Rugby: Summer tours are back on the right track at last

Ignore the logistics for a minute and imagine if the Lions toured the southern hemisphere every year, playing one Test annually against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Now traditional tours by individual countries are thankfully back on the global agenda. From 2012, the leading countries in Europe will play proper three-Test series against the SANZAR giants, plus Argentina, while also returning to the Pacific Islands and even Japan.

In the case of sporting conflict, familiarity so often breeds tedium, which is exactly why pleas for Lions tours to become more frequent have been rightly ignored. Scarcity is part of the appeal.

England will get the ball rolling with a series in South Africa and it will have the feel of a Lions expedition.

A series also gives time for sub-plots and dramas and conflicts to emerge and evolve.

Reviving proper tours in June may be a nod to nostalgia, but the move is founded on commercial imperatives, too, as crowds and revenues are down for these June matches, which are too often one-sided.

With midweek games thrown in it allows fringe players to stay involved and the whole exercise will hold a greater sense of resonance and purpose.

In Europe, attendances and bank balances are well catered for during the November Test window, but proper series would be an improvement then, too.

On the flip-side, when a true contest materialises, as was the case last summer when France won a Test in Dunedin and New Zealand hit back in Wellington, 1-1 is not a satisfactory conclusion. It was crying out for a decider.

This is where the familiarity argument kicks in. Back in the day, a visit by the All Blacks was a major event, but now that mystique and air of expectation has been somewhat eroded by regularity. They have come to Twickenham during the last four years of autumn internationals.

A real series would carry more weight than the endless round of one-off Tests. England could play the likes of Fiji or Samoa at the start of November, followed by a three-Test series against New Zealand, Australia, South Africa or Argentina.

In the interests of expansion, the RFU could take one match each year to the provinces - to Old Trafford, Villa Park or St James’ Park.

The public don’t moan about repetition during an Ashes series, which comes to these shores once every four years.

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Rugby: Olly Barkley tells England team mates: 'We must behave'

Olly Barkley last night backed Martin Johnson's demand that the England rugby squad behave themselves on tour next month.

Johnson wasted no time yesterday in issuing a stark warning of the "pitfalls" which potentially lie await for them off the field on a five-match mission to Australia and New Zealand.

It will be England's first trip Down Under since the 2008 tour to New Zealand when allegations of serious sexual assault were made against four of the squad.

"In the world we live in there are pitfalls, some can be put there deliberately, some are just the pitfalls that young guys face when they're out and about in big cities

"We'll be together for three and a half weeks in hostile territory, staying in different hotels and city centre locations," he said. "There will be distractions and potential areas to get embroiled in so we'll need to be smart and look after each other.

No formal complaint was made in 2008 against the so-called Auckland Four of Danny Care, David Strettle, Topsy Ojo and Mike Brown, whom NZ police sought to interview over claims made by an 18-year-old woman.

"I don't think they will be targets but this is the world we live in. People have cameras on their phones these days."

But Barkley acknowledges that the whole episode was a wake-up call and that it is vital no-one invites embarrassment onto the tour this time.

Indeed, an RFU inquiry found no evidence of any such incident having taken place - though it did adjudge Ojo and Brown guilty of misconduct for staying out all night.

"The management and the players are confident we will all adhere to that.

"We've put the 2008 issue behind us and there's now a code of conduct in place," said a player who has had his own off-field problems in the past.

The difference between this one and the last is that Johnson will be with it every step of the way. In 2008 he stayed home to await the birth of his second child and in his absence chaos ensued.

"The big thing is if you don't you compromise not only the squad but the individuals involved as well. That's the last thing anyone wants to do to a tour that we're all so positive about."

At Twickenham yesterday he left nobody in any doubt that he will be on top of matters in Perth and in Sydney and across the Tasman Sea in Napier.

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Rugby: England tour payments agreed

The Rugby Football Union and Team England Rugby have settled a players' payment dispute ahead of the upcoming tour to Australia and New Zealand.

An independent third party was called in to settle the dispute and the RFU and TER have accepted their recommendations ahead of the opening clash against the Barbarians in Perth on June 8.

Martin Johnson's men face two friendlies with Australia Barbarians and two Tests against Australia before making a trip to take on New Zealand Maori in Napier in June, but the tour looked in doubt after the two groups failed to find some common ground over payments for the 44-man squad.

However, the finer details of the players' payments will not be made known to the public.

A basic tour fee of £7,800 was thought to have been offered with an extra £5,000 on offer for every man that made Johnson's squad of 22 for the two Tests against Australia with the other half of his squad receiving no extra incentives.

"Both sides met today with the independent third party appointed to review the situation, and accepted their recommendations.

