Rugby

O'Driscoll criticises De Villiers

2009-07-01T10:14:00.000+01:00

O'Driscoll (left) believes De Villiers has brought the game into disrepute
Brian O'Driscoll has added his voice to the criticism of Springboks coach Peter de Villiers over his stance on Schalk Burger's gouging offence.
De Villiers initially denied Burger had done anything wrong in the second Test against the British and Irish Lions.
The flanker received an eight-week ban, and O'Driscoll said: "To hear the South Africa coach talk about gouging being part of the game was semi-repulsive.
"I just find it appalling. I truly find it a disgrace," added the Lions centre.
Burger was found guilty of "making contact with the face in the eye area" of Lions wing Luke Fitzgerald.
TV footage showed Burger's fingers making contact with Fitzgerald's eye inside the first minute of the match in Pretoria.
De Villiers later issued an apology for defending Burger's actions and the South Africans will not be appealing against the player's suspension.
But Ireland star O'Driscoll added: "When you think about a situation where a parent wonders about whether their child should play rugby or soccer, and you hear comments from a national team coach of that sort - and regardless of the apology he may have submitted - it's essentially bringing the game into disrepute.
"We're trying to promote the game, and yet you hear comments like that."
Fitzgerald was able to continue after treatment, but at the time Burger escaped with only a yellow card from French referee Christophe Berdos - a decision taken on the advice of New Zealand touch judge Bryce Lawrence, who spotted the offence.

NT
After the match, De Villiers said he did not believe Burger should have been sent to the sin-bin
But on Monday, he backed down, saying: "It was never my intention to suggest that I condone foul play.
"That is the last thing I would ever do and I apologise for that impression."
De Villiers went on to say that "eye-gouging is something that we as a team will never be part of".
"The same applies to biting, head-butting, spear tackling or any other foul play that doesn't belong in the game," he added.

Wales centre Jamie Roberts had a big game for the Lions

2009-05-30T21:47:00.000+01:00

The Lions launched a late fightback to beat the Royal XV and avoid what would have been their first defeat in the opening tour match since 1971.
Two tries in quick succession, from Wilhelm Koch and Rayno Barnes, helped the hosts take a shock 18-3 lead.
Tommy Bowe's converted try made it 18-10 at the break before a Ronan O'Gara penalty cut the lead to five.
Bees Roux scored for the hosts but late tries from Lee Byrne, Alun Wyn Jones and O'Gara saw the Lions home.
A sparse crowd at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace in Rustenberg - the Super 14 final was taking place in nearby Pretoria - saw the Lions make a raft of mistakes and struggle to gel in the first hour.
An embarrassing defeat was on the cards - for the first time in a Lions tour opener since losing 15-11 to the Queensland Reds in 1971 - to an equally scratch side made up of players from the third tier of South African rugby.
It was not all bad for the Lions and Jamie Roberts and Lee Byrne both turned in fine performances despite the rocky display from the team as a unit, and in the end the Lions' greater fitness saw them run in three late tries to avoid faces as red as their shirts.
O'Gara kicked a seventh-minute penalty to give the Lions the lead but Naas Olivier soon levelled with a penalty of his own.
The Lions' attempts to get their game going were hampered by centre Keith Earls' inability to hang on to the ball.
The 21-year-old was clearly struggling with nerves and when he dropped a high kick in his own 22 it gave the hosts great field position.

They attacked from a ruck, great hands from Hanno Coetzee put Koch through a gap and the Royal XV captain had the pace and power to just make it to the line.
It soon went from bad to worse for the visitors, as Barnes burst through the middle of a maul to add a second try.
The maul, so rare a sight under the experimental laws (ELVs) that had been in effect for the past year, was making a welcome reappearance as Saturday's game was played under the definitive new laws which prohibit players from dragging down the maul, contrary to the system in use under the trial laws.
Royal XV fly-half Olivier converted the first try and slotted a penalty in between the two tries to give the hosts an unexpected 18-3 lead with less than half an hour on the clock.
As the Lions tried to get back on terms they elected not to kick for goal when awarded penalties and after kicking into the corner once more they finally scored their first try of the tour.
They failed to maul their way over from the line-out but fed the ball into midfield and Bowe popped up to take O'Gara's inside pass and motor over under the posts.
Ireland fly-half O'Gara slotted the conversion and despite a difficult opening 40 minutes, the Lions went in only eight points adrift at the break.
O'Gara trimmed the gap with a penalty two minutes after the restart and with Olivier then missing for the hosts, the Lions approached the last 20 minutes trailing by five points.
By now the tourists had taken charge but despite coming close to scoring several times, with Shane Williams even dropping the ball as he tried to spin over the line, they could not quite breach the hosts' defence.
And the Royal XV made them pay when they mounted a rare attack and Roux's converted score gave them what looked like being a decisive 25-13 lead.
With time running out Byrne showed fine footballing skills to score a superb solo try and give the tourists some hope, and O'Gara's conversion and a subsequent penalty cut the gap to two points with seven minutes to play.
By now the momentum had swung firmly in favour of the Lions and first Wyn Jones and then O'Gara went over for converted tries to ensure the Lions got the tour under way with the result, if not the performance, they wanted.
Royal Highveld XV: Russell Jeacocks (Leopards); Egon Seconds (Griquas), Deon van Rensburg (Leopards), Hanno Coetzee (Griquas), Bjorn Basson (Griquas); Naas Olivier (Griquas), Sarel Pretorius (Griquas); Albertus Buckle (Griquas), Rayno Barnes (Griquas), Bees Roux (Griquas), Rudi Mathee (Leopards), Jacques Lombard (Griquas), Wilhelm Koch (Leopards, capt), Devon Raubenheimer (Griquas), Jonathan Makoena (Griquas).Replacements: Pellow van der Westhuizen (Leopards), Stef Roberts (Griquas), Rynard Landman (Leopards), RW Kember (Leopards), Jacques Coetzee (Pumas), Riaan Viljoen (Griquas), Jovan Bowles (Bulldogs).
Lions: Lee Byrne (Ospreys/Wales), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys/Ireland), Keith Earls (Munster/Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues/Wales), Shane Williams (Ospreys/Wales); Ronan O'Gara (Munster/Ireland), Mike Blair (Edinburgh/Scotland); Andrew Sheridan (Sales Sharks/England), Matthew Rees (Scarlets/Wales), Adam Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Simon Shaw (London Wasps/England), Paul O'Connell (Munster/Ireland - captain), Joe Worsley (London Wasps/England), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues/Wales), David Wallace (Munster/Ireland).Replacements: Lee Mears (Bath/England), Phil Vickery (London Wasps/England), Alun-Wyn Jones (Ospreys/Wales), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster/Ireland), Mike Phillips (Ospreys/Wales), Stephen Jones (Scarlets/Wales), Riki Flutey (London Wasps/England).
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa).
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert and Mark Lawrence (both South Africa).

