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Post by bluetornados on Jul 9, 2023 20:41:27 GMT
Stuart Hogg: Scotland & Exeter Chiefs full-back announces immediate retirement..
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Stuart Hogg made his 100th Scotland appearance at home to Ireland this month, leading the team out with his childrenFormer Scotland captain Stuart Hogg is retiring from rugby "with great sadness" at the age of 31. The full-back had intended to stop playing after this year's World Cup. Hogg, who joined Exeter Chiefs from Glasgow Warriors in 2019, won 100 Scotland caps and toured three times with the British and Irish Lions. "I fought with everything I had to make the Rugby World Cup, but this time my body has not been able to do the things I wanted and needed it to do," he said. "It is difficult where to start, but with great sadness and an enormous amount of pride, I am announcing my immediate retirement from playing rugby. We knew this day would come eventually - I just never thought it would be this soon. "It's hard to put into words just how much of an impact the game has had on my life. I will be retiring knowing that I have given my body and heart to rugby. I will be forever grateful to this amazing community and cannot wait to begin my journey as a proud supporter of the team." ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/ABD9/production/_128939934_hoggfinn.jpgHogg celebrates a Calcutta Cup win with Finn Russell, Scotland's other superstar backHogg won the Pro12 with Warriors in 2015 and a Premiership and European Champions Cup double with the Chiefs in 2020. He featured at the past two World Cups and was with the Lions for their Australia 2013, New Zealand 2017 and South Africa 2021 tours. All 171 of his Test points came in a Scotland jersey. "He has been an outstanding player for Scotland and has had a career lit up with so many achievements, highlights and special memories," Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend said. "I have had the pleasure of coaching Stuart for the majority of his career and he was a joy to work with and watch on the training field and in games. His basic skills and speed set him apart from other players and it has been an amazing effort to play Test rugby for the past 11 years. "To reach 100 caps this year was fitting and just reward for a career that has seen him represent the British and Irish Lions and win trophies both domestically and at a European level. "We respect his decision to step away now and understand the stresses and challenges his body has gone through in recent seasons." 'One of Scotland's greatest ever players'..BBC Scotland's Tom EnglishNot a massive surprise. When he announced in March that he was intending to retire after the World Cup, that was a huge surprise - nobody saw that coming. But recently over the last number of weeks, there's been a little bit of chat. Scotland had a World Cup warm-up camp in France and Hogg wasn't there. He clearly knows that the game is up, that his body isn't up to it anymore. It's a ferociously tough decision for him to make but he's making the right decision for him but also for the squad. The way he played rugby, it took its toll. If Stuart Hogg thought he was fit enough to go to the World Cup, he would've gone there. It meant everything to him to play for this country and captain his country. He captained his country with distinction. He had big days in that jersey. Unquestionably one of Scotland's greatest ever players. Without doubt Scotland's first superstar of the professional era. The burden was on him. He carried that with him very, very lightly. The pace of the guy, the electricity he generated when he got on the ball and the respect he got from opposing teams - Hogg gave them plenty to worry about. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/15650/production/_121223678_20295293.jpg
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 11, 2023 14:37:22 GMT
Premiership: 2023-24 season to start on 13th October because of World Cup..ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/15FE4/production/_130348009_shutterstock_editorial_13935068fc.jpgThe 2023-24 Premiership season will begin on Friday 13th October, with the final due to be held on Saturday 8th June at Twickenham. The campaign gets under way later than usual because of the Rugby World Cup in France, which concludes on 28th October. The league is down to 10 clubs after the collapse of London Irish, following Worcester and Wasps' demise last year. Premiership clubs will, however, return to action from 8th September in a revamped Premiership Rugby Cup. The new-look competition will see sides from the Championship compete alongside top-tier teams over five consecutive weekends during the group stages. The semi-finals and final will follow in February and March next year.
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Post by bluetornados on Jul 25, 2023 14:11:51 GMT
Dai Young: Cardiff exit agreed after 'insufficient evidence' found to support bullying claims..
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Dai Young captained Wales in rugby union and rugby leagueDai Young has left as Cardiff director of rugby role despite an investigation into bullying allegations finding "insufficient evidence". Young was suspended on 20 April but denied the accusations and an independent investigation was launched. A barrister concluded there was insufficient evidence to support any allegations. However, Young and Cardiff agreed to his departure after relationships became "strained". A Cardiff statement read: "As has been widely reported in the media, on 20 April 2023, Dai Young was suspended from his role as director of rugby by Cardiff Rugby following allegations of bullying, which he categorically denied. "Given the nature of these allegations and mindful of its duty of care to all employees, Cardiff Rugby commissioned a barrister to carry out an independent investigation. "Following a thorough process, the barrister concluded that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations and that no further action should be taken in relation to them. "Unfortunately, this process has caused strain on the working relationship between Cardiff Rugby and Dai Young. "In the circumstances, regrettably, it has been mutually agreed by the parties to terminate Dai's employment contract in accordance with terms within that allow for early termination. "Cardiff Rugby would like to thank Dai for his latest contribution to the club during the last two years, which culminated in the club finishing as the highest-placed Welsh club in the United Rugby Championship, which secured a return to the European Champions Cup. We wish Dai the very best with whatever the future holds for him. "Work will now begin to appoint a successor and coaching team at the Arms Park with 14 weeks still remaining until the 2023-24 season kicks off." Matt Sherratt and Richie Rees have been taking Cardiff pre-season training in Young's absence with the pair the only remaining senior coaches remaining currently in the set-up. Since the end of last season, Cardiff have lost defence coach Richard Hodges and forwards coach to Zebre and Gloucester respectively, while set-piece specialist Duane Goodfield has also left. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/DC50/production/_129700465_cdf_150123_cf_cardiff_v_newcastle_045.jpgDai Young legacyYoung's glittering dual-code playing career brought him 54 rugby union caps, three of them for the British and Irish Lions. He was highly regarded as an on-field leader and turned to coaching after his playing days ended, taking over for the first time at Cardiff for the 2002-03 season. Young remained in charge at the Arms Park until 2011 when he joined Wasps as director of rugby, spending almost nine years there before leaving in February 2020. As John Mulvihill left Cardiff in January 2021, Young returned, initially as interim director of rugby, before he was given the role on a long-term basis. Cardiff were the top-performing Welsh region last season with a 10th-place finish in the United Rugby Championship (URC) resulting in Heineken Champions Cup qualification for the 2023-24 campaign.
