Six Nations 2010: Geordan Murphy in line for Ireland start against Wales

Geordan Murphy, the Leicester Tigers full-back, could be in line for a sensational return to the Ireland side for their Six Nations match against Wales at Croke Park on Saturday.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney will name his match day 22-man squad on Tuesday, but with Lions full-back Rob Kearney currently sidelined for up to five weeks with a knee injury, Murphy is back into contention for his first international action since appearing as a substitute as Ireland completed their Grand Slam triumph against Wales last March.

Murphy’s timely return, however, has been tempered by two more injuries within the Ireland camp, with Seán O’Brien and Donnacha Ryan the latest casualties.

O’Brien fractured his lower leg in the opening stages of Leinster’s 27-14 defeat of the Scarlets at the RDS on Saturday, and will be out for 10 weeks, while it was confirmed that Ryan dislocated his shoulder in Munster’s defeat of Edinburgh last Friday. Both were on the bench in Paris and against Italy.

Either Shane Jennings or Kevin McLaughlin, who started against Italy in the absence of Stephen Ferris, are in line for promotion to the Ireland bench. If Donncha O’Callaghan gets the all clear from a knee injury he would also probably make the replacements.

Ulster captain Rory Best, who has made a remarkable recovery from a neck injury sustained last summer that was originally thought to have ruled him out of this season, is set to replace the suspended Jerry Flannery at hooker, with Connacht’s Seán Cronin likely to be named on the bench.

Meanwhile, Wales head coach Warren Gatland looks set to name Sale scrum-half Dwayne Peel in his match day squad for the visit of France to the Millennium Stadium on Friday.

The Sale scrum-half, who has recovered from the groin injury that saw him miss Wales’ matches against England and Scotland, was called into Gatland’s 34-man squad having proved his fitness by playing 80 minutes of the Sharks 19-10 Guinness Premiership defeat by Leeds over the weekend.

Peel’s availability will come as a relief as Gareth Cooper has struggled in the starting role thus far in the championship and Gatland is glad to have 72-times capped Peel available for selection.

“It was important for us to see Dwayne come through 80 minutes of rugby,” Gatland said.

“But, once he proved his fitness, it’s obvious that a player of his experience and talents would provide a welcome boost to any squad.”

Ireland V Wales Hospitality

Six Nations Hospitality

Six Nations 2010: Wales and Ireland 'have lost respect' for England HQ Twickenham

Lawrence Dallaglio has challenged Martin Johnson's England to restore Twickenham's reputation as one of the most feared stadia in world rugby during their RBS Six Nations campaign this season.
England have won only five out of 10 Test matches at Twickenham under Johnson, while Saturday's opponents, Wales, are seeking their second successive Six Nations victory in London and fourth in total.

Defending Grand Slam champions Ireland, the other visitors to Twickenham this season, enjoy an even more impressive record, having won twice in their past three visits to English headquarters and five out of their six most recent championship encounters.

A win ratio of just 50 per cent at Twickenham under Johnson contrasts sharply with the home record in the run-up to England's World Cup triumph in 2003, when they went unbeaten for four years and won 22 Test matches in a row.

Dallaglio, who was part of England's World Cup-winning pack under Johnson's captaincy, feels it is imperative Twickenham once again becomes a daunting fortress for visiting teams.

"England have to put building blocks in place and as a coach and as a player, the building blocks have to be that you win your home games," Dallaglio said.

"Twickenham needs to be a place that people respect. Respect is a term that is used a lot in rugby. Well, they should start respecting Twickenham. But the only way to get respect is by making sure that any team that comes there is sent home with the right message.

"The key for England in this Six Nations is winning the games at Twickenham and it is interesting that the two teams ,Wales V Ireland they play at home are probably teams that have lost their respect for Twickenham.

"You are not going to make it a fortress straight away but England need to start to make it a place that teams and supporters respect again. A victory over Wales would be a massive step in the right direction."

"We all have massive expectations and have a lot of players coming back. That is not to say we are going to be world beaters in the space of several weeks. But I think you will see improved performances from each player. Johnno now has a better understanding of each player and the coaches have a better understanding of what Johnno wants.

"Once you have that understanding, you have a really good base level. It is now about taking that onto the pitch and expressing ourselves. I believe we are at that place. I know we will be judged on how we play against Wales but the majority of our squad have been together for the last year or so I feel there are no more excuses."

Ireland V Wales Hospitality

Six Nations Hospitality

Wales rugby coach tells England to give Johnson time

Wales coach Warren Gatland has said England must learn from their experience with World Cup winning supremo Clive Woodward and give Martin Johnson time to develop as their manager.

England has lost eight of their 14 Tests since Johnson was appointed to the post of team manager without any previous coaching experience in 2008.

Wales will look to add to those tally of defeats next month when they begin their Six Nations campaign at Twickenham in search of a third straight win over England - something they last achieved more than 20 years ago.

