England Counties XV on the hunt for first win in Ireland

The RFU have named the England Counties squad to travel to Ireland in February 2013, to face the Ireland Club XV in Cork.

The squad, made up of players from National Leagues One and Two, includes five players who played in the fixture last year at Preston Grasshoppers, when England won by a record 34-16 scoreline.

Blackheath's Dave Allen, Blaydon's Matt Hall and Robbie Kalbraier, and Ealing's Sam Shires are included in the pack, while last season's man of the match, full-back Peter Hodgkinson of Ealing, is the only back to survive from the Preston fixture.

Since the fixture was created in 2007, Ireland remain unbeaten on home soil, a situation that England Counties team manager Michael Old wants to change. He spoke about the selection process when the squad was announced today: "Selection was very tough this season because of the quality of players throughout the leagues.  We are very pleased with the squad, it looks strong in all areas with plenty of power and pace which we need to take on the Irish, as well as a great mix of experience.

“Owing to the demand that the league schedule places on clubs and players, with the agreement and support of all clubs we have limited selection to two players per club for the 22 man squad.  Whilst this has without doubt been unfortunate on a few players, it has given the opportunity to others who deserve the recognition of their talent and form this season.”

England Counties Squad to play Ireland Club XV in the Ulster Bank International:

Forwards:

Dave Allen*^ (Blackheath) - the flanker has scored a remarkable 11 tries this season including four in the 35-18 victory over Cambridge in October. He has been an ever-present for his side this season, and has played for Wasps and Ulster.

Tom Fidler (Cambridge) - An ever present in the front row for struggling Cambridge, Fidler's performances have earned him the call-up to represent his country for the first time. He returned to Cambridge in the summer, after leaving for Ealing in February 2011 when the side announced their financial troubles. Starting out at Dings Crusaders in National League South Division 3, he has worked his way up the leagues via Newbury and Birmingham Solihull.

Mark George (Stourbridge) - The tight-head prop has played in every Saxons game this season, including two appearances off the bench, as the club now appear to be on the way to regaining their National League One place after relegation last season. He has experience at London Irish and Rotherham Titans.

Matt Hall*^ (Blaydon) - The 30-year-old hooker and head coach is now in his tenth season at Blaydon, where he is an ever-present this season. Hall played against Ireland Club XV at Preston last season.

James Inglis (Esher) - The lock began his career at Harlequins, making one appearance in their season spent in National One (2005/06). He spent one season at Cornish Pirates before signing for Esher in 2008.
Billy Johnson* (Old Albanian) - After starting at Hertford in London One, Johnson earned a contract with Championship Bedford Blues in 2011. Used sparingly at the Blues, he signed for OA's in the summer, where he has played in every match during their inaugural year at National One level.
Robbie Kalbraier*^ (Blaydon) - In his fifth season at Blaydon, Kalbraier also played against Ireland Club XV last season alongside his team-mate Matt Hall. He signed in 2008, from Darlington Mowden Park.
Alex Loney (Fylde) - The prop is now in his second season at Fylde, who he joined from Rotherham Titans. He began his career at Nottingham.
Sam Shires*^ (Ealing) - Shires has scored seven tries in his first season at Ealing. He joined the Trailfinders in 2012, moving south after two seasons at Tynedale.
Ollie Stedman (Tynedale) - Eight tries from the back row is the impressive haul from this ever-present. Stedman replaced Sam Shires at number eight, signing from Westoe. He is an England Under 20 international, with two appearances in the 2011 U20 Six Nations.
Will Warden (Richmond) - The lock is in his second season at Richmond, playing a major role in their promotion season last term. He signed from Loughborough Students, wherre he played for four seasons.
Ben West (Cinderford) - The second row forward has put in some impressive performances in this, his second season at Cinderford, where he moved from National One South outfit Newbury.

Backs:

Jack Adams (Cinderford) - Outside centre Adams is in his first season with Cinderford. Starting his career at Gloucester, he made his debut as a replacement against Sale Sharks in September 2005. After only two replacement appearances that 2005/06 season, he made 12 Premiership appearances the following season, and scored a try in their Heineken Cup defeat at Leinster.
Lewis Barker (Coventry) - Scrum-half Barker is in his second season at Coventry, after a two year spell at the now-defunct Rugby Lions. He made his debut for Loughborough Students in 2007.
Scott Barrow (Fylde) - A former Super League player with St Helens, Barrow joined Fylde in 2012 from Leeds Carnegie. The 32-year-old centre started his union career at Worcester, signing from the Saints, before moving to Orrell and then Glasgow Warriors.
Nev Edwards (Rosslyn Park) - Currently the top try scorer in National One with 12 in 13 appearances, Edwards is in his third season at Park. He began his career at Ealing, signing for Esher after two seasons at the Trailfinders.
Chris Elder (Esher) - In his debut season at Esher, the young full-back played for Henley Hawks previously. He represented England Under 18s in 2009/10.
Matt Heeks (Rosslyn Park) - Heeks signed in the summer from London Scottish, where he spent two spells with a season at Barking in 2010/11. He has represented Scotland Under 20s with two appearances in the 2008 U20 Six Nations.
Peter Hodgkinson*^ (Ealing) - Now in his sixth season at Ealing, full-back Hodgkinson has scored seven tries this term. He also played against Ireland Club XV last season, putting in a man of the match performance.
Will Hurrell (Stourbridge) - Inside centre Hurrell has scored eight tries this season in National Two North, having played regularly for London Welsh in their promotion season last year. He has also played at Nottingham, Coventry and Doncaster Knights, and represented England Under 20s in the 2010 U20 Six Nations.
Ollie Marchon (Old Albanian) - A product of the Saracens academy, Marchon made his England Sevens debut in Dubai last month. He is in his second season at Old Albanians, playing a major part in their rise to National One.
Rory Teague* (Blackheath) - Fly-half Teague began his career at Gloucester in 2003, signing for Bristol after two seasons. Whilst there, he gained his first team experience on loan at Stourbridge, before moving to Lydney. He signed for Blackheath in 2012, after a season at West Country side Cinderford.