Henson should not tour - Ospreys

2009-04-29T09:27:00.001+01:00

Gavin Henson made his Wales debut against Japan in 2003
Ospreys coach Sean Holley has advised Wales against picking Gavin Henson for their summer tour to north America.
The Wales centre was sidelined for eight weeks after damaging ankle ligaments in the EDF Energy Cup semi-final defeat to Gloucester in March.
Henson had a slim hope of being a late call-up for this summer's Lions tour to South Africa if he impressed for Wales.
But Holley said: "The Wales tour might come a bit early as he would not have played for six or eight weeks."
The 27-year-old admitted his season was over after his injury curse struck again in that 17-0 EDF Energy last four defeat at the Ricoh Arena.
But double Grand Slam winner Henson is expected to recover from injury before Wales' two-Test summer tour to play Canada in Toronto on 30 May and United States in Chicago on 6 June.
Lions coach Ian McGeechan, whose side begin their three-Test showdown with the world champions in Durban on 20 June, would have watched Henson's progress in north America with great interest.
Henson pulls up with an ankle injury
And if the Ospreys star - who admits he would be a "liability" on a Lions tour - recovered well from his injury, a call-up to play the Springboks would have been a distinct possibility.
But Henson's club coach Holley said a summer tour "might be a difficult ask" for the 31-times capped international.
"It could be a risk," said Holley.
Henson has suffered an injury-ravaged season and missed the autumn series because of an Achilles problem then missed the start of Wales' Six Nations Grand Slam defence with a calf injury.
Holley has also ruled Henson out of playing any part in the Ospreys' remaining Magners League games.

They face Newport Gwent Dragons at the Liberty Stadium on 30 April followed by a home clash with Glasgow and a trip to Heineken Cup champions Munster.
Holley said: "Gavin's injury is obviously a difficult one because it's on his foot and his ankle, but he's making progress.
"He's working hard with the medical team.
"I'm not sure he's going to make it to one of the remaining games, which is disappointing, but I'm sure now we'll look forward to getting him right pre-season."

Ospreys suffer Thomas injury blow

2009-04-01T21:33:00.000+01:00

Jonathan Thomas will be sidelined for at least three months
Jonathan Thomas has been ruled out for the season after suffering a recurrence of his long-standing groin problem.
The 26-year-old Wales back-row misses the Ospreys' Heineken Cup quarter-final and their Magners League run-in.
"I saw a specialist and he said the only way to cure it is to have at least three months' rest, so that rules me out until next season really," he said.
"Obviously I'm bitterly disappointed with that, but the time had come where I've had the problem so long."
The groin problem has wrecked Thomas' season, ruling him out of Wales' autumn Test series and most of their Six Nations campaign.
Thomas returned for the lacklustre 20-15 win in Italy and was an unused replacement on the final weekend when Ireland won in Cardiff to claim their first Grand Slam in 61 years.
The injury has also robbed the line-out leader of any realistic hope of gaining selection for the end-of-season Lions tour to South Africa.
"It's been a shocker of a season for myself in terms of injury," Thomas added.
"So I'm quite realistic that I need to get the rest in if I want to come back next season."

Henson backed for Wales call-up

2009-03-02T14:15:00.000Z

Gavin Henson has not started for Wales in almost a year
Ex-captain Gwyn Jones says he expects Gavin Henson, James Hook, Dwayne Peel and Mark Jones to come into Wales' side to face Italy in Rome on 14 March.
But he told the BBC's Scrum V programme that changes will be less widespread than if Wales had beaten France.
"[Wales coach Warren Gatland] said he was looking to make quite a few changes but he may have to revise that [after the 21-16 loss in Paris]," said Jones.
The ex-flanker says Gatland has a major back-row headache over Jonathan Thomas.
"Thomas [who is just back from injury] is a good player, how [Gatland] figures four into three [with Martyn Williams, Andy Powell and Ryan Jones in Wales' back row]... he can have that headache," Jones told Scrum V.
"I think that [fly-half] Hook may play, Peel at nine, I think [wing] Mark Jones comes in and [centre] Henson will start.
606: DEBATE
Use the passing skills of Henson and Peel to add some variety to our game, bring JT in to freshen up the back row and Rhys Thomas as another ball carrier
JB 1973"He [Gatland] wants to see Henson, but perhaps not with Jamie Roberts - I think that Tom Shanklin was our best player on Friday."
A calf injury kept Henson out of the wins over Scotland and England, but he came off the bench in Paris, his first appearance for Wales in nearly a year.
Wales have never lost against a northern hemisphere side when Henson has started, and he partnered Shanklin to the Grand Slam in 2005 and 2008.
But Jamie Roberts has made a huge impression over the past year, and Gatland has twice tried to pair the Cardiff Blues centre with Henson, only to be denied by injuries to the latter.
"Henson needs game time and I think he must play for the Ospreys [against Leinster] this week," former Wales captain and fly-half Jonathan Davies told Scrum V.
Scrum V analysis: Where did it go wrong for Wales?
"Whether [Gatland] brings Hook and Henson in [against Italy] I'm not sure, but he can't make a lot of changes with a small squad. I'd start with Jamie Roberts again."
Ospreys centre Andrew Bishop and Blues flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor are the only players that the Welsh management have confirmed have been released to the Welsh regions for this weekend's Magners League action.
Peel will go back to Sale and Gareth Cooper - who has been suffering with a knee injury - remains with Gloucester, while there are no new worries over injuries or citations.
Scrum-half Martin Roberts, who has been with the squad on an unofficial basis, has returned to the Scarlets.
Former Wales captain and fly-half Phil Bennett cited a lack of game time for some of Wales' squad as a major concern.
Williams worries over selection
"How much rugby has Hook had over the past few weeks?" Bennett said on Scrum V.
"He only had a few minutes in Murrayfield, he didn't get on against England and he came on in the second half against France.
"A lot of players have not had the game time and that's proving costly for Wales.
"I'll be interested to see the make-up of the side, I can't see him [Gatland] making more than three or four changes."
*Wales are set to name their team to face Italy on Tuesday, 10 March at approximately 1300 GMT
Wales squad:
Forwards (16): Gethin Jenkins, John Yapp, Adam Jones, Rhys Thomas, Matthew Rees, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough, Alun Wyn Jones, Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies, Ryan Jones (capt), Jonathan Thomas, Dafydd Jones, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Robin Sowden-Taylor.
Backs (13): Mike Phillips, Gareth Cooper, Dwayne Peel, Stephen Jones, James Hook, Gavin Henson, Andrew Bishop, Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin, Shane Williams, Leigh Halfpenny, Mark Jones, Lee Byrne.

