Archive for the ‘Rugby’ Category

Second row muscle: Tom Ryder

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Glasgow Warriors will be going all out to strike the first blow in what will be a season-long battle with Leinster when they take on the reigning European champions at the RDS on Saturday.

The clash is the opening instalment of a series that will see the teams compete at least another three times in the PRO12 and Heineken Cup.

As well as seeking to set the tone for the rest of their encounters with the Dublin side, the Warriors have the incentive of looking to secure a first ever win on Leinster soil.

In contrast to their poor away record in the fixture, Glasgow have won the last three Firhill meetings between the sides, a feat Sean Lineen believes should instil a level of confidence in his men ahead of Saturday’s match.

“This is another huge challenge for us, to go to the home of the Heineken Cup holders and look to do something we’ve never done before, but it’s an opportunity the players relish,” Lineen told the Glasgow website.

“As with Ulster on the first weekend of the RaboDirect PRO12, we feel pretty strongly that it was our own errors that did for us against Munster last Friday night. We made a number of frustrating mistakes and then allowed them to play the game the way they wanted to in the second half.

“We know that every error is likely to be punished by a side like Leinster, so it’s about being accurate and purposeful in everything we do, and also being sharp enough to capitalise on their mistakes.

“The three times we’ve beaten them at home in the last couple of years, we’ve brought all those qualities to the table, so we know it’s something we can do if we perform to the same level.”

Changes

Lineen has made four changes to his XV for the match. Former Melrose captain Scott Wight, on-loan Ospreys breakaway Rory Pitman and Scottish Rugby Elite Development player Finlay Gillies will make their first competitive starts for the club at fly-half, number eight and hooker respectively. Ed Kalman, meanwhile, comes in for Mike Cusack at tighthead prop.

“All four guys have worked hard to earn an opportunity to show what they can do in a starting role,” said Lineen.

“Scott’s a confident performer well suited to the sort of game we want to play, Rory offers good aggression and ball-carrying ability from the base of the scrum, while Finlay is a talented ball-player who isn’t shy about getting stuck in. Ed will bring experience and application to the front row, where it’s sure to be another tough battle.”

Meanwhile, Luke Fitzgerald takes his place at inside centre alongside Eoin O’Malley who moves to outside centre for Leinster. Fionn Carr and Ian Madigan – try-scorers in the 31-10 victory over the Dragons last weekend – continue in a backline which also includes Isa Nacewa and Cillian Willis.

In the pack, Leo Auva’a makes his first start for the province at number eight after appearing twice off the bench so far this season and he joins Dominic Ryan and skipper Rhys Ruddock in the back-row for the visit of the Scottish side.

Damian Browne is named on the replacements bench alongside Leinster Academy back-rower Jordi Murphy and recent signing prop Nathan White who could both be in line for their debut appearances.

Leinster: 15 Isa Nacewa, 14 Fionn Carr, 13 Eoin O’Malley, 12 Luke Fitzgerald, 11 David Kearney, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 Cillian Willis, 8 Leo Auva’a, 7 Dominic Ryan, 6 Rhys Ruddock (capt), 5 Devin Toner, 4 Kevin McLaughlin, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Heinke van der MerweReplacements: 16 Aaron Dundon, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Nathan White, 19 Damian Browne, 20 Jordi Murphy, 21 John Cooney, 22 Brendan Macken, 23 Darren Hudson

Glasgow:15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Federico Aramburu, 13 Rob Dewey, 12 Troy Nathan, 11 Colin Shaw, 10 Scott Wight, 9 Henry Pyrgos, 8 Rory Pitman, 7 Chris Fusaro, 6 Rob Harley (capt), 5 Nick Campbell, 4 Tom Ryder, 3 Ed Kalman, 2 Finlay Gillies, 1 Ryan GrantReplacements: 16 Pat MacArthur, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Mike Cusack, 19 James Eddie, 20 Duncan Weir, 21 Ryan Wilson, 22 Colin Gregor, 23 Peter Horne

Hodgson: Will make full debut for Saracens

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Saracens have made two changes to their starting line-up for the Aviva Premiership clash with Worcester at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

The hosts give new signings Charlie Hodgson and Joe Maddock their first starts in the club’s colours, coming in at fly-half and on the wing respectively.

Owen Farrell was the hero for Sarries in the last-gasp win against Bath last weekend, but can only manage a place on the bench this time out, while Maddock replaces James Short.