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Post by bluetornados on Aug 20, 2023 22:31:13 GMT
Ireland 29-10 England: What did we learn from World Cup warm-up ?..By Matt Gault, BBC Sport NI.
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Ireland boosted their World Cup preparations and heaped pressure on an England side clearly lacking confidence
Vunipola red card adds to England woesWith Owen Farrell's World Cup participation already in doubt, England head coach Steve Borthwick faces further disciplinary-based disruptions this week following Billy Vunipola's red card against Ireland. Farrell's Saracens team-mate Vunipola was initially shown yellow for his high tackle on Andrew Porter in the second half, but it was upgraded to red following a review. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/B59E/production/_130849464_gettyimages-1610618329.jpgBorthwick, who would not comment specifically on the Vunipola incident, now faces a critical week in his preparations with the prospect of losing two key players for a portion of England's pool matches certain to dominate the build-up to Saturday's Test against Fiji at Twickenham. With Vunipola the only specialist number eight in the England squad, a potential six-game ban would create a serious headache for Borthwick and his coaching staff. "Hopefully we will find a conclusion on both matters this week and it won't go into another week. Once I have all the facts, I will deal with them," said Borthwick. "We talked about the way this Test week was disrupted [by the Farrell saga] and I need to adapt throughout the week. It's another challenge that's been thrown at us." Stars align for centurion Earls
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Veteran wing Keith Earls gave the Ireland fans a moment to savour when he marked his 100th cap with the final try of the gameThe most memorable moment of the game from an Irish perspective was unquestionably the ear-splitting roar produced by the crowd when Keith Earls crashed over in the corner to rubber-stamp Ireland's win and mark his 100th cap in style. It was as loud as the Aviva has been all year, and with Ireland having clinched the Grand Slam on home soil in March, that's really saying something. Earls, who has been on the Ireland scene for 15 years and is hoping to appear at a fourth World Cup, offered a thrilling reminder of what he offers out wide at the end of a game that featured tries from Ireland's first-choice wings Mack Hansen and James Lowe. A hugely popular member of the squad, Munster stalwart Earls, 35, became the ninth Irish centurion on Saturday and provided Ireland with the perfect World Cup send-off when he took Bundee Aki's pass in his stride and raised the Aviva roof with his 36th international try. "Obviously the story of the day is it's very fitting that Keith gets his 100th cap and we made sure he does that with a W, and also him scoring a try in Keith Earls style in the corner just made the day for everyone really," said Farrell. Ireland still have much more to giveSaturday was a stark illustration of where Ireland and England find themselves three weeks out from the World Cup. For Ireland, Farrell's near-four-year reign has been building up to this point. There has been much experimentation and a few bumps along the way, but everything we have seen in the past 12 months suggests this Ireland side are capable of breaking new ground on the biggest stage in France. Like all great teams, Farrell's Ireland have mastered the art of squeezing wins out of performances that fall well short of their maximum. Saturday was another example of that. With 15 changes from the Italy game, Ireland looked rusty and disjointed, especially in the first half. And just as he did after the win over Italy, Farrell used the word 'clunky' in his assessment of the performance. But as England toiled, those in green found a way to score five tries and record their 12th straight Test win stretching back to last year's tour of New Zealand. They continue to tick off victories, but it is clear from Farrell's post-match comments that he feels his Ireland machine still have so much more to give before they reach the heights of, say, their Six Nations victory over France or last summer's Test series triumph over the All Blacks. "It had a bit of everything: good, bad and ugly," Farrell said of his side's display. "I wasn't too happy at half-time. We had them in a place where we could push a little bit harder and make it a little bit easier for ourselves but we didn't kick on. "I was really pleased that we found or rhythm back into the game. I thought we scored some great tries." Borthwick faces unenviable task of reversing England fortunesichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/148E2/production/_130849148_gettyimages-1625974631.jpgEngland have now lost four of their last five matches since beating Wales in the Six NationsAs for England, who are less than a year into the Borthwick era, rather than revive confidence in their World Cup prospects after a disappointing Six Nations campaign, these warm-up games have instead heightened the suspicion that further heartache awaits them in France. Discipline is obviously a hot topic, but England were often slow and predictable in Dublin, with George Ford - who made his first start since 2021 as Farrell's replacement at fly-half - failing to grasp a golden opportunity to build on his match-winning cameo off the bench against Wales last week. England have now lost four of their last five matches, conceding 20 tries in the process and scoring just five. The road ahead appears bleak, but Borthwick is clearly not in the mood to dish out any damning verdicts of his player's efforts just yet. "Whilst I'm incredibly disappointed with the result, the players kept fighting," he said. "I thought the players that came off the bench added on the pitch. "Just before half-time at 7-3, we missed some opportunities and turned over ball in the final third, so we weren't able to put enough pressure on them. "When it was 15 against 15 it was a tight battle, unfortunately it didn't stay 15 on 15." With Fiji to come to Twickenham on Saturday, Borthwick faces the unenviable task of rejuvenating his squad before launching their World Cup bid against Argentina on 9 September. Farrell awaits Sheehan update as selection looms This was, of course, Ireland's last run-out at home before jetting off to France, where Farrell will unveil his 33-man squad on 28 August. Farrell cut five players from his panel early this week and said he was "close" to finalising his 33 following the win over England. Ireland have had some minor injury concerns recently, but while Farrell said Jack Conan, Ronan Kelleher and Dave Kilcoyne will "definitely" be fit for the World Cup, he does not yet know the full extent of Dan Sheehan's injury after the Leinster hooker injured his foot against England. With Sheehan having enjoyed an outstanding last 12 months for club and country and Kelleher short of match sharpness, an injury to the former would be a worrying development before facing Romania in their Pool B opener on 9th September. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/14F22/production/_130849758_vuni-earls.jpg
