The News Review:
- Ospreys launch defence at Blues
- Gibson signs for Glasgow
- English clubs to have their say with IRB
Ospreys launch defence at Blues
BBC News – Jul 23, 2007
The Ospreys will be in Ulster the Dragons in Connacht and the Scarlets away against Munster. "Successive weekends of Welsh derby matches will provide a fantastic start to the new tournament for Welsh fans and it will be a great bridge between the three August internationals and the World Cup itself" said Welsh Rugby Union group chief executive Roger Lewis. "It will be an invaluable proving ground for the young talent coming through at regional level and will give the four coaches the ideal build-up to the Heineken Cup competition in November.
Gibson signs for Glasgow
RTE.ie – Jul 23, 2007
‘He will bring a level of experience and professionalism which can only move us forward in what will be a challenging season. He is also not a bad rugby player!’ Gibson added: ‘I’m looking forward to helping the team develop further after last season’s encouraging performances. I’m determined to make Glasgow more successful and help the Warriors to perform well in the Magners League and Heineken Cup. ‘The move to Firhill is exciting and with improved team performances and excellent facilities for the supporters we’ll hopefully get more people supporting the professional game in Glasgow. ‘Gibson has joined from Guinness Premiership club Leicester Tigers where he was vice-captain. He gained 19 New Zealand caps following his debut against Samoa in Albany in June 1999 the same year he made his only appearance against Scotland for the All Blacks. He did however also appear in all five games for the New Zealand Maori on their 1998 tour of Scotland.
English clubs to have their say with IRB
Planet Rugby – Jul 21, 2007
The game’s governing body will sit down in Woking (UK) in November to try and integrate northern and southern hemisphere seasons and cut out the farcical tours and tournaments that have left fans short-changed this June and July. The Guinness Premiership clubs following the French top 14 clubs’ lead flexed their muscles in the recent row over next season’s Heineken Cup in a bid to demonstrate they deserve to be taken seriously. One result of those negotiations was that the IRB would improve their dialogue with the professional game’s stakeholders. Representatives from Premier Rugby the club’s umbrella body met with the IRB on Wednesday for a “healthy exchange” of views on the professional game. IRB Chairman Dr Syd Millar assured Premier Rugby their input into the future structure of world rugby is “vital” and invited them to attend a forum on the issue in November. Dr Millar said: “A key part of the meeting was a healthy exchange of views on matters of importance to rugby and the professional game both in Europe and around the world.