The News Review:
- Is continued failure Robinson’s fault or simply bad luck?
- Contepomi out for six weeks Dempsey fit for Leinster
- ‘Connell: Former underdogs ready to bite
Is continued failure Robinson’s fault or simply bad luck?
Times nline – Nov 28, 2006
A year later Robinson was “staggered” by decisions made by Nigel Whitehouse immediately before tries by Ireland in the 28-24 loss at Twickenham. This autumn Jamie Noon appeared to score a try against New Zealand that everyone except the television match official believed should have been awarded. The decline of the club gameIn the period before the 2003 World Cup England boasted world-class individuals and a club game in which Leicester had won the Heineken Cup twice and London Wasps were poised to do the same. When Robinson came to the job those individuals were going or had gone and the Premiership clubs’ impact on Europe was far less. The intensity of Premiership rugby remains but the skill levels have gone down. No club is setting absolute standards as Leicester and Wasps did; Sale Sharks looked as though they might last season but have been hard hit by injury and it is telling that Bristol are top of the table. Stand-off between club and countryRobinson worked his hardest to create a rapport between the RFU and the Premiership clubs only to see the sides end up in court — twice.
Contepomi out for six weeks Dempsey fit for Leinster
Ireland nline – Nov 28, 2006
He sustained medial ligament damage in his knee while on international duty with Argentina last Saturday. He could miss all of Leinster’s four remaining Pool Matches in the Heineken Cup given his challenge to regain full match fitness. Meanwhile Girvan Dempsey has been passed fit to play and is expected to be included in Wednesday?s squad to face Ulster in Ravenhill on Saturday. A final decision on Dempsey?s participation is expected to be made later in the week.
‘Connell: Former underdogs ready to bite
Ireland nline – Nov 28, 2006
? ?Connell marked his 26th cap with the last try at Lansdowne Road bringing his international tally to five. ?It was great to get on the scoresheet. I haven?t scored a try since crossing for Munster against Perpignan last season in the Heineken Cup? he said. ?It was nice to get over even if it was from half a yard out. I didn?t have any doubt about it but the referee went upstairs. It was a great feeling.