Spencer looks set to leave Saints

2009-01-30T12:20:00.000Z

Spencer remained at the club despite relegation in 2007
Former All Black fly-half Carlos Spencer is leaving Northampton Saints, BBC Radio Northampton understands.
The 33-year-old is believed to be frustrated with his lack of first-team opportunities at Franklin's Gardens.
Spencer has lost the Saints number 10 shirt to rugby league convert Stephen Myler this season and has only started eight games out of a possible 21.
He has a year left on his contract but an agreement appears to have been made for him to leave.
The New Zealander joined the club in 2005 but was recently reduced to playing for the Saints second team in a friendly against Henley Hawks on 19 January.
He was then left out of the Saints European Challenge Cup tie against Toulon five days later.
The fly-half, who played 35 times for his country scoring 291 points, is probably the Saints's biggest ever signing and remained at the club despite relegation to National One in 2007.
It is thought Spencer will join another Guinness Premiership club despite offers to play his rugby in France.

Phillips targets return for Wales

2008-12-23T11:39:00.000Z

Mike Phillips is aiming to regain his place in the Wales team after recovering from a knee injury.
The Ospreys scrum-half, 26, came on for the last 30 minutes of the region's 30-24 loss to the Dragons on Friday.
He has been out since damaging cruciate knee ligaments in the EDF Energy Cup win over Saracens in March.
"It's a goal of mine to get back into the [Wales] squad and do what I did last year and hopefully repeat the performance I put in," said Phillips.
The former Scarlet played a key role in the Grand Slam campaign and was short-listed as one of the six best players in the Six Nations.

But his joy was short-lived and he admits he has had a tough time on the sidelines, missing Wales' summer tour to South Africa and the recent autumn series.
"One week I was beating France and winning the Grand Slam and the following week was the injury," said Phillips, who has won 33 caps.
"Going from such a high to a low was very hard to take on board and it's been a very slow process.
"It's been a tough road but I'm at the end now and I'm really looking forward to being back playing."
Phillips came through his run-out against the Dragons largely unscathed, despite taking a minor knock.
"Personally for me, I'm delighted to be back on the field," he told BBC Sport Wales.
"It's all about having time on the field and it's going to be a bit of a process and I'm not putting too much pressure on myself.
"I took a bit of contact [on Friday], but the knee felt fine afterwards and I was initially pleased to come through it."

Dallaglio urges England patience

2008-11-26T20:43:00.000Z

Scrum-half Danny Care, 21, is part of an inexperienced England team
Lawrence Dallaglio says the current England team must be given time to develop into champions - just like the 2003 World Cup-winning side were.
Dallaglio led England to a then-record home defeat by South Africa in 1997, but eight members of that team went on to triumph in Sydney six years later.
"People have very short memories," Dallaglio told BBC Sport.
"England will get better and they will win, but people need to recognise that it won't happen overnight."
England have been lambasted following their 42-6 demolition by South Africa last Saturday.
But former England captain Dallaglio sees parallels with 1997, when a young side under the charge of new coach Clive Woodward were beaten 29-11 by the Springboks at Twickenham.
"Some of the team that lost in 1997 went on and won the World Cup in 2003," he said.
"In fact it took me two or three attempts before I eventually beat South Africa and the same with Australia.
"It might take six months, it might take 12 months, it might take longer for this side to succeed.
ENGLAND V S AFRICA, 29/11/97 (2003 World Cup winners in caps)

Matt Perry (aged 20)
John Bentley (31)
Nick Greenstock (24)
WILL GREENWOOD (25)
David Rees (23)
MIKE CATT (26)
MATT DAWSON (25)
JASON LEONARD (29)
Richard Cockerill (26)
Darren Garforth (31)
Garath Archer (22)
DANNY GREWCOCK (25)
RICHARD HILL (24)
NEIL BACK (27)
LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO (25)
"But we have to be patient and stick with the players we've got. There will be some casualties along the way and there will be one or two players who emerge and prove a great success.
"But we have to stick with these players and we'll get there in the end. There's absolutely no doubt about that."
Dallaglio, 36, said he thought South Africa were "the best post World Cup-winning side I've seen for a long time" and "certainly better than England after 2003".
And he backed England manager Martin Johnson, who succeeded him as skipper of the national side in 1999, to get things right.
"I think people expect Martin Johnson to change things overnight," the former England number eight said.
"I have no doubt that England will change and improve - it just won't happen straight away.
"England will get better and they will win, but very few things in life are instantly successful.
"Long-term success doesn't generally happen in the space of two or three matches, particularly when you're playing three of the best teams in the world.
"The schedule we've had this autumn has been pretty brutal, but in the next six months, England will know a lot more as a team.
"For most of these guys, it's the first time they would have played against southern hemisphere teams.
"There were changes for the first game against the Pacific Islanders - there was a new number nine, 10, 11, 12 and 15 and a new coach.
606: DEBATE
Is Dallaglio right? Are there parallels between England in 1997 and now?
"When you make that many changes against the three best teams in the world it's always going to be very difficult. People have to be realistic."
Dallaglio, who is now an associate director at Wasps after retiring from playing at the end of last season, says it "was not a huge surprise" that former team-mate Danny Cipriani has been dropped from the side to face New Zealand.
But he was not expecting another member of the Wasps side, open-side flanker Tom Rees, to be jettisoned.
"If I left Twickenham with anything on Saturday, it was that Tom Rees was one of the few positives for England," he admitted.