A joint statement made by the RFU and TER read: "The Rugby Football Union and Team England Rugby are pleased to announce that they have resolved all the outstanding issues over tour payments for the elite player squad for the tour to Australia and New Zealand.

"The details of the final resolution remain confidential and will not be disclosed by either party."

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Rugby: Brian Moore: calm down England it's only the phoney war - real hysteria is coming

It is England's football fans who need to keep their nerve not Fabio Capello and his players. From now until England either win or get knocked out of the World Cup there will be little else in the media.

You may have forgotten, or at least tried to, that the coverage will be all-encompassing and that it has a marked effect on the English psyche.

The mass hysteria that is on the way is not one in which people lose all semblance of will; it is more unusual than that. What is created is a compulsion to comment and most of the multitude of comment will be notable only because of its stupidity. Armchair professionals and would-be/could-have-been international sportsmen will opine sagely on any and all facets of English football.

There will be a divided nation; all wanting England to win and approaching each minute piece of news with solemn consideration yet reacting in different ways.

On the one hand you will have the know-all-know-nothings. Pessimists at heart they will become most expert on the topic on which they are least qualified to comment. Indolent lard-arses will criticise players' fitness levels; some with the tactical nous of a radish will berate Capello for his use of one system over another; with the miracle of hindsight many more will tell you they knew it all along.

On the other side of the national divide will be those who approach their support as a faith. As is the way with zealots they will be less entertaining but messianic in their proclamations for "Ingerland". As a mantra they will urge, if not demand that we "get behind the lads" whatever the results or level of performance. They will laud quite ordinary players as "world-clarse" and display wilful ignorance concerning anything that might suggest England are not the best team in the world – oh, and by the way, anyone not in agreement is a traitor.

For players it is impossible to shake out the knowledge that this is not the real deal and though they may say that 100 per cent attention is given, they will have reserved some part of their thoughts for South Africa. There is nothing wrong with this and nothing Capello can do anyway. The only thing you can hope for is that none of the players gets injured.

So for the media and public let's stamp down the surges of passion and keep it for when it really counts because as certain as all the above is, there will be incidents that rightly provoke our indignation.

It is when this clamour is reaching its height that Capello and his squad need to excuse themselves, at least mentally, from the scene. It is very difficult to enforce a ban on accessing the news, given the number of platforms on which it is available and unless a player is very strong-willed widespread criticism will affect him, even if he believes this not to be the case. Praise is not without its possible pitfalls; self-belief is welcome, indeed necessary, but self-importance is too often the reaction to preternatural adulation.

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Autumn Internationals 2010: Wayne Rooney's energy gives England edge, says Francois Pienaar

Francois Pienaar skippered South Africa’s rugby union side to global glory and he reckons the “infectious enthusiasm” of Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi could give their countries the edge when football’s World Cup takes place in his homeland.

“I think you have to look at the usual suspects and see what effects the likes of Messi or Wayne Rooney can have,” Pienaar said.

For players it is impossible to shake out the knowledge that this is not the real deal and though they may say that 100 per cent attention is given, they will have reserved some part of their thoughts for South Africa. There is nothing wrong with this and nothing Capello can do anyway. The only thing you can hope for is that none of the players gets injured.

“A successful team needs to have players on the pitch who can sense the moment and feed off one another.

“Individuals like Messi and Rooney just sort of inject enthusiasm. They have that can-do mentality and winning spirit and when you have that in your team it is infectious.

“I think that Brazil are looking very good and playing some very sexy football. But who knows? When France won it no one gave them a chance.

“I think that England will be really strong, the Germans are always there. Then there is Spain, Italy, Argentina – if the rest of the team can back up Lionel Messi.”

Pienaar inspired South Africa to World Cup success as they overcame the odds and that is something his compatriots in the Bafana Bafana team will have to repeat just to maintain their interest in the tournament beyond the group stage.

“We were a very good team, not favourites certainly, but it was a very special team and had the knock-out punch which we delivered when it mattered,” Pienaar added.

“Bafana Bafana have not had the build-up to their tournament that we had but if the team gels, trains hard and has resolve and the obsession to detail that I always say you need then they have a shot.

“If Bafana Bafana reaches the knock-out stage, as we all hope they do it will be just like 1995 or 1996 when I went with the whole team to the stadium in Soweto to see South Africa win the Africa Cup of Nations.”

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Rugby: Force back row to provide Wallaby backbone

The Western Force back row will feature prominently in the upcoming test arena with Matt Hodgson, David Pocock and Richard Brown all selected in the Wallabies squad announced today.

The trio was a force to be reckoned with in the later part of the Super 14 season following the return of Pocock and Brown from injury, and could carry the responsibility for Australia against the likes of England, New Zealand and South Africa.

The selection of Hodgson is great reward for his stellar 2010 campaign. The versatile forward was a man mountain in the back row and the only player at the club to start and finish every game.

