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Ospreys Desperate to Keep Jones

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:43:37 +0000

Ospreys coach Sean Holley is concerned that Adam Jones could become the latest star to pack up and move to France for the bigger money. The Wales and British and Irish Lions prop has revealed that he could follow several of his team-mates across the English Channel, something his coach is desperate to prevent.

James Hook, Mike...

By Chris White

Lawes Extends Saints Deal

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:27:41 +0000

England lock Courtney Lawes has signed a new three-year contract to tie him to Northampton Saints until 2015. The 22-year old was a product of the youth academy at Franklin’s Gardens and has made 86 appearances for the club since making his debut in 2007.

Lawes won the European Challenge Cup with the Saints back in 2009 as well as the LV Cup in 2010, and was a part of the side that lost in the final of the Heineken CupBy Chris White

Cole Signs New Tigers Contract

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:24:11 +0000

Leicester have been boosted by the news that England prop Dan Cole has signed a new three-year contract, keeping him at Welford Road until the end of the 2015 season.

Cole, who has come through the ranks at Leicester, made his England debut in 2010 and has become a vital part of Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill’s first fifteen. Cockerill said ...

By Chris White

Cornish Pirates Dealt Stadium Blow

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:16:14 +0000

Having put plans in place to temporarily use Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park stadium for their home games in the early stages of the 2012/13 season, Cornish Pirates have been dealt a major blow in their bid to finally be eligible for promotion to the Aviva Premiership by the news that their new stadium will not be ready for use.

The Pirates had hoped that their £24million 10,000-seater stadium wou...

By Chris White

Wilkinson Retires from International Rugby

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:45:40 +0000

Having won 91 test caps for England, Jonny Wilkinson has retired from international rugby. The fly half made his debut for his country at the age of 18 and went on to play in four World Cups, with his defining moment proving to be his drop goal with 17 seconds of the 2003 World Cup final against Australia to seal the title for England.

The 32-year old Toulon...

By Chris White

Lancaster to Lead England in Six Nations

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:56:21 +0000

Stuart Lancaster has been announced as the man to lead England on an interim basis, starting with the Six Nations in the New Year. The current scrummaging coach Graham Rowntree will support Lancaster, along with Saracens coach Andy...

By Chris White

Thompson Forced Into Retirement for a Second Time

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 09:25:09 +0000

Having retired once before, back in 2007, England hooker Steve Thompson has been forced into retirement again because of another neck injury. Thompson returned to the game just months after his first retirement, and after working his way back to the top level, the injury has been deemed to severe for him to continue in the game.

The 33-year old was a part of the victorious England World Cup winning...

By Chris White

Saints Consider Ashton Appeal

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:05:58 +0000

Northampton and England winger Chris Ashton has been banned for four weeks by the RFU for “an act contrary to good sportsmanship.” The charge relates to an incident in which Ashton appeared to drag Leicester’s Alesana Tuilagi into touch by his hair.

Northampton are considering whether or not to appeal aga...

By Chris White

Williams Try a Fitting End to International Career

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:22:34 +0000

Whoever wrote the script at the Millennium Stadium simply could not have written it much better for Shane Williams, other than putting him on the winning side of course. Unfortunately, his Wales side were beaten by Australia 24-18, but the final score of the game was Williams going over in the corner in the final move of the match, his final involvement in international rugby.

The 34-year old winger...

By Chris White

Lions Confirm Australian Tour Dates

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:26:26 +0000

The British and Irish Lions will start their 2013 tour with a game in Hong Kong, before moving on to Australia for nine more matches, including three Tests against the Wallabies.

The Lions will also play five Australian Super 15 teams, and a combined team made up of New South Wales and Queensland players, with the Australian...

By Chris White

Australians Sweep Barbarians Aside

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:43:50 +0000

A Barbarians side filled with star names was no match for Australia at Twickenham, as the Wallabies cruised to a 60-11 victory, running in eight tries in the process.

The game marked the debut of rugby league star Sam Tomkins in the 15-man game, but he was helpless to prevent the rout. The Tri-Nations winners looked in outstanding...

By Chris White

Big Guns Provide Big Challenge for England

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 09:54:00 +0000

The RFU have announced the schedule for autumn 2012, in which England will face three of the big guns of world rugby. Fiji, Australia, South Africa and the recently crowned World Champions New Zealand will all come to Twickenham in what will be a real indication of what, if anything, England learned in the recent World Cup.

The opening Test is against...

By Chris White

England World Cup Reports Leaked in National Press

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 09:34:25 +0000

A UK national newspaper has released details of a comprehensive report into what happened regarding the England squad at the recent World Cup in New Zealand, revealing that several players were “more focused on money than the rugby.”

The report, compiled by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the Premiership clubs and t...

By Chris White

O'Gara Does it Again for Munster

Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:21:09 +0000

Ronan O’Gara kicked another last gasp winner to give Munster their second stoppage time victory in a row in this season’s Heineken Cup, as the Magners League side beat Castres 27-24.

Trailing for the majority of the game, Munster were seemin...

By Chris White

Tindall to Appeal RFU Fine

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 09:35:04 +0000

Gloucester centre Mike Tindall is to appeal against his £25,000 fine from the RFU for his controversial night out while away at the World Cup in New Zealand, with the Rugby Players’ Association describing the punishment as “extraordinary and unprecedented.”

Tindall, who captained E...

By Chris White