The News Review:
- Perry’s comeback delayed
- Argentina heading for Tri-Nations as Six Nations stays put
- Cardiff Blues shatter Bath’s home rule
Perry’s comeback delayed
Telegraph.co.uk – Dec 1, 2007
He added: “As long as he proves his fitness he will be in contention for England. He has proved he can play at international level. ” Bristol focus on European action for the next two weeks having targeted the Challenge Cup because its prize is an automatic ticket into the Heineken Cup next season. The Dragons start three points behind and victory for the Welsh region would stall the outcome of Pool One until the final round of pool games next weekend. Bristol rely on their most experienced team including fit-again captain Matt Salter. The flanker starts his first game after returning from a dislocated shoulder sustained in October. The first game between the teams brought a Bristol win of 11-7 which has given Paul Turner the Dragons coach confidence for the rematch.
Argentina heading for Tri-Nations as Six Nations stays put
Guardian Unlimited – Dec 1, 2007
The conference agreed that Test players should have a 10-week off-season and that clubs would be obliged to release players for no more than 11 Tests a year. Initiatives will help emerging nations following the news that 20 teams will contest the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand; a cut to 16 had been mooted. A year which started with French and English clubs pulling out of the Heineken Cup ends in harmony unprecedented in the modern era. “The agreements made by the forum will strengthen the basic structure of the calendar in the short term” said the IRB chairman Syd Millar. “At the same time solid foundations have been laid for future change and growth. The stress areas have now been fixed in particular the June Test window. “The issue of the playing calendar is complex: clubs provinces and national unions have varying requirements while we have separate playing seasons in the two hemispheres.
Cardiff Blues shatter Bath’s home rule
Telegraph.co.uk – Dec 1, 2007
Bath are in upbeat mood these days and nearly 10000 hardy souls braved the elements for a game which offered their team only a slim chance of progressing to the semi-finals. Both sides tried to move the ball despite the conditions and the first half was not without interest eventually finishing all square with two penalties apiece for Dai Flanagan and Olly Barkley. Cardiff had enjoyed the early pressure and struck first with a low driven penalty from Flanagan from 45 yards but Bath hit back with what appeared to be a quality try. South African fly-half Butch James produced a superb cross-field kick and Joe Maddock making his seasonal debut after injury beat Jason Spice to the touchdown.