The News Review:
- Licence to thrill has Munster in good stead.
- Bloomberg.com: Australia & New Zealand
- Thompson helps to lift Northampton
Licence to thrill has Munster in good stead.
Free with registration – Europe Intelligence Wire – AccessMyLibrary.com – Oct 30, 2006
(From Irish Independent) Munster 41 Bourgoin 23 IT was only when the crowd once again sang ‘The Fields’ in the dank Limerick gloaming midway through the second-half that one suddenly realised that there was something missing from an otherwise traditional Thomond Park occasion. In all the previous 25 Heineken Cup victories in this ground and the 70 ties in all corners of Europe Anthony Foley had been an ever-present. Nine years ago Declan Kidney omitted him from a tie. “I’ve been blamed for it ever since” the coach laughs. But this time the Clare native wasn’t around. Not on the field at any rate.
Bloomberg.com: Australia & New Zealand
Bloomberg – Oct 30, 2006
Former Welder Allen was picked with Jamie Noon in midfield ahead of MathewTait who has been struggling to shake off a thigh injury. Perrywho was a welder before joining Bristol last year will operatealongside fly-half Charlie Hodgson. Iain Balshaw was named at full-back after Josh Lewseysuffered a knee injury in London Wasps' Heineken Cup defeat toPerpignan at the weekend. Leicester hooker George Chuter earned arecall because of a long-term injury to Steve Thompson. Corry who led Leicester to a 21-17 European Cup win overCardiff yesterday skippered England last season before beingrested for the tour of Australia in June. Worcester flankerSanderson took over the reins as England suffered two heavy Testdefeats. Robinson paired the duo in England's back row along withLeicester's Lewis Moody.
Thompson helps to lift Northampton
Telegraph.co.uk – Oct 30, 2006
I’ve just got to put some games together and hopefully I can be in contention for the games later in the autumn” he said. England’s decision to do without Thompson for the time being is a plus for Northampton in a season that has brought only three wins from nine games. The poor results forced Paul Grayson their head coach to admit that if they had lost to the Borders they would virtually have been out of the Heineken Cup as well as the EDF Energy Cup the Anglo-Welsh competition. Now Grayson has Thompson to help improve the club’s worrying eighth place in the Guinness Premiership though they are not helped by fixture scheduling that gives them three away games in November. Keith Barwell the club owner has promised reinforcements to help Grayson who had to field his ninth different backline including centre Rhodri Davies in his first full game since Christmas. Davies was helped by having Carlos Spencer at outside-half. His absence due to suspension and injury has been another factor in Northampton’s dismal month.