Tom Rees was one of the few positives for England last Saturday
Lawrence Dallaglio
"But the coaches maybe want to have a look at Michael Lipman and I suppose if you want to have a look at these players, now is the time to do it.
"Unless several players go out and play outstandingly well on Saturday, all the places in next season's Six Nations are up for grabs."
And Dallaglio backed England skipper Steve Borthwick, who has come in for personal criticism following England's heavy defeats by Australia and South Africa in the last couple of weeks.
"Steve Borthwick is a very intense rugby player who is very passionate about what he does," he said.
"Had Martin Johnson gone for somebody a bit younger and results had gone the same way, what would that have done for that player's confidence?
"Borthwick has been around long enough to be able to take whatever happens to him on the chin and move on. He's an experienced player and I think he's a super rugby player.
"Everybody should get behind the captain and not undermine him or question whether he was the right appointment."

Borthwick to stay England captain

2008-10-27T16:23:00.000Z

Borthwick has been in fine form since his move to Saracens
England manager Martin Johnson has named Saracens lock Steve Borthwick as captain for the autumn internationals.
The 29-year-old retains the role he was given for the ill-fated summer tour of New Zealand, when previous skipper Phil Vickery was unavailable after injury.
With the Wasps prop not certain to start given the form of Matt Stevens, Borthwick was the logical choice.
He first led England in this year's Six Nations match in Italy, but his latest appointment is not for a fixed period.
"Firstly, I’d like to thank Phil Vickery for everything he did for the team while he was captain," Johnson said of his World Cup-winning team-mate.
"Like Phil, Steve is a good leader and always prepares thoroughly for all his matches at club and international level and I’m looking forward to working with him.
"I won’t be giving Steve a specific amount of time in the job. I just want to support him as much as possible and I know he will enjoy all the responsibility and work that comes with being captain of England."
My three games as England captain have been away from home so to lead the team out at Twickenham will be a special moment
Steve BorthwickBorthwick's last act after 10 years at Bath was to lead them to victory in the European Challenge Cup final last season before joining Saracens in the summer.
His credentials for the England job have been frequently endorsed by Sarries director of rugby Eddie Jones, most recently after their EDF Energy Cup win over Northampton on Sunday.
"He has done a marvellous job for us, just with his competitiveness," Jones said. "He is so serious about his rugby."
Borthwick, who has won 39 caps since his debut in 2001, will lead out England for their opening autumn Test against the Pacific Islands a week on Saturday, 8 November.
They then face southern hemisphere heavyweights Australia, South Africa and New Zealand on successive weekends.
"My three games as England captain have been away from home so to lead the team out at Twickenham will be a special moment," he said.
"But my overriding aim is to help England get off to a winning start.

offamercia"I really enjoyed the week we had together in August and it showed what a good squad we have and that will hold us in good stead as we prepare for four very challenging games starting with the very tough Pacific Islanders.
"The squad and the coaching team is excellent and I'm really looking forward to our preparation and the games over the next four weeks."
One of Borthwick's former team-mates, Bath hooker Lee Mears, is one of several fitness concerns in the England squad who gathered at their Bagshot base on Sunday to begin preparations.
Mears sustained a rib injury in Bath's win at Sale on Friday, while Newcastle centre Jamie Noon was carried off in a neck brace in their defeat by Wasps.
If he's doing it in a club game, then you would worry about him in a Test match
Sarries boss Eddie Jones on Dylan HartleyThere could be a further worry for Johnson as he waits to hear whether Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley, likely to contest the starting role with Mears, is cited for a high tackle on Saracens scrum-half Moses Rauluni on Sunday.
Sarries boss Jones was furious that Hartley, who has banned for six months for eye-gouging last season, escaped with only a lecture.
"He took the head of the player away from the ball, and it is a serious misdemeanour," Jones observed.
"He has tended to have a reputation off the ball. We are certainly not happy with it.
"He seems like a good kid - he can play a bit - but you don't want to see players doing those sort of things. If he's doing it in a club game, then you would worry about him in a Test match."
Jones's Northampton counterpart Jim Mallinder said he "didn't think it looked that bad, actually".
"He is aggressive, but he's controlling himself and I think the referee probably made the right decision,' Mallinder added. "It wasn't the best challenge and he got penalised for it."

All Black Hamilton to join Tigers

2008-09-28T20:54:00.000+01:00

Utility back Hamilton has won two New Zealand caps
New Zealand international Scott Hamilton join Leicester on a two-year deal in November.
The 28-year-old, who can play on the wing or at full-back, will be reunited with his former Canterbury and Crusaders team-mate Aaron Mauger.
"It's great to have Aaron over there," said Hamilton, who has won two caps.
"He's captain there now and has a big say in the club, which has enjoyed some success, so I'm looking forward to contributing to their cause."
Hamilton played two Tests for the All Blacks in 2006 against Argentina and South Africa.
PcPete999He has also won three Super rugby titles, the Ranfurly Shield twice and the National Provincial Championship.
Canterbury assistant coach John Haggart said Hamilton would be sorely missed.
"Scott has been such a reliable and consistent performer for Canterbury and the Crusaders over the years that it's inevitable he will leave a huge hole," said Haggart.
Leicester had also been linked with mercurial Fijian winger Rupeni Caucaunibuca.

Chuter looking to play more games

2008-08-20T11:48:00.000+01:00

George Chuter still nurtures hopes of adding to his 21 England caps
Leicester Tigers hooker George Chuter wants to play more games this season but knows it will be tough to get in.
"With a new head coach, your immediate target has got to be to impress him," Chuter told BBC Radio Leicester.
"But I'm in the same position I was in last season with three hookers vying for two places".
The 32-year-old also wants to push for a place in the England side after leading the Saxons to victory in the Churchill Cup this summer.
Chuter said: "I've got go try and get as much rugby as I can and, hopefully, if I play well enough when I get the chance the international thing will take care of itself.
"I'm not looking any further ahead than the first league game at Gloucester.
"I want to be part of the new beginning al Leicester".
The Tigers' pre-season continues when they take on the Ospreys this Saturday at Swansea's Liberty Stadium (1500 BST).