There is one other change to the match-day 23 as Hugh Vyvyan is named on the bench, with the lock looking to build on his all-time Premiership appearance record of 238.

Meanwhile, newly-promoted Worcester will give Alex Crockett his first appearance of the Aviva Premiership season this weekend.

Crockett replaces the suspended Dale Rasmussen, while a new half-back pairing sees Jonny Arr and Andy Goode combine.

More changes

In the pack, lock Chris Jones makes his first league start since his summer move to the Warriors, while Bruce Douglas is called into the front row.

Youngster Matt Kvesic is selected at flanker to replace Neil Best, who misses the game with an arm problem.

Prop Ceri Jones could make his Worcester debut off the bench and Sam Betty is also among the replacements as he prepares for a possible Aviva Premiership debut.

Head coach Richard Hill said: “Saracens have got a very good defence and pride themselves on it. They are a very physical and they play a territorial kicking game and don’t play too much rugby in their own half.

“We haven’t played a team that kicks a lot and our back three have not been tested with high balls or long racking kicks, but they will be tested at Saracens.

“They will kick for territory and our back three will have to make good decisions.

“Saracens also have a very definite attacking strategy. The rugby world know how Saracens play, it is just a question of stopping them. They are very efficient and organised.”

Saracens : 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Adam Powell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Joe Maddock, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Andy Saull, 6 Justin Melck, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Carlos Nieto, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Mako Vunipola, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 Will Fraser, 21 Ben Spencer, 22 Owen Farrell, 23 James Short.

Worcester: 15 Errie Claassens, 14 Marcel Garvey, 13 Alex Grove, 12 Alex Crockett, 11 Miles Benjamin, 10 Andy Goode, 9 Jonny Arr, 8 Kai Horstmann (capt), 7 Jake Abbott, 6 Matt Kvesic, 5 Craig Gillies, 4 Chris Jones, 3 Bruce Douglas, 2 Chris Fortey, 1 Matt Mullan.Replacements: 16 Ceri Jones, 17 Ed Shervington, 18 Tevita Taumoepeau, 19 James Percival, 20 Sam Betty, 21 Ollie Frost, 22 Joe Carlisle, 23 Andy Short.

Murray: misses Argentina match

Scotland’s forwards coach Massimo Cuttitta believes his charges’ work ethic at the World Cup has reaped its reward and anticipates another powerful pack display against Argentina.

Hallways in Scotland’s team hotel have become known as the corridors of power, with forwards utilising any available space to practice.

Cuttitta, a former Italy international, said: “The boys come and ask and we talk about scrummaging.

“It’s not just on the field, the boys are thinking about what they want to do.

“I know it sounds a bit strange doing things in the corridor, but they want to get better, which is a good thing.”

There are 17 forwards in Scotland’s 30-man squad, eight of whom play in the crucial front row – two loosehead props, three hookers and three tightheads.

Cuttitta was pleased with the forward display in the 15-6 Pool B win over Georgia in Invercargill – vastly improved from in the 34-24 opening defeat of Romania – and is optimistic of further improvement against Argentina in Wellington on September 25.

He added: “I just put it down to collective hard work; not just the boys that played the game, the whole group.

“They’ve all been putting in a lot of hard work. It’s a credit to them.

“It’s all about getting the confidence and getting better and better. Hopefully we can take it on against Argentina.

“The work we’ve been doing right throughout the three months is coming out now.

“We just need consistency now, we need to prove we can do it again and again and again.

“I’d like the pack to do the same thing as they’ve just done against Georgia.”

Important

Scotland have a 10-day run-in to their game against Argentina, where a victory would maintain their record of progressing to the quarter-finals in every World Cup.

Forward play is bound to be important against the Pumas, with Cuttitta relishing the contest.

He added: “This is the game of our lives. It could be history for us, it could be a very important day.

“If we can win this game it makes things a lot easier for us, so we’re focusing on this game.”

Argentina’s pack pose another formidable challenge and Cuttitta added: “I’m confident the boys will do well. It’s not going to be easy and we respect them a lot.

“I think it will be even more difficult (than Georgia) because they will be even more sly.

“They won’t just be physical, they’ll also be technical and try to spin scrums, they’ll try to do all sorts of things against us.”

Key to the victory over Georgia was Euan Murray, but Scotland will miss the Newcastle Falcons tighthead prop against Argentina as his religious beliefs forbid him to play on Sundays.