"I hope England give him some time," Gatland said of Johnson after announcing Wales's squad for the Six Nations on Monday.

"It has been tough for Martin. Everyone knows what a great player he has been.

Gatland sees similarities between England and Wales's situations in that both countries are struggling to get club teams into the last eight of this season's European Cup.

"There are two countries going into the Six Nations at the moment a little bit concerned about where their teams are," the New Zealander said.

"That is not just a concern for England, it has to be a concern for Wales as well," former Ireland coach Gatland added.

Wales will head into the Six Nations without their two senior scrum-halves as the British and Irish Lions duo of Dwayne Peel (groin) and Mike Phillips (ankle) are both injured.

Peel sustained his injury playing for English club Sale during their European Cup pool defeat by Cardiff Blues last weekend and now it seems the Scarlets' 23-year-old Martin Roberts will be lining up in the key scrum-half position for his first Six Nations start at Twickenham on February 6, 2010.

"We are not 100 percent sure how long Dwayne is going to be out for," said Gatland. "We are just going to assess him over the next few weeks and, when he is back fully fit, we will make a decision on him."

Wales and England suffered disappointing November international home series with both nations well beaten by New Zealand and Australia.

Looking ahead to their Six Nations opener, Gatland said: "This is a huge game for both sides. A victory for either team will give a huge amount of confidence and give you a chance to win the Six Nations Championship."

Gatland urged Wales to follow the example of Ireland, who won a Six Nations grand slam last year and ended an unbeaten 2009 with a win over world champions South Africa.



Six Nations Hospitality


England V Wales Hospitality


Wales V Scotland Hospitality


Wales V France Hospitality

Wales will miss 3D Six Nations England clash

Welsh rugby fans who want to see their heroes in 3D at the cinema for the first time will have to go to England.

The Wales v England game at Twickenham, each team's opener in the 2010 Six Nations, will be the first live 3D sports broadcast in Europe.

But while 40 Odeon and Cineworld cinemas will show the game, tournament sponsor O2 says that none are in Wales.

Wales fan and rugby pundit Carolyn Hitt said: "It is incredibly insular and narrow-minded."

She said: "Maybe England fans need convincing that England can play in more than one dimension."

O2 has said 3D cameras will be installed for the match on 6 February. England's second game of the tournament, with Ireland on 27 February, will also be broadcast in 3D.

Backers claim the 3D screenings will give rugby fans the closest experience of the atmosphere inside the stadium.

Tickets for the Wales-England clash go on sale on 29 January but Wales fans face a trek across the border if they want to see their team screened in 3D.

O2 said the screenings would be in England "because we only sponsor the England team".

Hitt said: "They have shot themselves in the foot from a marketing point of view.

"This offered a real breakthrough in the way people enjoyed a game of rugby but they are halving their potential audience.

"Rugby is far more popular in Wales than in England anyway."

Writer and broadcaster Nigel Crowle, a Cardiff Blues season ticket holder, said: "I suppose the England rugby supporters will be viewing their grand slam chances through rose-tinted 3D spectacles, too.

"It's a shame the England rugby team have to rely on gimmicks to please their supporters and the Welsh team only need to play good rugby."


England V Wales Hospitality

Six Nations Hospitality

Brendan Venter keen to face RFU disciplinary hearing

Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter said that he was "looking forward" to his Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing, when he will face a charge of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game.

The charge relates to remarks made by Venter during a press conference after Saracens' defeat by Leicester at Vicarage Road on Jan 2, when he criticised the performance of referee David Rose and general standards of officiating in England.

The former Springbok claimed that "something had happened" to influence Rose during the interval, which Venter believed resulted in a swing in the penalty count from 9-3 to Saracens in the first half to 10-4 in Leicester's favour after the break.

If found guilty, Venter, who has been instrumental in guiding Saracens to the top of the Premiership since arriving at the club at the end of last season, could face a one-month touchline ban.

Venter, however, said last night that he was keen to have a "conversation" with the RFU at the hearing to address his concerns about refereeing standards.

Asked if he had any regrets about his comments, he said: "What I am pleased about is that I was able to voice an opinion about a subject that is extremely important to me without being rude or abusive about the performance of David Rose."

Former All Blacks prop Clarke Dermody has given London Irish a welcome boost ahead of their crucial Heineken Cup match against champions Leinster at Twickenham on Saturday by agreeing a new two-year deal.

Northampton have signed former Wales prop Darren Morris until the end of the season as a replacement for Argentine front-row forward Santiago Bonorino, who has had to retire because of a back problem.

Gloucester flanker Akapusi Qera has signed a new two-year contract with the Kingsholm club. The Gloucester trio of fly-half Freddie Burns, wing Charlie Sharples and centre Henry Trinder have all signed two-year contract extensions with the club, securing their futures at Kingsholm until at least 2012.