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Post by bluetornados on Aug 23, 2023 7:49:35 GMT
Owen Farrell red card: England captain to miss first two World Cup pool games as ban reinstated..
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Owen Farrell was initially shown a yellow card before the new 'bunker' review system upgraded the decision to redOwen Farrell will miss England's first two World Cup pool games after World Rugby successfully appealed against the decision to overturn his red card. The England captain's four-game ban means he will miss the group matches against Argentina and Japan, with two warm-up fixtures also included. Farrell's red card had been overturned by an independent judicial committee, which was then overruled on Tuesday. The appeal committee said the tackle was "always illegal". Farrell became the first England player to receive a red card from rugby's new 'bunker' review system when he made a high tackle on Taine Basham during England's 19-17 win over Wales on 12th August. The appeal committee found that, in their original hearing, the disciplinary committee should have considered Farrell's attempt to wrap his opponent in the tackle. Therefore the appeal committee determined that no mitigation could be made for the tackle, and the decision to overturn the red card was an error - which led them to ban Farrell. The ban will include last weekend's 29-10 defeat by Ireland in Dublin, which the appeal committee said Farrell "voluntarily stood down" from playing in after World Rugby announced its intention to appeal beforehand. The 31-year-old will also miss England's final warm-up game against Fiji this weekend at Twickenham as well as the first two pool matches. He will be available to play again on 23rd September against Chile. England's opening World Cup game against Argentina is on 9th September in Marseille. When launching its appeal against the overturning of the ban, World Rugby said "player welfare is the number one priority". In January, the RFU approved a reduction in tackle height for the community game in England in order to improve player safety, while tightening laws around high tackles in the professional game aimed to further help the issue. England number eight Billy Vunipola is also due to face the disciplinary panel for a red card in the defeat by Ireland following a high tackle which resulted in direct head contact on Ireland prop Andrew Porter. A ban of more than one game for Vunipola would result in England also being without their only specialist number eight for the start of the competition. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/240/cpsprodpb/03C5/production/_130856900_bbc-sport-index-imagery-2-split-images-gradient-4de2b4d2-459b-4f07-8601-6f97fcbd907b.pngichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/1104B/production/_130870796_gettyimages-1610164351.jpg
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Post by bluetornados on Aug 26, 2023 8:44:50 GMT
New Zealand 7-35 South Africa: Springboks inflict record defeat on All Blacks as Scott Barrett sent off at Twickenham..
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Scott Barrett could now miss the opening game of the World Cup against FranceNew Zealand lock Scott Barrett was sent off as the All Blacks suffered the heaviest defeat in their history. Barrett received two yellow cards, with the second for a reckless clearout to the head of hooker Malcolm Marx being referred to the TMO 'bunker'. South Africa went ahead through Siya Kolisi and Kurt-Lee Arendse scores, before second-half tries from Marx, Bongi Mbonambi and Kwagga Smith. The All Blacks' previous record loss was by 21 points in 1999 and 2019. At a packed-out Twickenham, Barrett received his first yellow card after multiple team infringements as the All Blacks struggled to contain the relentless power game of the Springboks. He returned from the sin-bin but just before half-time shoulder-charged into Marx, who was close to the ground at a breakdown, leaving referee Matthew Carley no decision but to send him off. New Zealand have already lost experienced lock Brodie Retallick for the opening game of the World Cup against France on 8 September with an injury, as Barrett becomes the first All Black to be sent off twice. Tyrel Lomax's World Cup could also be at risk after the prop left the field early with a nasty knee injury. The world champions made it back-to-back wins after their 52-16 demolition of Wales in Cardiff last weekend, as Jacques Nienaber's side appear to be hitting their best form before their World Cup opener against Scotland on 10th September. The win also ends New Zealand's 11-match unbeaten run as South Africa's power game - so successful during the 2019 World Cup - proved too much for their 14-man opponents. "You couldn't help but be impressed with what they did, they really got stuck into us," said All Blacks coach Ian Foster. "Their physicality and their set-piece was superb and they had a massive game at scrum and line-out time. That was a big difference." ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/3494/production/_130906431_gettyimages-1638600326-1.jpgTwickenham was an unusual ground to host the two southern hemisphere sides, with their last meeting at the venue coming in a 2015 World Cup semi-final, which the All Blacks won 20-18 thanks to a late Beauden Barrett try. Since lifting the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019, the Boks have shown glimpses of the relentless power and kicking game which dominated England in the final. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/16288/production/_130906709_gettyimages-1638729454.jpg
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Post by bluetornados on Aug 26, 2023 21:37:43 GMT
England 22-30 Fiji: Pacific island nation beat England for first time..
