What the Papers Say 2014/2015

[Mac]

Thursday 3rd July



What is Happening at Ulster Rugby?

It’s been a tumultuous period at Ulster Rugby, with a number of high-profile departures. Adam Behans discusses where the province go from here.

The year 1999 saw the first successful Heineken Cup campaign undertaken by an Irish province, one whose colours were neither red nor blue, but white. Coached by Harry Williams, and with a squad that consisted of some part-time players, Ulster defeated French side Colomiers 21–6 in Lansdowne Road.

With this European conquest in mind, the turn of the millennium and what it would hold for Irish provinces is somewhat surprising.

The first ten years of the 21st century saw Irish Rugby dominated by the two provinces of Munster and Leinster, with various Celtic League and Heineken Cup successes shared between both sides of a rivalry as fierce as ever. Ulster, though never a side to be underestimated, were relegated to the ranking of third-seeded Irish province in the eyes of the general rugby public.

The first decade of this new millennium was capped off with two campaigns under former Leinster coach Matt Williams which could be politely classed as distinctly disappointed – a 9th place finish in the 07/08 season, followed by an 8th place finish in the following year, during the era of the 10-team competition rather than the current 12-team format.

Change was needed at Ulster Rugby. The beginning of a new decade marks a convenient point for fresh beginnings, and in retrospect the 2010/11 season resembles just that. The Ulster squad was bolstered by the arrival of decorated internationals, most notably World Cup winners Ruan Pienaar and Johann Muller.

Ulster have since become a force to be reckoned with in European rugby, reaching the final of the Heineken Cup in 2012 and the Rabodirect Pro 12 in 2013. But it remains a period of transition, one in which continuity has not been established. Brian McLaughlin, after leading Ulster to the Heineken Cup final, failed to have his contract renewed, being replaced by Mark Anscombe.

The recent departure of Director or Rugby David Humphreys to Gloucester, coupled with Anscombe’s exit, means that the question marks over the direction of Ulster Rugby remain. The regular changing of staff, when considered against the backdrop of their near misses in domestic and European campaigns, indicates that Ulster are truly in a state of flux.

Stephen Ferris and Johann Muller have now retired, and John Afoa and Tom Court have left the province to pursue their careers in the Aviva Premiership. It is, on the face of it, a worrying time for Ulster, calmed only somewhat by the retention of Ruan Pienaar. The flourishing of a backline consisting of Luke Marshall, Tommy Bowe, Andrew Trimble and Jared Payne remains a point of optimism that will carry over to next season, but the question of the men in charge is surely crucial to its performance next season.

It is amazing what a culture of success and silverware can do to a club, one which has been installed at Leinster and shows no signs of letting up, even with the departure of Joe Schmidt in 2013 and the recent retiring of Brian O’Driscoll and Leo Cullen.

There are many cases over the last couple of years in relation to which Ulster men could rightly ask ‘What if?’ What if Ulster had managed to go one step further and topple Leinster in the Heineken Cup in 2012? What if Ravenhill had not been renovated during the end of the 2013 season, and the final had been played there instead of in the R.D.S?

There are no answers to these questions. Nor do they matter. The only questions that matter are the ones concerning what the club are to do now. The next appointments, both in the positions of Director of Rugby and in the successor to temporary Head Coach Les Kiss, must be approached with care.

With the right people in charge, there is no reason to doubt the province’s ability to continue to go from strength to strength. Stability is the key. Success will follow.

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/abehan ... ster-rugby



Butterworth the latest in Lansdowne’s line of professional converts
The 23-year-old has bolstered Ulster’s back row options after impressing in the Ulster Bank League.

IT SEEMS FITTING that Lansdowne FC’s clubhouse nestles in the shadows of Irish rugby’s national stadium as their latest convert to the professional game gets his career underway.

Matt Healy and Craig Ronaldson have moved from the All-Ireland League side into Connacht’s set-up successfully in recent seasons, with flanker Charlie Butterworth the most recent Lansdowne player to pick up a provincial contract.

The 23-year-old is in his first week of pre-season training with Ulster, having penned a one-year deal with the northern province last month. For the Wicklow native, this is an opportunity he has worked tirelessly to earn.

After playing for Leinster U18s and U19s, Butterworth narrowly missed out on selection for the U20 squad, and having gone on to study Mechanical Engineering at DIT, the dream perhaps faded briefly.

Integral involvement in Lansdowne’s Ulster Bank League-winning squad in 2012/13 opened Butterworth’s eyes again, with his impressive form a vital part of the Dublin club’s success.

At the beginning of last season, I had an idea that I wanted to try and make a career out of rugby,” explains the back row, who is predominantly an openside but is comfortable in the six shirt too.

“I said it to Mike Ruddock, I said it to Lansdowne, and they said they’d give me a hand with whatever they could. I suppose it helps so much when you’ve got a club like Lansdowne and a coach like Mike helping you.”

Butterworth turns on the footwork in Lansdowne colours.

Butterworth has been a professional player for at least the last year in many regards, opting to dedicate himself to training full-time after leaving college. The tutelage of former Grand Slam winner Ruddock at Lansdowne was key to building the flanker’s mindset.

“He’s brilliant. He’s definitely one of the best coaches I’ve ever had; he really knows how to get the best out of everybody. He opened my eyes up to a more professional approach to rugby. That’s when I realised I might want to give it a shot.”

The strong gym culture at Lansdowne has been an aid in Butterworth securing a professional deal too, with his physical prowess having stood out in the Ulster Bank League. Former hooker David Toomey was an important figure in sparking that ethos.

Matt and Craig are two good examples of what a bit of work in the gym can do. Dave was the one who kicked it all off, made an atmosphere in the gym where the lads wanted to come in and get working.

“Once you get a few guys in there, everyone seems to follow. I think it made a big difference to us the year we won the AIL. We seemed to have a bit of an edge over other teams physically.

The fact the Butterworth’s club teammate and fellow back row Clive Ross – cousin of Ireland prop Mike – has joined him at Ulster on a trial basis for the next two months is a further credit to Lansdowne’s ability to prepare players for higher levels.

Other AIL sides have caught up swiftly, admits Butterworth, but he now feels ready for the challenge of training with the likes of Rory Best and Chris Henry, whose work-rates the younger flanker will look to learn from.

Sample of Butterworth HERE

Initially, Butterworth and his agent were looking at a move to the English Championship, before the “surprise” offer came Ulster. Now the 23-year-old is looking to settle as quickly as possible and start senior games.

“For the first week, I just wanted to get in there and get all the newness out of the way and settle in, then set my targets from there,” says Butterworth.

But before I even got up here, I wanted to push and see if I can get some games in the first team, especially when a few of the lads are away with the autumn internationals and the Six Nations period. Hopefully I’ll get a shot there.”

While he was originally signed by the now departed David Humphreys, Butterworth says the recent behind-the-scenes changes “don’t worry me too much” and he is looking forward to learning from Les Kiss, who arrives back with the Ireland internationals in a week and a half.

By then, Butterworth will be fully integrated into the Ulster way, on and off the pitch. He is sharing accommodation with prop Bronson Ross just five minutes away from Ravenhill, excited by the prospect of playing in the famous stadium.

“Yeah, we’re well set up for the year,” agrees Butterworth.

http://www.thescore.ie/charlie-butterwo ... 9-Jul2014/


Here’s Andrew Trimble singing an ode to Ronan O’Gara with a Mariachi band
The IRUPA Player of the Year managed to sing through his spuds.

ANDREW TRIMBLE IS having a hell of a summer holiday in Spain.

He’s soaking up the sun, shining his Six Nations medal, eating his fill and even doing a bit of singing with his newly formed Mariachi band.

And it’s not just any old singing, it’s ballad dedicated to his long lost mucker, Ronan O’Gara.

Oddly enough, he seems to forget most of the words.

View HERE

The singing winger tweeted his latest (and greatest) hit to the man himself to see what he thought. He accepted the adulation, because – as the hashtag says – it’s okay to do that sort of thing when you’re retired.

AAT.png (16.01 KiB) Viewed 9534 times

http://www.thescore.ie/andrew-trimble-s ... 6-Jul2014/




Bavarian BMW become the Official Car Partner of Ulster Rugby

Bavarian BMW is proud to announce that it is the Official Car Partner of Ulster Rugby.

This news marks the start of a new partnership with Ulster Rugby.