"It's one of your biggest highs playing for Australia and then getting injured and missing out was hard, it sort of drove me this year to put my hand up again and make selection and get that test cap that I want," Hodgson said.

"Robbie gave me a call yesterday morning, so it was good to pick up that unknown number. It is good to get that call early.

"He just sort of congratulated me on such a good performance in the Super 14 at the start of the year, and said just to continue working and keep aiming for that jersey that I want to get."

For Brown and Pocock the recent Super 14 presented challenges in other forms as injuries to both players in round one forced them to watch from the sidelines for half a season.

But true to form the pair returned ready for action and made a telling contribution to a positive second half of the year for the Western Force and are keen to add to their test caps.

"I'm a little relieved to make the squad after only playing half a season so I'm pretty excited," said Brown.

"I was always hopeful but I was just happy to come back in the second half of the season regardless of whether I made the Wallabies.

Other Western Force players selected for Wallabies duties include prop Pek Cowan, lock Nathan Sharpe, the most experienced player selected in the 30-man Australian squad, and full-back James O'Connor, the youngest member of the 2010 class.

With 79 tests to his name already Sharpe will provide the leadership and experience to a young squad, something he has done with distinction throughout his career and again this season at the Force.

"Sharpie doesn't talk a lot about how his performance is but that probably sums the guy up, he's had probably one of his best seasons in his time in Super Rugby and the way he's led us through the year has been instrumental for a lot of blokes," said Hodgson.

"I know it made me keep going at the start of the year when we were up against a brick wall. He's a good bloke and his form has been great this year.

"He is probably the best Captain I've ever had. The way he leads us on the field is the same as off the field. He's got that good combination with all the blokes from the older guys to the younger guys, everyone respects him."

Tough forward Ben McCalman has been acknowledged for his excellent debut Super Rugby season with inclusion in the 10-man Australian Barbarians squad that will train alongside the Wallabies and play two midweek matches against England next month.

Winger Nick Cummins is also part of that squad and will be hoping to impress after picking-up an injury on the opening day of last year's Wallabies training camp.

"I'm really happy for Ben to get his chance I think it's well deserved, especially in his first year, it's just a huge effort," Brown said.

"For Nick, people know he's a talent and he is a colourful character too, so it should be good to have him along. He has done well to come back from his injuries and I think we all know what it takes to come back after a few setbacks."

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Brendan Venter keen to face RFU disciplinary hearing

Saracens director of rugby Brendan Venter said that he was "looking forward" to his Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing, when he will face a charge of conduct prejudicial to the interests of the game.

The charge relates to remarks made by Venter during a press conference after Saracens' defeat by Leicester at Vicarage Road on Jan 2, when he criticised the performance of referee David Rose and general standards of officiating in England.

The former Springbok claimed that "something had happened" to influence Rose during the interval, which Venter believed resulted in a swing in the penalty count from 9-3 to Saracens in the first half to 10-4 in Leicester's favour after the break.

If found guilty, Venter, who has been instrumental in guiding Saracens to the top of the Premiership since arriving at the club at the end of last season, could face a one-month touchline ban.

Venter, however, said last night that he was keen to have a "conversation" with the RFU at the hearing to address his concerns about refereeing standards.

Asked if he had any regrets about his comments, he said: "What I am pleased about is that I was able to voice an opinion about a subject that is extremely important to me without being rude or abusive about the performance of David Rose."

Former All Blacks prop Clarke Dermody has given London Irish a welcome boost ahead of their crucial Heineken Cup match against champions Leinster at Twickenham on Saturday by agreeing a new two-year deal.

Northampton have signed former Wales prop Darren Morris until the end of the season as a replacement for Argentine front-row forward Santiago Bonorino, who has had to retire because of a back problem.

Gloucester flanker Akapusi Qera has signed a new two-year contract with the Kingsholm club. The Gloucester trio of fly-half Freddie Burns, wing Charlie Sharples and centre Henry Trinder have all signed two-year contract extensions with the club, securing their futures at Kingsholm until at least 2012.


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Steve Borthwick is not playing as England captain

The 32-man party contains two uncapped newcomers in Bath's new Zealand-born centre, Shontayne Hape, and Northampton wing Chris Ashton.

The England manager wants players competing for every land in the Six Nations body to face Wales at Twickenham on Feb 6, consequently the gauntlet thrown down to Borthwick.


Although well-qualified is every chance that the maligned Saracens conjoin will lead England by oneself the tunnel domination the landmark centenary fixture at Twickenham, the alternative of a change of leader at some iota has been domiciliate into the mix.

"We'll name our captain as we get closer to the tournament," spoken Johnson, who has chosen Borthwick in all 14 Tests since which he has been weight charge.