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Simione Kuruvoli came off the bench to score Fiji's third tryEngland lost to Fiji for the first time ever and slumped to a fifth defeat in six games as their Rugby World Cup preparations ended with another blow. The Pacific Islanders scored three second-half tries at Twickenham as England's fragile defence struggled to contend with their power. England salvaged hope late on when Joe Marchant's try and George Ford's conversion brought them within a point. But Selestino Ravutaumada set up Simione Kuruvoli to seal victory. The day began with a sense of optimism for England as Courtney Lawes led out the hosts to mark his 100th cap. By the time the full-time whistle sounded, the gloom around English rugby had deepened even further with their first defeat by a side from outside the Six Nations and the Rugby Championship, two weeks before the start of their World Cup campaign against Argentina. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/121E3/production/_130911247_gettyimages-1640404272.jpgLine-ups
England: Steward; Malins, Lawrence, Tuilagi, May; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, Dan, Cole, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes (c), Willis, Earl. Replacements: Walker, Marler, Stuart, Ribbans, Ludlam, Care, Smith, Marchant. Fiji: Droasese; Ravutaumada, Nayacalevu (c), Radradra, Habosi; Muntz, Lomani; Mawi, Matavesi, Tagi, Nasilasila, Cirikidaveta, Tuisue, Tagitagivalu, Mata. Replacements: Togiatama, Koroiduadua, Tawake, Mayanavanua, Miramira, Kuruvoli, Tela, Ravouvou.
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Post by bluetornados on Oct 26, 2023 10:12:47 GMT
World Rugby player of the year: Ireland centre Bundee Aki on four-man shortlist for award..
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Bundee Aki scored four tries during Ireland's run to the World Cup quarter-finalsIreland centre Bundee Aki is on the four-man shortlist for the World Rugby men's player of the year award. France captain Antoine Dupont is also nominated, along with two players set to feature in the Rugby World Cup final - South Africa lock Eben Etzebeth and New Zealand back row Ardie Savea. Ireland's Andy Farrell is shortlisted for the coach of the year award. He is joined by New Zealand's Ian Foster, Fiji's Simon Raiwalui and South Africa's Jacques Nienaber. Aki scored four tries during Ireland's run to the World Cup quarter-finals, where they suffered a 28-24 defeat by the All Blacks. French scrum-half Dupont, who claimed the prize in 2021, also went out at the quarter-final stage when his side lost to South Africa. The winner of the award, as well as 10 other categories, will be announced in a ceremony in Paris on Sunday. Four women's awards, including the player of the year, will be handed out after the ongoing WXV tournament which ends early next month.
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Post by bluetornados on Nov 16, 2023 15:19:57 GMT
British and Irish Lions: New partnership will stop players joining tour late..
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The British and Irish Lions will tour Australia in 2025Players picked for the 2025 British and Irish Lions will be available for the whole tour of Australia thanks to a new partnership with Premiership Rugby and the United Rugby Championship. Players involved in knock-out stages of club competitions - like Saracens' Jamie George in 2021 - have missed the start of recent tours. But they will now able able to take part in all pre-tour activities. Lions chair Ieuan Evans celebrated the "unity" underpinning the agreement. He added that the tour will now be able to "showcase the best of what our game has to offer". ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/7B1A/production/_131741513_gettyimages-805230624.jpg"To achieve our ambition of success on the pitch, we need our very best players, and this partnership is crucial to this," Evans added. The Lions' last Test series win came in Australia in 2013, before a drawn series in New Zealand in 2017 and a loss to South Africa in 2021. The deal comes after several players from the Premiership - the top flight in English rugby - were unavailable in 2021 when a warm-up Test against Japan clashed with the Premiership final, which took place on the same day the tour began. Earlier this year, the opening three weeks of the Premiership coincided with the knock-out stages of the World Cup. Teams from Wales, Scotland and Ireland play in the United Rugby Championship, along with South African and Italian sides.