*Previous ECXV Cap (7 players)
^played v Ireland at Preston 2012 (5 players)

England Counties Spring International Fixtures:

England Counties v Ireland Club XV (Friday 8 February) Cork, Ireland
England Counties v France Amateurs (Friday 22 February) Ealing RFC

Canadians earn their Blues at Oxford

While I was working for Rugby Canada during their Fall Tour to the UK in November, I had the chance to do some research at Oxford University RFC.

It turned out that there was a strong link between the current Candian squad and the university, with the National Senior Men's Team manager Gareth Rees having gained a 'Blue' for Oxford in the 1990s.

Gareth Rees - An Oxford
Blue in 1993 & 1994
Pic (c) Rugby Canada

Rees of course is a legend in Canadian rugby, having scored a total of 487 points in 55 appearances between 1986 and 1999, a record that stands to this day.

Although Canadians have played for Oxford University through the ages, only a small number have actually earned their ‘Blues’ by representing the university in the annual Varsity Match.

Gareth Rees studied at Oxford from 1993-1995. He earned his Blues in the 1993 and 1994 Varsity fixtures, scoring two penalties, a conversion and a drop goal in the second of these, to add to the try he scored on his first appearance.

Another alumni of the university was Andrew Bibby, who appeared nine times for the Canucks from 1979 to 1985 at centre. He scored a solitary try for Canada, in a test against a New Zealand XV at Burnaby Lake in 1980. He was the first Canadian to earn an Oxford Blue, in the 1980 Varsity game, playing on the wing.

Karl Svoboda gained an Oxford Blue in 1995, after retiring from the international scene that year. A veteran of the first three Rugby World Cups, Svoboda played as hooker in 24 tests, captaining his country twice, including a famous win over an England XV in 1993. Svoboda also gained a Blue after playing in the ice hockey Varsity fixture of 1996.

Stan Mckeen - 2008 Blue
Pic (c) Oxford Mail

Alongside Svoboda in the Oxford front row of 1995 stood Dave Penney. The prop won his first Canadian cap against the USA that year, the first of seven in total. Penney had represented Canada at U21, U23 and B level prior to those full internationals, playing out of Swilers RFC.



More recently, Stan McKeen played in Canada’s back row in 20 test matches from 2004 to 2007, before retiring from the pro game with his club Cornish Pirates, to take a place at Oxford University studying law. He appeared in the 2008 Varsity match in their 33-29 victory over Cambridge.



Kevin Tkatchuk in Varsity action
Pic (c) Oxford University RFC

Winger Sean Fauth, having played 29 times on the wing, including twice at RWC2003, studied for an MBA in 2005/06 after retiring from the game. He also gained a Blue for appearing in the 2005 Varsity match, after playing for Oak Bay Castaways and Pacific Pride.



Former prop Kevin Tkatchuk played in the Oxford Dark Blue in three consecutive Varsity fixtures, from 2001-2003. He recalled the feeling of arriving at Iffley Road for the occasion of a visit from the Australians in 2001: “I will never forget how strange, yet somewhat right, to be cycling to a test match against the current World Champions!”

Tkatchuk is now the Director of Rugby at Wellington College in Berkshire, after a long career at Glasgow Warriors.

North Wales rugby boost at Colwyn Bay

The recent IRB International Series at Colwyn Bay brought out the rugby public of north Wales; but that was only a part of the successful development of the game in the north of the country.

RGC1404 General Manager Rupert Moon - Pic (c) WRU

Former Welsh international scrum-half Rupert Moon, General Manager of RGC1404 - the club born out of a strategic plan by the WRU in 2006, and which has entered the Welsh league system this season – is keen to promote the advances that rugby union has made in what is traditionally seen as a strong football area.

“For the investment made by the IRB, WRU and Conwy Borough Council, we class it as a fabulous success. There was a global audience each weekend, televised in 45 different countries, the majority of whom had it live,” he said.

“For north Wales and Colwyn Bay, and the fact that the international teams worked with local clubs and schools, leaving a legacy of raising standards, that’s exactly what we are trying to do, to raise standards of rugby in north Wales.

“With a third of the population in the north of the country, we have to be inclusive, and that is what the WRU have been striding to do against the challenges of geography."

Parc Eirias in Colwyn Bay - home of RGC1404 

Investment in the Eirias Park complex has been substantial, with an indoor training area, new Grandstand and VIP areas, and upgrade of the existing athletics track, as well as installation of the pitch which has now hosted international rugby, and new floodlights.

Over 5,500 attended the international double headers, a figure that Moon is delighted with. Add to the fact that Eirias Park is partway through a contract to host the Wales RBS Six Nations Under 20 home fixtures, he sees this as a great advert for the game in the north: “No one would have thought five years ago that it was possible to have three under 20s games sold out in the same season in north Wales, or that we would be hosting international double headers in Colwyn Bay.

“The facility has demonstrated that anything is possible. To redevelop the stadium with £6.5 million of funding which opens up not only a world stage but also a community stage. We had local kids from schools involved on the pitch and in the indoor training arena.

“It’s an aspirational culture we are developing. Now we have kids wanting to pull on their regional jersey as well as their club jersey. The influence of the WRU, working alongside partners, has allowed us to develop a college academy. We work alongside Rydal School, and Llandrillo College, to give us a foundation to build from.