More than capable

Cuttitta believes Geoff Cross and Moray Low, who is yet to feature in the tournament, are more than capable deputies.

The Italian added: “We’ve got three hookers all at the same level, three tightheads all at the same level.

“They’ve all been doing well, my faith in all of them is just the same.

“They’ve all been working hard and working for the team. I’m happy with everyone.”

Andy Robinson’s men claimed a 2-0 series success in South America in 2010, with Low occupying the key tighthead berth.

And Cuttitta has backed the Glasgow Warriors prop to perform if he is called upon.

“Moray Low hasn’t been involved in the 22 at the moment, but he’s just as good, he could come in at any time and do just as well as the ones who have been involved.”

Dixon: Eyeing improvement from his Georgia side

Georgia coach Richie Dixon insists his side are up for Sunday’s clash with England as they seek to put their Scotland disappointment behind them.

Dixon’s side failed to establish the scrum dominance everyone expected against the Scots on Wednesday night and eventually slipped to a 15-6 defeat.

Dixon, the former Scotland international and head coach, has now brought tighthead prop David Kubriashvili, who has been keeping Carl Hayman out of the Toulon team, into the starting line-up, along with 64-cap lock Ilia Zedginidze.

He has also reshuffled Georgia’s bench to include five forwards as the Lelos seek to erase the Scotland disappointment.

“These guys are up for this game because they are so disappointed with themselves. I can tell you they are so disappointed with their display against Scotland,” said Dixon.

“These guys are up for this game because they are so disappointed with themselves. I can tell you they are so disappointed with their display against Scotland.”Richie Dixon Quotes of the week

“Our scrummaging was not as solid as it usually is and our lineout play was not as accurate as we normally expect and we hardly ever got into any attacking phase at all.

Credit

“The one thing that was obviously to our credit was our defence, which was very, very good. It had to be.

“We have to start to believe that we can play the way we train. Against Scotland we did not play, in terms of our attacking abilities, in the way that we had been training.

“England will understand that they have to perform.”

While England last played on Saturday and have spent this week in Queenstown, Georgia face the tough challenge of a four-day turnaround.

“It’s something we would certainly need to flag up to World Cup tournament organisers for future tournaments, especially in the first round,” said Dixon.

“All those supposed tier-two people actually gave a very good account of themselves.

“But the attrition rate of these short turnovers could have a debilitating effect on us later on in the tournament.”

Georgia team to face England: R Gigauri; I Machkhaneli, D Kacharava, T Zibzibadze, A Todua; M Kvirikashvili, I Abuseridze (capt); D Khinchagishvili, J Bregvadze, D Kubriashvili, I Zedginidze, V Maisuradze, S Sutiashvili, M Gorgodze, D Basilaia. Replacements: A Giorgadze, D Zirakashvili, L Datunashvili, G Chkhaidze, B Samkharadze, G Berishvili, L Khmaladze.

Kiss: Believes Ireland can beat Australia

Defence coach Les Kiss insists the Ireland squad believe they can upset Australia at Eden Park on Saturday.

One of the biggest matches of the World Cup group stages see the Irish take on the Tri-Nations champions with the winner placing one foot in the quarter-finals.

While Australia are strong favourites, Kiss insists the Irish squad have prepared well and are up for the clash.

“It’s nothing like a big game like this to focus the mind, but the boys have prepared well,” he said.

“I know a lot of people don’t give us much of a chance but it’s a game the lads are up for.

“I know a lot of people don’t give us much of a chance but it’s a game the lads are up for.”Les Kiss Quotes of the week

“It’s fine if people have written us off. This game’s about opinions.

“The most important thing is what we believe. That doesn’t disregard what other people’s views are, but it’s critical for us that we know what we’re about and that we believe.

“The lads have played in a lot of pressure games before like Heineken Cup finals. They know what it’s about and know what resources they have internally.

“There’s opinion out there and that’s fine, but the main thing is that we’re rock solid in what we believe in.”

Shutting down

Kiss admits shutting down Wallaby half-backs Will Genia and Quade Cooper – who have been in magnificent form – will be the key to causing an upset at Eden Park.

He said: “Do we have a special plan for them? The night before grabbing hold of them and locking them up in a room somewhere! Short of that, there’s no special plan!

“It’s something to be aware of. They’re critical to what Australia do.

“There’s a lot of talk about Cooper, but he relies on what Genia can do to the defence around the ruck area.

“Obviously we’ve focused on closing down the options Genia has.

