The News Review:
- Peter Hewat punishes Bristol as Irish find form before European test
- Date: Sunday, 6 April Kick-off: 1500 BST Venue: Le Stadium, Toulouse…
- Williams in Fortress Ravenhill battle cry
- Ryan driven half mad with points loss and Munster in the offing
- Tom Rees inspires London Wasps with dazzling show of hard graft
- Team must take blame – Bortolami
- Class Winners Bask In Victory At International Rolex Regatta
Peter Hewat punishes Bristol as Irish find form before European test
Times Online – Mar 31, 2008
The victory over Bristol, whose minds are now, by their own admission, on nextseason, was not a thing of beauty but it lifted the spirits for the HeinekenCup quarter-final against Perpignan on Sunday. As the Irish know from theirtwo pool games with the French club, that will be no picnic, but if they canmake it through to the last four, that will go a long way towards retrievingtheir season. Yesterday did not improve their league standing from eighth and they have hardwork to do to climb into the top six and qualify for next season’s HeinekenCup. But such luminaries as Peter Richards and Shane Geraghty are closingfast on full fitness and, if the two England backs can train all this week,they could yet feature in the match squad against Perpignan. “We weren’t perfect in our execution but it was a very professional job,”Brian Smith, the Irish director of rugby, said.
Date: Sunday, 6 April Kick-off: 1500 BST Venue: Le Stadium, Toulouse…
BBC News – Mar 31, 2008
“I’m looking forward to meeting Xavier again on the pitch – he is such a strong player and leader,” he said. “Obviously we know that (ex-Toulouse back) Gareth Thomas will be looking for a win and will make sure they are well aware of our strengths and weaknesses. “But the Blues’ mentality is key, they see this as a winnable game. The Blues will be seeking just the sixth win by a Welsh side in France in the Heineken Cup.
Williams in Fortress Ravenhill battle cry
Belfast Telegraph – Mar 31, 2008
“With 50 minutes gone it was 15-7 but there were two 10 minute spells where we missed tackles and good teams will punish you in those situations. “We didn’t take our chances but it was a much improved performance and it was really encouraging,” reasoned Williams. “Three of our last five games have been against Heineken Cup quarter finalists and we’ve had two good performances but against Munster we never played well. ” Ulster were holding their own in Swansea until prop Tom Court was sin-binned, allowing the Ospreys to score twice. Williams was upset by that decision and a few other tight calls that went against his side. “Tom was caught in a headlock and couldn’t roll away,” rapped Williams. “And Paddy Wallace was away for an intercept try but he got called back even though Kieron Dawson wasn’t offside.
Ryan driven half mad with points loss and Munster in the offing
Guardian Unlimited – Mar 31, 2008
Another Drahm kick into the wind fooled everyone, Tuitupou chipped up the left and after a huge effort by a Worcester pack that had looked out on its legs Delport slipped into the corner to end his former club’s 10-year dominance of Severn derbies. The South African also put Worcester 14 points clear of Leeds, the bottom club, and, while he is off to Japan, the Warriors can contemplate another year in the Premiership and yet more spending. After six successive away defeats Gloucester at least have the comfort of starting April at home where Munster have lost twice before in the Heineken Cup. However, the former champions are better travellers these days. Worcester Delport; Garvey (Gear, 33), Rasmussen, Tuitupou, Benjamin; Drahm, M Powell; Windo (Morris 54; Taumoepeau 76), Lutui, Taumoepeau (Mullan, 72), Rawlinson, Gillies, Wood (Hickey, 60), Sanderson (capt), Horstmann. Tries Tuitupou, Benjamin, Delport.
Tom Rees inspires London Wasps with dazzling show of hard graft
Times Online – Mar 31, 2008
The difference on Saturday was the Wasps defence. html”–>It was an effort reminiscent of their win in the Heineken Cup final lastseason. Wasps played Chris White, the referee, expertly as they flew intothe tackles – with Rees expert at turning the man and, with subtle hands,slowing down ball. Leicester were reduced to the pace of shire horses. Instead of space they looked for contact, and found it. Can Alesana Tuilagipass?After Raphaël Ibañez’s poor lineout throwing had helped Leicester back intothe game, Cipriani scored with his first run at fly half, seconds aftermoving there from full back in the 62nd minute.
Team must take blame – Bortolami
BBC News – Mar 31, 2008
We have to take responsibility. Gloucester regained top spot in the Premiership at the weekend, but only because of picking up a losing bonus point in the 17-14 defeat at Worcester. The Cherry and Whites failed to score in the second half at Sixways playing with the elements at their backs, and Bortolami feels Gloucester will have to be smarter next Saturday against Munster if they want to reach the Heineken Cup semi-finals. “That was the worst part of this game, spending 80% of the time right outside their 22,” he added. “We tried to push the ball around but we were never nice and direct. I think in these sort of games we have to finish the job and we didn’t do that.
Class Winners Bask In Victory At International Rolex Regatta
International Sailing Federation – Mar 31, 2008
It’s only our second regatta. The crew was great, and in the high winds we kept breakage to a minimum and if we did break something, we had a spare. ”
FLEET, whose team also won the Governor’s Trophy for good sportsmanship, said he was disappointed that Ron O’HANLEY’s Farr-designed Cookson 50 Privateer had to retire on the second day because of a gear failure that ultimately couldn’t be fixed. “They beat us at the Heineken Regatta, so we were looking forward to a rematch. ”
The IRC classes attracted a total of 12 boats. According to Luiz KAHL, the US-IRC’s Executive Director who also served as head scorer for the event, it was an impressive turnout considering it was a first-time offering. “Five of the boats were 50 feet and above and they were from all over the US and abroad… The crew was great, and in the high winds we kept breakage to a minimum and if we did break something, we had a spare. ”
FLEET, whose team also won the Governor’s Trophy for good sportsmanship, said he was disappointed that Ron O’HANLEY’s Farr-designed Cookson 50 Privateer had to retire on the second day because of a gear failure that ultimately couldn’t be fixed. “They beat us at the Heineken Regatta, so we were looking forward to a rematch. ”
The IRC classes attracted a total of 12 boats. According to Luiz KAHL, the US-IRC’s Executive Director who also served as head scorer for the event, it was an impressive turnout considering it was a first-time offering. “Five of the boats were 50 feet and above and they were from all over the US and abroad. Some said they wouldn’t have come otherwise, so it’s a great start.