"Steve has done a great job. Everyone is competing because places predominance the team. That's the way it has to be. besides that's the gate Steve would want undoubted to be."

The markedly likely scenario is that Johnson will start Borthwick after Simon Shaw magnetism the second row. The England manager has always scrupulous to demystify the role of captain, believing that a good span needs leaders all in that the field.

There may come a point, though, when he wants to span Shaw with the up-and-coming Northampton lock, Courtney Lawes, if only late on in the match.

Johnson could turn to back-row forwards Lewis dispirited or Nick Easter to slot into the captain's role, or perhaps Jonny Wilkinson. Whatever unfolds, Johnson consign not see it as a particularly big deal.

Borthwick has always been high in high regard by Johnson, due to his steadfastness further stoicism in what swear by been turbulent, strenuous times for England.

The selection of Hape increases the number of New Zealanders in the aggregation to three. Hooker Dylan Hartley hails from Rotorua, although he on edge to England pull his teens, while Brive core Riki Flutey is a Maori.

Johnson was not fazed by suggestions that England might be mimicking the at ease cricket side and their opinion seeing South African-born players.

"It's about what you do when you're access there, it's about what you show to the group, how you handle yourself, how you hold down besides the commitment you show," vocal Johnson, who has spoken to Hape, who qualifies being residence, about the issue.

"Riki is one of the crowing characters dominion the string prominence that touch. No onliest has ever doubted the obligation of [South African-born] Mike Catt to the cause."

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England rugby team for Six Nations Champion ship

England's 32-man squad for Six Nations Championship:

Forwards: S Armitage (London Irish), S Borthwick (Saracens), J Crane (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), L Deacon (Leicester), N Easter (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Stade Francais), C Lawes (Northampton), L Mears (Bath), L Moody (Leicester), T Payne (Wasps), S Shaw (Wasps), A Sheridan (Sale Sharks), S Thompson (CA Brive), J White (Leicester), D Wilson (Bath).
Backs: D Armitage (London Irish), C Ashton (Northampton), M Banahan (Bath), D Care (Harlequins), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), H Ellis (Leicester), T Flood (Leicester), B Foden (Northampton), R Flutey (CA Brive), S Hape (Bath), D Hipkiss (Leicester), P Hodgson (London Irish), U Monye (Harlequins), M Tait (Sale Sharks), J Wilkinson (Toulon).

England Saxons squad:

Forwards: D Attwood (Gloucester), D Bell (Bath), G Chuter (Leicester), D Cole (Leicester), A Corbisiero (London Irish), P Dowson (Northampton), B Kay (Leicester), N Kennedy (London Irish), M Mullan (Worcester), D Paice (London Irish), T Rees (Wasps), C Robshaw (Harlequins), A Saull (Saracens), G Skivington (Wasps), D Ward-Smith (Wasps), R Webber (Wasps), N Wood (Gloucester), B Woods (Leicester)
Backs: B Barritt (Saracens), D Cipriani (Wasps), S Geraghty (Northampton), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), S Myler (Northampton), O Morgan (Gloucester), P Sackey (Wasps), J Simpson (Wasps), D Strettle (Harlequins), D Waldouck (Wasps), R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks), M Young (Newcastle).

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watch Six Nations England matches in 3D in Cinemas

We know that Sony and Fifa lap up teamed up to bring us some of the World Cup matches clout 3D come June, but much sooner than that we’ll symbolize able to command England in the Six Nations rugby tournament monopoly an extra dimension owing to well.

Granted, this won’t act for since our own TVs – you’ll have to get yourself to one of 40 Odeon and Cineworld cinemas that will sell for display the action on their screens, again further pick unfolding your tickets in advance.

There bequeath be two games shown – the number one will be the England v Wales game on 6 February, also the second will act for the England v. Ireland game on 27 February.

If you fancy this, and you’re an O2 customer, you’re monopoly luck – you can get your mitts on tickets early. smartly words 3D to 2010 from your O2 phone from 25 January to lock on yours.

Don’t cowardice if not though, tickets cede venture on full sale from 29 January priced at £12.50 in that adults and £10 for under 14s.

Let us discern if you’ll produce paying the cash for an extra dimension under.

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Ashton: Time for all the excuses at the breakdown to end

Former England boss Brian Ashton has called on coaches to stop using the breakdown as an excuse for the turgid rugby being produced this autumn and start trusting their players to produce the goods.

The home nations could only muster two tries in seven matches against Tri-Nations opposition over the autumn series, while the try-count in the Guinness Premiership is also down on last year; leading to a raft of coaches blaming the tackle area for the lack of excitement.

The RFU's hopes of revising the regulations governing the tackle area were dashed when the IRB promised only a review rather than law changes ahead of the 2011 World Cup last Tuesday.