“Depending on how the game goes in the conditions, we’ve got to concentrate on picking the right moment to put pressure on him.

“If the right pressure is there, he has to ask the question of himself whether he’s up for it.

“People respond to pressure in different ways and in big Tests that’s what it’s about.”

Policy

Kiss expects Australia to continue with the policy of removing Cooper from the defensive line.

The 23-year-old’s frailty in the tackle, combined with his threat as a counter-attacker, means either wing James O’Connor or Adam Ashley-Cooper will step into the fly-half channel with Cooper dropping back.

“It will be interesting to see how Australia approach the game,” said Kiss.

“I’d say James O’Connor has done it before and will go in that channel.

“We feel like they’ll stick with that and will put Quade out the back again, keeping him fresh for the moments he’s been waiting for to impose himself.

“Is it hiding him or is it being smart? I don’t know, it seems to have brought them some value.

“Do we chase Quade in other ways? Maybe we need to make him feel pressure in other ways.”

Tait: Back for Newcastle

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Newcastle wing Alex Tait returns to the Falcons’ line-up for their Aviva Premiership clash with Leicester on Saturday.

The 23-year-old will be back in action after being a late withdrawal before the 32-15 defeat against Exeter last time out with a hamstring strain.

Tait comes in for Tom Catterick, who drops to the bench, while Newcastle boss Alan Tait otherwise opts against making changes despite the lopsided scoreline against the Chiefs.

“The lads have been buoyant this week and we have had some good training sessions,” the coach said.

“The score-line at Exeter didn’t do the boys any justice and I think we can draw a lot of positives from those first two matches. Apart from the try, we played some of our best rugby in the first-half against Exeter last week.”

Like their opponents, Leicester have lost their two opening matches of the season but will be boosted by the return of prop Julian White for the contest at Kingston Park.

The 38-year-old veteran, who comes in at the expense of Kieran Brooks, will play his first match of the campaign after recovering from knee surgery.

The only other change from the side that lost to Wasps last time out sees Thomas Waldrom brought into the starting line-up at No. 8, with Julian Salvi moving to flanker and Ben Woods dropping to the bench.

The Tigers are still without injury absentees Craig Newby, Jordan Crane, Geoff Parling and Mathew Tait.

Last year’s runners-up Leicester are surprisingly still searching for their first win, although they have accumulated two losing bonus points, while Newcastle are on a run of nine straight defeats stretching back to last season.

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Greg Goosen, 14 Luke Fielden, 13 Luke Eves, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Alex Tait, 10 Jimmy Gopperth, 9 Chris Pilgrim, 8 Richard Mayhew, 7 Will Welch, 6 Mark Wilson, 5 Tim Swinson, 4 James Hudson, 3 Ashley Wells, 2 Rob Vickers, 1 Grant Shiells.Replacements: 16 Joe Graham, 17 Darren Fearn, 18 James Hall, 19 Glen Townson, 20 Ally Hogg, 21 Jordi Pasqualin, 22 Rikki Sheriffe, 23 Tom Catterick.

Leicester Tigers: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Matt Smith, 13 Billy Twelvetrees, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Niall Morris, 10 George Ford, 9 James Grindal, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 George Skivington, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Julian White, 2 George Chuter (capt), 1 Boris Stankovich.Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs 17 Michael Holford 18 Kieran Brookes 19 Graham Kitchener 20 Ben Woods 21 Mickey Young 22 Jeremy Staunton 23 Andy Forsyth.

Doussain: Will play before travelling to New Zealand

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The biggest clash of the fourth round of Top 14 fixtures sees Racing-Metro host table-toppers Clermont, while slow-starting Biarritz must visit defending champions Toulouse.

Meanwhile Agen, who are one of only two unbeaten teams in France along with Clermont, will have their credentials tested by a tough trip to Castres.

In contrast, Montpellier and Lyon have yet to win this season and have another tough weekend ahead as they both face away fixtures.

Biarritz have also not yet won and will have a tough time changing that on Friday as they have tasted victory in Toulouse in 10 years.

But the champions, already with a long injury list, continue to lose players as Jean-Marc Doussain has been called up to the France squad, forcing back coach Jean-Baptiste Elissalde out of retirement. Doussain will start on Friday, before travelling to New Zealand.

Biarritz also have injury concerns, but veteran prop Sylvain Marconnet will be able to start on the bench. Lock Jerome Thion is ruled out, however.

