The News Review:
- Lee Byrne signs on for four years
- Ferris in the mood to exact Scarlet revenge
- Cipriani should start – Dallaglio
- Bath sign Justin Harrison
- James Haskell targets Scotland
- Hipkiss happy to be back in fray
Lee Byrne signs on for four years
News Wales – Feb 27, 2008
After just missing out on the Welsh squad for last autumn’s Rugby World Cup, he has bounced back in style, and his impressive form recently has seen him make the Welsh number 15 shirt his own. Lee Byrne said: “I’m delighted to be able to extend my contract for another four years and I’m excited about the challenges that lie ahead, both for myself personally, and for the Ospreys. “With a second successive EDF semi-final and our first ever Heineken Cup quarter-final coming up over the next few weeks, there are exciting times ahead for us and these are the type of games that all rugby players want to be involved in. The Ospreys are on the verge of big things and I’m looking forward to helping the region move onto the next level, which is to establish ourselves as one of Europe’s leading sides.
Ferris in the mood to exact Scarlet revenge
Belfast Telegraph – Feb 27, 2008
His next port of call, following his recovery from an operation to clear up a knee injury, was McDiarmid Park, Perth on Friday night where Ireland A crashed to a humiliating 67-7 defeat to their Scottish hosts. Ferris admits he spent the night chasing shadows, but now, with another game under his belt, the No 8 is in determined mood for Ulster’s Magners League clash against the Welsh region, a tasty warm-up game for the Six Nations showdown between Ireland and Wales at Croke Park on Saturday week. The Scarlets may have struggled in the Heineken Cup, but currently lie in second place in the league, having dispatched the Glasgow Warriors 30-17 in their last outing. And Phil Davies’ side proved to be Ulster’s nemesis last season, winning three games out of four, including a Heineken Cup double. "I have only beaten Llanelli Scarlets once, at Ravenhill two years ago," said Ferris. "So I really want to get one over on them again. "In my first season we went over there and drew 12-12 which was a great result as we ended up winning the Magners League.
Cipriani should start – Dallaglio
BBC News – Feb 27, 2008
"Maybe that could be better served done at 15, where you get a chance to read and understand the game. "It’s what we did (at Wasps). We introduced him at 15, he played a season for us there and played in the Heineken Cup final at full-back. "He went on to become the number 10. I think that would be a good way to introduce him into the England team. " Dallaglio also feels Cipriani, who made his England debut as a replacement for Mike Tindall against Wales earlier in February, would benefit from playing in the same team as Wilkinson. "Danny is learning every week," he added.
Bath sign Justin Harrison
NEWS.com.au – Feb 27, 2008
Harrison played 34 Tests for Australia after making his debut against the British Lions in 2001 and he started the 2003 World Cup final defeat to England. The 33-year-old captained Ulster to the Magners League title in 2006 and Bath coach Steve Meehan believes Harrison will prove an inspirational signing. "Justin has considerable experience of rugby at the very highest level, both internationally with the Wallabies and in the Super 12 with the ACT Brumbies and in the Heineken Cup with Ulster," said Meehan. "A natural leader on the park, Justin’s qualities fit in perfectly with the ambitions of the club and will assist in raising existing performance standards. "I believe Justin will enhance the development of younger locks from the Academy and bring a competitive winning attitude that less experienced players can really learn from. "
Bath, who are also losing England centre Olly Barkley to Gloucester this summer, are currently third in the Guinness Premiership table and challenging for their first league title since 1996. "Joining Bath presents a fantastic opportunity to become part of a team that represents the true professionalism and competitiveness that is required to successfully challenge in the Guinness Premiership and in Europe," said Harrison.
James Haskell targets Scotland
Telegraph.co.uk – Feb 27, 2008
“I have never broken anything during a game. My knee went one way, and my upper half went the other, so when I looked down, I thought I might have an injury like Eduardo, and that some bone might be sticking out of my sock. Haskell, who had a scan yesterday, said he had jarred the same knock first picked up in a Heineken Cup game against Clermont Auvergne earlier this season. “I didn’t want to come off because I’ve only had to leave the field twice in my career,” he confessed. The No 8, whose form has made him one of England’s most consistent forwards this season, is also nearing a new deal at Wasps to extend his present contract which ends in May 2009. Haskell will miss Wasps’ trip to Newcastle – the ‘Jonny v Danny Show’ – on Friday but hopes he will be fit for Murrayfield. The comings and goings at Bath continued yesterday when Justin Harrison, the former Wallaby forward, was confirmed as having signed a one-year contract.
Hipkiss happy to be back in fray
BBC News – Feb 27, 2008
After being an unused replacement in the game against London Irish the previous weekend, he started against Sale at outside centre. But, after his side’s 14-11 home defeat, Hipkiss told BBC Radio Leicester he was just happy to last the full 80 minutes and his main aim is to keep working in the gym to get back to full match fitness. “It was a shame we didn’t get the result or performance that we were looking for,” said Hipkiss. “First, I’ve got to string a few games together.