BMW cars are widely regarded as the ultimate driving machine. Like a professional athlete on a rugby pitch, the vehicles are strong and powerful whilst remaining efficient and poised. As an award-winning BMW Retailer, Bavarian's expertise, knowledge and commitment to delivering results, make the ideal official car partner of Ulster Rugby.

Joe Rogers, Managing Director of Bavarian said, "We are delighted to partner Ulster Rugby. It presents us with a unique opportunity to support the Ulster Rugby team with tailored vehicle solutions whilst enjoying impressive local and European sport with our customers".

The vehicles being driven by Ulster Rugby are from across the BMW range including the new 4-series Coupe and the X5 SUV. The latest vehicles include BMW ConnectedDrive technologies, delivering intelligent solutions that allow the driver to stay in touch with the world whilst on the move plus automated responses in emergency situations. The latest engine ranges deliver some of the best performance and economy in their class. Collectively this ensures the Ulster Rugby team and staff arrive at their destination safely, informed and on time. For more information on these vehicles, log onto http://www.bavarianbmw.co.uk or make an appointment with a BMW Product Genius by telephone on 028 9038 1311.

For the latest news and developments with Bavarian BMW, on and off the pitch, like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter @Bavarian_BMW

http://www.agnewcars.com/news/124/3/bav ... ter-rugby/

[Mac]

Thursday 3rd July

PART II



Ulster Rugby stars had lost faith in coach Mark Anscombe

Mark Anscombe's time as Ulster coach was brought to a premature end this week after an acceptance behind the scenes that the New Zealander had effectively 'lost the dressing room' at the Kingspan Stadium.

It is believed the 55-year-old's tenure at Ulster – he had been granted a one-year contract extension last February which was due to expire in June 2015 – was abruptly terminated on Monday in the wake of some players making their dissatisfaction at his continuance in the job known to management figures at the club.

It is thought last month's shock announcement by David Humphreys that he was leaving his post as Director of Rugby to join English Premiership side Gloucester, was the catalyst which ultimately sparked the heave against Anscombe and led to the approach to and subsequent appointment of Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss as Ulster's new and interim Director of Rugby.

It was decided that keeping Anscombe in charge for his final year – and without Humphreys in place – was not likely to be beneficial to the squad at a critical time in their evolution and continuing quest for elusive silverware.

Despite the earlier progress made under his watch, the feeling was that the Kiwi's impact on the squad, along with their notable failure to deliver at critical moments last season, was not likely to be positive, even in the short-term, and his contract was subsequently terminated on Monday on his very first day back at work after the summer break.

The appointment of Kiss – who a substantial number of players already know from their involvement with Ireland – has been been widely welcomed by the squad with both Rory Best and Tommy Bowe endorsing the move with the latter saying that "changes maybe needed to be made."

Best described the new appointment as "brilliant" on Twitter while Bowe, though sympathetic to Anscombe's sudden removal, said that Kiss "will be a great man to take Ulster Rugby forward."

Meanwhile Kiss is already at work with the club even though he is currently on holiday in his native Australia and is not due at the Kingspan Stadium until July 19, the Belfast Telegraph has also learned.

Just days after being officially appointed to his new role, the 49-year-old has been in direct contact with all the key personnel and has already decided on next season's captain with Best or Chris Henry believed to be strong candidates to take on the leadership duties.

Kiss's surprise appointment – he will be combining his role in Belfast with his existing job as Ireland assistant coach – has been overwhelmingly welcomed by the squad who began their pre-season conditioning programme on Monday, the day Anscombe was shown the door.

With a sizeable number of Ulster's players having already been exposed to Kiss's coaching methods at Ireland training camps, and on national tours, the overall feeling is that the Australian – who has been in the Irish set-up since 2008 and is noted for his defensive expertise – is the man to not only bring solidity and continuity to the squad at this time of rather dramatic transition but is also in possession of the sought after skills to improve performances on the field.

Kiss's eye for detail – an attribute he shares, along with a huge work ethic, with Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt – is what the players feel will make a difference in their continuing quest for silverware and all key members of the squad, including Ruan Pienaar who is currently away with the Springboks, are believed to have been consulted and informed of the situation with all the feedback being positive.

Kiss is due in Belfast to officially take the reins in a fortnight and is expected to be based here unless Ireland duties take precedence over his time.

Should he be successful in his interim position, which is expected to be throughout the season, then the Australian could become a front-runner for a more permanent stay in Belfast.

He has previously worked with assistant coach Neil Doak and the existing structure – with defensive coach Jonny Bell and newly promoted forwards coach Allen Clarke in place – is felt to be of sufficient experience to run the show when Kiss is on Ireland duty.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 02573.html


Les Kiss: the man who invented a new tackle

No matter what happens at the Kingspan Stadium over the next year or so, Ulster can at least say they have been coached by the man who invented the "choke tackle".

Yes, the man now in charge of the boys in white, Les Kiss, has been credited with innovating the technique which has been increasingly used at the elite level of international rugby.

You've heard of the Fosbury Flop and the Cruyff turn, but this was never going to be called the Kiss Tackle – which is probably why the Ireland assistant coach doesn't get the credit he deserves for the innovation.

Like the best ideas, the theory is simple.

Under modern rugby laws, if a ball is held up in a maul scenario then the attacking team lose the ball, the defenders get given the put-in at a scrum. Well, that's best-case scenario.

The worst is that the attackers keep the ball but have to commit more players to winning it, slowing them down and thinning out their options across the field.

Australian Kiss saw this as a loophole that could be taken advantage of.

For the choke to work, players need the physical strength to be able to hold the opposition up in the tackle, maintain their feet and stay upright despite being hit hard by scrambling attackers who see their possession is under threat.

Kiss recently explained how he developed it.

"You're always exploring ways to get an advantage," he said.

"It evolved over a period of time into a formative strategy. You have to take your hat off to the players first and foremost because they understood it and they took hold of it."

He added: "The real genesis of it came in a conversation with Mark Lawrence, the referee against England at Twickenham.

We asked him 'if we hold the ball up and it goes into a maul, what happens?'

"He said if it's a maul and it's held up and goes to ground and can't be played, then it's our scrum. So it sort of morphed from there."

Kiss's innovation was applied successfully against Australia in the last Rugby World Cup; another example of why he is so vital to Ireland's coaching staff – and why Ulster won't be getting him on a full time basis.

Kiss arrived as defence coach under Declan Kidney, in time to help Ireland to the 2009 Grand Slam, and despite the former Munster coach's departure, he remained part of the set-up as Joe Schmidt came in.

In Dublin, the appointment of Kiss as interim coach at Ulster has not be universally welcomed.

Critics of the move believe the Australian should be concentrating on Ireland, rather than splitting his time between two jobs. As the Irish Independent's rugby man David Kelly wrote: "Joe Schmidt needed the news like a hole in the head."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 03100.html


Field: Mark just couldn't take us to the next level

The focus has notably shifted to what the future now holds for Ulster Rugby rather than what is already in the past.

Dispensing with Mark Anscombe on Monday was a fairly brutal display of practicality over morality at the Kingspan Stadium but the crisis created by David Humphreys' decision to leave meant that, as the now honorary doctorate holder Tommy Bowe said on Tuesday, the time for change was at hand.

"His (Anscombe's) position looked pretty untenable after David left," says former Ulster player and commentator on the game Maurice Field and it is hard to argue the point when off-the-field it is accepted that the Kiwi had, in football parlance, essentially 'lost the dressing-room.'

As most observers freely admit, Les Kiss looks like quite a good fit for Ulster and Field also agrees that the Ireland assistant coach certainly appears to be the right man at the right time for the province.

"I know he's very capable and remember Joe Schmidt will be running his eye over things too which will do the players no harm at all," said Field, who also played for Ireland.

"Continuity is what you'd expect with the guys and with Les involved at Ireland camps and then back at Ulster, the players will certainly want to impress.

"But it's the small margins and the attention to detail that's really the key and Les can help Ulster find that one or two per cent they need to take the next step and win vital games.

"Ulster have done well under Anscombe but they have not been in the right position to get over the line when it has mattered in the big games in the way that Leinster have so clearly managed.

"Les will put the players under pressure to make them reach that next level and he also brings huge expectation and will instil them with the need to take the right options."

Indeed Field feels that the main bump in the road which could be awaiting Ulster is not so much the trauma of what has happened with Humphreys and Anscombe but, rather, how the squad will handle the loss of such prominent personnel in Johann Muller, Tom Court, John Afoa, Paddy Wallace and Stephen Ferris.