But former England coach Ashton, who is known as one of the game's sharpest thinkers, believes it is time people start taking responsibility for the entertainment standards rather than pointing the finger of blame at the lawmakers.

He said: "Australia and New Zealand showed it is still possible to play attractive rugby despite the so-called prohibitive laws of the game.

"It is a strange one to be honest, because you had two international games at the end of the autumn where the All Blacks and Australia scored nine tries as the away side.

"That shows there is nothing much wrong with the laws. You have some people who are finding ways to adapt and others who are hiding behind the issue.

"There is this negative mindset that has invaded countries in terms of the tackle area.

"There seems to be a fear element at the breakdown whether that is fear of losing the game, losing points or losing possession.

"The breakdown is the most contentious area in rugby and it is always going to be unless you make it like rugby league. Instead of moaning about it, they just need the right mindset and the right level of intelligence.

"For example the Currie Cup final was a terrific game of rugby played under exactly the same laws that we have in the north but you would not have thought that from watching the game. It comes down to how the coaches and players interpret the laws and the need to be brave."

At the heart of both Australia and New Zealand's attacking play have been fly-halves Matt Giteau and Dan Carter.

And Ashton believes it is no coincidence that they are trusted by their coaches to call the shots on the pitch according to what they see in front of them.

In stark contrast, the northern hemisphere's creative players seemed enveloped by a tactical straightjacket illustrated by England's insistence on sending on coaches to advice players during 'water breaks'.

"I think the two outstanding players have been Matt Giteau and Dan Carter and both those players rely on their game intelligence rather than playing rugby by numbers," added Ashton.

"I did some work with Graham Henry at a coaching seminar last February and I asked him what is it that gives Carter that special quality?

"Graham simply said he is my coach on the field. That is a very brave decision by a coach when you say to a player this is how we want you to play but when you are out there play it how you see it.

"You can't control the game from the stands: players are the ones that play the game and they are the only ones that set foot on the field.

"I would regard it as a complete insult if you had players constantly being bombarded by instructions once they are playing - they need to be left to figure things out themselves."

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Halfpenny eyes Six Nations redemption.

Winger Leigh Halfpenny says the burning disappointment of their November international results can spur Wales to Six Nations glory.

Warren Gatland's men end 2009 on a low note after conceding four tries to Australia in their 33-12 defeat at the Millennium Stadium, where the All Blacks also triumphed in the autumn.

But despite critics accusing Wales of going backwards over the last 12 months, Halfpenny maintains they have made progress under Gatland.

He said: "Wales are going in the right direction and we're moving towards being up there with the top three teams in the world.

"We were very disappointed with our performance against Australia in the last game. We felt as though we pushed New Zealand all the way and we were disappointed that we didn't nail that game.

"The fact we felt we could have got a victory and to be saying that means we are moving in the right direction.

"After the Australia game Warren and Shaun Edwards told us that they never want to feel the same disappointment again.

"It's really exciting at the moment and I'm really looking forward to the Six Nations coming up. We will be going all out to regain that title from Ireland."

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Biggar kicks Ospreys to victory (Six Nations 2010)

Dan Biggar out-kicked Ronan O'Gara as the Ospreys enjoyed a famous 19-14 Magners League victory over a strong Munster outfit at the Liberty Stadium.

O'Gara, standing in as skipper for the injured Paul O'Connell, missed four penalties while his 20-year-old opposite number scored 14 of his side's points.

In steady rain it was sweet revenge for the Ospreys who had conceded more than 100 points to Munster in three defeats last season, and the win ended a four-match losing streak.

Munster were forced into a late and significant change to their line-up when O'Connell pulled out with a calf strain.

The Ospreys were also without their captain Ryan Jones, who had not recovered from the back problem which ruled him out of Wales' defeat to Australia.

O'Gara missed two early shots at goal but Munster were awarded a penalty try from a scrum much and O'Gara converted in front of the posts on 13 minutes.

The Ospreys, with their first concerted attack, got on the scoreboard with a Biggar penalty from in front of the posts.

But two minutes later they lost Alun Wyn Jones to the sin bin for a professional foul, although O'Gara could not convert the penalty.

Biggar also saw a long-range effort rebound off the crossbar before he kicked a 38th-minute penalty to get the Ospreys within a point, to make it 7-6 at the interval.

The Ospreys made a dramatic start to the second half when Tommy Bowe went in at the right corner for a converted try after good work from Gareth Owen and Biggar.

And their second attack of the half saw them have a chance to go further ahead after Munster hooker John Fogarty was sin-binned for a professional foul, but Biggar was wide with his penalty shot.

The Ospreys thought they had scored a second try but Paul James lost the ball over the line. However, they made do with a 57th-minute Biggar drop-goal as they extended their lead to 16-7.

