The News Review:
- Munster duo sign new contracts
- Sam Wheeler: Defeat can never be an option for Ashton.
- Shanklin welcomes Thomas return
- Brennan hearing given go-ahead
- Edinburgh snap up Gissing as Dewey moves to Ulster
Munster duo sign new contracts
RTE.ie – Feb 26, 2007
And in both cases the decision to remain wasn’t a difficult one to make and comes at a time when both are in a particularly good vein of form. Sheahan returned to the Munster side at the start of this season having missed most of last with a neck injury sustained in the opening Heineken Cup game against Sale Sharks. That injury cost him his place in the international set up and a place in the Heineken Cup winning squad but the Cork man who will celebrate his 31st birthday in August has started in 15 of Munster’s 19 games this season. ‘Given where I was even this time last year struggling to get over injury I am delighted I was in a position to be looking at extending my contract. ‘ Sheahan commented. ‘Now that that’s done I can concentrate on my rugby and look forward to what’s ahead of us.
Sam Wheeler: Defeat can never be an option for Ashton.
Free with registration – Europe Intelligence Wire – AccessMyLibrary.com – Feb 26, 2007
In Dublin he won four matches out of five. Guscott played 65 Tests for England scoring 30 tries and reaching the final of the World Cup in 1991; he played eight Tests on three British Lions tours making crucial contributions to the series victories in Australia in 1989 and in South Africa eight years later. He won six league titles with Bath including four in a row plus nine Powergen Cups and a Heineken Cup. In short he has more experience of winning rugby matches – particularly against Ireland – and winning rugby competitions than just about anyone else in this country. Losing is not an option to Guscott who will be at Croke Park this afternoon as part of the BBC’s analytical team. To him England should not be satisfied with anything other than victory. Ireland began the Championship as grand slam favourites following their emphatic wins.
Shanklin welcomes Thomas return
BBC News – Feb 26, 2007
“He’s got a big presence about him he’s a good talker he’s a good leader and he’s a big lump as well. “That will add a little bit of bulk and experience to the team and with the Italians being very physical it’s the sort of game suited to Gareth. Thomas was found guilty of “aggressively attempting to enter one of the seating areas” during his French side’s Heineken Cup win over Ulster. "We should be confident of beating Italy although we’ve also lost there before" Tom Shanklin The 32-year-old was handed a £5000 fine and a four-week ban for that offence. The Wales camp will spend the early part of this week assessing injury problems with wing Mark Jones and prop Chris Horsman. Jones went off with bruised ribs and Horsman twisted an ankle on Saturday. Wales coach Gareth Jenklins has been hampered by a lack of strength in depth especially in the backline.
Brennan hearing given go-ahead
RTE.ie – Feb 26, 2007
Brennan is alleged to have entered a seating area during Toulouse’s 28-13 Heineken Cup victory over Ulster last month and punched a supporter who has since begun criminal and civil proceedings. Representatives of the Toulouse forward requested an adjournment of the hearing on the grounds the outcome could prejudice the criminal proceedings in France and affect Brennan’s right to silence. But today’s decision to proceed with the final hearing ensures the 33-year-old who is facing a lengthy ban will discover next month if his playing career has been ended prematurely. Before the incident took place he had indicated his decision to retire at the end of the current season. Earlier today it was confirmed Brennan had been banned by the French Rugby Federation until 15 March the day before his hearing will take place.
Edinburgh snap up Gissing as Dewey moves to Ulster
Ireland nline – Feb 26, 2007
But Ireland A international Gissing will join the Scottish side from Italian outfit Calvisano. The 31-year-old previously played for Auckland and Leinster where he scored 10 tries in 73 games. Gissing said: ?I?m excited about the challenge and looking forward to playing in the Magners League again as well as being involved in the Heineken Cup. I think everything about Edinburgh is great. The club is on the way up and has great facilities. ?They are near the top of the league at the moment and are very ambitions and I?m enthused about playing for a team like that. Having played at Leinster for four years I have been to the city a few times.