The strain may show in this regard when it comes to putting the right results on the field, but there is still little doubt in Field's mind that Kiss and the existing coaches at Ulster – Neil Doak, Jonny Bell and Allen Clarke – will still give the squad enhanced structure and motivation which could make the difference.

"They will keep things on an even keel and with the provincial structure being the cornerstone of how the game is run here, there will be no problem in anyone being unfamiliar with the way things are done while the Ulster ethos is still very much intact with the assistant coaches.

"True, Les will be double-jobbing," Field said when addressing how the Australian will fare while also working with Ireland, "but the essential template for how things are done with Ireland is to a degree replicated anyway back at the provinces."

And reflecting again on Anscombe being dispensed with, Field said: "We have to remember that it's a professional game and Ulster have to be ruthless in what they're doing to achieve their goals.

"They've already got the infrastructure and a great stadium, but they now have to play it smart in getting the right results while building and strengthening the squad."

Interesting times are clearly ahead.

Meanwhile, former Ulster director of rugby David Humphreys has hit the ground running at Gloucester by announcing the appointment of Australian Laurie Fisher as head coach.

Fisher will complete a new-look coaching team at the Aviva Premiership club, joining Nick Walshe and John Muggleton.

Fisher, 56, has been rugby director at Canberra-based Super Rugby side the Brumbies since 2012.

He is a former Brumbies head coach, while he also worked at Munster between 2008 and 2011. Afoa is also starting life with Gloucester after deciding to leave Ulster.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 03087.html

Conklin: Well why doesn't everyone go upstairs and book a conference room. Maybe we can talk this to death.

[Mac]

Friday 4th July



Ulster, Mark Anscombe and bits and pieces of Super Rugby

Mark Anscombe made an abrupt exit this weekend from Ulster, on his first day of work for the new Season. Give him a one year extension, then tell him to sling his hook. It follows the resignation of David Humphries last month. It’s said Anscombe had ‘lost the dressing room’. I don’t rate the Ulster lads as prima donnas, far from it, so things must have been pretty bad. Hopefully, they’ll pick up a good coach and go forwards again – Wayne Smith or Robbie Deans would be perfect for the job, if they can get either. There’s going to be some testing times ahead though, the new coach is going to need to stamp his authority pretty quick – player power is all vey well, but someone has to be in charge. It all just seems a real pity, UIster have come up such a long way, and it needs a lot of patience to get the big results – Leinster played second fiddle to Munster for ages before they finally broke through.

Otherwise, there’s still a lot of Super Rugby going on. The Kiwi derbies will probably be the most entertaining, with a very competitive conference, and Crusaders/Blues should be something awesome. In South Africa, Sharks/Cheetahs probably won’t be a thriller, but the Sharks need that one badly. And finally, the Tahs are riding high with Leinster’s old boss, Michael Cheika, and will have a tricky task taming the Highlanders to maintain their good run.

http://fromthebottomoftheruck.blogspot. ... s-and.html


EamonnMallie.com
What the hell is going on in Ulster rugby? – Brian Spencer throws down the gauntlet on behalf of supporters

The McLaughlin exit two years ago was a bad tempered and bewildering one. McLaughlin was nicked and sliced from the mud and turf of ulster rugby pitches; our man who bled native new blood and took Ulster to the final of the Heineken cup. The anger and bewilderment was cut onto his face as Humphreys ladled out an explanation, of sorts.

McLaughlin’s replacement, Mark Anscombe, took a steady Ulster Rugby ship and did good and nothing especially bad.

Now Humphreys, an architect of the McLaughlin-removal-Amscombe-takeover, has removed himself, lured by the charismatic 25 year old chief executive of Gloucester rugby.

The Humphreys bailout is a slap in the face for McLaughlin and for the supporters. The Anscombe pushout is just embarrassing. Clownish as Anscombe’s son would say. If Humphreys and his co-conspirators were going to go with Anscombe over McLaughlin, the least they could do is see their grand-but not totally clear vision through. Instead they throw in the towel.

It smacks of an organisation hungry for success tomorrow, erratic and chaotic, the behaviour of a body deeply unsure of itself, an organisation haunted by an inferiority complex, dying to be a Toulon and doing a Toulon – splashing big money and big names. Big money and big names aren’t the Ulster way.

Now we have Les Kiss, another big money big name. More Toulon when the Toulon strategy didn’t work.

Better that Ulster stick with the Ulster way of the long-view graft.

..............+ Responses....... Get in there Snipe
http://eamonnmallie.com/2014/07/hell-go ... llie+File)



Ulster's knock-on effect on Ireland

The upheaval at Ulster and the knock-on effects on the Irish national team is the last thing Joe Schmidt needs with just 14 months until the 2015 World Cup.

Rewind four months and everything seemed tranquil in the Irish backroom staff. Schmidt and his able lieutenants' main concern was just how to replace the immense Brian O'Driscoll. John Plumtree was working in tandem with Greg Feek to make Ireland's forwards pack fearsome while Les Kiss was helping hone the tackle area and improve the player's individual skillset.

But now Ireland are looking for a forwards coach following Plumtree's decision to join the Hurricanes and are having to contend with Kiss split between club and country duties, it is far from satisfactory. When Ulster's former head coach Mark Anscombe was unceremoniously dispatched on Monday and following David Humphreys' decision to swap the red and white of Ravenhill for a similar shade of jersey at Kingsholm, the Irish Rugby Football Union seconded Kiss to Ulster on a temporary basis as their interim director of rugby.


It is unclear how long Kiss' services will be required at Ravenhill. Ulster could yet promote Neil Doak while there is talk of Jake White and Sir Graham Henry being touted for roles at Ravenhill but Kiss' immediate priority will be to steer the ship into safer waters.

Kiss' appointment was welcomed by the players - Rory Best said getting Kiss was "brilliant for Ulster Rugby" - but amid talk Anscombe lost the dressing room, Kiss will have to breathe new life into the province. The Ireland players at the Belfast side will know him well and will no doubt benefit from working alongside him on a more regular basis but the role of director of rugby at a top side is a full-time job, not one which can be easily shared amid thoughts of national responsibility.

There are advantages of having Kiss at Ulster for Ireland. You expect he will bring his coaching philosophy to the province and that may see them play in a style resembling Ireland; for those who sit on both sides of the Ulster/ Ireland fence, they will find it easy to flit between either environment. He is also an innovative coach with a close attention to detail, any creases in Ulster will be ironed out.

But Schmidt will no doubt hope Ulster have a new management team implemented sooner rather than later. No-one in Ireland will want to see one of their top teams in a state of flux. Gloucester were in a similar situation but they made their decision to start afresh within days of their final match of the season, Ulster's call to sack Anscombe has failed to see them take their place on the managerial merry-go-round.

Schmidt will also want to get a new forwards coach installed as quickly as possible. Simon Easterby, who has done a solid job at the Scarlets and a man who seems handy at bringing through young talent, is the favourite and would be a good fit. He has played in two World Cups and has four years worth of coaching experience and could more than fill the shoes of Plumtree.

That side of Schmidt's quandary, if it comes off, seems sorted but for the good of the Irish national side, you hope the Ulster situation sorts itself out sooner rather than later so they can get Kiss back and fully-focused. They will not want to be going into what could be a defining autumn international schedule with one of their most influential coaches still wearing the hats of Ulster and Ireland.

http://www.espn.co.uk/ireland/rugby/story/231797.html

[Mac]

Friday 4th July

PART II



The Ulster storm will not last

For all the talk of clowns this week, Ulster legend Trevor Ringland is confident that the Kingspan Stadium will not resemble anything like a circus come the start of the new season in two months’ time.

When Gareth Anscombe — son of recently deposed head coach Mark — posted an inflammatory tweet on Tuesday that likened the province's key decision makers to children's entertainers, the versatile Chiefs back tapped into a pervading sense of chaos surrounding a team that has lost their Director of Rugby David Humphreys, a host of key players and now their coach since the conclusion of the last campaign in May.

However Ringland — who during the 1980s won 34 caps for Ireland as well as one for the Lions — believes the potential remains for Ulster to have a successful season.

The former winger said: “People need to remember that these things happen in sport.

“David Humphreys and Mark Anscombe are gone, and we should remember what they did for Ulster, but it's time now to look forward.

“Ulster have some great coaches already in place when you look at Neil Doak and Jonny Bell who have came through with the development team.