England V Wales Hospitality


England V Ireland Hospitality


Scotland V England Hospitality


France V England Hospitality

Italy's Magners chances take a knock

The two Italian teams set to join the Magners League next season could be put on ice as the franchises are struggling to meet the criteria.

Financial and political issues are hampering progress, with a report and decision on progress expected in two weeks' time, according to the Irish Independent.

The internal political issues revolve around the relative strength of the teams, who would be severely weakened by international call-ups during the November Test window and Six Nations.

Then there are financial problems, with an entry fee of EUR 3m being demanded as a joint entry fee to cover the cost of expanding the league and the other teams' admin and away games, and a TV money contribution of EUR 1.2m set as a minimum requirement.

The two franchises might use the Heineken Cup as a fall-back option, but ERC are not likely to accept entry from teams who are not yet organised by the February 3 deadline.

The impetus for including Italy in the first place comes from the IRB who want to see a more competitive Italy on the international stage, with club rugby needing a boost in order to get that far.

But as it stands, the Italian teams would not necessarily raise the standard, particularly with more games then scheduled to be played inside the Test window, which would dilute the quality of the teams on show further.


Italy V England Hospitality


Italy V Scotland Hospitality


France V Italy Hospitality


Wales V Italy Hospitality

Ireland V Wales - Six Nations 2010

CROKE PARK STADIUM - 13 March 2010

The magic moments of Irelands historic Grand Slam 2009 rugby season will be emotionally recalled when the RBS Six Nations championship 2010 unfolds at Croke Park in February and March next.

Far from resting on their laurels, Ireland’s rugby heroes are determined to scale the heights again and capitalise on home advantage against Italy, Wales and Scotland.

Interest in the capacity sell-out games is further flavoured by this being the last time for a Six Nations Championship to be staged at GAA Headquarters prior to the Irish teams return to the new look Aviva Stadium later in the year.

Croke Park Stadium

Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland is the largest sports stadium in Ireland and the fourth largest stadium in Europe. It is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Ireland's biggest sporting organisation. The stadium is in the heart of the city, a 15 minute walk from the main thoroughfare O'Connell Street

Ireland V Wales Hospitality

At Croke Park Dublin Ireland On Sat Mar 13, 2010 at (14:30) price £499.00

For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

French Clubs Angle to Hoist the Heineken Cup

In France, the Heineken Cup—rugby union's answer to football's Champions League—is the tournament that dare not speak its name. Restrictions on alcohol advertising mean it is known as either the Coupe de Europe or the H Cup, the sponsor's initial happily evoking rugby posts.

Whatever they call it, French fans will be firmly focused on the Cup this weekend as it reaches round five of its six-match pool stage. Three French clubs—Toulouse, Biarritz and Stade Français— lead their groups with a fourth, Clermont Auvergne, handily placed.

Though France supplied the Heineken's first two winners—Toulouse and Brive—it couldn't maintain that dominance. Toulouse has won twice more to become the only three-time winner, but no other French club has triumphed since Brive's win in 1997. Since then, four English clubs —both Leicester and Wasps twice— and all three participating Irish provinces have lifted the trophy.

For five consecutive seasons prior to the 2003-2004 campaign, France had three quarter-finalists to England's two. In the following two seasons, they had three each. In each year since, England has placed three quarter-finalists, while France had two for two years, and then reached a new low last season. For the first time its teams lost more matches than they won. Only Toulouse made the last eight, and was promptly eliminated by Cardiff.

To explain France's current revival, it is necessary to ask why the country has performed so comparatively poorly of late, with only two losing finalists during the past four seasons.

He believes more French clubs think his way: "The difference now is that more clubs think they can win in Europe and are regarding it as a priority."

In addition, those clubs are increasingly equipped to chase two targets. Armed with a new television deal and booming attendances, French clubs have been flexing their financial muscles. Damian Hopley, chief executive of England's Professional Rugby Players Association (PRA) says, "The top French clubs have squads of international depth and quality. They could compete in the Six Nations championship."

It also brings full circle the situation described by French captain Philippe Saint André in 1997, when the introduction of professionalism in English rugby threatened to damage French fortunes.

"We are being left behind, and before long players will start looking to their pocketbooks rather than their quality of life," he said.

It was also around then that English clubs began to make an impact in Europe.

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

It’s the right time to move from Glasgow to Cardiff, insists Dan Parks

What had become one of the worst-kept secrets in Scottish rugby finally came out into the open yesterday when both Glasgow and Cardiff Blues confirmed that Dan Parks, the Scotland fly half, will be moving to the Welsh capital in the summer.

At least, with the need for silence ended, Parks was able yesterday to issue a statement thanking the Glasgow fans for the backing they have given him in his seven-year career with the club, while David Young, the Blues director of rugby, could start to explain to his club’s supporters why he wanted Parks.

“He is a quality player who has often been the difference between the two teams and a real thorn in our side on a number of occasions,” Young said. “His organisational skills and game understanding makes him a real general on the pitch and he has excellent communication skills.