Philippe Saint-Andre will oversee his last match in charge of Toulon when his side face Bordeaux-Begles, with the former Sale boss leaving after a war of words with owner Mourad Boudjellal.

Both teams have a won one and lost two so far this season but the hosts will be boosted by the return of Matthew Clarkin, Justin Purll and Blair Connor, who all start after being rested for last weekend’s defeat by Clermont.

Recovery

Brive will look to continue their recovery from a season-opening home loss when they face relegation rivals Lyon.

Many have predicted that, unlike Brive, Lyon will stay up, but another defeat on Friday will put the newcomers behind the eight ball as games against heavy hitters Racing Metro and Castres are next up on the menu.

Lyon have never won in Brive, with their best result being a 9-9 draw back in 1963.

Sitting one place behind their unbeaten visitors Agen in the standings, Castres will have ambitions to take the championship lead as a bonus-point win could move them to the summit.

A big win over Stade Fran�ais and victory in Biarritz have confirmed that Castres – like last year – are one of the form teams of the early season.

South African scrum-half Rory Kockott starts for the home side, with Romain Teulet returning at full-back berth.

Stade Francais have made an average start to the season and will look to spark their campaign into life when they face Bayonne, who are one point behind them in the standings.

Bayonne are the only side in the league who have yet to score a try, although their defence has impressed, conceding just a one try in three games.

Defence

The Stade Francais defence, by contrast, has conceded seven tries but they’ve scored just as many, making them one of the competition’s most successful attacks at the moment.

Two teams struggling to launch their respective seasons face off in a Mediterranean derby as Montpellier travel to the Stade Aime Giral to face Perpignan.

Montpellier have yet to taste victory this term but last week’s draw against Stade Francais will give them hope that a repeat of last year’s 16-6 win in Perpignan is possible.

Unfortunately for Fabien Galthie’s team, injuries continue to compound the effects of international call-ups as scrum-half Julien Tomas has been added to the list of absentees, while good news sees the return of goal-kicking Pumas wing Martin Bustos Moyano.

Former Wallaby Ryan Cross starts for the Catalans, who also welcome back loose forward Jean-Pierre Perez.

The lone clash on Saturday sees Racing-Metro host Clermont, who have won all three of their matches to top the table despite missing a heap of international players.

But they face a tough trip to second-placed Racing-Metro, especially after classy full-back Anthony Floch was lost for two to three months with a groin injury.

Racing-Metro will be looking to bounce back from last Saturday’s 41-36 defeat by champions Toulouse but fly-half Jonathan Wisniewski may well not start after he came off early because he was tired against Toulouse.

Clermont aren’t the only ones with injury worries as Racing wing Benjamin Fall will be sidelined for up to five months after injuring his knee last weekend.

Henry: Saw his side topple Japan 83-7

New Zealand coach Graham Henry had admitted his side need to step up their performances despite thrashing Japan 83-7 in Hamilton.

The All Blacks ran in 13 tries as they ruthlessly brushed aside the Cherry Blossoms, who are coached by New Zealand legend John Kirwan.

However with a much tougher prospect coming up against France – their conquerors in 1999 and 2007 – Henry knows his side need to move on.

And having gifted a try to Hirotoki Onozawa, with the winger intercepting Colin Slade’s attempted off-load, Henry wants his side to cut out the errors.

“Yeah it was pleasing… a better performance than last week,” said Henry.

Progress

“Perhaps the opposition wasn’t as strong, but the Japanese play with good structure and try to play the game well.

“I’m pleased with them but there are still things to work on.

“We played well for most of the time but I think we threw four 50:50 passes in the second half – one resulted in a try so it is something we are looking to cut out of the game.

“We trained well during the week and prepared well but we just have to go up another notch. It is going to be a huge game next week against France but I am pleased with the progress.”

Henry particularly praised Sonny Bill Williams after the former rugby league star appeared on the wing as a second-half substitute and scored two of his team’s 13 tries, having started in the centre against Tonga last week.

“He certainly made a statement, didn’t he?” Henry said.

“When he went on he had a positive performance. He certainly got the selectors thinking.”

Mealamu view

Skipper Keven Mealamu was delighted with the win but, like Henry, he is not resting on his laurels.

He said: “The big thing this week was that we wanted to improve. We have improved a lot, but we still have a few things we can get better on.

“We have some talented boys who can play in different positions, and we’re building smoothly. But next week (against France) is a big step up.”