Posts Tagged Rugby union positions
Saracens win battle of the leaders
Saracens produced an impressive second-half comeback to win the battle between the English and French league leaders 23-9 in Castres on Friday.
Saracens trailed 9-3 at half-time at Stade Pierre Antoine but kept their opponents scoreless after the break as tries from replacements Andy Saull and Schalk Brits sealed a vital win that keeps their hopes [...]
O’Gara to Munster’s rescue
24 points from the boot of Ronan O’Gara saw Munster to a shaky 24-23 win over Perpignan in Limerick on Friday, with Catalan hopes now hanging.
Perpignan scored all the tries but they just could not stop giving away cheap penalties and O’Gara could have had nine more points in a game where Munster kicked so [...]
Leeds Vs. Harlequins Rugby Match Preview
The return of Argentinean prop Juan Gomez is the only change to the Leeds side for this Friday’s clash with Harlequins at Headingley Carnegie.
Gomez has missed the last three weeks whilst away with the Argentina Jaguars side on their European tour however he replaces Peter Bucknall in the front row. On the bench, former captain [...]
All Blacks challenge for Roberts
Jamie Roberts has been given a chance to avenge Wales’ defeat by New Zealand last month after being selected at inside centre by the Barbarians.
The Barbarians face the All Blacks, who prevailed 19-12 at the Millennium Stadium, at Twickenham on Saturday in their now traditional end of autumn fixture.
Lions star Roberts is picked alongside fellow [...]
Richie McCaw captains All Blacks
Richie McCaw will captain New Zealand in Saturday’s clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham.
McCaw, who played for the Barbarians last year, leads a weakened side in the final fixture of the All Blacks’ autumn tour.
Dan Carter is rested so Stephen Donald starts at fly-half while former Sale centre Luke McAlister features at inside centre.
Team: C [...]
Wallabies make inroads for rugby
What a relief it was for Australian fans to see some attractive rugby played in the Wallabies final match of 2009 – minimal aimless kicking, and well-structured, entertaining tries. The embarrassing loss against Scotland at Murrayfield left many red faces in the Wallabies. From that agonising low they could have fallen in a heap and [...]
Wallabies missed Grand Slam narrowly, But ?
THE not-so-woeful Wallabies have returned from their weird and wonderful tour of Britain and Ireland, having gone excruciatingly close to achieving their first Grand Slam in 25 years.
As fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper said on arrival at Sydney Airport yesterday, Australia was only three points short of winning all four Tests against England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
One [...]
Wales target pivotal Aussie Test
Warren Gatland insists Wales’ autumn Test with Australia is ‘pivotal’ in their 2011 Rugby World Cup build-up.
Wales coach Gatland says they should copy England’s model for world domination before their 2003 triumph.
“It is a real pivotal game in terms of our progression as we must win the big games at home, and regularly,” he said.
Gatland’s [...]
Ronan O’Gara out as Jonathan Sexton faces South Africa
Jonathan Sexton has usurped Ronan O’Gara for the Ireland number 10 jersey ahead of Saturday’s eagerly-awaited clash with South Africa at Croke Park.
Coach Declan Kidney has gone for the young Leinster fly-half after his five-star showing last week against Fiji.
There are six changes from that game with Cian Healy, David Wallace, Donncha O’Callaghan, Tommy Bowe, [...]
Fullback Hook just happy to be playing
James Hook is warming to his task as Wales’ emergency fullback although the versatile Osprey admits that he would rather be wearing No.10 as Argentina roll in to the Millennium Stadium in Saturday.
Hook filled in well for the injured Lee Byrne against the All Blacks two weeks ago and showed glimpses of his best running [...]