“His record as a goalkicker speaks for itself, but his distribution skills are also well recognised. He will certainly strengthen our options.”

For the player it is obviously going to be something of a wrench to leave the place he has called home since 2003.

“Glasgow has been my life for the past seven years,” Parks said. “It’s difficult to leave a place you’ve been for so long, but with so many young talented players coming through, it’s the right time. The Glasgow supporters have been fantastic and have really added to the enjoyment factor of playing rugby here over the years.”

When Young approached Parks, he must have assumed that he would be getting a player who would arrive unencumbered by international demands, but all that may have changed in the last couple of weeks, during which the 31-year-old Parks comprehensively outplayed Phil Godman, the present Scotland fly half, in both the derbies over the festive period while becoming the first player to pass 1,000 points in the Magners League.

Despite that, the change still makes sense for Glasgow. They see Ruaridh Jackson as the long-term future, though Sean Lineen, the head coach, spoke yesterday in glowing terms about the contribution Parks had made to the club. “He is a great lad who just loves playing rugby and has loved playing rugby for Glasgow,” he said.

“He will be missed, his enthusiasm has rubbed off on everyone. He has shown tremendous character to get through some difficult times and I wish him all the best — apart from in the games that we play against Cardiff.”

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

Rooney signs for Warriors

Worcester have moved to fill the vacancy that will be left by Chris Latham's departure later this year by signing former Australian rugby league star Luke Rooney.

Rooney, 26, will move to Sixways from French club Toulon, where he is currently a team-mate of England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson.

Rooney, who is English-qualified through his parents, has agreed a two-year contract with the Warriors, starting next term.

Latham, the second-highest try scorer in Australian Test rugby history, has decided not to take up a third-year option on his existing Worcester contract and will head home at the end of this season.

Rooney previously played for Penrith Panthers, helping them to the 2003 National Rugby League title when he scored two tries in the final against Sydney Roosters.

He switched codes and joined Toulon in 2008, and scored five tries in 16 games during his first season of Top 14 French Championship rugby.

He said: "I have been watching the competitive English league closely over the last few seasons, and I am really excited to now become a part of it.

"My long-term goal is to represent England - that has been a major motivating factor in my move to Warriors.

"I've really enjoyed my time in France with Toulon, both on and off the field, and would like to thank the fans and my team-mates for such a wonderful experience.

"The chance to switch to rugby union and test myself in a new environment has really seen my game move up to a new level and I know that will only continue with Worcester."

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

Wales fly-half Stephen Jones committed to Scarlets

British and Irish Lions fly-half Stephen Jones wants the rest of his playing career with Llanelli Scarlets.

The Wales star, 32, has been associated with his home club since his debut in 1996 and is in his second spell at the Scarlets after two years in France.

Jones has been linked with a move away as he is out of contract in the summer.

But Jones told BBC Sport: "I don't know how many playing days I've got left in me, but there's more than a good chance they'll be at Parc y Scarlets!"

Jones is a talismanic figure at the Scarlets as the experienced number 10, arguably the best fly-half in the northern hemisphere, is helping guide his young team through a transitional period.

The Scarlets' leading points-scorer and Wales' double Grand Slam winner has been linked with a big-money return to France, where he spent two seasons with Clermont Auvergne between 2004 and 2006.

In recent season the Scarlets, Welsh club rugby's traditional flag-bearers in Europe, have struggled.

And the west Walians currently sit second from bottom in this season's Magners League table and are unlikely to get beyond the Heineken Cup pool stage.

But Jones has huge emotional ties with the Scarlets, where he graduated through Llanelli's youth system, has committed his future to the Parc y Scarlets region.

"They way I look at things at the moment is 'OK, we're in transition'.

"We've got good youngsters who want to be successful with a good work ethic, they make the working week enjoyable."

"The club have been very good to me the way they've managed me, especially in the period where I came back from the Lions," added Jones, who started all three Tests in the 2-1 series loss in South Africa last summer.

"They realise I'm a bit older now, a few more miles on the clock, so the club are good to me in the way they construct my working week."

"I'll try and prepare and train smartly to obtain that. That would be my goal and that's what I'd like to get to.

"I'd have to assess things then, but obviously I'd be a lot older. I will see how the body is and more importantly the mind - if I'm enjoying it I might look to play on, it's all about enjoyment."

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

Scotland boss Andy Robinson wants England to be intimidated when his new team sing national anthem

High in the Murrayfield stands, a proud, patriotic Englishman sat during the Calcutta Cup rugby match between Scotland and England and marvelled at the passion of the Scots. Not just on the pitch, where the men in blue would prevail for the second successive time in Edinburgh, but also from all those in the seats around him.