“Building from an Under 16s and Under 18s side, we have now got a senior men’s team which has meaningful fixtures. It is about developing but also about aspiring to achieve the next level. The men have been put into a very tough league, with six of our first nine games played away from home.”

The fact that travelling for the RGC players is a major obstacle, to him shows the commitment there is to the game in the area.

“These guys are faced with a ten hour plus round trip on match day. The first player gets on the bus at 6:30am. They are prepared to travel to train, often over an hour and a half to training. Not only at seniors, that happens at the under-age levels as well. That is a huge commitment,” he added.

“We are also working in parallel to develop their coaches and facilities. When we have a RGC home game, we try to invite junior sections, where we coach the kids, and coach the coaches. We have regular ‘coach the coach’ sessions. Our junior sections are packed full from under 8s to under 16s, within the whole of Wales we are one of the best regions for the number of junior sides per club.

“We have to give them something to aspire to that is achievable – club rugby, regional rugby, through to international rugby. You cannot ignore a third of the population.”

The IRB International Rugby Series was streamed live by the IRB on their website, with a global population watching the four fixtures.

The USA beat Russia by 40-26 in the first of the double headers. Three first half tries, from Brian Doyle, Eric Fry and debutant Toby L’Estrange put the Eagles into a commanding 21-9 half-time lead, and although the Bears pulled back through tries from Vladimir Ostrushko and a brace from Andrey Temnov, Robbie Shaw, and two more from Chris Wyles gave the Americans their win.

That was followed by a one-sided affair, as Samoa beat Canada convincingly by 42-12. Robert Lilomaiava was the Samoan dangerman, scoring four, with Tai Tui’fua adding a fifth. James So’oialo kicked four conversions, adding three penalty goals, before the Canadians came back with two late tries from Connor Braid and John Moonlight.

The second double-header saw Tonga come from behind to beat the USA 22-13. Viliami Helu’s try was the Tongan’s solitary first half score, with Robbie Shaw dotting down for Zach Pangelinan to convert, and add a penalty before half-time. But into the second period, Tonga came back with tries from Sione Piukala and Joe Tuineau, while the USA could only manage a penalty kick.

The final game of the series saw the Canadians beat Russia by 35-3. Jeff Hassler scored two, setting up a third for Taylor Paris, while Nick Blevins added the Canucks’ fourth. James Pritchard kicked three conversions and three penalties, while Russia’s points came from an Igor Klyuichnikov penalty kick.

Is football on a sure bet?

It's interesting looking at archived footage of football matches from the 70s and 80s. Apart from the grainy images, dodgy hairstyles and goalkeepers picking up passbacks, you can take a look at the businesses that were putting their money into football back in the day.

Advertising hoardings urging you to decorate your home with Johnstones Paints, watch Match of the Day on a Hitachi tv, eat Danepak bacon for your Sunday fry-up, and bank your cash at the Halifax were the norm. All of them were recognisable names on the high street and in any typical home.

Speed forward to the present day, and football fans are urged to fly to Malaysia, drink exotic sounding far-eastern beers, invest any savings they might have with a US conglomerate, and gamble using online spread betting agencies.

The number of online gambling businesses investing in elite football in the UK over the last few years has seeped through without comment.

News this week that Everton have announced a deal with Dafabet to be their international betting parrtner adds to the overwhelming list of betting companies splashing out to be seen as part of the greatest game - Genting Casinos, Bet365, 32red, sbobet and 12bet, among others now adorn the shirts of clubs competing in the FA Premier League for season 2012/13.

The FA themselves, not to be outdone, proudly announced William Hill as Official Supporter to the England squad and the FA Cup in January 2012.

Peter Cavanagh was banned
for eight months for his part
in the Accrington scandal

With football accepting these deals, do they not see the potential for a huge conflict of interest? Italian football has been rocked by its second match-fixing scandal within a decade, while closer to home, it is only three years since the last domestic case of match-fixing, when five players were involved in betting on the result of an Accrington Stanley v Bury fixture.

Recent claims from former Southampton player Claus Lundekvam that spot fixing was common among Premier League players during his time at the club have added to the issue.

Not for one minute should it be implied that these sponsorships are anything other than genuine financial deals between the organisations concerned, but it does leave an uneasy feeling that the integrity of sporting fair play has a greater opportunity to be tinkered with.

The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has introduced guidance for their members following the Accrington scandal, giving examples of the use of inside information and match fixing. It should be pointed out that the football authorities in the UK do work closely with betting operators and the Gambling Commission, so are policing betting patterns in the sport.

Perhaps accused of scaremongering, Chris Eaton, a director of the International Centre for Sports Security (ICSS) claimed at a conference in London recently that  "match-fixing has been going on for many years but is now almost out of control.

"Fixing sports results is endemic in some areas and more deeply entrenched than some have the courage to acknowledge."

A summer holiday on the cards for the Community Shield?

As the Barclays Premier Leagues gears up for another season with the FA Community Shield on Sunday, news from Germany should be interesting the marketing team at Wembley.

Villa Park - venue for the 2012 FA Community Shield
Pic (c) thefa.com

The traditional curtain-raiser to the season, this year between PL champions Manchester City and FA Cup winners Chelsea is held at Villa Park, the first time since 1974 that the game has been played away from Wembley.

That is only a 114 miles hike from the home of English football, but if current trends within other major European football leagues are anything to go by, supporters could miss out on their day out, or face a trip half-way round the world to see their side start the season.

Lyon won the 2012 Trophee des Champions
at the NYC Red Bull Arena
Pic (c) newyorkredbulls.com

The German Bundesliga are to meet next month to consider taking their equivalent fixture to China, following in the footsteps of the French Ligue1 who have played fixtures in the USA, Canada, Tunisia and Algeria.