Fortune was certainly the Ospreys as they watched O'Gara miss his fourth penalty attempt after 60 minutes.

Biggar then planted his third penalty from the halfway line as the home lead went to 12 before Munster number eight James Coughlin was yellow-carded for kicking the ball away.

Munster kept scrapping and replacement Nick Williams claimed an injury-time try.

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Wales actions for Six Nations 2010

Jamie Roberts has been given a chance to avenge Wales' defeat by New Zealand last month after being selected at inside centre by the Barbarians.

The Baa-Baas face the All Blacks, who prevailed 19-12 at the Millennium Stadium, at Twickenham on Saturday in their now traditional end of autumn fixture.

British & Irish Lions star Roberts is picked alongside fellow Welsh internationals Andy Powell and Leigh Halfpenny, who feature among the replacements.

Springbok lock Victor Matfield will captain a side containing 925 caps, heading a seven-strong South African contingent that includes the uncapped WP Nel.

Bryan Habana starts on the left wing while All Black Joe Rokocoko has been handed the number 14 jersey against his national team-mates.

Australia supply four players to the starting line-up, including skipper Rocky Elsom and fly-half Matt Giteau.

Barbarians coach Nick Mallett said: "We have the benefit of a full week together ahead of the match.

"Knowing the talent that has been assembled among the 22 players, we expect to be very competitive and give the All Blacks and the Twickenham crowd a real taste of Barbarian rugby at its best."

Barbarians: D Mitchell (Australia); J Rokocoko (New Zealand), J Fourie (South Africa), J Roberts (Wales), B Habana (South Africa); M Giteau (Australia), F du Preez (South Africa); S Perugini (Italy), B du Plessis (South Africa), W P Nel (uncapped), C del Fava (Italy), V Matfield (South Africa, captain), R Elsom (Australia), S Burger (South Africa), G Smith (Australia).

Replacements: S Moore (Australia), T Mtawarira (South Africa), Q Geldenhuys (Italy), A Powell (Wales), W Genia (Australia), M Steyn (South Africa), L Halfpenny (Wales).

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Six Nation Hospitality

AFTER their disappointing showing in the IRB Sevens World Series in Dubai last weekend, the Springbok Sevens will bank on the home crowd to inspire them in the second round of the showpiece this weekend.

Off the back of an exhilarating and somewhat exhausting Autumn series, Rugby Unions international focus is now shifting firmly to next years RBS Six Nations. Off the back of their hard fought 15-10 win over the reigning world champions, Ireland will be more confident than ever of retaining their title and winning their third grand slam. RBS Six Nations Hospitality for all of the fixtures in this years hotly anticipated competition are currently on sale at corporatehospitalitygroup.

The Springboks, who are the defending champions, surprisingly bowed out of the tournament before the quarterfinals in Dubai.

Coach Paul Treu believes they have an excellent opportunity to make up for last weekend’s disappointing showing and lift the trophy.

He said the presence of the passionate home crowd will also inspire the players to give their best shot.

“The supporters were really fantastic last year and I am expecting the same.

“Any team will tell you that nothing beats the feeling of playing in front of your own crowd,” the SA coach said.

He further said the Dubai failure will not compel him to change his approach or his team’s tactics.
The experienced Marius Schoeman is back in action after recovering from a calf injury.
Scotland will take on France at 3:00pm, wales at 2:00pm and Italy at 2:30pm.

Other games:
Scotland V France, Wales V Scotland, France V Irland, Wales V France, Italy V Scotland, Irland V Wales, France V Italy, Wales V Italy.

Corporatehospitalitygroup has provide the hospitality of these games

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Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


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Ireland's Magners League stars beaten almost all comers in 2009 but they will soon be tasting a new international challenge in 2010.

The reigning Grand Slam Champions will face the Barbarians at Munster's Thomond Park on the evening of Friday, June 4 in what will be the first encounter between the two sides in more than a decade.

An Ireland squad that saw just one non-Magners League player earn game time during the current calendar year will finish 2009 as the world's fourth-ranked side following victories over Wales and France.

Next on the agenda is the forthcoming Six Nations rugby after which a mouth-watering clash with the Barbarians has been confirmed as part of the preparations for the summer tour of the southern hemisphere.

This promises to be a truly memorable occasion as both the IRFU and Munster welcome the Barbarians once more to Ireland," said Irish Rugby Football Union president John Callaghan.

The much celebrated Barbarians' brand of rugby will surely bring an entertaining game to Thomond Park and one which I am sure Ireland rugby fans will looking forward to seeing."

Those sentiments were echoed by Thomond Park's stadium director John Cantwell, who admitted he is thrilled to continue to bring international rugby to the home of the Magners League Champions.