“There is no reason to assume that they can't be successful with this group of players and there is still a lot of talent there.”

And Ringland is especially impressed with Ulster's latest — albeit temporary — coaching recruit.

Ireland 's defensive mastermind Les Kiss will report for duty on July 19 after being sent north by the IRFU to help fill the leadership void in the short-term and Ringland added: “Les Kiss is an extremely experienced coach and he has done a good job in his time with Ireland.

“He'll know a good number of the players from the international set-up and that can only be a positive as well.

“For some people change is always going to be a concern but I don't see what's happened as a backward step in any way.”

As a man who won multiple Five Nations championships with Ireland, Ringland is well qualified to assess a team's potential for silverware and at Ulster he still sees a squad capable of challenging for top honours.

“People may have left but the team remains strong and hopefully next year we can see them go a step further and lift a trophy.

“Unfortunately situations in recent years have seen them undermined in some of the bigger games but there will have been lessons learnt and that can only be a positive.”

While one cause for consternation is a list of departures that includes a pair of World Cup winners, Johann Muller and John Afoa, and a trio from Ireland's 2009 Grand Slam squad in the shape of Tom Court, Stephen Ferris and Paddy Wallace, Ringland is excited to see how a young core of players will progress.

“Every sportsman knows that when somebody steps away it's up to somebody else to step up to the mark and I'm sure that's what will happen.

“There are some great young players at Ulster and, with the right support and coaching, it's a group that could really come along.”

If such young starlets are to progress at the rate that the team hopes and expects, the role of the supporters could prove crucial.

Ringland concluded: “Ulster have some of the most committed fans in the sport and with the work that Shane Logan has done at Ravenhill, it's an absolutely fantastic place to watch rugby.

“It's been a difficult place for teams to come and if that is to continue then the fans will have to give the same support and encouragement.

“The brand of Ulster has grown so much that the public really do get behind this team and that's something that I think the players really do respond to every chance they get.

“If that keeps up then, whoever the coach is, it will be an uncomfortable place for opposing players to visit.”

In these turbulent times, it could be more important than ever to stand up for the Ulstermen.

Scarlets president Phil Bennett says head coach Simon Easterby faces a difficult choice if he is offered the position of Ireland forwards coach.

Former Ireland flanker Easterby is wanted by head coach Joe Schmidt.

“It's a huge loss if he were to go,” Bennett said.

“It's a big decision for Simon Easterby to make and it's a vital one for the Scarlets.”

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 04997.html


OTHER



Honey Badger Nick Cummins is moving to play in Japan, will miss the Rugby World Cup
Cummins cites family health issues as the reason behind his move to the West Red Sparks.

AUSTRALIA WINGER NICK Cummins has been released from his contract to sign with Japan’s West Red Sparks for next season, making him ineligible for the 2015 World Cup.

Cummins — known to fans as the “Honey Badger” — is among several Wallabies, including forwards Ben Mowen and Kane Douglas, who have opted to go overseas before the World Cup in England.

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has already made clear he will only select home-based players for the tournament.

The Australian Rugby Union said Cummins had been granted an early release from his national contract to play for the Fukuoka-based club in a decision based on “unique family circumstances”.

“We have been working with Nick and his management team to explore ways to retain him within Australian rugby since we were notified of his circumstances,” ARU chief executive Bill Pulver said in a statement.

“Due to his unique and extreme personal circumstances, we have reluctantly made a decision to grant Nick an early release from his current contract based on compassionate grounds.”

Cummins said in a statement that family health issues were at the heart of the matter.

“My family is currently enduring some extremely difficult times in terms of their health and wellbeing,” Cummins said.

“My time in Japan will hopefully provide me with the opportunity to give back to and provide some certainty for my family.



“It was a difficult decision to make in the context of a Rugby World Cup next year, but the health and wellbeing of my family is paramount.

“I now must put my own interests in the World Cup aside.”

McKenzie said the crowd-pleasing Cummins would be missed by the Wallabies.

“It is very disappointing to lose a player of Nick’s calibre but after discussing the issues at hand, we appreciate that this is a decision based on what is best for him and his family at this time,” McKenzie said.

Rugby WA chief Mark Sinderberry said he hoped the conditions of Cummins’ release would allow him to play again with the Western Force in next year’s Super Rugby.

Cummins, 26, has played 15 Tests for the Wallabies since making his debut against Argentina in Rosario in 2012 and has been a mainstay of the Western Force backline since 2008.

He started in all three games of the Wallabies’ clean sweep of France last month.

http://www.thescore.ie/nick-cummins-jap ... 7-Jul2014/

[Mac]

Saturday 5th July



Ulster Rugby At A Crossroads

Pre-season training has begun at the four provinces, with much change since the end of last year, most notably in Ulster Rugby where there is still surprise among the fans at the dismissal of Mark Anscombe as Head Coach.

Anscombe only signed an extension to his initial two-year contract in February of this year and his no-nonsense style endeared him to the fans. Critics will point to the lack of trophies over the past two seasons – a valid point, even if circumstances tended to conspire against Ulster – Jared Payne’s red card against Saracens this year and earning the right to a ‘home’ final in May 2013, only to find themselves playing Leinster in the RDS – are two examples of how tiny margins effect the result in the biggest of games.

Anscombe was brought in as coach by then Director of Rugby, David Humphreys. Humphreys recently moved across the Irish Sea to take up the same position at Gloucester.

This move stunned everyone connected with the team, including the Irish players who were on tour in Argentina at the time it was announced. It made little sense for Humphreys to move on, especially to Gloucester who will not play at the top tier of European rugby next year having only finished 9th in the Aviva Premiership this year.

Either Gloucester offered Humphreys an extraordinary amount of money or something happened to sour his relationship with the higher brass at Ulster Rugby. Did the failed attempt to sign Stuart Hogg make Humphreys feel that he was being undermined by the board?

For a man who has been arguably Ulster’s greatest player in the professional era and who helped oversee the transformation of a team and stadium so that they could legitimately compete at the highest level of European club rugby, to pack your bags and leave almost at the drop of a hat seems unusual.

With the benefit of hindsight, it now appears that from the moment Humphreys left, Anscombe was on borrowed time. A good rule of business is that whenever the person that brought you into a job resigns from their own, then it’s probably time for you to think about packing your bags as well.

Humphreys actively recruited Anscombe, the then New Zealand Under 20′s coach, back in 2011. Anscombe certainly helped bring through younger players at Ulster with the likes of Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall, Iain Henderson and Stuart Olding all progressing to the green jersey under his leadership. But maybe this wasn’t enough for the board, and CEO Shane Logan. Maybe the lack of a trophy came back to eventually cost Anscombe his job.

Where to now for Ulster Rugby? Les Kiss has been brought in as interim Director of Rugby, but will he be able to combine this role with his duties as an assistant coach of Ireland, especially in a World Cup year?

There has been approval of Kiss’ appointment by senior Irish players Tommy Bowe and Rory Best, who speak highly of him as a coach and as a person. A specialist defensive coach, Kiss has helped bring Ireland two Six Nations titles in the last six years. Anscombe’s backroom team of Jonny Bell and Neil Doak are staying on with the province, given their relationship and familiarity with the players.

A new captain needs to be appointed, with Best and Chris Henry the leading candidates, but the pressure is on to appoint a full-time Head Coach, be that Kiss or someone else.

Whoever is appointed will have the fans’ support, but will also be under huge pressure to deliver a trophy to a province long starved of that kind of success.

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/thepat ... crossroads



The science behind pre-season

New Ulster back row forward, Charlie Butterworth, takes part in a resisted speed session

Rugby has come a long way from the time when the key feature of pre-season was running up and down flights of stairs. The close season at Ulster Rugby is now a long thought out, two month programme, based on the latest sports science and designed to ensure that the players are in the best shape possible when they get to game-time in late August.

A quick glance at the player calendar for the first day back reveals the variety of what the players are put through. On Monday, there was gym based movement prep, kicking skills, speed sessions, grappling conditioning and resisted speed sessions all in one packed day for the squad.

Head of Strength and Conditioning at Ulster Rugby, Jonny Davis (JD), says that although the programme is challenging for the players, it is a time of the year that the squad look forward to:

“They really enjoy it because it is a break from the routine of the regular season,” says JD. “Year on year the fundamentals remain the same, but we are always looking to improve.