The Italian Supercoppa is being played in Beijing's Olympic Stadium this weekend for the second year running, with it's first trip to foreign soil way back in 1993 when it was held in Washington DC, as a prelude to the 1994 World Cup. Since then, it has returned to the USA, held in New York in 2003, and Tripoli in 2002, before it's first visit to China in 2009.

Beijing's 'Bird's Nest' Olympic Stadium
Pic (c) bbc.co.uk

Having abandoned the infamous 'Game 39' concept, the FA, along with all Premier League clubs are forever looking at expanding their fanbase and tapping into foreign markets, with pre-season tours to the USA, China, Malaysia and other Far Eastern countries the norm.

Never ones to be seen as behind the times, it can only be a matter of time then, before the FA give in, and move the Community Shield fixture abroad.

Is the SPL's TV deal fit and proper?

The confirmation of today's vote by the SPL clubs not to admit the new Rangers into the league next season, means that the Ibrox club will be playing in the SFL - but at what level?

The vote by the SFL on the 12 July looks at the moment like it will lead to a place in Division Three for the 'newco', if current public statements by various SFL clubs is anything to go by.

But the SFL are lobbying their members to agree to have Rangers accepted into Division One next season. This would appear to go against the normal procedures for clubs who apply for membership of the SFL - why would a club be given immediate membership at Division One level?

Payments to the SFL from the SPL of £2 million per year will apparently dry up, according to a statement from Clyde FC today.

That payment will be reliant upon the continuation of TV money being paid to the SPL. The latest deal was agreed in November 2011, beginning 2012/13 season for five years. The scenario of Rangers not being available to SKy and ESPN viewers as part of this deal is supposedly putting this agreement in jeopardy.

The BBC reported in February 2012 that if Rangers were not a part of the SPL, then this deal could be scuppered, claiming that "Its [the SPL] TV deal includes a clause stipulating the participation of both Celtic and Rangers in the SPL".

That statement should ring alarm bells; anyone who has ever shouted "Who's the mason in the black?" at a game when their side has played Rangers may have done so in jest, but consider this scenario -

The last game of the season - Rangers/Celtic lie second bottom of the division, with the bottom club winning their last game comfortably, and the Glasgow giant are losing. With five minutes of the last game of the season to go, one of the Old Firm are looking like relegation fodder.

But, they are on the attack - their star striker goes down in the penalty area, claiming a dubious penalty.

What does the referee do? Everyone knows he should make the right decision by what he sees, but really, he knows that his decision might put the future of Scottish football in jeopardy.

If he gives the penalty, and it is scored, then the SPL retains its TV rights. If he doesn't and the Old Firm are split for a season, then millions of pounds are lost to the game.

I know, it is highly unlikely. But, the fact that a sporting body have agreed with broadcasters that certain clubs will be playing in their competition, brings into disrepute those involved in that decision, and puts under scrutiny all decisions made which come into question the integrity of officials across Scotland.

Let's hope that Rangers, playing through the three SFL divisions, bring some financial reward to those smaller clubs who struggle along each year, while at the same time, the rest of the SPL can become a competitive league once more.

London Welsh get thumbs up for promotion

The decision last Friday to promote London Welsh to the Aviva Premiership was great news for anyone who holds the integrity of sport at heart.

Having declined their original application through not meeting the Minimum Standards Criteria (MSC) for playing Premiership rugby, the RFU had no option but to admit them to the top tier, on the basis of the decision by the independent panel led by James Dingemans QC.

Kassam Stadium
Pic (c) footballaway.co.uk

The panel met to decide on London Welsh's argument that the rules governing the Primacy of Tenure section of the MSC had infringed UK and EU competition law. London Welsh were successful in arguing their case, so are now free to play their fixtures at their new home, the Kassam Stadium in Oxford.

The ground is home to Oxford United, and owned by the club's former chairman, Firoz Kassam, who oversaw the completion of the stadium's construction over a decade ago.

Given the ground's main status prior to the introduction of the London Welsh scenario, it would be difficult to see how Primacy of Tenure could justifiably have been given to the rugby club.

Ground-sharing between different sports clubs at the highest level in England has been a feature of the sporting landscape since the advent of professionalism in rugby union during the 1990s.

London Irish have used the Madejski Stadium in Reading since 2000; Saracens have been Watford FCs tenants at Vicarage Road since 1997 (although will be moving to their own ground at Barnet Copthall before the end of season 2012/13); and London Wasps playing home fixtures at Adams Park in Wycombe since 2002, and prior to that, Loftus Road from 1996-2002, as part of their ownership by Loftus Road Holdings plc.

Sale Sharks have shared Stockport County's Edgeley Park since 2003, and will now play at the Salford City Stadium, alongside the Salford Reds Super League side. That move comes at a time when they remain as the only northern side in the Premiership, while there are five clubs within the London area.

The Newcastle Falcons will of course, face at least a year in the Championship, under the guidance of Dean Richards, who has a great track record in that division, taking Harlequins back to the Premiership in 2006 at the first attempt after their relegation the previous year.

The side who take up residency at the Kassam meanwhile, will not only have to prepare for life on the playing field among the rugby elite, but also need to build up their fan base in a city that up until now, has only been served by professional football. Rugby fans in the town may already have their allegiances with nearby London Irish in nearby Reading, or any of the clubs within reasonable travelling distance, including Gloucester, further along the A40 to Wales.

They need to recruit a new list of club sponsors who are willing to support the new venture - what happens to those businesses who have supported them over the years in Richmond, their spiritual home?

Despite much hype surrounding the Championship Play-off Final played at the Kassam, only 3456 turned up; a fair proportion of which would have been Cornish Pirates fans.

So, despite congratulations on a deserved promotion, the real battle starts by trying to win the hearts and minds of the good people of Oxford, and also their supporters from the bad times.