Rugby union 'stuck in a ghetto'

2008-07-28T10:28:00.000+01:00

The report said failing to award the 2011 event to Japan was a mistake
The 2015 Rugby World Cup must be awarded to a developing nation so the sport can break away from its "ghetto", according to a report.
England and Wales may make a joint bid for the event, along with South Africa.
"Rugby union is stuck in a ghetto," said consultant Quentin Smith, who is also chairman of Sale Sharks.
"The first question for any decision made by the International Rugby Board (IRB) must be 'How does this push forward globalisation?'"
Japan are also understood to be vying for the 2015 competition, having been pipped by New Zealand for the right to host the 2011 tournament.
"Quite clearly that was a mistake - deciding to go to Japan would have opened up substantial new markets," added the report's co-author William Field, a partner at Spectrum Value Partners, a consultancy group whose work encompasses the sports industry.
The report stated that the sport's world governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), was "unrepresentative and undemocratic" with too much power awarded to the eight foundation unions.
"Over half of the world's 4m registered players are English and 97% of people watching last year's World Cup final came from foundation unions," said Field.
"There is a deep, systemic problem within rugby, The perspective needs to shift to be more international. Globalisation needs to become the number one agenda item within rugby
"The first question in any decision made by the IRB must be 'How does this push forward globalisation?'
"A cultural shift needs to take place. The World Cup is one of the biggest decisions the IRB has to make. It is important rugby makes the right decision next time."
Earlier in July, Australian rugby chief John O'Neill said that smaller countries were being priced out of the opportunity to host the Rugby World Cup.
The IRB wants £100m and £120m respectively from the hosts of the 2015 and 2019 events.
"There are very few countries that could put their hands up for that sort of commitment," said O'Neill.
"I'm not sure these can be sustained over the long haul without reducing the candidates down to France and England."
The IRB will announce the host nations for the 2015 and 2019 World Cups next July.

Maroons target Origin series win

2008-06-30T15:31:00.001+01:00

Greg Inglis destroyed the Blues in game two
Queensland will have to overcome a poor record at Sydney's Olympic Stadium to win a third consecutive State of Origin against New South Wales on Wednesday.
The Maroons, who lost to the Blues in the series opener in Sydney, got back into contention with a 30-0 home win in game two.
They have just one win and a draw from their past 13 games in Sydney.
Queensland are unchanged, while NSW have called up Sydney Roosters pair Braith Anasta and Mitchell Pearce.
Canberra's Joel Monaghan, the brother of Warrington half-back Michael, also comes in, while winger Steve Turner and prop Steve Simpson have been replaced by Jarryd Hayne and Ben Cross, who played in game one but were dropped for game two.
The Blues are missing Peter Wallace, Greg Bird and Mark Gasnier through injury and are underdogs after being held scoreless by Queensland in Brisbane earlier this month for only the second time in 83 Origin encounters since 1980.
It will be a special match for hooker Danny Buderus, who will lead NSW for a record 15th and final time before he moves to Super League side Leeds next season.
But Queensland, who had Melbourne centre Greg Inglis in devastating form in the second game, believe they can claim victory in Sydney.
"There is quite a bit of talk about the ground and the fact we don't have a great record there," said scrum-half Scott Prince.
"But if you look at it, plenty of players in this team have won a lot of big games there, so it's not that big a deal.
"We have a lot of guys from Melbourne Storm and the Brisbane Broncos who have won the last two Grand Finals there, so it isn't like it is a ground we hate coming to."

Peel adds to Wales injury worries

2008-04-29T19:43:00.001+01:00

Dwayne Peel is the latest Wales injury scare ahead of the Grand Slam winners' bid to beat South Africa in June.
The Scarlets' scrum-half has a shoulder injury that rules him out of Warren Gatland's 24-man training squad.
With Gareth Cooper part of Gloucester's Guinness Premiership play-off push and Mike Phillips out, London Irish's Warren Fury, 22, comes in.
Scarlets full-back Morgan Stoddart and Dragons scrum-half Andy Williams are also fresh faces since the Six Nations.
Gatland said: "Andy Williams and Morgan Stoddart both have a chance to show the coaches what they have to offer and to book themselves a seat on the plane to South Africa.

"Andy and Warren in particular are in with a good shout with two injuries in their position, to Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel, being a worry for us."
Gatland remains hopeful Peel and ankle-injury victim Gavin Henson will be fit to take on the World Champions.
Henson's regional team-mates Lee Byrne and Sonny Parker will also undergo fitness tests on knee injuries to determine whether or not they should be at the training camp.
Wales will train in Wexford, Ireland for a week from next Monday. If Newport-Gwent Dragons are involved in a Heineken Cup qualification play-off, Williams and Rhys Thomas are likely to be released to their region.
We have been given the opportunity to go on a pre-tour training camp thanks largely to the support of the four regions in Wales
Warren Gatland
Gareth Delve joins Cooper as an absentee due to Gloucester commitments.
Gatland said: "We have been given the opportunity to go on a pre-tour training camp thanks largely to the support of the coaches and management at each of the four regions in Wales.
"This is not something that we will be able to do every year, because I would like to see our regions in contention for end of season honours.
"But, with no European competition left at the end of a tough season and with Leinster runaway leaders of the Magners League, we have been able to negotiate a position which will hopefully be of benefit to everyone.
"The regions have allowed us to take the players away for an intensive period of training in advance of our tour to South Africa and I would like to personally express my gratitude for their co-operation."
Gatland will take his side to a training base in Wexford that specialises in Cryotherapy, which aids the body's recovery from exercise and allows more training.
"This is our core group now, but there may also be one or two other names we add to the tour party injuries permitting and with a couple of players down in England not considered at the moment," added Gatland.
Wales will announce their tour squad on May 14.
Wales training squad:
Backs: Morgan Stoddart, Lee Byrne, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Tom James, Sonny Parker, Tom Shanklin, Stephen Jones, James Hook, Andy Williams, Warren Fury.Forwards: Duncan Jones, Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas, Adam Jones, Matthew Rees, Huw Bennett, Ian Gough, Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Jonathan Thomas, Martyn Williams, Alix Popham, Ryan Jones.