“With rugby, each position is so specific in terms of conditioning and our programme reflects that. For example the forwards have six gym sessions a week and two speed resisted (running with weights) sessions, whereas the backs have four or five gym sessions, one max velocity speed pitch session (sprinting) and one acceleration and agility and resisted speed session.

“That reflects what a player will be asked to do in a game. It will be rare that a prop will break free in a match so what is important to them is the power in contact. A back however, will be running at full speed at regular intervals during the game, therefore, that is what we concentrate on that with them.”

One of the many innovations that JD and his team have introduced this pre-season is to incorporate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu into the programme. Instructors from the Gracie-Barra Club led by Graham Keys have been invited to teach and work with the players on grappling conditioning and drills. The contractions that muscles go through in those drills are replicated in game situations.

No stone is left unturned as the strength and conditioning coaches prepare the players for the new season. It is a testing time for the squad, but one that we will all see the benefits of when the season begins in August.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... eason.aspx



Maurice Field: Failure to emulate Joe Schmidt cost Mark Anscombe

Former Ireland centre Maurice Field believes that failure to live up to the high standards set by Joe Schmidt with Leinster and Ireland ultimately cost Mark Anscombe his job as Ulster head coach.

Anscombe was relieved of his job on Monday, with Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss taking over as interim director of rugby.

“Brian McLaughlin probably got them two years early in their development, as to where Ulster would have seen themselves, getting to the Heineken Cup final against Leinster (in 2012),” said Field.

“Mark Anscombe, in his first year, got them to the Heineken quarter-finals and the final of the Pro12 but they never quite got across the line and what came into question was probably some of Mark’s coaching techniques.

“Some of the senior players, because they’d been dealing in the Irish set-up with Joe Schmidt and Les Kiss, and seen their attention to detail, had come back and maybe thought that Mark’s operating style was completely different.

“The Irish boys have seen the benefit of that, winning the Six Nations, and that’s the level you have to be at.

“Many of the Irish internationals, when they’ve come back from camp, have said ‘Dear God, that is a wake up call’.

Field said that with a different approach, he thought the Northerners could have achieved more this year.

“Schmidt challenges the players and I think that’s where Ulster fell down this season. When they got into positions where they were challenging for silverware, they failed to make the right decisions, and that comes down to the attention to detail at that time.

“That’s why Ulster was found wanting this season.”

Field believes however, that inheriting the structure put in place by former director of rugby David Humphreys, who recently joined Gloucester, was a hindrance to Anscombe’s attempts to improve Ulster.

“You’ve got to remember that when Mark Anscombe came in, there was already an established coaching team there,” said Field.

“He inherited someone else’s team and it’s very difficult in that situation to put your own stamp on a squad.

“It probably would have been different for Mark if he’d been able to bring in his own coaches.”

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2014/0704 ... -anscombe/

[Mac]

Tuesday 8th July



Kiss 'the right man for Ulster' - Ferris

Retired Ulster flanker Stephen Ferris has said Les Kiss, who was appointed the province's interim director of rugby following Mark Anscombe's departure, is the "right man for the job".

Kiss was appointed following the shock double departure of both David Humphreys as director of rugby and coach Mark Anscombe.

Ferris, who was forced to retire at the end of the season through injury, said Kiss was the right man to take Ulster forward.

He told UTV: "He is a fantastic coach and has a lot of experience.

"Shane Logan, the Ulster chief executive, always said it was about Ulster being world's best and that's not about players, coaches or stadiums.

"I like the way Kiss works, he is short and sharp, to the point and very easy to understand.

"He has the chance to be at Ulster for a long time and I think he is the right man for the job."

Ulster had a rollercoaster of a season which saw them knocked out of the European Cup against Saracens at the quarter-final stage and they also missed the Pro12 final after losing to Leinster in the semi-final.

Ferris added: "It is only going to get tougher and with so many changes at Ulster they will be against it.

"But they have so many experienced players, like Best and Pienaar, so they have every chance and people should expect to show up at the Kingspan expecting a win."

Ferris said he was considering coaching in his retirement, but was keeping his options open on what to do next.

.................. + VIDEO INTERVIEW
http://www.u.tv/Sport/Kiss-the-right-ma ... 047e4437e9



Getting to know Dave Ryan

If Cork-born Dave Ryan was worried about what his friends down in Munster would think about him signing for a rival Irish Province – he needn’t have been. “A few of the lads have bought Ulster shirts,” the 28 year-old tighthead prop reveals. “Guys in Cork wearing Ulster jerseys to support me? That’s how I know that I have great mates!” he jokes.

Securing an Ulster jersey of his own is the challenge for Ryan. He will face tough opposition from Declan Fitzpatrick, Wiehahn Herbst and Ricky Lutton but it’s a challenge he is looking forward to:

“You know that there is going to be a lot of competition in my position,” he says. “You have your own personal goals – I have come here to play, to start as many games as possible and to play in the big matches. That’s what makes squads better – to have guys competing for places because competition breeds success.”


Ryan came through the Munster Academy and played 10 times for the Munster Senior side between 2009 and 2011. He left the Irish Province in the spring of 2011 to join Lazio Roma, before moving to Zebre at the start of the 2012/13 season. He played 20 RaboDirect PRO12 games for the Italian franchise and made six appearances for Zebre in the Heineken Cup. After those three years in Italy he is enjoying being back in Ireland and settling in well to life in Belfast.

“It has been good, the facilities are top class,” says Ryan. “They are the best that I have experienced. The strength and conditioning coaches have been brilliant and they have an excellent grasp of what they want. It has been a tough start as pre season should be. We have been training three times a day – a gym session, then units, then grappling. We also did some fitness games.

“The boys have been very welcoming. I knew Dan (Tuohy) because I had played 21s with him before, I knew (Darren) Cavey – I knew Nick (Williams) from playing at Munster, but all the boys have been great. I also have some experience of working with Allen Clarke who has been taking scrum sessions. It is good to have that familiarity there.”

Despite being a proud Cork man, Ryan says that when it comes to game time this season, his commitment will be to his new, adopted Province:

“I think that it might have been difficult if I had gone straight from Munster to Ulster,” he says, “but the fact that I have been in Zebre for two years and I have been back at Thomond and back at Musgrave makes it easier.

“It is obviously a bit weird but at the end of the day, it is a profession and you just have to get on with it. I am sure the boys down there will give me a bit of stick but I am looking forward to it.”

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... -Ryan.aspx

OR

http://www.rabodirectpro12.com/news/152 ... 7uZ0l5OP4g


OTHER



Humphreys good for Gloucester - Hook

New Gloucester signing James Hook has backed David Humphreys to bring European success to the Kingsholm-based club.

Humphreys recently resigned from his role as Ulster's director of rugby to take up a similar position at Gloucester. Utility back Hook, who joined the Cherry and Whites from Perpignan, believes the former Ireland fly-half is the right man to lead his new club in the inaugural European Rugby Challenge Cup and the Aviva Premiership.

"As a player his record spoke for itself and then you see what a fantastic job he's done at Ulster," Hook told the Gloucester Citizen.

"The work he put in there was incredible, it's a really exciting appointment.

"I haven't met him but from everything I have heard from other people he has been outstanding and it can only be good for the club.

"He had Ulster going stride for stride with Leinster and Munster. You only have to look at them in the Heineken Cup to see how good he is because a lot of that is down to David.

"There's no reason he can't bring that sort of success to Gloucester. He's ambitious, he wanted to move to the Premiership and I'm sure everyone at Gloucester is looking forward to working with him."

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 79,00.html



Here’s who the Top 14 clubs have signed for the 2014/15 season

WITH ALL THE Top 14 clubs now back into pre-season, it’s as good a time as any to reflect on the recruitment made this summer.

A year ago, Leinster fans were dealing with the fact that Jonny Sexton was leaving our shores to join Racing Métro, but this time around there are no high-profile Irishmen heading to France’s top tier.

However, there are many notable names from other corners of the globe joining the Top 14 ahead of the 2014/15 season, including Leigh Halfpenny, James O’Connor, Toby Flood, Jonathan Davies, Zac Guildford and Gio Aplon.

Here’s who all 14 clubs have signed during the summer.

Bayonne

Blair Stewart [out-half, Grenoble], Lucas Pointud [prop, Tarbes], Giorgi Jgenti [prop, Perpignan], Lalakai Foketi [Melbourne Rebels], Patricio Noriega [head coach, Stade Français].