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Post by bluetornados on Nov 19, 2023 0:26:42 GMT
Alun Wyn Jones: Former Wales captain retires to standing ovation with Toulon..A true legend of the game.i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article25052142.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_JS230292715.jpgi2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article17182437.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/1_New-Zealand-v-Wales-Rugby-World-Cup-2019-Bronze-Final.jpgFormer Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones received a standing ovation as he ended a glittering 19-year career with a win for Toulon. Jones, 38, was named captain by Toulon for the Top 14 fixture they won 30-27 at Clermont Auvergne. He was applauded off by both teams after 66 minutes, only to reappear as a replacement for the final two minutes to help set up the winning try. The ex-British & Irish Lions lock is the most capped player in history. He won 158 Wales caps before retiring from international rugby in May and joining French side Toulon in July as injury cover for the World Cup. i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article28519537.ece/ALTERNATES/n310p/0_GettyImages-1439750400.jpg"I never thought I would be here finishing my career," Jones said. "I am just really grateful to Toulon for the welcome I have had. "I have only been here four months and I appreciate I won't have the impact other foreign players have had here, but the welcome I have had from the fans, the city of Toulon, has been very special." Clermont gave Jones a shirt before the game, with the lock being replaced midway through the second half to a standing ovation from the Stade Marcel-Michelin crowd. Jones, who made a world record 170 international appearances including 12 Tests for the British and Irish Lions and played in four World Cups, left Ospreys in the summer of 2023 after 17 years at the Welsh region. He captained the Barbarians against Wales in Cardiff earlier this month as he bid farewell to the Welsh rugby public. Meanwhile, fly-half Dan Biggar, who has also retired from international rugby, was still missing from the Toulon team because of a back injury.
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Post by bluetornados on Nov 20, 2023 12:49:49 GMT
Hannes Strydom: Ex-South Africa rugby star dies in car crash..By Gem O'Reilly, BBC News.i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/20/12/78020045-12770759-image-a-85_1700484074886.jpgStrydom - pictured with his wife in 2010 - is said to have been involved in a collision with a taxiSouth Africa's former rugby star Hannes Strydom has died in a car accident at the age of 58. He was part of the Springbok team that famously won the 1995 Rugby World Cup after the end of apartheid in 1994. Strydom gained 21 Springbok caps in his career between 1993 and 1997. Former teammate and close friend Kobus Wiese told local media that details of the accident were still vague, but the vehicle Strydom was travelling in collided with a minibus taxi. The accident took place on Sunday near the coal mining town of eMalahleni in Mpumalanga province. South African Rugby Union President Mark Alexander hailed Strydom as "one of the heroes of our local game" in the Springboks' tribute to him. His former club, the Lions, also paid tribute to him, describing him as a legend who had formed a formidable lock combination with Wiese. "We share a tight bond as members of the 1995 group and to lose yet another one of our brothers is a big blow," said Lions Rugby Company chief executive officer Rudolf Straeuli. Strydom made his debut for the Springboks in 1993, and helped defeat arch-rivals New Zealand in the 1995 World Cup - the biggest sporting event in South Africa after the end of apartheid. He ended his Springbok career in 1997 after playing in the British and Irish Lions series. Strydom also captained the Lions team that hoisted the local Currie Cup trophy in 1999. He made 115 appearances for the team between 1993 and 2000. Outside rugby, Strydom worked as a pharmacist in the capital, Pretoria, and started pharmacy chain Pharma Valu after hanging up his boots. In 2014, he suffered a cracked skull and stab wounds after six people attacked him in a carjacking, landing him in intensive care. He is the fifth player from the 1995 Springbok team to have died. The others include Ruben Kruger in 2010, Joost van der Westhuizen in 2017, and Chester Williams and James Small in 2019. Coach Kitch Christie also died in 1998. i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/20/12/78020049-12770759-image-a-84_1700483994714.jpg
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Post by bluetornados on Nov 30, 2023 19:59:06 GMT
Owen Farrell: World Rugby chair Bill Beaumont hopes England captain can return 'reinvigorated'..
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Owen Farrell surpassed Jonny Wilkinson as England's all-time leading points scorer in OctoberWorld Rugby chair Bill Beaumont hopes England captain Owen Farrell can return "reinvigorated" after making himself unavailable for the 2024 Six Nations. Farrell, 32, has chosen to miss the tournament "in order to prioritise his and his family's mental wellbeing". Beaumont, himself a former England captain, said the decision was not one the player "would have taken lightly". "As a player the last thing you want to do is give up playing for your country," Beaumont said. "He has been a great leader for England over the years," he added, speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. Farrell, who will continue playing for and captaining Saracens, became his nation's all-time record points scorer during the World Cup in October. The fly-half and centre - who was suspended for England's opening two World Cup games for a dangerous tackle during a warm-up win over Wales - was booed by some in France, where England achieved a bronze medal following a semi-final defeat by South Africa. "You don't ever want to live in a society where somebody like Owen Farrell, who has been a great servant to rugby, should be booed when he's playing for his country," Beaumont said. "It's very disappointing for him and his family and he obviously feels he needs a break away from the spotlight of the international game to recharge his batteries and come back." England head coach Steve Borthwick has praised Farrell's "courage" and said he would do everything he could to "ensure that he has the support he requires going forward". Speaking about the abuse Owen received at the World Cup by fans - both on social media and in the stands in France - Beaumont said World Rugby were reviewing how to tackle such issues in the sport. "We look at it all the time," he said. "The abuse of players and match officials is the last thing we want during a game and we are constantly monitoring it on a regular basis." He added on Farrell: "Hopefully after rest and recuperation he can come back reinvigorated to resume his England career."
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 1, 2023 6:57:36 GMT
Courtney Lawes: Northampton lock may be open to one last Lions tour..
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Courtney Lawes is one of only five players to win more than 100 England caps
Northampton Saints lock Courtney Lawes would consider making a final British and Irish Lions tour in 2025 - if he is still playing rugby union by then. Lawes retired from England duty following the World Cup in France, having won 105 caps. The 34-year-old, who has been with Saints throughout his career, has not yet decided on his future plans. "I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen next season yet," he told BBC Radio Northampton. "I've only played two games for the club [since returning from the World Cup] and it's a long old season. "I haven't got any plans - I just want to enjoy the games, enjoy being with the boys, and see what happens." The Lions will tour Australia in 2025 and Lawes has said that if his rugby career is ongoing at that time, he would make the trip if selected. He has made 266 appearances for Saints, scoring seven tries, and is regarded as one of their greatest ever players. Lawes won a Northamptonshire Icon award at the county's Business Excellence event earlier this month and will be given the freedom of the town, along with boxer Chantelle Cameron, at a civic ceremony in December. Born in London, he played in four World Cups in total, and twice toured with the Lions, most recently to South Africa in 2021. "Being able to represent the town for so long, on an international stage and here, is something I'm very proud of," he said. "I've always been me, always happy to talk to people, and I'm glad I've put some smiles on faces." On Saturday, Northampton take on reigning champions Saracens, having lost to them in last season's Premiership play-off semi-finals. The contest will see Lawes line up against several former England team-mates. "I definitely know the players. They're a good team, they've got a lot of internationals and they're very thorough in what they do," he said. "They know their DNA inside and out and they stick to it. "A lot of what they do is trying to stop you doing what you want to do, so you've got to have the confidence to go out there and express yourself, be the team what you want to be, front up, make sure your defence is on point, and you'll give yourselves a good shot."
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 4, 2023 17:14:16 GMT
Barbarians rugby player Api Ratuniyarawa admits sex attacks..By Iolo Cheung, BBC News.ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/16A1A/production/_110689629_ar_get.jpgA Barbarians rugby player has admitted sexually assaulting three women in a Cardiff city centre bar. Api Ratuniyarawa, 37, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by penetration and one of sexual assault at Revolution between October 31 and 1 November. The Fiji international was named in the Barbarians' squad to play against Wales at the Principality Stadium last month. Ratuniyarawa, of The Orchard, Kislingbury, Northamptonshire, entered the pleas at Cardiff Crown Court. A court previously heard the three attacks happened independently of each other and none of the victims knew Ratuniyarawa or each other. Ruth Smith, defending Ratuniyarawa, asked for an extension to his already "stringent" bail conditions ahead of his sentencing on 9 January. She said he and his family, which included his wife and four children, had strong residential ties to the UK and he would not pose a flight risk. Ms Smith added said the assaults "arose out of primarily the consumption of alcohol". She added: "The defendant is the sole breadwinner for the family. He has various appointments in place in respect of securing financial stability for his family." The application for bail was accepted by Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke and Ratuniyarawa's cannot leave his house between 19:00-07:00 GMT and must report to Northampton police station every day. ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/976/cpsprodpb/15A31/production/_111552688_ratuniyarawa.jpgHe is also banned from coming into Wales, except for his sentencing hearing, and from contacting his victims in any way. Ratuniyarawa was a forward for London Irish before the club filed for administration when it was suspended from the Premiership. He was named in the Barbarians squad to play against Wales on 4 November before being charged. The lock, who has also played for Northampton Saints and in France, was hoping his appearance for the invitational side would lead to a contract with a new club, but has since been forced to apply for benefits. The Barbarians team brings together players from different clubs for several fixtures each year. Ratuniyarawa denied two further charges of sexual assault relating to one of the women and prosecutors said the pleas were acceptable to the Crown. Ratuniyarawa was also placed on the sex offenders register.
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 6, 2023 21:16:18 GMT
Owen Farrell: Ben Youngs says former England team-mate 'should be treasured and celebrated'..
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Owen Farrell and Ben Youngs spent more than a decade playing together for EnglandEngland's most-capped men's player Ben Youngs says Owen Farrell is the best captain he played for during his 13 years with the national team. Scrum-half Youngs, 34, featured at four World Cups, two of which were alongside Farrell as his skipper. Youngs retired from international rugby at the end of the latest tournament, while Farrell, 32, has stepped away for the 2024 Six Nations to "prioritise his and his family's mental wellbeing". "He's a fantastic man," Youngs said. "He is without doubt the best captain I've played under. He is brilliant. Everything he has done is fully committed to England, to helping the team, to being the best he can be. But also helping the team be the best they can be." Youngs, who has spent his entire club career with Leicester Tigers, has played under more than half a dozen England captains since making his senior debut in 2010. Farrell was in the centres and Youngs was starting scrum-half as England were beaten by South Africa in the World Cup final four years ago. And Youngs started alongside fly-half Farrell in his 127th and final appearance, as England beat Argentina to collect World Cup bronze in France in October. Their head coach was Steve Borthwick, who was England captain when Youngs emerged more than a decade earlier. It was during the tournament that Farrell became the country's all-time record points scorer, surpassing Jonny Wilkinson's career haul of 1,179 points. But Saracens star Farrell, who was suspended for England's opening two World Cup games for a dangerous tackle during a warm-up win against Wales, was also booed by some supporters during the tournament. ichef.bbci.co.uk/ace/standard/480/cpsprodpb/15FB2/production/_131943009_gettyimages-1760445922.jpgYoungs said Farrell's treatment was "totally unacceptable". "I think he has been so unfairly treated," Youngs told BBC Radio Leicester. "He should be treasured and celebrated as a person and as a player for England and not have to deal with the stuff he had to deal with. "He is someone that has given everything that he can for his country and done a tremendous job. "He should be celebrated and I think it is really unfortunate that he wasn't and that he had to deal with the situation he had to deal with. "From just a rugby point of view, not from a friend's point of view, I think it's really sad."
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 21, 2023 22:48:10 GMT
Alun Wyn Jones: Wales and Lions legend calls for more screening for players after heart problem..
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Alun Wyn Jones scored a try as he led Barbarians against Wales on his final game at Principality Stadium in November, 2023World rugby's record cap-holder Alun Wyn Jones was diagnosed with a heart condition as his career drew to a close. Jones, 38, has called for players to be screened for such issues more often after undergoing tests before finishing at Toulon. "I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation," he told The Telegraph. The ex-Wales and British and Irish Lions forward's career ended at the French side in November, 2023. Wyn Jones, who made 158 appearances for Wales and 12 for the Lions, added: "It was discovered when I underwent a full medical check, which included an ECG test, when I joined Toulon in July on a short-term contract as cover during the World Cup." In May, coach Warren Gatland named Jones in his extended Wales squad for the 2023 World Cup. But Jones and long-time Wales, Ospreys and British and Irish Lions team-mate Justin Tipuric soon announced their international retirements. Having left Ospreys, Jones joined Toulon on a short-term deal during which he also played for Barbarians against Wales and Swansea. He added: "There is a lot of talk about welfare in rugby at the minute, but does that cover everything? "Is it just things that we can afford? Surely the sport has come on to the point where players should be screened more often, especially at a time when the demands in the game are growing. "I was very lucky how it worked out and will forever be grateful to Toulon for signing me. Had they not offered me a contract, I may never have known about the heart condition. "The cardiac doctor picked it up straight away. My heartbeat was like a galloping horse with six legs. It was all over the shop." The National Health Service says atrial-fibrillation "is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate". Jones, whose Test career began in 2006 and ended in 2023, took medical advice and discussed the situation with wife Anwen before committing to playing for Toulon. "The things that bring it on for someone my age is likely to be cardiovascular exercise and stress, it occurs in sports like rowing and endurance sports, but it was a shock because throughout my career I have always prided myself on my fitness," he said. "I have always been so committed to doing extras after matches, constantly working on my fitness and recovery from injuries. "We acted on medical advice from a rugby point of view. "There was a risk, but I was prepared to play for Toulon. Anwen and I had a conversation as husband and wife and I said, 'I have come this far, if I drop, at least I will be doing something I love'. "It might seem a selfish decision given that I have three young daughters, but I needed to take the opportunity. "It was only going to be for four months, and it gave me an opportunity to experience and get perspective on my career and life." Jones underwent surgery to correct the heart condition in November, shortly after finishing his playing career to a standing ovation from both sets of fans after leading Toulon to victory at Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14.
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Post by bluetornados on Dec 22, 2023 8:47:26 GMT
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Post by bluetornados on Jan 5, 2024 15:56:07 GMT
Mako Vunipola: Saracens and England prop suspended for four games following red card for dangerous tackle..
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Mako Vunipola will miss the games against Leicester Tigers, Bordeaux, Lyon and Exeter ChiefsSaracens and England prop Mako Vunipola has been banned for four games following his red card in the Premiership game against Newcastle. The 32-year-old was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Falcons hooker Bryan Byrne in Saturday's 37-19 win. Vunipola admitted foul play but said it did not meet the red card threshold. An independent disciplinary panel upheld the sending-off and imposed the ban, which will see Vunipola return in time for the Six Nations. Vunipola will miss Saracens' games in the Premiership against Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs, either side of their Investec Champions Cup matches at Bordeaux-Begles and at home to Lyon. However, he will be available for England's Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome on 3 February if selected by head coach Steve Borthwick, whose three World Cup squad loosehead props Ellis Genge, Joe Marler and Bevan Rodd are currently injured. Vunipola was ineligible to take part in World Rugby's coaching intervention programme, which could have seen his ban reduced by one game, having completed it previously in 2022. The New Zealand-born forward, who started his career at Bristol, made his debut for England in 2012 and has amassed 71 caps. He qualified for the national team having lived in Wales and England since the age of seven.
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Post by bluetornados on Jan 5, 2024 15:58:01 GMT
England's men split with Rugby Players Association after 20-year partnership..By Sara Orchard, BBC Sport.
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A new agency is understood to be taking over from the Rugby Players Association (RPA) in representing England's players this summerEngland men's rugby union team have ended their relationship with their union, the Rugby Players Association. The RPA has represented England's players for 20 years in negotiations over fees and commercial deals with the Rugby Football Union (RFU). The RPA will continue to represent England men until this summer. The move follows plans by the RFU to introduce 25 hybrid contracts as part of the new Professional Game Partnership (PGP). The hybrid or "enhanced "contracts would give the RFU closer control over player workload. On announcing the forthcoming split, the RPA said it would continue to support rugby players away from the England men's side. The statement added: "A current elite player squad men's representative has placed on record that the squad give the RPA their full backing in supporting players across the English game." The union will continue to represent England's women, although some of the Red Roses players are also represented by the Women's Rugby Association (WRA). The RPA represents more than 800 active male and female players, along with more than 400 former players, but the departure of England's men will represent a loss in income. In 2020, England prop Ellis Genge announced plans to start a new union to gain better "support and legal advice" for elite players. While his new union never emerged, it was one of the first signals that not all the players were happy with the RPA relationship. No information on the new agency understood to represent the England men has yet been released.
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Post by bluetornados on Jan 5, 2024 16:01:54 GMT
Dan Biggar: Toulon fly-half 'knocked for six' after final Wales appearance..
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Strapped up after previous injuries, Dan Biggar limped off with five minutes to go in his final Test match against Argentina in MarseilleEx-Wales skipper Dan Biggar says he endured a difficult week after his international career ended, admitting his retirement "knocked me for six". Fly-half Biggar, 34, announced prior to last year's World Cup he would retire from Test rugby after the tournament. Wales' 29-17 quarter-final loss to Argentina proved to be his final game. "If I'm brutally honest I expected us to win that quarter-final, I don't think I was quite prepared for it to end so abruptly," said Biggar. "When you lose in a quarter-final there's no hanging about for a third and fourth play-off. You basically pack your bags when you get back to the hotel and you check out and you're home within 24 hours. "So for me it came as a bit of a shock and it knocked me for six a little bit. After everything I'd given to the sport for as many years as I had, I didn't really think that was how it was going to end. "I remember just walking down the tunnel in the velodrome in Marseille after doing a lap and thanking the fans and that sort of hit me then because I knew that at that point there would be no more, that would be the last time that I'd walk back down a tunnel in a Wales shirt." Biggar, who continues to play club rugby for Toulon, won the first of 109 caps for Wales as a 19-year-old against Canada in 2008 and also made three Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions. The 2023 tournament was his third World Cup. "I've been around the block enough to know that storybook endings very rarely happen, but I also thought that the way that we went in that World Cup up until that quarter-final stage, I think we allowed ourselves to get carried away with that which is why it probably knocked the absolute stuffing out of me afterwards and it was such a huge, huge low really afterwards," he told BBC Radio 5 Live's 2024 Guest List programme. "What I was more disappointed with was that I'd been in that group for a long time with lots of very good people from the management, staff, playing side of things," added Biggar. "I felt like if we had won that quarter-final it would have given me a bit of a free-shot at a semi-final and a bit of a chance to know that I would be in camp for two more weeks and maybe plan what we were going to do for maybe the last meal in camp or the last time we go to the stadium. "I think that was my real aim. I know that we were nowhere near as good a side as South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France but that's what I think I was robbed of a little bit, in terms of those couple of weeks of enjoying people's company with no real pressure going into a World Cup semi-final, which is bizarre really when you think of it. "That was something that knocked the stuffing out of me a little bit that week and it was a really, really tough week to come to terms with after that." Unlike the majority of the squad, there was no immediate return to Wales for Biggar after the tournament. The Swansea-born player has been playing for French club Toulon since October 2022, though he did not stay in France to witness the climax of the tournament. Instead he went on a family holiday. "I jumped on a plane to Dubai and just got away because everywhere around me I was being surrounded by rugby and I just couldn't hack being around it really," said Biggar. "With Dubai being three hours ahead, the games kicked off at nine o'clock in France [and] Dubai time it was 12 o'clock, so it gave me an excuse not to watch the games and just check the scores in the morning. "I was definitely able to switch off from rugby for that week which was pleasing because the last thing I wanted to do was be talking about rugby, or watching rugby, or analysing the game. "It was really important to get away from it and come back fresher." ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/1784A/production/_132203369_gettyimages-1735500948.jpgDan Biggar scored 8 tries and 633 points for Wales in 112 games...The 2023 Rugby World Cup in France was lauded as a huge success, with more than 2.4 million fans attending matches inside the nine venues used for the tournament and a further 1.6 million enjoying the games in rugby fan villages. The French domestic game is also in robust health with La Rochelle and Biggar's Toulon the two reigning European cup competition title holders. Biggar is well aware that the game is facing greater challenges on these shores and hopes 2024 will bring growing interest and fresh investment to the game in England and Wales. "I'm playing in a league which at the minute seems miles apart from everywhere else in rugby in terms of the finances, the support," Biggar added. "It's an absolute showpiece every week in fairness. You've got big stadiums, big crowds, big cities, big owners with deep pockets, which obviously helps in this day and age. "You want big crowds, big occasions every week, and I watched a little bit of the Welsh derbies over Christmas and everyone [was] saying how great it is to have big crowds. "For me it's a little bit fake really because you always get big crowds on Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Basically people are looking for an excuse to get out of the house and go to sporting events. "What I would like to see is big crowds and big occasions every week and people turning out to support their regions, their clubs, whatever it is, because I've seen it first hand here how much of a difference it makes to everything - the occasion, the atmosphere, the match, the TV rights. "Where we don't want the game to be is just standing still. I think it's so important that we continue to grow the game, continue to bring in new ideas, new venues, new audiences, everything like that."
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