When is a suspension not a suspension?

Answer -

When it is an RFU suspension.

The RFU have just announced their verdict on a citing for Newcastle Falcons' Taiasina Tu'ifua. The Samoan flanker pleaded guilty to a dangerous tackle during the last league game of the season at London Wasps.

His punishment - a four week ban, running from 1 June to 28 June, allowing him to play again from 29 June.

As an international, Tu'ifua misses out on three Samoan test matches, against Fiji on 10 June, Japan on 17 June, and Scotland on 23 June.

But he remains free to play for his club from the start of next season. Surely there hangs a case to argue for RFU suspensions to be delivered in matches rather than weeks.

London Welsh fight on for Premiership place

The ongoing saga as to whether London Welsh can claim a place at rugby's top table next season seems as if it will continue long after tonight's final whistle was blown.

The second-leg of their Championship Play-off match against Cornish Pirates at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford may be irrelevant, if the RFU have their way.

The 29-20 win, for an overall aggregate victory, saw the Old Deer Park side earn the right to play in the Premiership - or so you might think. 

Pic (c) walesonline.co.uk

But the RFU decided on 23 May that London Welsh would not be eligible for promotion, after hearing the findings of an independent audit, requested by the London Welsh club.

The audit was requested after the RFU had deemed that the London Welsh club did not meet the Minimum Standards Criteria for playing in the Aviva Premiership as set by the Professional Game Board.

Their Old Deer Park ground in Richmond is unfit to hold Premiership rugby. The club attempted to work around this by arranging a ground-sharing deal with Oxford United, to play at the Kassam Stadium.

Despite this deal, the independent audit turned down this opportunity, claiming that primacy of tenure was one of several issues.

Another issue was that the club's back-up venue of Brentford FC's Griffin Park, was over 30 miles from the first option.

That in itself reeks of irony, in that Griffin Park lies only 3 miles away from Old Deer Park, when the club themselves are prepared to relocate 50 miles away in Oxford.

The final decision now lies in the hands of solicitors, and the bargaining carried out in the corridors of power. But really, what would a move 50 miles away from its traditional home mean to the club? 

The play-off match tonight certainly attracted what appeared to be a sell-out crowd to the Kassam, as the issue has galvanised a lot of support, but it has made for an interesting talking point.

Consider this - how far would you want your club to move just so they could play a couple of seasons of top flight sport? And would London Welsh then return to Richmond once their spell at the top is over?

RFU decide on Tuilagi tackle

Pic (c) Getty Images

An RFU disciplinary panel yesterday dismissed the citing of Leicester Tigers' Manu Tuilagi for an incident in the first minute of last Saturday's Aviva Premiership final, which Harlequins won by 30-23.

The tackle, on Danny Care, saw the Harlequins scrum half 'tipped' by Tuilagi, brought off his feet in the tackle, and made to land on his upper body. The tackle can be seen on the Aviva Premiership website.

Under the IRB Law 10 - Foul Play, 

"Lifting a player from the ground and dropping or driving that player into the ground whilst that player’s feet are still off the ground such that the player’s head and/or upper body come into contact with the ground is dangerous play."

should result in a penalty kick. The referee, Wayne Barnes, played an advantage at this point, stating that although "the tackle was above the horizontal, it wasn't dangerous".

That comment was heard by anyone who had taken advantage of the Ref Link - a service where spectators at major rugby matches can hear the referee's comments during play. 

Harlequins played through the advantage, gaining ground past the point where the tackle had taken place. 

The incident was quickly forgotten in the stadium as the match was played at a frantic pace, and Quins displayed a game-plan that brought them their first ever Premiership title.

The RFU regulations allow for a player to be brought before a disciplinary committee after a game, even if, as was the case in this incident, the match referee had seen it and acted upon it.

The Citing Procedures state clearly that 

"Before bringing a citing complaint the Premiership Citing Officer must be satisfied that in his opinion the act of foul play merited the award of a Red Card"

Previous high profile incidents had brought this particular part of the game to the fore, not least the Wales captain Sam Warburton having been sent off during the RWC 2011 semi-final against France.

Although the game was allowed to go on, it came as no surprise to hear that Tuilagi had been cited for the tackle afterwards. The hearing, heard by Christopher Quinlan QC, Dan White and Nick Dark "was not satisfied on the balance of probabilities that the referee was wrong in not sending off the 21-year-old" according to the RFU press release issued after the hearing.

Conveniently, the centre is free to travel as planned to South Africa with the England squad, where they are on tour during June.

Fylde over-run Macc in rugby 'El Classico'

What a game! Fylde supporters this season have had a great introduction to National League One, and I know that parking up on Ansdell Road every other week at 2 o'clock, I'm letting myself in for a great afternoon in front of me.

The fireworks during the second half of the game against Coventry in November saw a brand of rugby that the home support have savoured, but the second half turnaround yesterday, in my humble opinion, eclipsed that performance, and showed why sport at any level is just the purest form of entertainment.

Having lost both locks to injury the week before, Mark Nelson had to reshuffle his pack, bringing both Grant Ferguson and captain Sam Beaumont into the second row.

A real backs-to-the-wall performance during a first half which saw the visitors pile the pressure on the home side, it took Fylde a full ten minutes before they moved forward past their own 22 metre line.

Reporting for The Rugby Paper, this was another day where the rugby on view just couldn't be justified with a limit of 400 words, but here is what appeared in this morning's edition.

Fylde 48 Macclesfield 23

The final scoreline tells a different story to the reality of this match, as Fylde blew away Macclesfield in the final quarter with four tries to demolish the visitors’ hopes of taking anything from the game.