Bordeaux-Bègles

Bertrand Guiry [back row, Perpignan], Sébastien Taofifenua [prop, Perpignan], Berend Botha [second row, Mont-de-Marsan], Julien Ledevedec [second row, Brive], Lionel Beauxis [out-half, Toulouse], Yann Lesgourgues [scrum-half, Biarritz], Francisco Gomez Kodela [prop, Biarritz], Sofiane Guitoune [wing, Perpignan].

Brive
Nicolas Bézy [scrum-half, Grenoble], Benito Masilevu [wing, Fiji 7s], Thomas Acquier [hooker, Carcassonne], Russlan Boukerou [second row, Auch], Poutasi Luafutu [back row, Bordeaux-Bègles], Damien Jourdain [prop, Bourg-en-Bresse], Peet Marais [second row, Sharks], Marco Lazzaroni [back row, Mogliano], Paul Ah Him [centre, Samoa].

Castres

Sitiveni Sivivatu [wing, Clermont], Johnnie Beattie [back row, Montpellier], Yohan Montès [prop, Toulouse], Paea Fa’anunu [prop, Montpellier], Julien Dumora [out-half, Lyon], Thomas Combezou [centre, on loan from Montpellier], Théo Hannoyer [second row, Dijon].

Clermont

Zac Guildford [wing, Crusaders], Sébastien Vahaamahina [second row, Perpignan], Jonathan Davies [centre, Scarlets], John Ulugia [hooker, Bourg-en-Bresse], Nick Abendanon [fullback, Bath], Camille Lopez [out-half, Perpignan], Jono Gibbes [forwards coach, Leinster].

Grenoble

Gio Aplon [wing, Stormers], Chris Farrell [centre, Ulster], Jonathan Wisniewski [out-half, Racing Métro], Jackson Willison [centre, Blues], Charl McLeod [scrum-half, Sharks], Rory Grice [back row, Waikato], Paul Willemse [Blue Bulls], Rémy Hugues [prop, Dax], Ross Skeate [second row, Agen], Arnaud Héguy [hooker, Biarritz], Jono Owen [prop, Queensland Reds], Mahamadou Diaby [back row, Oyonnax], Xavier Mignot [centre, Bourgoin], Dylan Hayes [back row, Hutt Old Boys Marist].

La Rochelle

Alofa Alofa [wing, Waratahs], Jean-Pascal Barraque [out-half/fullback, Toulouse], Jason Eaton [second row, NTT Shining Arcs], Peter Grant [out-half, Stormers], Benoit Bourrust [prop, Cardiff], Romana Graham [second row, Exeter], Vincent Pelo [prop, Bourgoin], Jone Qovu [second row, Racing Métro], Thomas Synaeghel [prop, Biarritz], Benoît Guyot [back row, Biarritz].

Lyon

Deon Fourie [hooker, Stormers], George Smith [back row, Suntory Sungoliath], Pierrick Gunther [back row, loan from Toulon], Karim Ghezal [second row, Racing Métro], Julien Puricelli [back row, Bayonne], Stephen Brett [out-half, Bayonne], Emmanuel Felsina [prop, Toulon], Mathieu Lorée [scrum-half, Grenoble], Vincent Martin [wing, Toulon], Jerome Porical [fullback, Stade Français], Paul Bonnefond [centre, Castres], Charles Malet [back row, Narbonne], Mickäel De Marco [second row, loan from Montpellier], Masi Matadigo [back row, Racing Métro], Fabrice Estebanez [centre, Racing Métro], Hoani Tui [prop, Exeter].

Montpellier

Ben Mowen [back row, Brumbies], Akapusi Qera [back row, Toulouse], Antoine Battut [back row, Racing Métro], Samisoni Viriviri [wing, Fiji 7s], David Attoub [prop, Stade Français], Benjamin Fall [wing, Racing Métro], Teddy Iribaren [scrum-half, Tarbes], Tom Donnelly [second row, Auckland Blues], Chris King [prop, Hurricanes].

Oyonnax

Leon Power [second row, Brumbies], Soane Tonga’uiha [prop, Racing Métro], Pedrie Wannenburg [back-row, Castres], Guillaume Bernad [back row, Bayonne], Olivier Missoup [back row, Stade Français], Maurie Faasavalu [back row, Harlequins], Riaan Smit [out-half/fullback, Cheetahs], Yves Donguy [wing, Toulouse], Julien Clément [hooker, Clermont], Yohan Domenech [scrum-half, Narbonne], Maxime Le Bourhis [fullback, La Rochelle].

Racing Métro

Brice Dulin [fullback, Castres], Luke Charteris [second row, Perpignan], Antonie Claassen [No. 8, Castres], Johan Goosen [out-half, Cheetahs], Casey Laulala [centre, Munster], Yoann Audrin [wing, Montpellier], Teddy Thomas [wing, Biarritz], Thomas Lavanini [second row, Hindu], Thibault Dubarry [back row, Biarritz], Anton Peikrishvili [prop, Castres].

Stade Français

Hugh Pyle [second row, Melbourne Rebels], Adrien Oléon [prop, Mont-de-Marsan], Julien Tomas [scrum-half, Castres], Raphaël Lakafia [back row, Biarritz].

Toulon

Leigh Halfpenny [fullback, Cardiff Blues], James O’Connor [fullback/out-half, London Irish], Mamuka Gorgodze [back row, Montpellier], Guilhem Guirado [hooker, Perpignan], Gerhard Vosloo [back row, Clermont], Romain Taofifenua [second row, Perpignan], Alexandre Ménini [prop, Biarritz], Eric Escande [scrum-half, Montpellier], Jimmy Yobo [centre, Aurillac], Fabien Barcella [prop, Biarritz].

Toulouse

Toby Flood [out-half, Leicester], Neemia Tialata [prop, Bayonne], Imanol Harinordoquy [No. 8, Biarritz], Alexis Palisson [wing/fullback, Toulon], Corey Flynn [hooker, Crusaders].

http://www.thescore.ie/top-14-transfers ... 8-Jul2014/

[Mac]

Tuesday 8th July

PART II



Training that benefits the whole community

Work is nearing completion on a facility that will offer a state-of-the-art resource to Ulster Rugby as well as sport and fitness benefits to the wider Belfast community.

The new 4G pitch is under construction behind the new Family Stand. Built in partnership with Aquinas School and with funding from DCAL and Belfast City Council, it will provide a state-of-the art training surface for the Ulster squad, as well as a providing an excellent resource for Aquinas and local sports teams.

The pitch will be the same surface as that used currently by the Cardiff Blues and Ulster Rugby players will have direct access to it via a set of stairs that leads from the new training base under the Family Stand.


The rugby side will take in slightly more than half a pitch and will sit alongside a soccer pitch and a 5-a-side pitch.

A base stone layer has been put down and a perimeter fence is being constructed. Floodlights will be erected in the coming weeks before the final surface is rolled out.

As part of the facility an outdoor gym will also be built and will form part of the stadium interactive tours that will begin when the new Nevin Spence Centre opens next year.


The partnership with Aquinas School will see pupils and players share the facility during the day and then at night the new pitch will be open to community groups and local sports teams for bookings.

The new facility is due to open in September.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... nity-.aspx



Guinness expected to be announced as the new sponsors of the Pro12

Guinness are expected to be named the new title sponsors of the Pro12 to succeed online banking group Rabodirect.

The announcement is expected to coincide with the release of next season's fixtures for the competition on Thursday.

RaboDirect have been sponsors for the past three years having taken over from Magners but have decided to end their association with the competition.

Turkish Airlines had been mentioned as a possible replacement but it now looks likely that the Diageo-owned beverage will now take over.

Guinness, one of the IRFU’s most important sponsors, also boast a commercial affiliation to the Lions, a number of Rugby World Cups and a number of clubs in England.

They were title sponsors of English Premiership rugby prior to Aviva and they are still the official beer sponsors to the tournament.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/g ... 15650.html

[HoneyBadger]

With goosen gone to racing where does this leave Johnny? Rotation? Or are they going to utilise goosen more as a 15 or 12...

[Mac]

Wednesday 9th July



PRO12 being brought to new level

Mark Anscombe is no longer the Ulster coach

Rugby just never seems to have much downtime these days and, after last week's brutal removal of Ulster coach Mark Anscombe, it's back again though this time with a much more upbeat slant thanks to the announcement of Guinness as the new sponsors of the PRO12 League.