He looked at the lone piper standing high on the roof of the stand, kilt swirling in the wind as his pipes bellowed. He took in the smoke from the guns that had fired on the pitch seconds before kick-off. And he absorbed the rush of nationalism that flowed from every proud Scot who had come to see the auld enemy sent packing again.

That was two years ago and, back then, Andy Robinson, the former England flanker who helped Sir Clive Woodward’s team to World Cup glory in 2003 before taking over the top job himself, would never have dreamed he would become Scotland’s head coach — with a remit to inflict another sapping defeat on his beloved England.

But that is what Robinson is planning to do in the forthcoming Six Nations’ campaign.

And, should he succeed in coaching the Scots to victory at Murrayfield on March 13, he will inflict another crushing blow on the management regime headed, ironically enough, by Martin Johnson — the colossus who captained England to the biggest prize in world rugby six years ago.

Robinson, 45 and always fiercely proud to wear the red rose of England, will not flinch from his task. He plans to use the passion he witnessed while sitting in the Murrayfield stands to achieve his goal.

The emotions of his team will be stirred from the moment they step onto the Edinburgh turf — where the Scots have won the last three Calcutta Cups played there — and line up to sing the anthem that never fails to stir every red-blooded Scot.

It is not that Robinson has suddenly turned his back on all things English. ‘I’m a fan of England rugby and I always want them to do well,’ he insists. ‘Just not in the Calcutta Cup while I’m in charge of Scotland.

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

Warren Gatland ready to shake up Wales’ selection for Samoa Test

Rugby Correspondent SIMON ROBERTS expects Warren Gatland to gamble again for Wales’ Samoa test

WARREN GATLAND has a reputation for making bold selections as Wales coach.

The New Zealander, who masterminded Wales’ Grand Slam in 2008, is not afraid to take a calculated gamble when it comes to team selection.

But can we expect him to do the same for Wales’ clash with Samoa at the Millennium Stadium on Friday night?

Gatland’s decision to select 13 Ospreys for his first game in charge for the 2008 Six Nations opener against England resulted in Wales’ first victory at Twickenham for 20 years.He was widely criticised for the move but it proved to be a masterstroke and set Wales up for a second Six Nations clean sweep in four years.

Gatland’s gambling instincts were on view again 12 months ago when Wales emerged with a low-key 34-13 victory over Canada in Cardiff.

Ditto last March when Gatland made nine changes for the Six Nations trip to Italy, Wales edging home 20-15 in Rome.

Gatland was widely accused of throwing away the Six Nations title with that selection but the Kiwi has always had his sights on the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

All three selection gambles ended in victory, but does Gatland do the same against Samoa?

Or does he pick the same side which lost to New Zealand en bloc just to get a morale-boosting win?

Gatland is a born winner but, with the World Cup only a couple of years away, he knows he must add to the depth of his current squad.

That is why it is a pretty safe bet that a host of the young guns named in his 28-man squad for the Autumn Test series will get the nod today.

Yet this Samoa side are not to be taken lightly. The perception that they are a side Wales should
be beating at the drop of a hat is arrogance beyond belief.Most of their best players are scattered across the top sides in Europe and should not be underestimated.

They have travelled to Wales with a squad full of northern hemisphere-based players and will include Seilala Mapusua and George Stowers in their line-up, even if a third London Irish star, the powerful wing Sailosi Tagicakibau, will be missing.

In their original 27-man squad there were 10 players from England’s Guinness Premiership, five based in France and Glasgow’s Justin Va’a. The rest play in New Zealand or Samoa.

What they lack in organisation and time to really bring a side together, they make up with sheer passion for the Samoan jersey.

There is the added emotional dimension of this being the first game played by Samoa since the tsunami there at the end of September, which wiped out whole villages and left the death toll at 100 and rising.

Samoans are a proud and emotional people and they won’t be playing against Wales, but for those who lost their lives back home.

Gatland, as a coach, knows how important emotion is at Test level and he will be wary of Samoa’s extra incentive on Friday.

But his primary focus will be on Wales and seeing what he has coming through the system behind his frontline players.

He will also be under no illusions that selecting an inexperienced side against the tough-tackling Samoans could be yet another gamble.

For More Details:

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.

For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your autumn hospitality Autumn Internationals Hospitality

Scotland's rugby team given a make-over by Andy Robinson

Head coach Robinson – who succeeded Frank Hadden this summer – has selected just five of those who started March's RBS Six Nations Championship defeat to England for his first match in charge against Fiji on Saturday. "The guys that haven't been selected that are on the bench, they've got an impact to make as well. It's about the whole squad and how that works."

Asked if the team represented the Robinson blueprint going forward, he replied: "It's a team to play Fiji and win the game and the key for us is that we understand that rugby is a physical game; you have to win the collisions, you have to establish a go-forward.

"But it's also to be able to have the skill levels to open up the spaces.

"I'd like to think that we've got the balance there in the 22 to be able to deliver that."

