The News Review:
- BBC Sport | Sport Homepage | Rugby Union | My Club | Northampton |…
- Ireland rugby squad to tour Argentina announced
- Police appeal on rugby ‘assault’
- Tredegar rugby girls’ fancy footwork
BBC Sport | Sport Homepage | Rugby Union | My Club | Northampton |…
BBC News – Apr 30, 2007
How did it come to this?How can one of the best-supported clubs in the land with a spanking new stadium and a sprinkling of international stars be slumming it next season with the Moseleys Newburys and Sedgley Parks?If it can happen to Saints one of the relative success stories of the professional age in England and Heineken Cup winners seven years ago surely it can happen to anyone?With Quins the sneers concerned a club that attracted big-name players but rarely raised a gallop in the league their success restricted to the one-off nature of Cup competitions. Northampton after returning to the top flight under Ian McGeechan in 1996 were contenders in all the main competitions for several years culminating in their Heineken Cup victory the year after the Scot’s departure in 2000. Under Wayne Smith they were a top-four team reaching the Premiership play-offs in 2003 and 2004 before the Kiwi returned home to take up a position with the All Blacks. But the warning signs were already there two years ago after Alan Solomons’ disastrous spell in charge.
Ireland rugby squad to tour Argentina announced
Belfast Telegraph – Apr 30, 2007
As expected he has rested his senior players. Props Peter Bracken and Tony Buckley flanker Shane Jennings backs Tomas ‘Leary Rob Kearney and Barry Murphy and Munster’s rugby league convert Brian Carney will all hope to earn their first caps on the tour. However there was no place for Leinster 19-year-old Luke Fitzgerald. Alan Quinlan and Leo Cullen return to the squad after missing out on the Six Nations as does Stephen Ferris who was ruled out for much of the campaign due to a hand injury.
Police appeal on rugby ‘assault’
BBC News – Apr 30, 2007
The Llantwit Major player suffered serious eye injuries in the game which took place on the evening of Wednesday 18 April. He was taken to the Royal Glamorgan hospital in Talbot Green and is still receiving treatment. South Wales Police want to hear from spectators at the match against Alltwen RFC from the Swansea Valley. Supporters and any other witnesses to the alleged incident are being urged to come forward.
Tredegar rugby girls’ fancy footwork
News Wales – Apr 30, 2007
A Sports Council for Wales Community Chest grant of a thousand pounds has made it possible for players’ wives and girlfriends to join forces with the Ladies team to introduce salsa dance classes at the ground. The funding together with an additional £1000 contribution from the club itself is set to cover an initial taster session first aid training sound system music and advertising. With tutor costs covered for the first 20 sessions the eventual aim is to create enough interest to sustain the class from members’ contributions in the hope that they may just keep up with their fancy footwork over the years to come. Since 1999 the Community Chest scheme has spread just under £7m to projects Wales wide providing opportunities for people living in every area of Wales to get out there and active.