Mortlock injury worry for Aussies

2007-09-02T10:03:00.001+01:00

Mortlock has won 60 caps for his countryAustralian skipper Stirling Mortlock has been forced to sit out training to give the Wallabies a major injury scare ahead of the World Cup.
The 30-year-old centre suffered what he described a recurrence of a disc problem but is confident of returning to training soon.
"It is definitely a concern because he is such an influential player," said Australian coach John Connolly.
"But the doctor thinks it will settle down as quickly as it came."
The Wallabies open up their World Cup campaign against Japan in Lyon on 8 September.
Meanwhile, Australia's management team say that Adam Ashley-Cooper (groin) and Guy Shepherdson (knee) are on track with their recoveries.
Fly-half Berrick Barnes has been given the all-clear to resume training after recovering from a niggling groin injury that has sidelined him for the past three weeks.

England release six from squad

2007-07-13T21:50:00.000+01:00

Ashton's England team have three warm-up games in August Olly Morgan, Fraser Waters, Magnus Lund, Shane Geraghty, Louis Deacon and Andy Hazell have all been released from England's preliminary World Cup squad.
Coach Brian Ashton has to name his definitive 30-man squad by 14 August, and the release of these six cuts the pool down to 40 players.
"It's been very difficult to let the six players go," said Ashton.
"They've all worked hard and it's been good working with them. I'm considering another cut at the end of next week."
Gloucester full-back Morgan impressed in his two appearances in last season's Six Nations, before a season-ending shoulder injury.
And Sale flanker Lund, who has 10 caps, was also a surprise omission.
The surviving squad members will reconvene in Bath next Tuesday and spend the rest of the week training.
They then have a week free before meeting on Sunday 29 July to prepare for the World Cup warm-up game against Wales at Twickenham on 4 August.
England host France the following weekend, with a return trip to play France in Marseille on 18 August.
"I've taken the decision to reduce the squad now because I've had a good look at everybody in the training camp," added Ashton.
"It's important that we spend more time giving consideration to those who will make the 22 for the first of our warm-up games."
Revised 40-man England preliminary World Cup squad:
Backs: N Abendanon (Bath), O Barkley (Bath), M Catt (London Irish), D Cipriani (Wasps), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), A Farrell (Saracens), T Flood (Newcastle), A Gomarsall (Harlequins), D Hipkiss (Leicester), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), J Lewsey (Wasps), J Noon (Newcastle), S Perry (Bristol), P Richards (London Irish), J Robinson (Sale Sharks), P Sackey (Wasps), D Strettle (Harlequins), M Tait (Newcastle), M Tindall (Gloucester), J Wilkinson (Newcastle).
Forwards: S Borthwick (Bath), G Chuter (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester), L Dallaglio (Wasps), N Easter (Harlequins), P Freshwater (Perpignan), J Haskell (Wasps), B Kay (Leicester), L Mears (Bath), L Moody (Leicester), T Palmer (Wasps), T Rees (Wasps), M Regan (Bristol), S Shaw (Wasps), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), M Stevens (Bath), P Vickery (Wasps), D Ward-Smith (Bristol), J Worsley (Wasps), K Yates (Saracens).

Ashton set to name training squad

2007-06-15T09:44:00.001+01:00

Lawrence Dallaglio, 34, last started a match for England in 2004England head coach Brian Ashton will unveil his 40-man training squad for this year's World Cup on Friday.
He is expected to recall most of the Wasps, Leicester and Bath players who missed the recent South Africa tour.
But fitness concerns remain over centres Mike Catt and Mike Tindall as well as number eight Dan Ward-Smith.
Ashton must also decide whether to recall former captain Lawrence Dallaglio, out of Test rugby since 2006, and the suspended Danny Grewcock.
Interview: Former England captain Martin Johnson
Bath second-rower Grewcock is banned for all three warm-up Tests and the first two pool matches against USA and South Africa.
Dallaglio, 34, last started a Test in 2004 and has struggled to reproduce his best form on a consistent basis.
Martin Johnson, who captained England to success four years ago, has already questioned whether the Wasps back-rower should be recalled.
It's not about next week, next year, the Six Nations, it's about the World Cup
Martin Johnson
"He has to be playing well enough to get in," said Johnson. "He didn't play in the Tests against South Africa, and he didn't play in the Six Nations.
"He played well for Wasps in the Heineken Cup final, but only for 50 minutes.
"Obviously he brings what he brings in terms of experience and leadership and who he is, but it's about getting the right guys on the field."
Johnson admits recalling Dallaglio would only be a temporary measure but says Ashton must pick players who are on top of their game.
"It's about now," said the former Leicester forward.
"It's not about next week, next year, the Six Nations, it's about the World Cup, getting your best team out there and there are balances in there."
606: DEBATE
Would you like to see Dallaglio back in the England shirt?
Dallaglio played his part in subduing favourites Leicester in that Twickenham final before being replaced by James Haskell for the last half-hour.
He has not played Test rugby since the 2006 Six Nations, when he appeared as a replacement, but could get an outing in England's three warm-up Tests in August against Wales and France (two).
In the wake of England's two recent thrashings in South Africa, Ashton said Dallaglio's leadership skills "may well be something we need, come World Cup time".
"If Brian and the coaches think bringing Lawrence into the squad is right then they should do it. He likes to be verbal and vocal and that's great," added Johnson.
"If they think they have some good young back-rowers who are playing better than Lawrence at the moment - and guys like Lewis Moody and Joe Worsley have played a lot of Test matches - then they should go with that."
"I've played with Lawrence and he's a world-class player. He has not started a Test match since 2004, he's 34-years-old.
"But Neil Back was 34 when he played in the last World Cup so age doesn't come into it.
Former England centre Jeremy Guscott believes Dallaglio's best days are behind him.
"There is no doubt he led Wasps to a brilliant victory in the European Cup," Guscott told BBC Sport.
"But I would leave him where's he been and remember him for the brilliant player he has been.
"My own personal view is that I believe Lawrence has had his best days as a rugby player, but if Brian Ashton feels that he needs him then that's Brian's shout."
Ashton will whittle down his squad to 30 on 14 August.

Yates replaces Wood for England

2007-05-25T14:19:00.000+01:00

Yates will win his first cap for 10 yearsSaturday, 26 MayVodacom Park, BloemfonteinKick-off: 1400 BSTLive on BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Sport website
England prop Nick Wood joins wing David Strettle in missing the first Test against South Africa on Saturday.
Gloucester's Wood, who was to make his England debut in Bloemfontein, tore a chest muscle in training and will be replaced by Saracens' Kevin Yates.
Strettle, 23, makes way for Iain Balshaw because of a stomach virus that may also rule out centre Andy Farrell and scrum-half Peter Richards.
Saracens' Dan Scarbrough and Bath prop Matt Stevens have joined the squad.