The Scarlets and Wales back row forward Dafydd Jones will undergo surgery on Tuesday on the shoulder injury he suffered against New Zealand on Saturday.

Jones, who came on as a second-half replacement for Andy Powell, sprung his A/C joint and will ultimately miss the rest of the four-match series in Cardiff. He is also likely to be out of action until the new year, at the earliest.

The injury means 21 year-old Dragons flanker Dan Lydiate is certain to make his debut against Samoa on Friday with coach Warren Gatland likely to make wholesale changes after the 19-12 defeat at the hands of the All Blacks.

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your autumn hospitality Autumn Internationals Hospitality

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

Jeremy Guscott | Six Nations

Jeremy Guscott Q&A
Former England and Lions star Guscott is a BBC rugby union pundit

The autumn internationals are in full swing, and it's been a depressing start for the northern hemisphere with both England and Wales falling to defeat in their opening matches.With seven defeats from 12 Tests, England boss Martin Johnson and his coaching set-up comes in for particular scrutiny, while Wales' latest near miss is also up for discussion. Other topics include former Australia star Lote Tuqiri's arrival in the Premiership, the absence of Saracens players from the England squad and the perils of signing autographs. If you have a

question for Jerry, you can submit it by using the form in the top right-hand corner of the page. He will answer as many as possible next week.

---

For More Details:
Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.

For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your autumn hospitality Autumn Internationals Hospitality

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

Injured Jones in Six Nations race

MARK Jones is facing a Six Nations fitness race after he was ruled out of rugby for at least three months.

The Scarlets captain has undergone keyhole surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee following an injury sustained in training with Wales last week.

Jones has been told he will not be back in action until at least the start of February, putting a major doubt over his participation in the Six Nations.

It is the latest in a long line of injury setbacks for Wales coach Warren Gatland, who is already without the services of Mike Phillips, Lee Byrne, Adam Jones and Ian Evans.

And it is a major blow for the Scarlets ahead of their Heineken Cup encounters with reigning European champions Leinster next month.

The region's head coach Nigel Davies said: "It is very disappointing for Mark at this particular time. It's one of the curses of modern-day rugby unfortunately. It is a hugely physical sport and these boys train intensively on a daily basis.

"However, Mark is one of the most positive players I know in terms of coming back from injury. He deals with these setbacks more positively than most people. He's been a huge asset for us already this season in his role as captain, is totally respected by all the players and leads by example.

"Mark will be back with us in a week or so for his physio treatment. Despite the injury, I know he will continue to play a key leadership and motivational role off the field with the players."

Australia bask in victory over England at Twickenham

Australia bask in victory over England at Twickenham


It's been grim down Australia's way on the rugby front, having been battered black and blue by New Zealand and South Africa this season. Little wonder then that few gave the Wallabies - minus a few injured stars themselves, lest we forget - a chance against England at Twickenham. Even less wonder that Monday's papers back home were reams of joy and praise.

Australia's win over England in six nation would boost confidence ahead of Sunday's crunch clash with Ireland - seen as potentially the most difficult leg of their four-match grand slam bid - newspapers agreed down under.

Related Articles


Genia Australia's new genius

England 9 Australia 18

England: what's wrong?

Elsom raises sights to Ireland

Australia's rugby press were more optimistic of the Wallabies' grand slam hopes after dominating England. "The importance of this win cannot be over-estimated," The Sydney Morning Herald said.

"It will revitalise their spirits, intensify their belief, and give the young players an important boost of self-confidence when they come up against the marauding Irish at Croke Park."

The press also praised heavily-under-fire coach Robbie Deans for bringing off his bold selection punt of Quade Cooper and Digby Ioane as his centre pairing.

"The coach took an enormous gamble with Cooper and Ioane," the Herald said. "If the move had backfired, the repercussions would have been enormous. But both players stepped up to produce inspirational performances, with Cooper a crucial member of the team's impenetrable defence."

The Australian described the midfield pair as "accidental heroes". "Had it not been for the tour-ending injuries suffered by Stirling Mortlock and Berrick Barnes over the past week, the Wallabies would have employed a fairly conventional back division for their tour.

"Deans was forced to roll the dice with Cooper and Ioane as his centre pairing and they came up as winners, both individually and as a threatening midfield combination."

The Daily Telegraph said the grand slam quest was up and running but warned that Six Nations champions Ireland would be a sterner test than the 'old enemy' England.

"There is no other way but to storm Croke Park against Brian O'Driscoll's Irishmen. "

Jonny will give Autumn internationals a good Twicking

RUGBY UNION
Jonny will give Aussies a good Twicking
ENGLAND'S coaches are backing a reborn Jonny Wilkinson to terrify Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

Wilkinson, back to his best since his move to Toulon, is making his first appearance at HQ since coming on as a sub against Ireland in March 2008 in Six Nations.

He is the man the Wallabies fear most - just the memories of his rugby World Cup final performance against them in 2003 and quarter-final impact in 2007, sends shudders through Aussie bones.

