The News Review:
- Former World cup winner and British Lion to retire
- ‘Fermanagh a passionate and confident GAA county’
- Heineken Champions Planet Ready for Fans
- spreys face worry over Hibbard
- Heineken Cup final 2011 set for Lansdowne
- Poitrenaud to Make it 12 Years at Toulouse
- Croker set to host Heineken Cup
Former World cup winner and British Lion to retire
Rugbyweek.com UK -
The 37 year-old hooker known as ‘Ronnie’ has won a host of rugby accolades during his illustrious career including playing for England at all levels being part of the infamous Lions tour to South Africa in 1997 leading from the front during England’s bid to retain the Rugby World Cup in 2007 and Heineken Cup and Powergen Cup winners with Bath and Leeds respectively. Commenting on his retirement Regan said: “I can truly say that I have loved every single minute of my rugby career. Any other sports professional will understand how difficult it is to make the decision to retire and this announcement has not been an easy thought process. “I realise I have lived the dream of any kid who has picked up a rugby ball and wanted to wear the red rose of England. ” “I’m extremely proud of the career I have had and I’d like to thank everyone who I have worked with over the years from developing through the school and age-group ranks through to the international level and my current employers Bristol.
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‘Fermanagh a passionate and confident GAA county’
Fermanagh Herald (registration) UK -
They should accept that they are the second sport but at the same time they should demand a fair crack of the whip and demand all their entitlements from the County Board. In terms of where Fermanagh Hurling can go from here I think that the changes to the Hurling Championships over the last number of years should benefit the weaker counties and it gives all counties a realistic opportunity to improve and also to play in Croke Park. FH – n an issue which effects the whole Association what are your feelings on Croke Park being available for the Heineken Cup semi final?NB – Well firstly let me say I was in favour of opening Croke Park in the first place. The thought of Irish supporters having to travel outside the country was not something that could be contemplated in my mind. In terms of the recent decision to allow the Munster to play their Heineken Cup semi final there I accept that it may have deviated from the spirit of the original motion but I do believe that in this context the right decision was taken. The rule will revert back to what it was in 2010. The other sports will have their corporate people to look after and although I would never say never I cannot see Croke Park being used in the medium to long term.
Heineken Champions Planet Ready for Fans
THISDAY Nigeria -
As Manchester United FC Barcelona Inter Milan and Real Madrid hit their peak in the domestic league just before the restart of the competition guests of the Heineken Champions Planet House will be looking forward to the teams aiming to extend their domestic domination against their respective opponents who are gradually hitting the summit in the quest to be among the two finalists on 27th May at the lympic Stadium in Rome Italy. In other features which all the guest can watch simultaneously another English Premiership side Arsenal will be up against AS Roma at the Emirates Stadium in London while Atletico Madrid will engage 2004 champions FC Porto just as 2006 winners FC Barcelona without inspiring midfielder Andres Iniesta will be away to lympique Lyonnias of France. Aside the football matches the Marketing Manager Lager Mr. Tony Agenmonmen disclosed that guests are expected to be engaged in fun and exciting activities like table soccer swimming and Sony Play Station while all the games are aired on all the screens available in the HCP.
spreys face worry over Hibbard
BBC Sport UK -
The 25-year-old will be assessed on Monday having picked up an injury in Sunday’s 22-10 victory over Connacht. “It doesn’t look good he’s on crutches and in a boot it seems to be an ankle ligament injury but we’ll know more [on Monday]” said coach Sean Holley. “He’s a huge concern. These things tend to take a while to heal.
Heineken Cup final 2011 set for Lansdowne
Irish Times Ireland -
Speaking at yesterday’s confirmation of a 10-year €44-million deal with insurance multinational Aviva which will result in the venue being officially named as the Aviva Stadium Browne said that the union will be submitting a bid to stage what would be the third final of the competition to be held in Dublin and that he is confident the European Rugby Cup board will consider the matter favourably. “At the end of the day” he said “it is up to the board of the ERC but we have not had a final here since 2003. I think our time is due and 2011 seems to be a bloody good time to have it. ” Pressed about prospect of the new stadium hosting two major European finals as little as a week or two apart he simply replied: “Why not?” The stadium will open the previous August when the FAI intends to stage a high profile international friendly with Argentina almost certain to be the opposition.
Poitrenaud to Make it 12 Years at Toulouse
European Rugby Cup Ireland -
The 26-year-old double Heineken Cup winner’s contract was due to end this summer but the new deal will see the ERC Elite 50 club member stay at with team where he started his professional career for at least three more seasons. In nine season’s with Toulouse Poitrenaud has earned 54 Heineken Cup appearances including an impressive three successive Heineken Cup finals picking up two winners medals in 2003 and 2005 and one Top 14 range championship title in 2001. The 33 times capped international looks set to continue his test career this weekend for Les Blues in the RBS Six Nations clash with Wales on Friday.
Croker set to host Heineken Cup
Belfast Telegraph United Kingdom -
The IRFU have already made a formal application to the GAA for the use of the ground for a potential Munster v Leinster Heineken Cup semi-final showdown. It is accepted that no other stadium in the country now comes close to accommodating the crowd that would wish to see these fierce inter-provincial rivals engage in what could prove the most high-profile semi-final since the initial launch of the competition. Munster will host the spreys in their quarter-final at Thomond Park in April while Leinster will confront Harlequins who have opted to retain home advantage at The Stoop rather than generate a cash bonanza by transferring the game to Twickenham less than half-a-mile away. Munster beat Leinster in the 2006 semi-final at Thomond Park but interest in the competition has soared considerably in the interim. There is optimism within the IRFU that their request for the use of Croke Park will be treated sympathetically when it is discussed at what will now be a vitally important Central Council meeting on Saturday next.