The News Review:
- Euro lift is vital for Wales’ World Cup hopes
- Cullen signs for another year with Munster
- Graeme is gunning for fans
Euro lift is vital for Wales’ World Cup hopes
Walesnline – Jul 27, 2006
“Ireland not only won the Triple Crown but they toured quite well when they went to New Zealand and Australia. They should have won a Test. “And Munster finally lifted the Heineken Cup after being famous for winning more away matches than anyone else. “Hopefully the Welsh regions will take something out of their success because after all we play against them in the Celtic League. “If we want to progress in Europe we have got to do more than just win our three home games. That won’t be good enough. To be certain of going through to the quarter-finals you have got to win five of your six matches… To be certain of going through to the quarter-finals you have got to win five of your six matches. Jones is adamant the Scarlets the last Welsh team to reach the quarter-finals can be competitive claiming “We have got a fair chance. “Every draw you get in the Heineken Cup is going to be tough but all the boys are looking forward to it. They have been since the pools were announced. Significantly the last time the Scarlets reached the knockout stage Jones was wearing the No 10 jersey. Now he’s returned to his spiritual home after spending two years with French club Clermont Auvergne hoping he’s become a more accomplished player. “I have taken a lot out of it.
Cullen signs for another year with Munster
Newstalk ZB – Jul 27, 2006
The 30-year-old had been linked with a move to French club Toulon. Cullen who joined Munster in November 2003 missed the Heineken Cup final triumph because of an ankle injury. Munster begin the defence of their Heineken crown against two-time winners Leicester Tigers in late ctober.
Graeme is gunning for fans
Scotsman – Jul 27, 2006
In that regard it is business as usual for me. “Regarding the sports arena I think I know what successful teams are expected to deliver. “Yes it is about pots in the trophy cabinet but there’s more to it than that. Edinburgh Rugby will be about developing a fan base for the good of the sport and representing the community it serves. “Also there is the financial performance element that has to be considered. “Players are our main asset and we will have to look after – and motivate – them. “In getting as many people along as possible we will be looking closely at marketing… We will be starting out on August 20 to win more fans over with a Fun Day to which we’d hope to attract club touch rugby sides to participate. ” ne major factor governing attendances is expected to be the timing of matches and Stirling is categorical in claiming that popular Friday night slots have been obtained. “Apart from in the Heineken European Cup we will be almost exclusively play our home games at Murrayfield on Fridays. “In addition agreements are being reached so that fans unable to travel will have opportunities to see the team play in the Magners League including on digital channels. “For example in the first half of the season we will be appearing on Setanta the Welsh language channel and also BBC Wales which should mean come our home games fans will be well up to speed with what Edinburgh Rugby are trying to achieve in what really is an exciting new era where we have autonomy from the SRU over our rugby affairs. We are not declaring a Unilateral Declaration of Independence – in fact there will be an as yet unnamed member of the SRU on our board as part of the franchising agreement – but in every respect I see Edinburgh Rugby operating in the same way as any other club outwith governing body control. “Arrangements are in place governing player availability and I understand the frustration when top players were withdrawn before the Barbarians match last season.