England attack coach Brian Smith said: "Jonny is a real factor in this game. He is lethal as a points-scorer, he is a general and his distribution is phenomenal.

"He is one good reason why Pommie bashing in Australia is a thing of the past.

"What England achieved there six years ago earned enormous respect throughout the Aussie nation."

And defence coach Mike Ford added: "Jonny is the best tackler in the squad - and that includes our back-row. In his desire to cover every position on the field, the lad has very few betters.

"Jonny's technique is first-class, as is his dedication and professionalism."

Meanwhile, manager Martin Johnson insists there will be no repeat of the 'yellow peril' that undermined England's ambitions last season.

His side had no fewer than 11 players sin-binned during their three autumn Tests and five in the Six Nations.

But Johnson is convinced having RFU referee Wayne Barnes working with his squad daily will help eradicate their problems at the contact area, where most offences occurred.

Johnson said: "I really hope our yellow card problems are behind us because it is harder to win games with only 14 players.

"It's all about adapting to the referee and sticking to our game-plan.

"I have already spoken with Saturday's ref Bryce Lawrence and we discussed various areas where I sought some clarification. But what we discussed remains confidential."

Fly-half Wilkinson, 30, and the world-record Test points scorer with 1,032, will partner Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care in a new-look England.

One that has been forged by a combination of injuries and Johnson's desire to develop the next generation.

Johnson signalled his blueprint last night when he sent 10 members of his 32-man Elite Player Squad back to their clubs for domestic weekend duties.

Out go George Chuter, Mathew Tait, Nick Kennedy, David Barnes, Ben Foden, David Strettle, Ben Kay, Richard Wigglesworth, Steffon Armitage and Joe Worsley.

The remaining 22, however, face a serious challenge at Twickenham.

Johnson warned: "Australia have beaten world champions South Africa this year and they come to us battle-hardened after the Tri-Nations now in Six Nations.

"I have no doubts about the severity of our task because Australia have some new young bloods on board and huge self-belief.

"We took it easy in training last week because of the growing injury situation.

"But you cannot afford that luxury in the week building up to an international. You have to get the balance right which is why we have trained with intensity and speed.

"I delayed naming the team by 24 hours to allow some players extra time to recover.

"Dylan Hartley, for example, tweaked a hamstring and while I'm sure he'll be fine, it's important to be 100 per cent sure."

Johnson lost 13 of his original EPS 32 to injury, including Harry Ellis, Phil Vickery, Delon Armitage, Andrew Sheridan and Riki Flutey.

Which is why a new-look England will carry a nation's hopes as they run out in front of 82,000 at Twickenham on Saturday.


AUSTRALIA tuned up for the clash with a 36-5 win at Guinness Premiership outfit Gloucester last night.

But they were given a thorough examination by an unheralded Cherry and Whites side.


First-half tries by centres Ryan Cross and Tyrone Smith put the Wallabies on their way.

Then wing Drew Mitchell's late double and a Quade Cooper solo score finished the home side off.

Aussie head coach Robbie Deans, who has seen his side lose five of their last six Tests, promised the Wallabies will take the battle to England up front this weekend.

He said: "Gloucester showed a lot of spirit but we won the game at the breakdown, where it was a ferocious contest. The game against England will be just the same, so that was a very satisfactory exercise for us."

Freddie Burns scored Gloucester's only points with a 25th-minute try.

A real battle starts between Wales V New Zealand

SO after a week of claim and counter claim, we’re down to the real business at the Millennium Stadium.

What was already going to be an intense battle, played out in a pressure-cooker atmosphere, has been cranked up several notches further as a result of Warren Gatland’s mischievous pre-match comments.


Let’s just say the Wales coach has stoked up the heat with his claim that New Zealand had lost their “aura of invincibility”.


It’s been the talking point of the last few days, but the time has come for actions to speak louder than words as Wales seek a first triumph over their old foe since 1953.


Gatland’s comments might have been made to instil real belief into the minds of his own Wales players they really can overcome the psychological barrier and end 56 years of hurt.


But what they have undoubtedly done is serve to whip up a storm with New Zealand accusing Wales of trash talk.


It was a typical ploy of Gatland. His modus operandi in the build-up to a big match is to create controversy ... and then blame the media for it!


He’s got form, doing likewise the last time he was in charge of preparations for a Wales game when we met Ireland in the Six Nations decider.


Gatland’s claim that the Welsh players “disliked” their Irish counterparts more than any other team caused a pre-match frenzy and backfired spectacularly once the two sides lined up for battle.




Gatland’s remarks were probably designed to fire up his own players and rile the opposition, but they were widely condemned in Wales and Ireland and he was forced to backtrack.


However, the damage had been done. Gatland had fired the Irish up to produce a performance which enabled them to summon up the courage to seize victory with a last gasp drop-goal from Ronan O’Gara.