Off the back of an exhilarating and somewhat exhausting Autumn series, Rugby Unions international focus is now shifting firmly to next years RBS Six Nations. Off the back of their hard fought 15-10 win over the reigning world champions, Ireland will be more confident than ever of retaining their title and winning their third grand slam. RBS Six Nations Hospitality for all of the fixtures in this years hotly anticipated competition are currently on sale at corporatehospitalitygroup.

Please visit www.corporatehospitalitygroup.com for more information

This event will also deliver significant economic benefits to local businesses and provide a substantial level of positive media exposure that will help to promote the region as a tourist destination."

The fixture will be just the third time the two sides have met in Ireland, with the hosts yet to record a victory.

Ireland were comfortably beaten 70-38 in Dublin in 1996 before putting up a far braver fight in a 31-30 reverse in the same city four years later.

The Babaas themselves have appeared in Ireland on a total of seven occasions, winning six times and losing just once.

As well as the brace of victories over the Irish national side, the Babaas have beaten South Africa, Cork Constitution, Wanderers and an Ulster Invitation XV, with their only loss coming against Old Wesley in 1991.

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.

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November ends with a sparkle but not for England or Scotland

While six countries showed that anything is still possible in rugby union, England just kept on looking for someone else to blame

I think that's the point: that the outcrop of entertainment involved six countries. France V Wales may have been soundly put in their place by the All Blacks and the Wallabies, but at least they showed every intention of being positive.

South Africa lost, but their assault on the Irish line at the end was the essence of the Croke Park drama. The game had come steeped in acid, as niggle between the two camps dominated the build-up, but in the end it stayed well within the bounds of acceptable, with Brian O'Driscoll's last-ditch tackle on Zane Kirchner the final stamp of approval.

As he had been against Australia, the extraordinary O'Driscoll was quiet against the Springboks, only to make a decisive contribution at the very end. It says much for his staying power and levels of concentration that he was able to strike twice at such a late stage.

I like to take people on and run from my own line and, if England do not agree with that style of rugby, I am not their man." England may not be playing well, but their two home matches in next year's Six Nations hospitalityare already sell-outs and all the hospitality for the first game, against Wales in February, have been taken. Australia and New Zealand are not so fortunate commercially and they will express their concerns about the stagnancy of the game on the field at this weekend's gathering of the International Rugby Board's general assembly in Dublin, followed by a meeting of the council.

Scotland V France was an altogether different exercise, a reminder that if defence is allowed to be the more dominant force rugby union comes second only to waterboarding as a torture of choice. November went out with a sparkle, but there was a sombre note of warning struck at Murrayfield.

England's captain, Steve Borthwick, their coach, John Wells, and their manager, Martin Johnson, may be riotous company in private, but before Andrew blames global currents for the chill over England, perhaps he should check the pulse of his own employees

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


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Inverness the venue for opener in Six Nation

Scotland team will open their Six Nations rugby campaign in Inverness.

The match Scotland V France will take place at Murrayfield Edinburgh on Sun, Feb 07, 2010

at 15:00, in keeping with the initiative launched by the Scottish Rugby Union last season, admission will be free for all.

interest to the tie is the prospect of seeing Caithness scrum-half Kris Hamilton swap his club's green and yellow for the blue of Scotland, following his selection in the initial age-grade squad.



Speaking from yesterday's announcement at the stadium, Hamilton said: "Given that Wick is 110 miles north of Inverness, the match presents the best opportunity for my friends, family and all rugby supporters in the north to come and watch a rugby side represent Scotland.

I expect we'll get big vocal crowd who'll get right behind the team in this crucial opening match in the Six Nations rugby campaign."

The Caithness coach, Colin Sangster, relished the prospect of seeing Hamilton making the step up. He said: "Kris could well make the final cut. If this happened then there would not be enough buses in Caithness to ferry everyone to Inverness who would want to see the game. With the game being so close it would definitely be a big draw to players and supporters who would really appreciate having a quality international match within the region.



"For younger players who are aspiring to play at the highest level that they can, it would show them first hand the standard that they will have to attain in order to pull on the dark blue jersey themselves one day."

Following Scotland's 41-0 win over Canada at Pittodrie in Aberdeen last season, the city and towns of the Highlands are gearing up for their first international since Scotland Under-21s took on Wales in 2003.

Off the back of an exhilarating and somewhat exhausting Autumn series, Rugby Unions international focus is now shifting firmly to next years RBS Six Nations. Off the back of their hard fought 15-10 win over the reigning world champions, Ireland will be more confident than ever of retaining their title and winning their third grand slam. RBS Six Nations Hospitality for all of the fixtures in this years hotly anticipated competition are currently on sale at corporatehospitalitygroup.

