of fighting styles [...]
Ward switches to Sale
Dave Ward has signed for Sale after being released by Northampton. The 23-year-old hooker made only six appearances for the Saints last season, but Sharks’ director of rugby Phillipe Saint Andre believes there is more to come from Ward. “We’re pleased to have him. This is a great opportunity for him to develop his career.”
Mears extends Bath stay
Lee Mears has signed a new four year deal with Bath, making it likely that he will finish his career with the only club he has ever played for. The 29-year-old England hooker has already made 174 appearances for Bath and is delighted to have signed on for longer. “We have produced a Bath team [...]
Wasps move to Twickenham
Wasps have revealed that they will play their Heineken Cup match against Leinster at Twickenham. Only the lower bowl of the stadium will be open for the match on the 17th January, but that still provides a 30,000 seat capacity and Wasps chief executive Tony Copsey believes it is a great step for the club. [...]
Ruddock upbeat after crushing win
Mike Ruddock, the director of rugby at Worcester Warriors believes his side gained valuable experience in the 55-6 victory over Petrarca in their Challenge Cup encounter. Worcester have one of the younger sides in the competition and Ruddock believes they have the ability to step up to the Heineken Cup in the near future. “With [...]
Ospreys coach confident of progressing
Sean Holley believes his Ospreys side can bounce back from the defeat at Leicester, as they prepare to face Perpignan at the Liberty Stadium. Ospreys went down 12-6 to the Tigers in their opening Heineken Cup match, but Holley believes their home form will be enough to see them through. He commented, “We’re looking forward [...]
Meehan angry after Toulouse defeat
Bath coach Steve Meehan was upset by the decisions that went against his side in the 18-16 defeat to Toulouse. David Skrela kicked a last gasp penalty to give the French side the win, but Meehan believes earlier decisions cost his side dearly. “There were a few odd decisions out there, notably the one where [...]