If Ireland didn’t ram Gatland’s words down his throat, Paul O’Connell made scathing reference to them after the game.


This time, in my view, Gatland has gone and handed Graham Henry his team talk by questioning the ability of the New Zealand class of 2009.


If nothing else, it will certainly have focused Kiwi minds on beating Wales after comfortably defeating Australia in Tokyo and having to endure a gruelling journey to Cardiff.


Had their eye been off the ball, so to speak, it might have helped the Welsh cause. But there is no chance of complacency on the part of New Zealand now. Gatland has ensured that.


Of course, he was perfectly entitled to make his remarks and he has a point, for this is a New Zealand team in transition.


They certainly aren’t the supreme side of 1989 or 2005, with supermen thin on the ground these days, the sublime Dan Carter and Richie McCaw apart.


The loss of scrum-half Mike Phillips and full-back Lee Byrne could be significant with incoming No 9 Gareth Cooper searching for his best form and James Hook a novice as a last line of defence.


It’s got the potential to be a rip-roaring contest, but I fear New Zealand, having had a warm-up against Australia, will settle it in their favour.

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your autumn hospitality Autumn Internationals Hospitality

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

Sport Hospitality

A battle of England V Argentina at Twickenham

LONDON — World Cup-winning hooker Steve Thompson was recalled on Monday to an injury-hit England squad for next month's Tests at Twickenham having himelf briefly retired from rugby because of a neck problem.


England manager Martin Johnson, who was Thompson's World Cup winning captain six years ago, has lost nearly two teams' worth of players because of injuries for next month's Tests against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand, including his first-choice front row.


Thompson retired in April 2007 after a neck operation but the now 31-year-old returned months later to play for Brive, having initially joined the French club as a coach.


He did make a brief England return with an appearance off the bench late-on in June's 37-15 win over Argentina but this was seen as a stop-gap effort.


Ironically, given his injury problems since landing the winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final, fly-half Jonny Wilkinson - also now playing his club rugby in France, for Toulon - was fit enough to be included in the revised 32-man squad.


Johnson's selection saw him pick three uncapped players in forwards David Barnes, Richard Blaze and Courtney Lawes while prop Duncan Bell returned after a gap of four years.


"The whole squad is looking forward to three very tough games in November," Johnson said. "We've had to make a number of changes because of injuries but we have strength in depth.


"Each of the players coming in has the opportunity to push themselves into contention for the 2nd match England v Argentina on November 14."



Highly-rated lock Lawes, still only 20, got his chance after Nick Easter tore a calf muscle during Harlequins's 26-22 Premiership win over Worcester on Saturday that saw him ruled out for four weeks.


That day also saw veteran Leicester prop Julian White sidelined after tearing a hamstring in the 18-12 Premiership loss to London Irish.


Veteran prop White's injury came just days after it was confirmed ex-England captain Phil Vickery was ruled out for three months because of back surgery.


Fellow prop Andrew Sheridan was already sidelined for at least four months with a dislocated shoulder.

With hooker Lee Mears already out because of knee ligament damage, Johnson had to revamp what was an all British and Irish Lions front row while experienced lock Simon Shaw is currently injured as well.


And there have been injuries behind the scrum, with full-back Delon Armitage (shoulder), centre Riki Flutey (shoulder), fly-half Toby Flood (knee) and scrum-half Harry Ellis (knee) seeing their squad spots taken by David Strettle, Shane Geraghty, Andy Goode and Richard Wigglesworth respectively.


Saracens second-row Steve Borthwick, England's captain last season, has retained the leadership of the team for all three Tests.


"Steve has been appointed captain and I'm sure he will continue to do an excellent job," Johnson said.

Revised England 32-man squad for the November internationals against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand:

Backs


Matt Banahan (Bath), Danny Care (Harlequins), Mark Cueto (Sale), Ben Foden (Northampton), Shane Geraghty (Northampton), Andy Goode (Brive/FRA), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester), Paul Hodgson (London Irish), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), David Strettle (Harlequins), Mathew Tait (Sale), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Richard Wigglesworth (Sale), Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon/FRA)


Forwards

Steffon Armitage (London Irish), David Barnes (Bath), Duncan Bell (Bath), Richard Blaze (Leicester), Steve Borthwick (Saracens, capt), George Chuter (Leicester), Jordan Crane (Leicester), Tom Croft (Leicester), Louis Deacon (Leicester), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), James Haskell (Stade Francais/FRA), Ben Kay (Leicester), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Tim Payne (Wasps), Steve Thompson (Brive/FRA), David Wilson (Bath), Joe Worsley (Wasps)


Fixtures (all matches at Twickenham):



Nov 07: England v Australia (1430GMT)


Nov 14: England v Argentina (1430GMT)


Nov 21: England v New Zealand (1430GMT)

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your autumn hospitality Autumn Internationals Hospitality

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

Sport Hospitality