Mark Nelson was delighted with his side’s battling qualities throughout: “At half-time I told them to just keep putting them under pressure, and they did exactly what I asked of them” he said.

“The Fylde pack was magnificent today, against a huge pack. We showed a lot of tenacity, commitment, at the scrum, at the line-out, against much bigger opponents, and with those drive over tries, it shows that we can score from anywhere.”

That defensive tenacity was in view from the start, as Macclesfield were camped in the Fylde 22 for the first nine minutes. 

After weathering the early pressure, it was Fylde who scored first, as Jonny Roddam emerged from the bottom of a drive over after 13 minutes.

Macclesfield though, turned the screw, and answered five minutes later, when Josh Fowles accepted a pass from Ross Winney, running over on the left.

Winney added extra points from a neat drop goal and penalty, before Jack Moorhouse extended their lead on 30 minutes, while Richard Kenyon pulled back the deficit just before half-time, for a 16-10 lead to Macclesfield.

The visitors started the second period as they had the first, with Moorhouse scoring on 43 minutes, but that was to be their final score of the game, as the penalty count against them started to mount.

Oli Brennand started the comeback on 49 minutes, before getting his second on 60. Roddam added his second, after Tom Lavelle had thundered down the wing, to move Fylde into the lead on 65 minutes.

What really saved the game for Fylde however, was a try-saving tackle by Sam Beaumont on Fowles with ten minutes to play. 

That gave the home side the belief that they could hold out, and so it proved, as Brennand got his hat-trick minutes later, and set up Nick Royle to score the final try of the day.

Macclesfield’s Geoff Wappett thought his side should have taken something from the game: “I thought we got a bit silly or generous towards the end. I was disappointed at conceding the final points, and that we didn’t come away with a four try bonus point” he said.

For eagle-eyed readers out there, I failed to report on Evan Stewart's try-scoring contribution. He went over on 78 minutes, in another drive over the line against the club he left at the end of last season, and now sits in third place in the club's try-scoring list, with 16 tries. Not bad for a back rower!

Also missing was the detail of Macclesfield's Gavin Woods yellow-carded on 78 minutes for killing the ball in a ruck.

That result leaves Fylde level-pegging with Ealing in second placed, and a comfortable lead over fourth-placed Rosslyn Park. 

With six games to go, Fylde now have only two home games left, against third-bottom Birmingham on 31 March, and Ealing on 21 April, with a visit to table-toppers Jersey on the last day of the season, 28 April.

Teams:

Fylde: Royle, Viney (Waywell 68), Briers C, Briers S, Brennand, Kenyon, Wallwork (Depledge 73), Livesey (Griffiths 61), Roddam, Loney (Lavelle 49), Beaumont (McGinnis 80), Ferguson, Stephenson, McGinnis, Stewart

Macclesfield: O’Regan, Stobart (Hughes 57), Moorhouse, Davenport, Fowles, Winney, Eaton, Mantell, Moss (Kent 77), Robinson (Woods 40), Marsh, Williams (Roddy 73), Owen, Parkinson (Marsden 73), Barker

Scorers:

Fylde

Tries: Roddam 13 66, Kenyon 37, Brennand 49 60 75, Stewart 78, Royle 80

Conversions: Kenyon 49 66 75 80

Macclesfield

Tries: Fowles 18, Moorhouse 30 43

Conversions: Winney 43

Penalty Goals: Winney 27

Drop Goal: Winney 22  

Penalties Conceded:  2 - 12

Lineouts Won:          10 - 5

Lineouts Lost:          4 - 0

Scrums Won:            3 - 10

Scrums Lost:            0 - 0

Sin Bins:                  0 - 1 

Half-time: 10 - 16

Star Man: Grant Ferguson (Fylde)

Referee: Wayne Fella

Attendance: 824

Young Grasshopper mastering his game

Preston Grasshoppers have benefited this season by the presence of the exciting young scrum-half, Nathan Fowles. Signed on a dual registration with his parent club Sale Sharks, the 18-year-old has had a season of highs and lows, as he told me this week.

Pic: (c) Aviva Premiership

Nathan, you’ve been the regular scrum-half since joining the club in the summer. How has the season panned out for you personally first of all?

Well my main reason for going to the club was to get experience at an open age level, at a reasonable standard. Obviously Preston being in National League Two is quite a decent standard, and with the past players who have been at the club, I thought it was a really good opportunity to better my ability and gain more experience.

You joined them in the summer. How did that happen?

I’m dual contracted with Sale and Preston. I train every day at Sale with the first team there, and then train a couple of times a week at Preston, and play for them on a Saturday, unless I’ve got a game for Sale on the Monday night.

You were out with a bad injury for a while earlier in the year. What happened there?

We were playing Luctonians away, and it happened in the first ten minutes. I broke a bone in my foot, and was out for about three months. I missed all of Sale’s A League games. It was a pretty bad time to get injured, but it’s not been too bad since I’ve had the injury. Things have healed up, and I’ve done quite well.

Was that the worst playing injury you’ve had?

It’s the longest I’ve been out. It’s very demotivating going into training and doing the same thing every day, you just feel like you’re getting nowhere. But then eventually it all comes together, and you’re back fit as if nothing’s happened.

Does coming back from injury affect your mental approach to playing?

I was playing really well before I did it, my confidence was high. With the physios and medical staff at Sale, they ease you back into training and just do what you’re comfortable with, so it didn’t really phase me that much. I just listened to them and they said it was fine. I thought that if it’s fine to them, then it’s not going to worry me, so I just got on with it. I’ve seen cases of lads at Sale who have got really down and really wary, but no, I was fine. Sometimes an injury can affect your game, but the way Sale are run, they have the highest quality medical staff, and they rehab you until everything is perfect and back to normal. 