Wood is expected to play no further part in the two-Test tour and is likely to be joined by Strettle, who was hospitalised with the airborne virus on Wednesday.
Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson was also laid up for 24 hours with the virus but is set to start in Bloemfontein.
The 34-year-old Yates won his last cap against Argentina in 1997 and he breaks John Bentley's England record of nine years and 44 days for the longest wait between caps.
Yates' England career was curtailed when he received a six-month ban for biting the ear of London Scottish flanker Simon Fenn, who required 25 stitches, during a domestic cup game in 1998. Yates has always maintained his innocence.
Scarbrough has flown in from England Saxons duty as cover for Strettle, while South African-born Stevens flew by private jet from Cape Town to provide front-row cover in the wake of Wood's injury.
England doctor Simon Kemp said Strettle had been hospitalised because "his vomiting continued through [Wednesday] and he could not take fluids by mouth".
Strettle, who is reported to have made good progress since being admitted for rehydration and monitoring, has won three caps since breaking into the England side in the 2007 Six Nations.
England head coach Brian Ashton said: "I obviously feel for David as it is his first tour, but Iain is an experienced player and will do a good job for us."
The 27-year-old Balshaw, who was a late call-up to the squad, has won 29 caps since making his debut in 2000.
The injuries and illness are just the latest blow for Ashton, who is already set to field a very under-strength team against the Springboks with about 30 first-choice players missing.
The struggling world champions have not won away from Twickenham for 15 months, while South Africa will go into the match in Bloemfontein on a high after two of their teams fought out the Super 14 final on Saturday.

Glasgow Warriors 29-26 Ospreys

2007-05-04T22:06:00.000+01:00

Parks' points-harvesting cost the Ospreys dear
Glasgow: (16) 29Tries: Parks, MorrisonCons: Parks (2)Pens: Parks (5)
Ospreys: (26) 26Tries: S Williams (2), ByrneCon: HookPens: Hook (2), Connor
Dan Parks scored 24 points as Glasgow clawed back a 17-point deficit to put a huge dent in the Ospreys' title hopes.
A first-half brace from Shane Williams and a Lee Byrne score set up by James Hook put the visitors in command.
But inconsistent kicking from Hook cost the Ospreys, and a Parks try on the stroke of half time kept the tie alive.
A sustained Glasgow attack was rewarded with a Graeme Morrison try, Parks' conversion drawing things level, then a 67th-minute, 50m Parks penalty won it.

The victory was the fourth league triumph in a row for the in-form Scots and the Ospreys' first defeat in the competition in seven games.
The visitors had a dream start at a sandy and parched Hughenden, Williams presented with an overlap from the first move of the game and taking the outside of Thom Evans for a lightning try.
James Hook converted from the touchline, and added a penalty against two successful kicks from opposing outside-half Parks.
But it was the Ospreys number 10 who was lighting up the field, picking the narrowest of gaps in midfield with a devastating break before sending Byrne under the posts.
Hook somehow missed the simple conversion, though, an energetic charge from Rory Lamont shaking the half-back's usual composure.
Glasgow fought back, prompting a string of Ospreys indiscretions that resulted in a sin-binning for Adam Jones, Parks landing the resultant penalty from under the posts.
Hook knocked over a difficult kick to extend the lead to 18-9, then, as the home side increased the pressure on the depleted Ospreys, Parks threw an interception pass that was seized upon by Williams.
The Wales wing pounced, outpacing Hefin O'Hare from 80m out for a try that Hook again failed to convert.
The outside-half went off temporarily with a head injury, and with his first touch replacement Shaun Connor added a penalty.
A quickly taken penalty saw Glasgow mount a sustained attack that ended with Graeme Beveridge setting up Parks from short range, the latter's conversion reducing the gap to 26-16 at the break.
Wales summer tourist Brent Cockbain went off at half-time with a leg injury, and Parks went on to bring the home side back to within a score with his fourth penalty.
The home side encamped on the Ospreys line as the visitors went into their shells, and the reward finally came as Morrison sneaked over in the corner.
Parks converted from the touchline, then added the long-range winning kick after Alun Wyn-Jones offended at a ruck.
Glasgow closed the game down effectively in the final minutes, Hook missing touch with a late penalty to try to set up a winning position.
The Ospreys will now have to rely on results involving the Blues and Leinster going their way, and can only concentrate on winning next week's games at the Dragons and Border Reivers.
Glasgow: Lamont, O'Hare, Henderson, Barrow, Evans, Parks, Beveridge, Va'a, Thomson, Low, Newman, Kellock, Swindall, Barclay, Beattie.Replacements: Morrison for Barrow (54), Tckachuk for Va'a (54), Lawson for Thomson (54), Wilson for Swindall (72). Not Used: Eddie, MacFadyen, Gregor.
Ospreys: Byrne, Walker, Parker, A. Bishop, S. Williams, Hook, Marshall, D. Jones, Bennett, A. Jones, Cockbain, A. Jones, Thomas, Pugh, Tiatia.Replacements: Vaughton for Walker (78), Connor for A. Bishop (72), Spice for Marshall (62), Griffiths for A. Jones (73), Powell for Cockbain (41), Lloyd for Tiatia (69). Not Used: Hibbard.
Att: 2,486
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU).

Loffreda to take charge of Tigers

2007-04-20T21:25:00.000+01:00

Loffreda has been in charge of the Pumas for seven yearsArgentina coach Marcelo Loffreda has signed a contract to become Leicester's new coach from next season, BBC Radio Leicester understands.
Loffreda is expected to take charge of the Premiership club after the World Cup, with assistant coach Richard Cockerill taking charge until then.
Current coach Pat Howard is returning to Australia at the end of the season.
Loffreda, 47, is a former Argentine centre who has been in charge of the Pumas for the last seven years.
Under his guidance, they have beaten many of the top Test-playing nations, including their historic win over England at Twickenham last year.

