The News Review:
- Ruddock will relish Ospreys test
- Del Fava up for a challenge
- Heineken backs World Cup sponsorship with rugby greats
- Tough draw for Falcons
- American team is at 5000-1 odds of winning it all
- Carey ready to prop up Ulster’s glory bid
Ruddock will relish Ospreys test
BBC News – Jun 28, 2007
Wales’ best hope in the competition could lie with 2006 runners-up Llanelli Scarlets with two home games in the pool stages and a navigable-looking Group D containing Leeds Saracens and Bristol. That will be some relief after a horror Heineken Cup draw that saw them pooled with Wasps Clermont Auvergne and Munster. “It’s great to be coming up against my former club in Leeds” said Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies. “I made a lot of friends while I was in Yorkshire so it will be great to meet up with them again. “Saracens and Bristol will also offer stiff opposition so it should be an exciting competition all round.
Del Fava up for a challenge
Belfast Telegraph – Jun 28, 2007
" Del Fava may have left Bourgoin but he is set for a quick return as Ulster have been drawn in the same Heineken Cup pool as the French club and he will also come up against familiar foes against Gloucester as they have his Italian team mates Marco Bortolami and Carlos Nieto. "I was joking before the end of the season with one of my Bourgoin team mates Mike Prendergast who played at Munster I said can you image if Gloucester Bourgoin and Ulster were in the same group it would be hilarious and then it happens it’s going to be really awesome" he added. "I’m looking forward to the Heineken Cup as it is a great competition I was upset when it looked like it wasn’t going forward. It’s great to play in and the prefect place to get experience. " Post a comment Limit: 500 charactersView all comments that have been posted about this article.
Heineken backs World Cup sponsorship with rugby greats
Brand Republic – Brand Republic (subscription) – Jun 28, 2007
Lynagh and Greenwood will help to highlight Heineken's association with the Rugby World Cup which kicks off in Paris in September. The pair will also drive media partnerships and events. Jon Lane Heineken UK's sponsorship manager said: "We are very excited about the prospect of working with two former world cup winners in the build up to and playing of the Rugby World Cup 2007.
Tough draw for Falcons
ic Newcastle.co.uk – Jun 28, 2007
The Falcons will travel to Gloucester on the weekend of October 27 before welcoming Newport to Kingston Park on the weekend of November 3 – a fixture that could see former Newcastle captain Colin Charvis return to the North-East. Fletcher’s side will travel to Wasps – the Heineken Cup holders on the weekend of December 1 – and although he knows his team faces tough challenges the club’s director of rugby was last night in an optimistic mood. “It’s a tough draw but we’ve proved down the years that we rise to the big occasions and we did have two good wins over Wasps and Gloucester in the league last year” he said. “Newport Gwent Dragons at home will have an edge to it and we’re excited about testing ourselves in this competition. “When Newport last visited Newcastle the Falcons secured a stirring win to reach their first Heineken Cup quarter-final. Newcastle have won the EDF competition twice in the last six years.
American team is at 5000-1 odds of winning it all
ESPN – Jun 28, 2007
Following a 52-10 drumming to Canada in the Barclays Churchill Cup Bowl final in June the Americans are now 15th in the world rankings leaving little doubt that their quest for the Webb Ellis Cup — as the trophy is officially known — will be an uphill battle. That battle began with a draw that slotted the Eagles in Pool A with defending World Cup champion England. The two teams are slated to lock horns in their finals opening match Sept. Regardless of the outcome the Eagles will have four days to rest and prepare for their next match and the physical play of Tonga… All are back training and will be ready for the RWC. The rest of the Eagles plan to be ready as well. They ratcheted up the level of competition against Ireland’s Munster winners if the 2006 Heineken Cup in Chicago in the Setanta Challenge Cup World Rugby send-off match Aug. Despite a first half 6-0 lead the Eagles eventually lost 10-6 as Munster dominated the second half. Still the Eagles’ defense held firm throughout the second half boding well as the RWC looms. Coach Peter Thorburn viewed the Munster match as a chance for the Eagles to play under pressure.
Carey ready to prop up Ulster’s glory bid
Belfast Telegraph – Jun 29, 2007
"There are the other three contracted props then you’ve guys like Niall O’Conlon and everybody is gunning for the position. " Joining Ulster gives Carey the chance to play European Cup rugby for the first time and he hopes to make his debut in the competition. "I would love a chance to play in the Heineken Cup" he purred. " You watch it on television every year it’s very close in standard to internationals and it’s something you would always like to test yourself at and you never know what will happen over the season. " Post a comment Limit: 500 charactersView all comments that have been posted about this article.