You were part of the Sale Academy at Myerscough College for the last couple of years, how well did that time bring you on as a player?

Massively! I remember when I started at Myerscough I was the third choice scrum half for Lancashire under 16s, never got a start with them, and by the end of my time at Myerscough I had played for North of England, played in the divisional festival to go into the England squad, played for England Colleges, got a contract at the Sharks, and played for the Sale Jets. My career escalated in such a short period of time. I wasn’t academic at school, I was more practical, so for me to go there and do rugby and learn about sport was just the perfect combination really.

Pic (c) Lancashire Evening Post

And since you’ve returned from injury, you’ve made your Sale Sharks debut, away at la Vila in the Amlin Challenge Cup. How was that experience?

It was incredible. To do it in my first year at the club was beyond what I had expected, and also beyond what a lot of people had expected of me, so it was quite nice to prove to myself and others who have watched me in the past and helped me to get to this stage that I am good enough, and I’m heading in the right direction. It gave me a lot of confidence, because it was only two weeks after I had come back from the injury. I had played one game for Hoppers and then I was picked for that one, so I couldn’t believe it really.

And how did that call-up come about?

I honestly don’t know, I remember sitting in a team meeting, and it was just another squad being read out to the players. I didn’t expect it, I was just thinking I was going to be playing for the Hoppers at the weekend, and when I heard my name read out, the staff told me to go and find my passport. The way I thought about it was that they wouldn’t pay for me to go over there if they didn’t think I was capable and worth keeping at the club and having a future there. It was good for my confidence because although I get reports after games, I don’t know whether I’m going to be staying for the next five years or what. It’s good to know that I’m in their thoughts.

So how long are you contracted at the Sharks?

It was originally a year, when I left Myerscough, because I had ambitions of going to UWIC university, but the club have offered me an extension for twelve months, and I’ve accepted that now, so I’ll be at Sale until March next year. A lot of the lads the same age as me are going to be there until the same time, so the club have to decide whether they are going to offer me another contract, and I have to think about where my future goes from there.

So is your plan to stay at Preston next season then?

I couldn’t tell you, it depends on how Sale think I’m developing, if they feel it’s right for me, and if I think it feels right for me. We might agree that it is right for me, because I do get on with all the coaching staff and all the lads down there. I’m enjoying my time playing for Preston, but Sale might turn round and say ‘we want to push you a bit more’ so might take me to a higher level. I’m more than happy at Preston though, it’s a great place to play, the way they’ve boosted my profile and all that they do for me, I couldn’t appreciate it more.

Preston have had a decent season by their own standards have they not?

We’ve had some good results over the season, with players playing really well. Everyone has blips in a season but we’ve come into some good form and the lads work really hard down there.

And are the club aiming for a play-off spot perhaps?

We just have to see how the next couple of games go. With it being the back end of the season, injuries might take their toll, but we’ll see how it pans out because we’ve got a good squad. Even the second team are doing really well in their league, we’ve always got players pushing the first team lads for their spot so it’s a good sign for the future.

Finally, playing alongside a rugby legend like Sean Long, at a club like Preston Grasshoppers, is that all a bit surreal?

I remember as a youngster I used to watch rugby league more than union, and I actually had a season ticket at St Helens with my granddad, so we watched the home matches, and now playing alongside someone that I watched for years as a kid growing up is a bit of a surreal experience, but it’s the same sort of scenario as my first day at Sale. Training with the first team, that was unreal as well, having watched them from being young. I think it just becomes a friendship really, and it’s just like having any other friend eventually. It’s just a bit strange the first couple of times.

2011/12 Season Stats (as of 2 March 2012)

Appearances:

Sale - Amlin Cup 1 (1 x sub)

Preston  - 11

Scoring:

Preston – 6 tries

My Cumbrian Valentine's Date

A lunchtime call from the Sportsbeat press agency saw me travel up to Brunton Park, home of Carlisle United for their Valentine's Day fixture with Tranmere Rovers. My remit was to provide copy to the Liverpool Echo the next day.

Having only had the call during the day, I was still in lectures, so had 15 minutes at home after university had finished, before setting off at 5:30, through Preston rush hour traffic, up the M6 for the 90 mile journey.

I had never seen either side play before, so was a bit nervous about my work, as I was to provide 200 words at half-time, with a further 200 just before the final whistle, and another 200 words of quotes from Les Parry, the Tranmere boss.

Another unknown for me was Brunton Park - I had seen it numerous times from the M6, travelling south from Scotland, but was unsure whether it was easy enough to find once off the motorway, and whether I would have had a parking spot set aside for me.

Arriving at about 7:00, I had plenty of time to get settled, although the guy on the gate didn't have me down on his list, I was allowed to park anyway. A walk round the other side of the ground to the main entrance, and I collected my pass for the night, and made my way inside the main stand.

Now, when I've been to other grounds, there is a room that the press can sit in and have a coffee and a bite to eat, so it was with some surprise (a bit more than that to be honest!) that I was told that we were only allowed in the media room after the game, and to go straight up to the press box.

The box was well enough appointed, with its own light and power socket, although a little cramped. So, it was time to set up the laptop and get to grips with the teamsheet and programme.

Being unfamiliar with both sets of players, I had hoped to see Lee Miller (ex Aberdeen) but he was suspended for the night, having been sent off in Carlisle's last match.

Although there was no food available, Carlisle did have their own press helper, Jordan, who ran round with the brews, so that was something at least.

On to the match, and Tranmere surprised the home crowd, having the best of the possession and chances. Having lost their last seven away matches, and still to record a win in 2012, they were the underdogs at the start of the match, with Carlisle in the hunt for a play-off place.