RFU warns off French in cup row

2007-03-23T21:31:00.000Z

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has told the French clubs to stop interfering in their negotiations with Premier Rugby over the future of the Heineken Cup.
Premier Rugby, representing England's top clubs, wants a direct stake in the competition, a move opposed by the RFU.
RFU chairman Martyn Thomas said the two sides were close to securing a long term agreement for the English game.
"It is wholly inappropriate for (French clubs' body) LNR to be seeking a voice in these negotiations," he said.
"Our agreement with PRL (Premier Rugby Ltd) still has two years to run, and under that agreement they have committed to participation in ERC competitions."
Thomas added the two sides had reached "heads of agreement stage".
France's 14 top-flight clubs have pulled out of next season's tournament, blaming the RFU over their refusal to hand over shares and voting rights in European Rugby Cup Ltd to England's leading clubs.
However, domestic fixture congestion in France caused by the World Cup is seen by many as the major reason for the planned withdrawal.
"We wait to hear from LNR if they are going to participate in next year's ERC competitions," said Thomas.
"If they do not compete, we are looking to the FFR (Federation Francaise de Rugby) to nominate other French teams to participate."
Thomas added that a "very constructive meeting" took place on Friday between himself, other senior RFU figures and top figures in the French Federation.
If French clubs carry out their threat to pull out, it is conceivable that both the Heineken Cup and the Challenge Cup could be cut to 16 teams next season.

Sale 12-18 Worcester

2007-03-10T08:03:00.000Z

Worcester's Shane Drahm gets past Andy Titterell of Sale
Sale 12 (9)Pens: Larrechea 3 Drop: Larrrechea
Worcester 18 (12)Tries: Drahm, Tuamoepeau Con: Brown Pens: Brown 2
Reigning Premiership champions Sale Sharks slipped to their fifth defeat in a row as bottom side Worcester eased to a comfortable victory on Friday.
But the Warriors were unable to get the bonus point which would have moved them off the foot of the table.
Shane Drahm and Tevita Taumoepeau both scored tries for the visitors.
Daniel Larrechea managed three penalties and a drop goal on his return from suspension but Sale were unable to get over the Worcester tryline.
Sale head coach Philippe Saint-Andre
"We need our players to fight for their lives.
"We need to stick together and realise, at the moment, that we are not a good team.
"You can see the team is low on confidence because, from the start, we were missing tackles and letting Worcester get on top."
Worcester coach John Brain
"We caused them problems with the ball and I thought we defended in exceptional fashion.
"They had lots of pressure in the final 20 minutes but, technically, our defence was something to be proud of.
"If we keep picking up points, it puts pressure on Newcastle, who are just above ourselves and Northampton."
Sale: Laharrague; Cueto (capt), Taylor, Seveali'i, Ripol; Larrechea, Wigglesworth; Sheridan, Titterrell, Evans, Schofield, Cox, C Jones, Tait, JM Fernandez Lobbe.Replacements: Briggs, Stewart, Roberts, Hills, Foden, Thomas, Bell.
Worcester: Drahm; Havili, Rasmussen, Tucker, Delport; Brown, Powell; Windo, Fortey, Tuamoepeau, Gillies, Murphy, Hickey, Harding, Horstmann.Replacements: Morris, Lutui, Blaze, Quinnell, Runciman, Feaunati, Best.
Referee: A Roden (RFU)

Sale hopeful over Robinson & Lund

2007-03-01T08:55:00.001Z

Robinson and Lund have played major roles for England this yearSale pair Jason Robinson and Magnus Lund are close to fitness and could be ready for England's Six Nations game against France on 11 March.
Robinson missed England's defeat by Ireland on Saturday with a neck injury, while Lund came off at half-time in Dublin because of concussion.
Sale said Robinson's injury "does not require corrective surgery" and that he "should be back playing very soon".
As for Lund, Sale are "hopeful he will be fit next week".
"Magnus will not play again until he has taken and passed the necessary tests," added club doctor Dave Jones.

"It is very doubtful he will play against Saracens this weekend."
Robinson injured his neck during England training in Bath last Wednesday and did not recover in time for the match at Croke Park.
The 33-year-old winger saw a specialist on Tuesday night and was advised to rest for a few days to let the neck pain settle down.
Jones added: "The good news is that the problem should not need any corrective surgery and with the correct rest and rehab, Jason should be back playing very soon."

England bring forward team naming

2007-02-12T22:14:00.001Z

Wilkinson is due to play for Newcastle on SundayEngland will announce their team to face Ireland on Tuesday in the hope that the players will be rested by their Premiership clubs this weekend.
Coach Brian Ashton was due to announce the team next week ahead of the game at Croke Park on Saturday 24 February.
The announcement has now been brought forward so the clubs know the identity of the players Ashton wants rested.
"What Brian would like, quite rightly, is the starting XV not to have to play," elite director Rob Andrew said.
The clubs are required to release England players a week before an international match.
Andrew told BBC Sport: "The biggest issue is that there are three Premiership games on Sunday.
"It will mean (the players involved) won't do a great deal on Monday or Tuesday, will train Wednesday and go to Dublin on Thursday."
There are three Premiership matches on Sunday - Bristol v Newcastle, Saracens v Gloucester and Wasps v Sale.
Fourteen of the players who could be in the England squad, including skipper Phil Vickery and fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, play for those teams.
Ireland's players will not have played for the two weeks between their defeat by France last Sunday and the England game.
They are centrally contracted and the Irish Union can decide when they play, with the emphasis on peaking for international matches.
"Whereas Ireland will have two weeks' preparation, England will probably have one and a half," Andrew said.

France with four point start looks best

2007-02-09T09:00:00.000Z

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has challenged his players to turn Croke Park into a "coliseum" that intimidates the opposition.

The stadium will host its first rugby international on Sunday when Ireland meet France in a potentially epic clash that will shape the RBS 6 Nations title race.

With double the capacity of Lansdowne Road, which has been closed for redevelopment, O'Sullivan is sure the Gaelic Athletic Association-owned venue will prove inspirational.

He said: "Playing at Croke Park will be a big boost because there will be a lot of excitement, a lot of expectation and a lot of hype around.

"We've always had that at Lansdowne Road but there's that bit extra edge there this weekend.

"It's the first rugby game at Croke Park and that will heighten the intensity. There will be 82,300 voices, most of them cheering for Ireland for a change.

"Usually, when we go to the big stadiums in Paris or London most of the crowd are cheering for the opposition.

We'll take France with a four point start on the handicap with betterbet.com at 10/11.