Yes, in the wake of Ravenhill becoming the Kingspan Stadium we have yet another rebranding and the iconic drinks giant are expected to be unveiled as new backers tomorrow with their involvement – for an initial two years – seen as just what the PRO12 needs to bring new drive and presence.

There is likely to be criticism over a drinks brand again being closely associated with sport but for Dublin-based league organisers Celtic Rugby the key point is they have managed to secure a high profile sponsor with such a notable track record.

Having club rugby at European level sorted out – which has in turn resulted in a restructure for PRO12 qualification – doubtless helped in getting Guinness to sign on and there is nothing quite like stability elsewhere in helping persuade a big name get behind your product.

And when it comes to overall promotion, the PRO12 can only benefit from the huge experience Guinness have already banked through Ireland's autumn internationals and the knowledge gained from their former sponsorship of the English Premiership.

Throw in Sky Sports – who'll screen 33 matches live next season as part of a four-year deal – and Celtic Rugby are in the right place to take the PRO12 to a new level.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 15909.html



Ryan to get "a bit of stick"

Ulster prop Dave Ryan admits he is likely to get "a bit of stick" from his former Munster team-mates after making the switch to Ravenhill.

The 28-year-old Cork man, who had three years in Italy, will return to PRO12 action this season and explained the difficulties surrounding his move.

"I think that it might have been difficult if I had gone straight from Munster to Ulster," he told Ulster.

"But the fact that I have been in Zebre for two years and I have been back at Thomond and back at Musgrave makes it easier.

"It is obviously a bit weird but at the end of the day, it is a profession and you just have to get on with it. I am sure the boys down there will give me a bit of stick but I am looking forward to it."

Ryan will compete for the tighthead jersey with Declan Fitzpatrick, Wiehahn Herbst and Ricky Lutton but he is determined to have a positive season, saying that " competition breeds success".

"You know that there is going to be a lot of competition in my position," he added.

"You have your own personal goals - I have come here to play, to start as many games as possible and to play in the big matches.

"That's what makes squads better - to have guys competing for places because competition breeds success.

"It has been good, the facilities are top class. They are the best that I have experienced. The strength and conditioning coaches have been brilliant and they have an excellent grasp of what they want. It has been a tough start as pre-season should be."

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 42,00.html



Andrew Trimble on scaling Machu Picchu, setting up a hometown gym and multi-coloured fixies
The winger is determined to follow up on a superb 2013/14 season and is thriving in life away from the rugby field.

“HE’S ACTUALLY QUITE funny, has a profound love for indie music, vintage polo shirts and rides a multi-coloured fixie.”

This is my reply when I’m asked what Andrew Trimble is like, and it’s often met with a puzzled crook of the neck and an ‘are you serious” stare. Maybe it’s because it has nothing to do with rugby, or because they are used to seeing the serious, physically imposing Irish winger who’s on show most Friday nights at Ravenhill. It never crosses their mind that off the field, he might not be the stereotype that often blankets professional rugby players.

It’s for these reasons, culminating in the fact he does not take himself too seriously, why I struck up a close friendship with ‘Trimby’ whilst at Ulster and why he is one of the most popular members of the squad. For me, he is the prime example of the ‘split personality’ of a rugby player. Had I met him on the street, unbeknown to who he was and had a conversation, the thought of him being a rugby player would never cross my mind.

He would be more interested talking about something else than listing his past achievements and success in his chosen sport. But change the location of a Belfast side street to the hallowed turf at Ravenhill, and you’ll witness the transformation of the quiet and quirky to the uncompromising and brutal.

The redeveloped home ground is where the golden locks of his fabulous blonde mullet flap in the breeze as he strides like a racehorse down the touchline for another try for his beloved Red Hand. His Ulster teammates call it the ‘red mist’, a fictional bubble of gas that consumes him for 80 minutes once a week. Where the polite, conscientious and patient persona is shelved and the angry, fierce, abrasive ‘take no prisoners’ attitude takes over.


While some professional players find it hard to navigate between their on-field and off-field personas, Trimble seems to have found the perfect balance. He does this by keeping busy off it, through studying, maintaining external interests, as well as giving up his free time to support businesses, charities, and churches in the local community.

I caught up with him the day after he had completed his last exam for the Business Management course he’s been partaking in for the last year. Along with Tommy Bowe and TJ Anderson, Trimble took up the course provided by Hibernia College in Dublin. The course, which encompasses four modules, from an introduction of management right through to marketing, was intense and challenging.

He admits it has opened his eyes to how a professional business operates, and has given him a firm understanding and insight into the day to day running of a successful business. “It’s quite a broad course, which gives you the options in the future to choose your personal direction. Having a mix of online and on-site tutorials meant that it worked in with my training schedule.”

At the same time, he admits that it was tough, often spending late nights in and out of the library. This was compounded in the past couple of months, with the exams looming at the same time as crucial knock-out matches for Ulster in both the Heineken Cup and RaboDirect Pro 12. While predominantly a theory based course, Trimble mentioned that with the help of IRUPA, he will be able to put into practice what he has learnt through the course.

“With the help of Pamela Gilpin, our Player Development Manager, in the future I’ll be able to get in touch with mentors and hopefully get a placement, although at the moment I’m not really sure what I want to get into, but it’s nice to have options.”

I reminded him that he always had the option of reviewing our business plan for a T-shirt business, set out strategically on the back of a Starbucks napkin a couple of years ago, but he politely declined, outlining that the course had given him bigger plans, and highlighted the many holes in what ultimately was a feeble and fragile business plan.

It’s okay Trimby, I hadn’t been holding onto that napkin for the past 24 months anyway…

Core Gym

As our conversation continued, all the while not mentioning the word ‘rugby’ at any stage, he spoke with passion about another venture that he has been involved in, in his home town of Coleraine. For the past few months, he’s been helping kick-start a local gym within an estate in the area, aimed at promoting fitness, education, and an opportunity for all, but most importantly, the younger generation.

‘Core Gym’ is an independent training facility, recently opened, and Trimble sees it’s potential as being a positive presence in the community, and why he gets up there as often as he can, to help promote the many social, physical, and mental benefits that education and exercising can yield. He said:

It’s something that they have just started, and we are hoping that it will be a positive presence in the local community. At the moment I try to get up there to train every so often, but hopefully in the future, I’ll take some personal training classes and have a more practical involvement within the gym.”

You’d be forgiven to allow Trimble a few weeks off, with all the study and work away from the pitch he does, and especially after the year he has had which ended with a successful tour to Argentina. However he does not complain. He has undoubtedly had his finest year as a professional rugby player, in outstanding form for both province and country, which culminated him sweeping up the Ulster awards as well as the Hibernia College IRUPA Players’ Player of the Year.


For myself, his teammates, the coaching staff and Ulster supporters, the personal success of this year had always been coming, it was just a matter of when. He has always been consistently one of the top performers at provincial level, but for whatever reason, form or selection, it had not translated onto the international stage, when everyone saw that he had more than enough in his locker to be one of the great Irish Test wingers. I asked him why this year was the year that it clicked, had he done anything differently this season than in the past. He responded:

I’ve been asked that question by a few people over the last couple of months, and I still haven’t come up with a good enough answer. I guess in the past I have always had a bit of form around Christmas, then being in and out of the Irish setup forces you to lose a bit of form, but this season I was able to maintain it, with a consistent run in the team under Joe.”

Many of the players who played under Joe Schmidt at Leinster, have made mention of his skills as a coach and the environment that he provides. One, that he is tough but effective in producing both individual and collective results. An environment that Trimble admits is difficult but ultimately rewarding.

“It’s a tough, stressful and an unpleasant environment at times. The training is difficult but it prepares you for the intensity of a test match. It brings the best out of you, and when you take the field, you are confident that you have put in the hours to perform to your best on the day.”

It’s the liking that Schmidt has shown to Trimble, selecting him in all matches of Ireland’s successful Six Nations campaign, that gives him the confidence that he is good enough to perform at this level. “Having a coach like Joe, who has a history of success in the game, like your style of play is a massive confidence builder, he has an astute way of getting wingers into the game, and it suits me perfectly”.

Trimble and Felix Jones on their Peruvian trek.