Please visit www.corporatehospitalitygroup.com for more information

Darren Mackintosh, the commercial manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC, added: "We're delighted to carry on the rugby connection by staging the Scotland-France Under-20 match featuring players who could soon be household names.

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

Nothing friendly about this huge clash

There is so much riding on the results of the Republic of Ireland's World Cup play-offs with France tonight and next Wednesday, that is hard to justify the importance of the Irish rugby team's 'friendly' clash with Australia at Croke Park tomorrow.
Once Ireland are not involved in a Six Nations rugby or World Cup encounter people struggle to see how the result matters.
It does matter, hugely, and the evidence will be in the intensity of both sides in what is shaping up to be a fascinating battle.


Under Kidney, Ireland have a superb record of nine wins from 10 matches, what they don't have is a victory over one of the Southern Hemisphere's big three.

There is now the fascinating prospect of the Irish looking to expand their game-plan beyond the structured approach that landed the Grand Slam last spring.

They have the weaponry in the backline. Stung by a Lions experience that did not do his form or talents justice, Luke Fitzgerald looks ravenous this season and forms a quality back three with Rob Kearney and Tommy Bowe.

Off the back of an exhilarating and somewhat exhausting Autumn series, Rugby Unions international focus is now shifting firmly to next years RBS Six Nations. Off the back of their hard fought 15-10 win over the reigning world champions, Ireland will be more confident than ever of retaining their title and winning their third grand slam. RBS Six Nations Hospitality for all of the fixtures in this years hotly anticipated competition are currently on sale at corporatehospitalitygroup.

The back-row contest promises to be one of the highlights. The Irish trio need to pressure Matt Giteau's breaking abilities at 10 and limit the turnover-winning capacity David Pocock.

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality

Wales' Adam Jones and Ian Evans eye Ospreys Euro return

That would give Jones almost two months to prepare for Wales' Six Nations opener against Scotland at Millennium Stadium Cardiff after recovering from shoulder surgery.

Wales V Scotland Hospitality is available on Sat Feb 13, 2010 at 14:00

He said: "I've done the first bit of contact and it wasn't too bad."

But James is a loose-head specialist who was praised for his tenacity during the November Tests even if Wales' scrum was often fragile.

Jones returned to full training on Monday and on Tuesday morning expected to take part in his first scrummaging session - albeit against a machine - since being given the all-clear.

Jones said: "Two weeks now, hopefully, touch wood and back playing. I've done the first bit of contact and it wasn't too bad.

I like to take people on and run from my own line and, if England do not agree with that style of rugby, I am not their man." England may not be playing well, but their two home matches in next year's Six Nations hospitality are already sell-outs and all the hospitality for the first game, against Wales in February, have been taken. Australia and New Zealand are not so fortunate commercially and they will express their concerns about the stagnancy of the game on the field at this weekend's gathering of the International Rugby Board's general assembly in Dublin, followed by a meeting of the council.

"Training was pretty good. Obviously I'll have to step up the scrummaging and tackling, but it feels pretty good so far, so touch wood it's going to go alright."

Jones won plaudits for his performances with the Lions. He was overlooked for the first Test defeat in which England's Phil Vickery suffered at the hands of Tendai Mtawarira, nicknamed The Beast.

The Wales prop came out on top in the scrums in the second Test, but his tour ended in the second-half of another defeat after an incident that led to Springbok lock Bakkies Botha being cited and banned for two weeks.

Jones signed a new three-year Ospreys deal last month and has set his sights on returning to the Test arena with Wales and helping the star-studded Ospreys fulfil their potential.

He said: "I've just signed for three years so I just obviously want to get back in the Wales squad, have a good Six Nations, get us to qualify for Europe and win as many games as we can.

Off the back of an exhilarating and somewhat exhausting Autumn series, Rugby Unions international focus is now shifting firmly to next years RBS Six Nations. Off the back of their hard fought 15-10 win over the reigning world champions, Ireland will be more confident than ever of retaining their title and winning their third grand slam. RBS Six Nations Hospitality for all of the fixtures in this years hotly anticipated competition are currently on sale at corporatehospitalitygroup.

"Obviously I want to play in the 2011 World Cup, but nothing too far ahead yet, just get back to form, really."

Second-row Evans could also come into Wales contention if he can get some rugby under his belt.

He suffered a chest injury in October, just weeks into his comeback after 10 months out with a knee injury.

Rugby Hospitality: For this match sports hospitality is available form corporate hospitality group. Corporate hospitality introduce a variety of Corporate hospitality Packages. They provide 100% security and privacy to customer Information. You can reserve your rugby hospitality with confidance and with fear.


For upcoming sports information please visit Corporate Hospitality Events

Book your Six Nations Hospitality Six Nations Hospitality