A nil-nil draw was how it ended, and having sent my half-time copy without a hitch, just at the full-time whistle, my laptop slowed to a standstill, and I was left waiting for it to warm up, when perhaps what could have been the turning point happened, when Williams in the Tranmere goal made a point blank save from a header right on 90 minutes. The match report was available on the Liverpool Echo website the next morning.

I finally got that copy away after the whistle, before making my way downstairs to interview Les Parry. A quick chat in the dug-out, and I was able to plug the earphones in to my Olympus, and type furiously away in the media room while Carlisle boss Greg Abbot was giving his thoughts on the game to their local media. His quotes were also published the next day.

It was 10:30 by the time I had packed my bag, and started making my way round the ground to the car park, to be met by a padlocked gate! Panic was averted once I found the boardroom and a kind gent walked back round the ground with me, to unlock the gate, and wait while I retrieved my car from the field a half mile down the road. Thanks to Arthur - you are one of life's gentlemen.

By now, with a gap of ten hours between meals, it was time to hit the 24 hour Tesco on the outskirts of town, to wolf down a sandwich before the hour and a half drive home. Home for 12:30, I was thinking ahead already to my next assignment, the familiar surroundings of Park Lane, Whitefield, for the National League One rugby fixture on Saturday between Sedgley Park and Jersey.

Tigers looking for winning ways at Birmingham

After last Saturday's home defeat to Lancashire rivals Fylde, it's time for the Tigers to get back to winning ways again, as they travel to the Midlands to face up to bottom side, Birmingham Bees.

Having started the year on the front foot, with that amazing second half comeback at Coventry, the defeat to Fylde left head coach Richard Senior feeling that: "The score didn't reflect the game, and we did well to go in at half-time with two men down at 10-8"

With two yellow cards late on in the first half, Sedgley defended well, and stopped the visitors from scoring again until the second period, when the game opened out.

Number 8 Juan Crous scored his first try of the season to get the ball rolling, and his side will be hoping for more of the same, as his carrying over the gain line during the season to date has been fantastic, and is one of the big forward threats in a game that, given the wet weather that is predicted, will surely be dominated by the packs.

Coach Dave Peet gave his thoughts ahead of the game at Damson Park: "Birmingham are the in form team, with two wins so far this year, beating Wharfedale and Stourbridge. The Birmingham pack are dominant, and we know that our pack has got to front up tomorrow"

The Bees of course, have the ever-dangerous Mark Woodrow kicking from fly-half, after his contentious move from local rivals Stourbridge. He kicked six penalties last weekend in the win against his former club, and is the man who could cause problems for the Tigers.

Peet spoke about the penalties that the side have been giving away, and knows that they have to be careful in the breakdown: "We need to keep our discipline in our own half, not giving away penalties, as Woodrow kicked six from six last week, and scored a load more the week before"

The starting line-up shows one change from last Saturday, with Simon Parrott replacing brother Chris at fly-half, as he is attending the funeral of former Sale Sharks winger Selorm Kuadey.

Starting Sedgley Park line-up -

15 Richard Wainwright, 14 Michael Dutton, 13 Mark Jennings, 12 Matt Riley, Jamie Harrison, 10 Simon Parrott, 9 Will Runciman; 1 Dan Birchall, 2 Richard Oxley, 3 Nick Flynn, 4 James Lloyd, 5 Louis McGowan, 6 Henno Venter, 7 Dave Livesey, 8 Juan Crous
Replacements - Ben Black, Scott Wright, Adam Lewis, Greg Smith, Fergus Owens

Tigers hunt for revenge on Fylde

This Saturday sees Lancashire's two top sides lock horns once more at Park Lane, as Sedgley Park look to avenge their 43-10 thrashing in September.

The home side are on a high after their second half performance at Coventry, where they overturned a 14-0 half-time deficit to win by 24-14, while Fylde beat a determined Stourbridge side at the Woodlands by 31-21, after losing three players to yellow cards.

Fortunately for Fylde, two of those cards arrived with less than five minutes of the game remaining, and although they conceded a last minute try, they already had the game sewn up.

The Tigers had their own discipline problems to contend with, as prop Dan Birchall saw yellow five minutes into the second half, but while he was off the pitch, his team-mates pulled a try back through man of the match Matt Riley.

Sedgley are still without club captain Garth Dew, who suffered a knee injury before Christmas that will most likely see him out for the rest of the season. The armband has gone in his absence to Nick Flynn, who spoke about the second half comeback.

“For me it was what was said at half time in the dressing rooms that made the difference. There was no punching of walls or ‘hairdryer treatments” from Richard Senior.

“As a team we knew what we had done well and not so well and were just given the direction what to do to put that right.

“Credit where it is due, there was never an ounce of panic at half time or throughout the second half; we just needed that kick start to get us going. Danny Birchall going to the sin bin seemed to do the trick for us! Cheers Danny.”

That victory keeps the Tigers in mid table, with a 50% win rate, while their visitors from the coast lie in third place, having jumped ahead of Ealing after their win on Saturday.

The top of the table remains too close to call, with only four points separating the top four sides; Rosslyn Park and Jersey having overtaken early pacesetters Fylde and Ealing.

Among the top four, Fylde appear to be the poor relations, given the financial clout of the other three clubs.

But, their first season back at level three for a number of years has seen them upset the applecart, especially after their first five games, when with a 100% record, they led the pack.

It’s the January fixtures which Fylde need to make count, as the run-in to the season sees them host Ealing before their final game of the season at Jersey.

Sedgley Park on the other hand, face the big two next month; visiting Ealing before hosting Jersey. Shock results here would certainly upset the applecart.

Back to this Saturday, the pressure will be on Fylde to keep the momentum going, while the Tigers will be looking to get their home form back, after losing in a disappointing performance to Macclesfield in their last home match of 2011.