Archive for September 2012
Book: The Gloucester Rugby Miscellany
No city in England can match Gloucester’s passion for the game of rugby. The streets are festooned in cherry and white on match days and that famous cry of ‘Glaw . . . sterrr’ can be heard far beyond the club’s Kingsholm ground.The Gloucester Rugby Miscellany illustrates what makes Gloucester Rugby Club so special.
It features revealing and humorous interviews with some of the greats (including, to name but a few, Mike Teague, Andy Deacon and Ian Smith), historical facts, trivia, stats and stories, told by those who pulled on that famous shirt. It recalls the great matches, the cup wins, the highs, and also some of the lows.
Video: England Rugby Kit Launch
England's new kit from Canterbury was unveiled yesterday at Drybrook RFC in Gloucestershire - check out the video below to see what went on...
Lions 2013 Video Series: Head Coach Announcement
In the first part of Scrum Five's new video series covering the 2013 Lions Tour, we take a behind the scenes look at the Head Coach announcement.
Official ticket, travel and accommodation packages are available from Lions Rugby Travel starting from £2,199 and the three Test Tours start from £5,999 – contact www.lionstour.com or call 0844 788 4070.
Official ticket, travel and accommodation packages are available from Lions Rugby Travel starting from £2,199 and the three Test Tours start from £5,999 – contact www.lionstour.com or call 0844 788 4070.
Outsiders for 2013 Lions Squad
By Rowan Birch
As expected, Wales coach Warren Gatland was appointed as the Lions coach for the 2013 Australia tour. The New Zealander played a heavy part in the backroom staff on the 2009 tour, and therefore knows what is expected of him - a series win against the Aussies.
As soon as the Kiwi was announced as coach, he expressed a desire to work with Wilkinson. 'Jonny' is plying his trade in moneybags Toulon, so would a huge outsider to be included in the tour squad.
So who else may be an unexpected member of the Lions tour team?
As expected, Wales coach Warren Gatland was appointed as the Lions coach for the 2013 Australia tour. The New Zealander played a heavy part in the backroom staff on the 2009 tour, and therefore knows what is expected of him - a series win against the Aussies.As soon as the Kiwi was announced as coach, he expressed a desire to work with Wilkinson. 'Jonny' is plying his trade in moneybags Toulon, so would a huge outsider to be included in the tour squad.
So who else may be an unexpected member of the Lions tour team?
North showing the way for impressive Scarlets
By David Blair
Three teams remain unbeaten after two intriguing rounds of the RaboDirect Pro 12. But it is the Llanelli Scarlets who have caught the eye most in the opening weekends. And with Munster and Ulster going head-to-head at Ravenhill on Friday evening the Scarlets look set to extend their advantage at the head of the table providing they can see off Connacht in round three.
It would be unwise to underestimate their opposition in Galway but a Scarlets victory seems the likeliest result given their impressive start to the campaign. The Welsh region has scored nine tries in their opening two fixtures including six for the backs in a dismantling of Leinster first up.
Three teams remain unbeaten after two intriguing rounds of the RaboDirect Pro 12. But it is the Llanelli Scarlets who have caught the eye most in the opening weekends. And with Munster and Ulster going head-to-head at Ravenhill on Friday evening the Scarlets look set to extend their advantage at the head of the table providing they can see off Connacht in round three.It would be unwise to underestimate their opposition in Galway but a Scarlets victory seems the likeliest result given their impressive start to the campaign. The Welsh region has scored nine tries in their opening two fixtures including six for the backs in a dismantling of Leinster first up.
Can Wales beat a Southern Hemisphere team?
By Jake Harvey - Welsh Correspondent
It’s not long until the Six Nations champions welcome the biggest names of world rugby to the Millenium Stadium and although the Welsh team will be without their Kiwi coach Warren Gatland, the average Welshman can’t help but expect at least one win against one of the ‘Big three’ Southern Hemisphere nations.
It’s always been the same. Whenever the Autumn Internationals are among us, the Welsh public truly believe that it’s going to be the year that they finally beat the All Blacks. The last time Wales achieved such a thing was in 1953, captained by the late great Bleddyn Williams. That game finished 13-8 at the old Arms Park, the closest the small Rugby nation has come since that was in November of 2004 where the game finished 25-26 to New Zealand.
It’s not long until the Six Nations champions welcome the biggest names of world rugby to the Millenium Stadium and although the Welsh team will be without their Kiwi coach Warren Gatland, the average Welshman can’t help but expect at least one win against one of the ‘Big three’ Southern Hemisphere nations.It’s always been the same. Whenever the Autumn Internationals are among us, the Welsh public truly believe that it’s going to be the year that they finally beat the All Blacks. The last time Wales achieved such a thing was in 1953, captained by the late great Bleddyn Williams. That game finished 13-8 at the old Arms Park, the closest the small Rugby nation has come since that was in November of 2004 where the game finished 25-26 to New Zealand.
Video: Gatland talks about appointment as Lions coach
Warren Gatland was today unveiled as head coach for the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia. He spoke to Rugby Media's Nick Heath about the appointment.
Gatland officially named as Lions coach
The Lions kick-off their campaign against the Barbarians in Hong Kong next summer but the real focus will be on their three Test series against Australia.
The news certainly isn't surprising and Gatland has been the favourite ever since Wales' fantastic Rugby World Cup campaign but it will still build excitement for fans and players alike ahead of next year's tour.
Murphy: We knew it would be a difficult fixture
Leicester captain Geordan Murphy spoke to Talking Rugby's Simon Ward at the Kassam Stadium following the Tigers' 38-13 victory over Premiership Rugby newcomers London Welsh. Murphy admitted that his side have things to work on and that they were expecting a difficult fixture, click 'play' to hear the full interview: