Rugby World

Visser named in Scotland squad

lmudaly — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:19:55 +0000

The Flying Dutchman:Tim Visser is eligible to play for Scotland from 12 June

FIVE UNCAPPED players have been named today in Scotland’s 28-strong playing squad for their summer tour to Australasia. They are the Glasgow Warriors forwards Ryan Grant, Robert Harley and Tom Ryder and the Edinburgh Rugby backs Tom Brown and Tim Visser.

The first four-named were among the Scotland A squad who put England Saxons to the sword 35-0 at Netherdale in February, while Visser, the 24-year-old Dutch born winger, will qualify for Scotland through the three-year residency rule on 12 June and will thus be available for selection for the Tests against Fiji and Samoa.

Also listed are three players who have won a solitary Scotland cap to date, having made their debuts during the 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship – the 21-year-old backs, Duncan Weir and Matt Scott, and Glasgow Warriors’ prop Jon Welsh.
For the Tests against Australia, Fiji and Samoa next month, the Scotland party also includes experienced British and Irish Lions Ross Ford (the tour captain), Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter and Euan Murray.

Scotland head coach Andy Robinson said: “This is a tough tour for Scotland. We’ll be playing against three attack-minded teams on their own turf. But it’s an important opportunity to start the rebuilding process after a disappointing Six Nations.
“One quarter of the squad has yet to start an international but we’ve seen from the manner in which Edinburgh and Glasgow have finished the domestic season that there’s confidence that we will be looking to build on. “

Visser, who has scored a remarkable 43 tries in 74 appearances for Edinburgh since he joined from Newcastle Falcons three years ago, and has been top try scorer in the RaboDirect PRO12 for the past three seasons, is delighted by his call-up.

His Edinburgh Rugby team-mate 22-year-old Tom Brown, a product of North Berwick RFC and the Edinburgh Academy, who has also played club rugby for Currie, admitted: “It was a pretty tense day yesterday wondering if the call might come and when it did it was pretty overwhelming but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Like Brown, back five forward Robert Harley, was a member of the Scotland under-20 squad at the Junior World Championship in Japan three years ago. Harley, whose fitness and doggedness were obvious in last year’s pre-Rugby World Cup camp, is determined to make the breakthrough on this tour.

Scotland squad for the summer tour to Australia, Fiji and Samoa:

Backs – Joe Ansbro (London Irish), Mike Blair, Tom Brown (both Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Max Evans (Castres), Alex Grove (Worcester Warriors), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors)

Forwards – John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Geoff Cross, Ross Ford CAPTAIN (both Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Richie Gray, Dougie Hall, Robert Harley, Alastair Kellock (all Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Euan Murray (Newcastle Falcons), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby), Tom Ryder (Glasgow Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Richie Vernon (Sale Sharks) and Jon Welsh (Glasgow Warriors).

Unavailable through injury: Kelly Brown (Saracens), David Denton and Lee Jones (both Edinburgh Rugby)
Rested: Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh Rugby)

New worldwide laws trial

smockford — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:17:42 +0000

Five-second rule: Teams will be no longer be able to keep the ball at the back of a ruck for a long period

NEXT SEASON five law amendments will be trialled across the globe in both domestic and international games, including the speeding up of rucks.

One of the key changes being trialled – from August 2012 in the northern hemisphere and January 2013 in the South – is a limit on the time that the ball is available at the back of a ruck before being played. If teams fail to play the ball within five seconds of the referee calling “use it”, the defending team will be awarded a scrum.

If the ball goes into touch from a knock-on, teams will also be able to opt for a lineout rather than a scrum – and that includes being able to take a quick throw-in.

The five law amendments to be trialled in full are:

1. Law 16.7 (Ruck): The ball has to be used within five seconds of it being made available at the back of a ruck following a warning from the referee to “use it”. Sanction – Scrum.

2. 19.2 (b) (Quick Throw-In) For a quick throw in, the player may be anywhere outside the field of play between the line of touch and the player’s goal line.

3. 19.4 (who throws in) When the ball goes into touch from a knock-on, the non-offending team will be offered the choice of a lineout at the point the ball crossed the touch line; or a scrum at the place of the knock-on. The non-offending team may exercise this option by taking a quick throw-in.

4. 21.4 Penalty and free kick options and requirements: Lineout alternative. A team awarded a penalty or a free kick at a lineout may choose a further lineout, they throw in. This is in addition to the scrum option.

5. A conversion kick must be completed within one minute 30 seconds from the time that a try has been awarded.

The IRB is also set to trail an extension of the TMO’s powers, with video referees allowed to look at foul play and incidents in the lead up to tries, such as forward passes. They want to test this out in “an appropriate elite competition” so that it could be implemented for this year’s autumn Internationals.

All change? The scrum engagement call is being reviewed

During the November Tests, teams will be able to pick an extra front-row player on the bench to take the number of replacements to eight.

There will also be an increase in the number of replacements allowed in a sevens match from 1 June, with teams able to substitute up to five players.

The final review announced by the IRB concerned the growing controversy at scrum time. The Laws Representative Group is already looking into issues at the scrummage and after successful trials they have been asked to consider a change to the calling sequence. Instead of the current ‘Crouch, touch, pause, engage’, it is being proposed that the referee calls: ‘Crouch, touch, set’.

IRB chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “We have a collective responsibility to ensure that the Game is as enjoyable to play, officiate and watch as possible at every level while player welfare is of paramount importance.”

Rugby World’s Championship Blog

lmudaly — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:14:39 +0000

THE GREAT thing about Eurovision, is that when it’s all over, Engelbert Humperdinck — win or lose — will return to relative obscurity, writes Richard Grainger.

Sadly, the same will apply to one, if not both, of the teams who will contest the Championship final, irrespective of the outcome.

Unless the RFU and Premiership Rugby Ltd surprise everyone and come up with some very radical proposals in a statement to be issued prior to the first leg of the final, the front door to the Premiership will remain the back door to nowhere for both contestants.

The Cornish Pirates, who held off a spirited Bristol fight back at the Memorial Stadium on Sunday, will return to the Championship next season irrespective of the outcome, having made no plans to meet Premiership criteria for next season.

London Welsh, however, should they win, will not go quietly into the night, and are drawing up plans to challenge the ruling in the courts. In a statement issued last Friday, Exiles’ chief executive John Taylor told the Rugby Paper: “We’re pretty confident about our position in that we have gone through large parts of the audit process and jumped every hurdle”.

However, one key hurdle, which the Welsh almost failed to jump, was to see off a highly charged Bedford side and hang onto the slimmest of leads at the Old Deer Park on Sunday.

On a glorious afternoon for rugby, the Exiles kicked off with a 10-point lead that did little to inspire confidence in the faithful, mindful of a home record that had only yielded six wins in the first phase of the competition.

However, the Exiles showed no intentions of sitting on their lead, and had Joe Ajuwa not been called back twice for a foot in touch in the opening ten minutes, they could well have put the tie beyond Bedford’s reach.

Bedford struggled to get a foothold in the game until mid-way through the first period when the Exiles chose to kick to the corner instead of asking Alex Davies to have a shot at goal. They lost the ball from the ensuing lineout, and thereafter lost their way, as the visitors began to capitalize on some aimless kicking from Gordon Ross.

Despite losing their first lineout, the Bedford pack, which had been as shaky as the Greek economy at Goldington Road in the first leg, fronted up and made the home side work hard for first phase ball.

However, they were no match for the Exiles at the breakdown; with Mike Denbee and prop Max Lahiff too quick and too strong for the visitors, the Blues conceded penalties in critical areas and Davies was on target with three attempts before the interval.

But before the break, the Welsh burgled ball from a Bedford lineout close to their line and decided to counter from deep when a simple clearance would have been better. Bedford turned it over, moved the ball wide and Ollie Dodge barreled his way over in the right hand corner. James Pritchard added the extras to reduce the deficit to 12 points and keep the Blues fans interested.

Bedford upped the intensity in the second period and took the lead in the 42nd minute with a Pritchard penalty.

However, when the Welsh secured another turnover in midfield, Ross kicked into space for Nick Scott to chase. Henry Staff appeared to have the kick covered but slipped and Scott collected and touched down.

Ross’s conversion attempt went wide but when Davies added his fourth penalty in the 54^th minute, the Exiles appeared to have at least one foot in the final with a 17-point lead.

As Bedford’s head coach, Mike Rayer emptied the bench, the Blues threw wave after wave of attack at the hosts, and Lyn Jones’s policy of keeping his starting lineup engaged looked dubious. Don Barrell, who had replaced Gregor Gillanders, was a major handful and it took a bone-crunching tackle from Lahiff to prevent him going over in the corner. However, Barrell found a gap and drove over close to the posts with six minutes of regular time to play.

Pritchard converted to reduce the deficit to 10 points, but it wasn’t until the final minute of normal time that referee Mr Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts’ interpretation of a Blues’ handling error set the warning bells ringing in earnest.

“It was a clear knock-on, that’s my only comment,” said head coach Lyn Jones. “Only two people didn’t see it in the whole world, so what can I say?”

As the Exiles stopped and waited for the whistle, Neil Cochrane collected the ball, side-stepped a bemused Alex Davies and scored near the uprights. Pritchard added the extras and extra time, after 160 minutes of play, seemed a possibility.

However, the Exiles managed to keep the Blues out of drop goal range and saw out Mr ApGeraint-Roberts’ nine minutes of extra time without further incident.

Click here for the match gallery of 209 photos (taken by Cameron Grainger)

“It was getting a bit tense towards the end,” said Exiles’ replacement scrum-half, Jack Moates. “They really come back at us. We were trying to defend a lead rather than pushing on for points.”

“The first half was excellent,” said Lyn Jones, “good intensity… we fell away for the last 20 minutes because we’re not strong enough, we’re not conditioned enough to play at that intensity for 80 minutes. It’s all to play for now.”

But for Bedford, it was a case of what might have been. “We lost it in the first leg,” said flanker Sacha Harding. “We wanted to put pace on the game from the start really, and we knew we had to score tries to win the game.”

At the Memorial Stadium, four tries from Bristol were not enough to reverse their 21-point deficit at the Mennaye Field. The side that dominated the first phase of the Championship never hit their stride in the play-offs, and too many errors and missed opportunities on Sunday cost them a place in the final.

However, they got to within seven points of the Pirates, but with a minute to go, a late Rob Cook penalty restored a ten-point gap, leaving the visitors 63-53 aggregate winners.

Head coach Liam Middleton told the club website: “It was a great game today. I was hugely disappointed at full time but we’re bouncing back and I’m excited about the future”

The first leg of the final, between the Cornish Pirates and London Welsh will be played in Cornwall —the venue has not yet been announced — on Wednesday 23^rd May, 7.45pm. The return leg will be played at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford, on Wednesday 30^th May, also kicking-off at 7.45pm.

Four new faces in Wales squad

ojones — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:17:35 +0000

Grand Slam heroes: Wales will be looking for their first win on Australian soil since 1969

By Owain Jones, Rugby World Editor

WALES HEAD coach Rob Howley has named four uncapped players in his 38-man touring party to face the Barbarians before travelling to Australia for a four-test Tour.

Scarlets full-back Liam Williams, prop Rhodri Jones, Ospreys centre Ashley Beck and Cardiff Blues wing are all named to make the trip Down Under.

Wales will face the Barbarians on June 2^nd before heading South for three Tests against Australia and a game against Super 15 franchise ACT Brumbies.

Injuries have meant Jamie Roberts and Lyon-bound Huw Bennett were not considered, while full-back Lee Byrne was also omitted because his club commitments with Clermont Auvergne still likely be in the Top 14 final. He will be on stand-by for the tour’s latter stages.

Wales will be sending 12 of their squad out early to acclimatize in advance of the June 9 First Test, while Ian Evans and Alun Wyn Jones will fly out late due to wedding commitments.

Another name to catch the eye in the squad is Dan Biggar. The 22 year-old Ospreys fly-half has been in fine form for the Ospreys, recently passing the 1,000 point mark for his region.

Biggar's back: Dan has been in fine form for the Ospreys

Still carrying injuries but travelling with the squad are Jonathan Davies (hernia), Matthew Rees (ankle) and Scott Williams (shoulder).

The squad will assemble on May 21, except for the 12 Ospreys involved in preparations for their RaboDirect Pro12 Final against Leinster in Dublin.

Set for a 100^th and final cap will be 36 year-old Martyn Williams who is expected to make his farewells and play a part in the Barbarians test at the Millennium Stadium

Howley takes the reins after Warren Gatland fractured both heels in a fall in New Zealand.

FORWARDS: Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (NG Dragons), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Toby Faletau (NG Dragons), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Paul James (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lyldiate (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Matthew Rees (Scarlets), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Josh Turnbull (Scarlets), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Martyn Williams (Cardiff Blues)

BACKS: Ashley Beck (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Andrew Bishop (Ospreys), Aled Brew (NG Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny, Will Harries (NG Dragons), James Hook (Perpignan), George North (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Bayonne), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Harry Robinson (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Liam Williams (Scarlets)

Wales’ upcoming fixtures

Wales v Barbarians – Millennium Stadium, June 2nd

Australia v Wales – Brisbane, June 9

ACT Brumbies v Wales – Canberra, June 12

Ausralia v Wales – Melbourne, June 16

Australia v Wales – Sydney, June 23

Jonny Wilkinson on his best coaches

smockford — Mon, 14 May 2012 10:37:45 +0000

Back-room team: Jonny Wilkinson has picked out four coaches who have been hugely beneficial to his career

By Jonny Wilkinson, England 2003 World Cup winner

I HAVE been enormously fortunate to have been coached by some of the best coaches around. Here I let you know why they are so good…

Double act: Steve Black with Jonny

Steve Black

Former Newcastle Falcons mentor, fitness conditioner, motivator and mental visualisation guru

It is difficult to narrow down what Blackie’s strengths are because there are no weaknesses. His class is his ridiculous knowledge, his thirst for gaining more and his ability to apply it all to an athlete. Blackie treats everybody as an individual and has always found the best way to help me to get better, just by being myself.

His flexibility means he has been able to train me to the maximum in any environment, under any time constraints and in any circumstances (normally involving me being injured and unable to use the majority of my body!).

He knows sport and understands pressure having been there and done it himself. Everything he teaches is about staying specific to your goal and visualising yourself being great so that no negative energy is wasted elsewhere. He leads by example and has only ever asked one thing from me: that I am honest in saying that I really want it and that I turn up and give him all that I have got.

I discuss my goals with Blackie numerous times every season and then I know that I don’t need to ask any more questions. I trust him that much and without him I simply wouldn’t be here. Blackie has kept me going, kept me training and kept me improving every day.

Kicking guru: Dave Alred

Dave Alred MBE

England assistant coach, kicking coach, mind coach and psychological specialist

I have worked with Dave since I was 16 years old. He revolutionised my understanding of kicking and changed the course of my career. I was an average kicker at best and he showed me that it was truly possible to take full control of your abilities.

Dave always knows exactly what I’m talking about, even when I’m making no sense. This is because he possesses the proof. By this I mean he not only gives you the ‘how to’ but actually then goes and does it himself. I will never forget the first few times he kicked in front of me. I couldn’t believe we were using the same ball. Dave has been there too, kicking at the highest level in rugby league, union and American football. His principles cross to any sport and he is currently changing professional golfers’ lives too, just like he changed mine.

Dave’s amazing ability to use metaphor and conjure up images to help explain his points is phenomenally powerful. He has given me technique and understanding which holds up under pressure and has been there for me without failure from day one.

Watch a Jonny Wilkinson kicking masterclass

Early mentor: John Fletcher

John Fletcher

Current England U18 coach and former Newcastle Falcons Academy Manager and Director of Rugby

John Fletcher knows his stuff inside out and always gives you the details you need for the ‘how to’ part of coaching, but his skill is that he knows how to communicate it. He has knowledge and incredible people skills.

I met John when he came to coach the academy up at Newcastle Falcons. I instantly recognised the respect that the young players had for him. All the players did, not just the ones playing in the team but also the ones who never made it. When he became head coach I experienced it myself. Fletch created a great team environment and guided his players brilliantly, but he also spent time with everyone. He listened, made the effort to understand each individual and made us all feel important.

With very few people have I ever felt such a good balance between being coached and being given the freedom to express myself and my ideas. As a team, I don’t think we ever performed so consistently well as we did under Fletch’s reign.

World Cup hug: Clive Woodward

Sir Clive Woodward

The British Olympic Association’s Director of Elite Performance and England’s 2003 World Cup-winning coach

Everybody knows that the Clive Woodward era of England rugby was a productive one, but it did not come about without a huge amount of effort and great leadership. One of Clive’s main strengths was his ability to combine learning lessons from defeat with creative decision making and forethought. He had a fantastic way of leading change. This often entailed taking big risks and some fairly serious tactical shifts but he took the pressure of those potential outcomes on himself and left us with nothing but the confidence and the motivation to go out there and believe in ourselves.

Doing things differently to how they have largely been done before takes courage and conviction. Doing the same thing without deep understanding and awareness of what is required to make it work is actually irresponsible. Clive put in place an amazing set up which ensured he could take England rugby in a new direction. He never stopped thinking outside the box in innovative new ways, but at the same time he never lost sight of what rugby had taught him and the lessons we went through together.

All of these abilities came together to enable Clive to lead a victorious World Cup campaign. Clive was at the head of the team, but also spent huge amounts of time with every one of us, ensuring we were happy, looked after and ready to be our bests. It was an approach which was to bring us all the reward we ever wanted.

There are approximately 1.1m people involved in coaching in the UK and with the London Olympics just months away, Gillette has launched its ‘Great Start’ campaign, which aims to celebrate coaches and inspire the next generation. Gillette is awarding ‘Great Start’ grants in 2012 to help both existing and new coaches gain qualifications. Applications can be made via www.facebook.com/GilletteUK – just click on the ‘Coaching’ link.

Harlequins 25-23 Northampton: The Verdict

basprey — Sat, 12 May 2012 23:16:10 +0000

Happy day: Harlequins celebrate making a first Premiership final after their narrow victory over Northampton

By Bea Asprey, Rugby World Writer

In a nutshell

An error-strewn game saw the scores level on penalties til the final quarter of the game, and with Nick Evans showing his human side, missing two penalties during the game, Quins were left playing catch up. Lee Dickson’s try extended the Saints’ lead to make it 15-23, but a Joe Marler try in the dying minutes broke the heart of Saints fans to see Quins make their first ever Premiership final.

Strike Lee: Dickson scores for Saints

Key moment

Joe Marler was the man who touched the ball down, but he was assisted by every member of his team who formed a 15-man maul to push him over the line. Quins Director of Rugby Conor O’Shea admitted that it was a nervous moment watching the backs, who ‘don’t know what they’re doing’ in such situations, get involved in the unplanned move, but the team’s instinct paid off.

Star Men

The Harlequins front row are aged just 21 (Marler), 23 (Gray) and 26 (Johnston), but the young trio dominated Tonga’uiha, Long and Mujati today, showing that the London club’s scrum is a force to be reckoned with. It’s good news for England coach Stuart Lancaster, who has just recruited Marler and Gray to tour South Africa in June.

Room for improvement

Quins made a numer of errors today, and O’Shea insisted it was the occasion that got to the team, but this young team will need to settle down quickly in the final if they hope to lift the trophy.

In quotes

Quins’ Conor O’Shea: “The difference between this year and last year in terms of our belief is exceptional. They say good semi-finalists don’t make great finalists. We weren’t good today so hopefully we’ll be good finalists.”

Prop idol: Quins' Joe Marler

Saints’ Jim Mallinder: “It was always going to be tricky and it was always going to be close. When you’re eight points clear with 12 minutes left on the board you think you’ve got a chance. But to come from the first division and be involved in three semi-finals in a row and a Heineken Cup final is a good achievement for the club.”

Top stats

Ben Foden made his 100^thappearance for the Saints in the game against Harlequins, but Mallinder admitted that the loss of a number of their England players had disrupted their season. They have been without Chris Ashton, Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Calum Clark and Tom Wood over the course of the season.

HARLEQUINS: Mike Brown; Tom Williams, George Lowe, Jordan Turner-Hall, Sam Smith (Matt Hopper 69); Nick Evans, Karl Dickson; Joe Marler, Joe Gray, James Johnston, Olly Kohn, George Robson, Maurie Fa’asavalu (Tom Guest 63), Chris Robshaw (capt), Nick Easter.

Not used: Rob Buchanan, Mark Lambert, Will Collier, Tomas Vallejos, Richard Bolt, Rory Clegg.

Try: Marler. Con: Evans. Pens: Evans (6).

NORTHAMPTON: Ben Foden; Chris Ashton, George Pisi, James Downey (Tom May 75), Paul Diggin; Ryan Lamb, Lee Dickson (capt); Soane Tonga’uiha (Alex Waller 67), Andy Long (Ross McMillan 61), Brian Mujati (Paul Doran-Jones 57), Mark Sorenson, Christian Day, James Craig (Teimana Harrison 63), Phil Dowson, Roger Wilson (Ben Nutley 75).

Not used: Martin Roberts, Stephen Myler.

Try: Dickson. Pens: Lamb (6). Sin-bin: Wilson.

Leicester 24-15 Saracens: The Verdict

smockford — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:30:39 +0000

Break time: George Ford evades the clutches of Charlie Hodgson to set up Leicester's second try

By Sarah Mockford, Rugby World Features Editor

In a nutshell

Leicester reached their eighth straight Premiership final with a hard-fought win over defending champions Saracens. As you would expect when these two teams go head-to-head, it was a ferociously physical contest, but it was Leicester’s guile rather than their brawn that produced two decisive tries – Alesana Tuilagi and Steve Mafi crossing the line.

Key moment

In the 47^th minute, George Ford produced a scything break through the Sarries defence – his second of the game as he demonstrated huge potential – and that set Manu Tuilagi off towards the line. He was brought down 5m short but Leicester recycled, spread the ball wide and Mafi crossed in the corner to give the Tigers an 18-12 lead that they never let slip.

Nice work: Alesana Tuilagi celebrates his try

Star man

Ford’s talent was clear to all with his ability to control the game at just 19 years of age while also producing some class touches and breaks, but he did make a few mistakes. Marcos Ayerza was the standout performer for me. Not only did he give Leicester a solid platform up front in the scrum but he was an ever-present in defence, putting in a couple of massive hits.

Room for improvement

Both teams gave away a lot of penalties and Leicester will need to be more disciplined when they face Harlequins in the final as Nick Evans will punish any misdemeanours, just as Owen Farrell did here.

Leicester’s lineout creaked during the game so they will need to work on that, too, over the next two weeks. Quality first-phase ball will be needed at Twickenham.

Saracens put plenty of width on the ball, especially in the first half, but they couldn’t get across the line. If they work on their finishing in the off-season, they should have the impressive ability to play both a pragmatic and attacking style in the next campaign.

Near miss: David Strettle lost control of the ball when he crossed the line in the first half

In quotes

Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill: “Saracens are a very good team and they had people missing through injury, as did we, but today was our turn to win. I’m delighted for the guys. It’s been a hard season, now we’ve got to go and try to win the thing.”

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall: “We wanted to spend as much time as we could in their half but we couldn’t score whereas they took their chances. We’re very proud of a lot of things – to be two points behind Quins in the final table and the last English team in the Heineken Cup.”

Top stat

Leicester have now won their last 12 semi-finals in all competitions.

LEICESTER: Geordan Murphy (capt); Horacio Agulla, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Allen, Alesana Tuilagi; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Marcos Ayerza, George Chuter, Dan Cole (Martin Castrogiovanni 60), George Skivington, Geoff Parling, Steve Mafi, Julian Salvi, Thomas Waldrom.

Tries: A Tuilagi, Mafi. Con: Ford. Pens: Ford (4).

SARACENS: Alex Goode; David Strettle (James Short 67), Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt (Adam Powell 78), Chris Wyles; Charlie Hodgson, Neil de Kock (Richard Wigglesworth 54); Rhys Gill (John Smit 78), Schalk Brits (Jamie George 78), Matt Stevens (Carlos Nieto 61-74), Steve Borthwick (capt), Mouritz Botha (George Kruis 49), Jackson Wray (Hugh Vyvyan 79), Will Fraser, Ernst Joubert.

Pens: Farrell (5).

Top 14 Focus: Toulon’s Galacticos near summit

ojones — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:17:28 +0000

Unlucky seven: Toulon's Steffon Armitage must have been close to an England call-up this summer

By Gavin Mortimer

IS THIS going to be the season when Toulon finally climb back to the summit of French rugby? The last time they were there was exactly twenty years ago when a side containing the likes of Aubin Hueber and Yann Delaigue defeated Biarritz 19-14 to win the Bouclier de Brennus. Many hard years followed that triumph until Mourad Boudjellal became president a few years ago and used his wealth to lift the club back to the top echelon of French rugby.

Since they won promotion to the Top 14 from Division Two in 2008 Toulon have been one of the stronger sides in the competition, although they’ve still failed to reach a final. This season they’re in with their best chance yet of recapturing those glory years. Already through to the final of the Amlin Challenge Cup (against Biarritz), Toulon are virtually guaranteed of finishing third in the Top 14, giving them a home draw in the play-offs on May 26, probably against either Montpellier or Racing Metro depending on how results pan out this weekend.

Toulon are of course a team of stars, the closest rugby has to Real Madrid’s famous Galácticos. Everyone’s there, from England’s Jonny Wilkinson and Simon Shaw to a pair of Boks in Joe van Niekerk and Bakkies Botha to one New Zealand great in Carl Hayman and one Australian legend in Matt Giteau. In Midi Olympique this week Toulon’s Director of Rugby – the former France coach Bernard Laporte – was asked what it was like being in charge of such an array of stars. “Stars,” he replied acidly. “I hate this expression…they are not stars, they are rugby players. They have a great talent but that’s all.”

Laporte took over the reins at Toulon last season from Philippe Saint-Andre when he was appointed coach of the French national side. What Laporte has done has bring a more pragmatic approach to Toulon, allowing them to win tight matches they once might have lost. Against the Cardiff Blues in the final of the 2010 European Challenge Cup Toulon threw away a 13-6 half-time lead, but this season they’ve closed out the tight games. Most recently they edged out Toulouse 25-22 in last week’s Top 14, a result that bodes well for the business end of the competition. Toulouse and Clermont have been runaway leaders of the Top 14 but are showing signs of fatigue as the long French season draws to a close.

Mind you, so is Jonny Wilkinson, who’s been uncharacteristically wayward in his goal-kicking of late. Asked if he was worried by the former England fly-half’s form Laporte laughed. “Jonny isn’t worried, and nor am I.”

Wilkinson’s actually been eclipsed this season at Toulon by one of his countryman, the former London Irish flanker Steffon Armitage who has been overlooked for England’s tour to South Africa. It’s a situation that bemuses Laporte. “He’s international class!” exclaims Laporte. “I struggle to understand why he’s been forgotten by the [England] selectors but so much the better for us!”

It’s a sentiment echoed by Mourad Boudjellal, who was recently gracious enough to admit he has his former coach to thank for the decision to sign the 26-year-old Armitage last summer. “Philippe Saint-Andre was really insistent that we recruit him. I wanted [James] Haskell but Philippe was like a dog with a bone. He wanted [Armitage] and no one else. Today I don’t regret that I listened to him.”

Your chance to be coached by Geech!

basprey — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:37:33 +0000

Prize guy: You could be coached by Sir Ian McGeechan

IF YOU’RE looking for the perfect way to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, you should check out the Family Festival in Hyde Park on 2 and 3 June. There’s entertainment to suit everyone, whether it’s a Magic of Disney Concert or Strictly Come Dancing display that floats your boat, but the best news for rugby fans is that Sir Ian McGeechan will be in town to join in the party.

We’ve teamed up with FirstCape, who will sponsor the 2013 British and Irish Lions, and Sainsbury’s, to give away five family tickets* to the Family Festival. The lucky winners will get the opportunity to meet Geech, who will put you through your paces in a coaching session. There will also be plenty of opportunities to ask the Lions legend all your rugby questions, get photos and autographs, and enjoy a glass of FirstCape wine.

The winner will also receive a case** of Lighter Style Cafe Collection Sparkling Rose, and if you sign up to the Lions Wine Club on the day, you could win a VIP trip to Hong Kong to see the team in action.

To be in with a chance of winning a family ticket to the Family Festival, answer the following question: How many Test matches will the 2013 British and Irish Lions play?

Email your answer with your name, address and a daytime phone number to rugbyworldcompetitions@ipcmedia.com by noon on Friday 25 May.

* A family ticket consists of two adults and two children

** A case is six bottles, and must be delivered to an agreed address

Phil Vickery & Co cook up a storm

smockford — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:24:32 +0000

Top chefs: Contestants Phil Vickery, Luke Narraway, Craig Chalmers and Serge Betsen

By Katie Field, Rugby World Writer

RUGBY’S MOST famous and accomplished chef – Celebrity Masterchef winner Phil Vickery – put his reputation on the line for a good cause when he took part in Scrum Dine With Me, organised by Wooden Spoon.

The former England captain pitted his cooking talents against ex-Scotland stand-off Craig Chalmers, former France flanker Serge Betsen and Perpignan-bound back-rower Luke Narraway, who played for England in 2008-09.

With the venue for the contest being Ping Pong dim sum restaurant in the City of London, the menu was oriental and, helped by the restaurant’s chef, the four rugby stars prepared a course each for around 150 guests and a panel of expert judges, including Masterchef presenter Gregg Wallace.

All the diners voted for the winner and the pre-event favourite, Vickery, came out on top. Betsen was second, Chalmers third and Narraway fourth – but if truth be told, all the food was top notch and, most importantly of all, nearly £30k were raised for Wooden Spoon’s charity projects.

Chalmers was first to put his cooking in the spotlight as he prepared the appetizer – a roast pork puff and a spring roll stuffed with satay chicken with pineapple. Wallace called it “stunning” and it was certainly my favourite dish of the evening.

Betsen was charged with producing the second course – a crunchy vegetable and tofu spring roll, crispy prawn balls and prawn toast with sesame seeds. There was a great comedy moment when the fearsome Frenchman decided to loom large over the judges’ table while they delivered their verdict on his food. They didn’t all buckle under the pressure and his work came in for a little criticism, but Wallace quipped: “For a big, ugly man you make good food!”

Vickery’s famous culinary expertise landed him with the job of preparing six kinds of dumpling for the third course. There was a lot of delicate detail in his work and Wallace called it “outstanding”, adding: “He smashed that course like he would like to have smashed Andre Watson.”

Last up was Narraway, with his dessert of banana chocolate spring rolls and valrhona chocolate buns. Renowned pudding-lover Wallace said they were “bang-on, absolutely brilliant!”

Cooking kings: Betsen and Vickery get stuck in

So, having provided a great evening of cheeky rugby banter, excellent food and plentiful wine, beer and cocktails, what’s next for Wooden Spoon? Some of their infamous Spoon Challenges are on the horizon and Vickery is swapping his chefs whites for some outdoor gear to take part in two of them this summer.

First up for Vickery is the Four Peaks challenge, from 28-30 June. It is Spoon’s most popular team challenge event and sees teams of three, plus a support driver, take on Ben Nevis, Helvellyn, Snowdon and Carantouhill – all in under 48 hours.

“The Four Peaks is something that I wanted to do last year but the timing was off and I couldn’t do it,” Vickery says. “I’ve heard a lot of great things about it. It’s a really tough challenge but the buzz and camaraderie is superb.”

Two months later, on 7 September, Vickery will be guiding three other team members through what is arguably Spoon’s toughest challenge – The Ford Great Lakeland Challenge. The teams canoe England’s longest lake; cycle up the two steepest passes in England, Wrynose and Hardknott; and then conquer, on foot, England’s highest peak, Scaffell Pike – all in under 12 hours.

Encouraging more people to take part is important to Vickery and he is keen to stress that you don’t have to be a World Cup winner to do it. “Hopefully I’ll inspire other people to do it – if I can do it then anyone can! After three back operations, two shoulder ops and a disc replacement in my neck, canoeing, cycling and running are not exactly the best for me. But I have to get my head down and get on with it.

“Come along, have a good time, make some friends and you will find yourself part of something very special. When you go and see these (Wooden Spoon) projects and see what a difference your money has made, then it puts everything in perspective and makes you realise just how enjoyable it is. It’s a privilege to raise money that’s going to have a positive impact on someone’s life.”

To join Vickery on these challenges, or to find out more information about them and other challenges, click here.