Kai Horstmann has signed a new three-year contract at Worcester Warriors that will keep him at the club until 2012. The 27-year-old back row has amassed 96 appearances for the club and director of rugby Mike Ruddock is delighted he has agreed to extend his stay. “Kai is reaching the peak of his powers and [...]
Williams bags Welsh Sports Personality Award
Shane Williams has been named the Welsh Sports Personality of the Year for 2008, adding to his haul of awards which also includes the International Rugby Board’s world player of the year. The 31-year-old wing received the most votes from the Welsh public, ahead of the much fancied Olympic cycling gold medallist Nicole Cooke and [...]
Richards thrilled with Harlequins victory
Dean Richards was left beaming after watching his side triumph 10-15 against Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup. Tom Williams and Jordan Turner-Hall got the all important tries and Quins defended resolutely against immense pressure from the home side. After the match Richards, director of rugby at Harlequins, praised his side’s performance. “It is right [...]
Stcherbina recovering after neck operation
Newport Gwent Dragon’s Marc Stcherbina is recovering in hospital after what has been described as a ‘successful’ neck operation. The 32-year-old centre suffered a serious neck injury in the 27-7 defeat to Toulouse and there has been great concern over the extent of his injury. However Dragons chief executive Gethin Jenkins was happy to report [...]
Meehan unhappy despite Bath victory
Bath coach Steve Meehan was left disappointed despite his side’s 35-31 victory over a strong Glasgow Warriors team. Meehan believes his side should have done a much better job of closing the game out from a commanding position and that they must improve defensively if they’re to have a successful season. “At 35-19 ahead, we [...]
Wales can be as good as Tri-Nations – Williams
Shane Williams believes the Autumn tests have shown that Wales aren’t far behind the Tri-Nations and that they are more than capable of competing with all three sides. South Africa and New Zealand both beat Wales with the latter completing a comprehensive 29-9 victory. However, Williams believes the victory over Australia in the last Test [...]
Wilkinson confident of Six Nations comeback
Jonny Wilkinson believes he can be fit and ready in time for the Six Nations in February, as continues to recover from a dislocated knee. The Newcastle fly-half has been out since September and watched on as England suffered heavy defeats in the Autumn tests. However, despite the losses, Wilkinson believes Martin Johnson is still [...]
Lipman avoids further action
Bath’s Michael Lipman has avoided further disciplinary action for stamping in England’s defeat to New Zealand. The 28-year-old flanker has been found guilty of foul play but the IRB don’t believe his actions warrant a red card or a suspension. The decision allows Lipman to play in Bath’s Heineken Cup game against Glasgow on Sunday.
World Cup draw is kind to England
England have been given a massive boost by avoiding all of the Southern Hemisphere nations in the draw for the group stages of the 2011 World Cup. However, England will have to contend with Scotland and the number 4 ranked team in the world Argentina. Wales face the daunting prospect of playing reigning World Champions [...]
South Africa rugby shirts compromise on Springbok
After years of controversy and discussion, the South African Rugby Union has taken the decision to keep the Springbok logo on the national team’s shirt. However, the Springbok antelope will be moved to the right side of the shirt, with the King Protea emblem taking its place on the left. Many critics have called for [...]
Flood recognises England problems
Toby Flood says he knows exactly how much England must improve if they’re to compete in the Six Nations, let alone on the world stage. The Leicester Tigers fly-half saw England start brightly before fading away in the second half, allowing New Zealand to take full control and secure a convincing 6-32 victory. He commented, [...]
2011 World Cup draw takes place today
The home nations will be waiting anxiously today to find out who they are drawn against in the group stages of the 2011 World Cup. The draw takes place in London at 3pm with England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland all hoping to secure a favourable draw. New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina are the [...]
Edwards hails fine Wales victory
Shaun Edwards believes Wales now have nothing to fear after their famous 21-18 victory over Australia. Edwards, who is the team’s defence coach, says Wales were unlucky to go down to defeats against South Africa and New Zealand but finally got the rub of the green against Australia. “It really struck home to the boys [...]
Gatland relishes Australia test
Wales coach Warren Gatland says he is relishing the prospect of facing Australia and believes his side have what it takes to prevent them achieving a European Grand Slam. Australia head into the match having already beaten England, Ireland and Scotland. However, a win for Wales could see them climb to 4th place in the [...]
Carter determined to beat England
New Zealand captain Dan Carter says he is determined to lead his country to victory over England and complete a Grand Slam over the home nations. The All Blacks have already convincingly seen off Wales, Scotland and Ireland and with England struggling Carter believes his side have every right to feel confident. “This is the [...]
All Blacks upset by Welsh Haka disrespect
New Zealand’s Ma’a Nonu has spoken of his disappointment over how Wales responded to the haka prior to the match between the two sides. Wales opted to stand their ground in an act of defiance but Nonu believes it showed disrespect to both his team and his country. He commented, “People back home will have [...]
Dallaglio asks critics for time
Lawrence Dallaglio is urging critics of the England side to give both the players and coach Martin Johnson time to gel and build up an understanding. Dallaglio says many people have already forgotten that in 1997, South Africa claimed a similarly emphatic victory at Twickenham, only for many of that England team to go on [...]
Australia ring changes for Wales clash
Australia have made significant changes to their starting line-up for the match against Wales on Saturday. Richard Brown comes in at number eight in place of Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh is in for George Smith at open-side flanker and Hugh McMeniman will play at blind-side. Ryan Cross comes in for Adam Ashley-Cooper, leaving Cooper and [...]
Cipriani dropped from England side
Danny Cipriani has been dropped from the England side for the match against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday. The Wasps fly-half has come under fire after poor individual performances against Australia and South Africa and has now paid the price. Leicester’s Toby Flood comes into the starting line up at fly-half with Cipriani having [...]
Williams voted World Player of the Year
Shane Williams has been voted World Player of the Year by the IRB and becomes the first ever Welsh player to receive the accolade. The Ospreys wing beat competition from Mike Blair, Ryan Jones, Dan Carter and Sergio Parisse to take home the award and afterwards spoke of his disbelief. “It’s the biggest honour you [...]
Ospreys Evans out for the season
Ospreys and Wales lock Ian Evans will miss the rest of the season after it was confirmed he suffered serious knee ligament damage in the defeat to New Zealand. The 24-year-old will have surgery on the knee in the next couple of weeks but is expected to be sidelined for a further nine months whilst [...]
Gatland throws down the gauntlet to players
Wales coach Warren Gatland says his side must believe in themselves if they are to beat New Zealand tomorrow at the Millenium Stadium. Wales haven’t beaten the All Blacks for 55 years, but Gatland is confident that if all his players do their jobs and perform to their maximum ability, they can get a result. [...]
Johnson prepared for SA Test
England coach Martin Johnson says his side know exactly how big the challenge ahead of them is as they prepare to take on world champions South Africa at Twickenham tomorrow. It is the first time the two sides have met since the Springboks triumphed in the World Cup final and Johnson believes they are worthy [...]
Kidney looking to maintain Ireland’s ranking
Ireland coach Declan Kidney is looking for significant improvement from his side when they face Argentina on Saturday, hoping to maintain their top 8 ranking. If Ireland lose to Argentina, who are ranked one place above them, then Scotland can finish above them and claim the second-tier World Cup ranking. Kidney remains in confident mood [...]
