The News Review:
- Rugby Union: Review of 2007
- Heineken places appear to be secure
- Preview: Wasps v Bath – Rugby News, Results, Fixtures and Features…
- Sarries Surge To Continue
Rugby Union: Review of 2007
Telegraph.co.uk – Dec 28, 2007
Matches of the Year Argentina’s explosive play-off victory against France at the Parc des Princes. Beauty and the Beast in one glorious package. Closely followed by Wasps 25-24 Heineken Cup win Clermont Ferrand at Adams Park earlier this month – European club rugby par excellence – and Fiji’s remarkable win over Wales at Nantes. Tonga were a revelation and covered themselves in glory in defeat against South Africa. Tries of the Year A vintage year that is headed by the United States’ Takudzwa Ngwenya finishing off a 90-metre team try against South Africa by ’smoking’ past fellow speedster Bryan Habana; Federico Martin Aramburu finished off a remarkable counter-attacking wonder-try by the Pumas against France in their play-off game; Vilimoni Delasau’s recent length-of-the-field score against Wasps was special as was his try against South Africa in the World Cup; Shane Williams’ brilliant jinking score for Wales against Fiji in the World Cup deserves a mention along with Paul Sackey’s breathtaking effort against Clermont at Adams Park after a sensational initial break from Danny Cipriani. Tactical performances of the Year Wasps dong the most professional and comprehensive number to completely out-think and outplay favourites Leicester in the Heineken Cup final. Game set and match to Ian McGeechan, Shaun Edwards, Lawrence Dallaglio & Co.
Heineken places appear to be secure
The Herald – Dec 28, 2007
getElementById(theDiv); theDiv. On the eve of this season’s first derby meeting between Edinburgh and Glasgow
Warriors it was confirmed last night that SRU officials believe a new agreement for the future of Europe’s leading club and provincial rugby competition secures their places. Both teams are participating in this season’s tournament only under special dispensation since the existing deal meant each participating country was supposed to have competitors in both the Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup. Following the closure of the Border Reivers that could have meant Edinburgh being forced into the lesser tournament, but the timing of that decision saw Scotland – as happened with Wales when the Celtic Warriors were shut down three years ago – being given time to sort out its domestic problems. advertisement
Since then negotiations have been taking place against a background of bids to set up a third Scottish professional team.
Preview: Wasps v Bath – Rugby News, Results, Fixtures and Features…
Planet Rugby – Dec 28, 2007
Tom French, who started the Heineken Cup Final at Twickenham last May in place of the injured Tim Payne, starts only his second game of this season, again in place of Payne, who is rested. French will link up with Phil Vickery, who has completed his two week suspension, and hooker Joe Ward also returns to the XV. There is further shuffling behind them, as George Skivington returns to partner Simon Shaw at lock instead of Richard Birkett and Dan Leo starts in the back row in place of James Haskell, who is rested. In contrast there is only one change in the backs, where Mark van Gisbergen drops to the bench and Tom Voyce returns to the left wing, Josh Lewsey moving from wing to full-back, where he started against Clermont Auvergne two weeks ago.
Sarries Surge To Continue
sportnetwork.net – Dec 28, 2007
LEICESTER v LONDON IRISH (Saturday, 14. 45)
Leicester's defeat against Sale last weekend was their second in a row after their loss to Toulouse in the Heineken Cup the week before, so they will appreciate the return to Welford Road this weekend as they aim to stop the rot before it really begins. To be fair to Marcelo Loffreda's men, they played well against Sale and if Andy Goode had had his kicking boots on, then it could have been so different. However, he didn't and Charlie Hodgson did and the rest is history. Although the Tigers have won their last five at home, this hasn't been a vintage Leicester season so far and not only are they playing catch up in the Premiership, but they also in danger of going out of Europe at the first hurdle. The Exiles' win over Worcester has pushed them up to eighth in the Premiership and it's obvious that their good run in Europe has had a positive effect on their domestic form as well.