The News Review:
- Craig Dowd leaves with Danny Cipriani backing
- More backing for global challenge
- Gavin Mairs: Ireland must home in on talent drain fears
Craig Dowd leaves with Danny Cipriani backing
Telegraph.co.uk – Feb 29, 2008
It was on his recommendation that the unknown Tom French was thrust straight into the Heineken Cup final side against Leicester last season despite the fact that the young prop had been out on loan at Henley for much of the season. Another Wasps prop, Tim Payne, did a splendid job when stepping in for Andrew Sheridan against.
More backing for global challenge
stuff.co.nz – Feb 29, 2008
France are the defending Six Nations champions but their title is under real threat from a Welsh team that are showing resurgence under their New Zealand coach Warren Gatland. The All Blacks are the current Tri-Nations champions and start the defence of that title in July. The Tri-Nations doesn't finish until the middle of September. Efforts to get the Super 14 and Heineken Cup champions play a title match have failed in the past.
Gavin Mairs: Ireland must home in on talent drain fears
Belfast Telegraph – Feb 29, 2008
Wood was in essence calling for a shake-up of Ireland’s third tier, whether that be with the introduction of a provincial A league or perhaps a restructured AIL with a more concentrated super league top flight to give our young players not yet ready to break into their provincial sides more competitive rugby than what exists at present. Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan was next to voice his fears for the future. He claimed that too many foreign players in the Irish system were holding back young home-grown talent while admitting that he understood the provinces’ need to sign overseas players to compete in the Heineken Cup. The release value, as we have already seen, is a growing trend that marked the onset of professionalism, with more and more players going across the water, tempted by promises of game time and greater pots of gold. O’Sullivan’s problem is that once an Irish player leaves the provinces, he loses total control of that player, something he has put great store on during his tenure. Against such a backdrop, it was encouraging to hear Ulster coach Matt Williams this week enthuse about the young talent in the province to whom he is determined to give as many opportunities as possible to prove their worth. Williams is wise enough not to get involved in structural decisions with regard to the emotive minefield of club v province arguments about player release and potential expansion of a provincial A fixture list.