So it’s been a busy year for Trimble, and after such a long and enduring season, he has deserved a few weeks off after the tour to Argentina. The plan when we spoke, involved a trip to Machu Picchu in Peru. There is that perfect balance again. Rugby boots off, hiking boots on, and probably with a few business text books stuffed in the top of the rucksack, and a notepad, just in case there are a few pit stops along the way.”

http://www.thescore.ie/andrew-trimble-i ... 5-Jul2014/




Pienaar, Hougaard in frame for Bok No9 jersey
http://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/spring ... 7zs_15OP4g


"Ulster Way" is Spreading"

D.png (27.65 KiB) Viewed 8954 times

Young Donegal Town rugby players snapped up by Ulster Rugby!
http://www.donegalnow.com/article/3431

[Mac]

Friday 11th July

On goes away for 48 hrs and arrives back only to discover another PR disaster.
Links for the record only and how the media sees it........


http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-28259305
http://www.espn.co.uk/guinness-pro12-20 ... MP=OTC-RSS
https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/wo ... 02844.html
http://www.u.tv/News/Ulster-sorry-for-% ... 579241e986
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... s-out.html
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 24197.html
http://news.sky.com/story/1299248/ulste ... lacking-up
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/o ... 23922.html



What can Ulster expect from new South African signing Louis Ludik?
Former Agen teammate Denis Fogarty and South African sports journalist Gareth Duncan explain.

ULSTER HAVE A new backline option in Louis Ludik this season, with the 27-year-old having joined on a two-year contract from French club Agen.

The former Lions and Sharks player counts over 70 Super Rugby appearances among his honours, meaning he brings an element of experience to an Ulster back division that features several youngsters.

Ludik first broke into the professional game with the Lions in the 2006 Currie Cup, before graduating into Super Rugby in ’07, when he made 12 starts at fullback and on the wing.

That form saw the Kempton Park native earn selection for the Emerging Springboks, whom he helped to 2007 IRB Nations Cup success in Romania. Despite that early promise, Ludik never graduated to become a Springbok, although he did feature in a senior training squad in 2008.

In 2010, John Plumtree swooped to sign Ludik, installing him as his first-choice fullback at the Sharks, also using him on the wing and briefly positioning him at outside centre.

South African sports analyst Gareth Duncan of The Media Crowd has followed Ludik’s career closely, and points out that last summer’s move to Agen in the Pro D2 came as the player “got to the age where these opportunities won’t come much longer.”

Having realised that his Springbok dream was going to remain just that, Ludik’s arrival at Agen coincided with that of Irish hooker Denis Fogarty, who was quickly impressed with the quality of his new teammate.

“He did really well for us; we were very disappointed to lose him,” says former Munster man Fogarty. “He fitted in very quickly and he’s a hugely professional guy. He played fullback and 13 for us, and was brilliant in both.


“It didn’t bother him where he played. He still took to it easily and did extremely well. We were gutted to lose him.”

Eight of Ludik’s 14 starts for Agen last season came at outside centre, while his final Currie Cup season with Natal before leaving South Africa saw him feature exclusively in the 13 shirt.

However, Duncan believes “he will play fullback or wing for Ulster,” and that is certainly where the large majority of his professional career has been spent.

“He’s a utility back, whose preferred position is fullback but he’s able to play at wing and outside centre,” says Duncan. “He’s quick off the mark, has good hands and he is elusive. He tends to break tackles and beat defenders one-on-one.

His attacking abilities and composure under the high ball are his biggest assets.”

Duncan doesn’t “remember him missing many tackles” during his time with the Lions and Sharks, while Fogarty has a similarly positive report on the South African’s defensive work during his single season with Agen.

“He was very, very good in defence,” stresses Fogarty. “His talk in defence was always strong. We needed that out in our backline, fellas talking and fellas knowing what they needed to do. Other players grew by playing beside him.”

At 6’0″ and 92kg, Ludik is not the largest back in Ulster’s squad, but Fogarty explains that the South African’s mental strength more than makes up for any lack of bulk.

“He’s a clever player,” says Fogarty, who is still with Agen. “He’s not the biggest, but he runs some great lines in attack. Overall, he’s a very intelligent player.”

Duncan echoes that sentiment in pointing out that Ludik is “not always a player that stands out, or an eye-catching player, but what he does, he does well. He’s a dependable player.”

At Agen, Fogarty was encouraged by Ludik’s intent to integrate himself into the squad culture as swiftly as possible, even making stand-out efforts with the language. Such an attitude bodes well for the settling-in process at Ulster.

He’s a really nice guy, very down to earth. He does his own thing, he’s not a funny man or anything. He tried really hard with the French guys and they took to him because he made an effort with the French language.”

While the quality within Ulster’s backline means Ludik will have to fight hard for a spot in the province’s first-choice XV, Fogarty has no doubts as to his former teammate’s ability to stand up to the challenges on the biggest stage.

“He knows that Ulster are a massive team and they’ve got some incredible players all over the park. He knows it’s going to be tough to get onto the starting team. But I’d have no worries or issues with him starting a big Heineken Cup game for Ulster.”

http://www.thescore.ie/louis-ludik-ulst ... 2-Jul2014/



Lions aim to give Van der Merwe happy send off

The Johannesburg based Lions are hoping that they will be able to give stalwart lock Franco van der Merwe a memorable send-off in their final match of the Super Rugby season against the Cheetahs on Saturday.

Van der Merwe will run out in his 99th Super Rugby match for the Johannesburg franchise before joining Irish club Ulster.

In Van der Merwe the Lions will be losing their most experienced player and a crucial member of their brain trust.

"Franco will be missed - most of us will miss him for what he's done on the field. He always put in a 100 percent," Ackermann said of the Springbok lock.

"Even more off the field - the character that he is, he is a leader first of all then he is a fun guy to be with.

"He represents the players on all levels ... it is a loss for us but we understand why he is leaving."

Ackermann made three changes to the side which claimed a 34-17 victory over the Rebels last weekend.

Flyhalf Elton Jantjies has been rewarded for a good performance, playing off the bench in Friday's match, and will be playing his 50th Super Rugby match.

He replaces recently capped Springbok pivot Marnitz Boshoff and will reach his half-ton along with utility back Lionel Mapoe, who replaces the injured Deon van Rensburg on the wing.

In another change to the run-on side, Andries Coetzee makes his return after recovering from an injury.

He will slot in at fullback to the cost of Coenie van Wyk, who moves out of the matchday XV.

It may be the final match of the Super Rugby season for both sides but it is by no means a dead rubber.

While the Lions have already surpassed their best winning record in the competition - when they beat the Rebels last weekend for their sixth win of the season - the two sides will be fighting to avoid the wooden spoon in the South African conference.

Only two points separate the two sides with the Lions lying in 13th place on the overall log, and the Cheetahs 14th.

Lions captain Warren Whiteley said the team were determined to extend their winning record to seven matches for the season.

"I know how good this group is and I am aiming for seven wins," said Whiteley.

"I feel it is justifiable if you look at the ability of the group and that is what we are going for this weekend - seven victories."

Victory will not be presented on a silver platter as they face a resurgent Cheetahs team, fresh off a 27-20 victory over the Sharks last weekend.

The Bloemfontein-based franchise will also be looking to complete the rare accomplishment of victories over all the South African sides this season.

The Cheetahs have beaten the Bulls, Stormers and the Sharks during the season, with only a Lions defeat still outstanding.

They will also be looking to make amends for the one-point loss they suffered at the hands of the Lions in the opening round of the competition in Bloemfontein.

Lions

Andries Coetzee, Lionel Mapoe, Stokkies Hanekom, Alwyn Hollenbach, Anthony Volmink, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley (captain), Warwick Tecklenburg, Jaco Kriel, Franco van der Merwe, Franco Mostert, Julian Redelinghuys, Robbie Coetzee, Schalk van der Merwe.

Replacements: Armand van der Merwe, Corné Fourie, Ruan Dreyer, Willie Britz, Derick Minnie, Faf de Klerk, Marnitz Boshoff, Courtnall Skosan.

http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=43063



Les Kiss must span new set of challenges for Ulster rugby

Ulster's interim Director of Rugby Les Kiss will face a tricky looking clash at the Scarlets for his initial competitive game in charge as the newly-branded Guinness PRO12 league kicks-off on the first weekend of September.

And he will also have to deal with another frightening looking run-in to the regulation season for Ulster as they host Leinster and Munster before winding things up at Glasgow Warriors on the final weekend of round-robin action on May 15/16/17.

Next season's fixture list was released yesterday as the iconic drinks brand were officially unveiled as the league's new sponsor, replacing Dutch bank RaboDirect.

Guinness are believed to be putting their name to the product for the next two years, with an option in place to extend this to a third, while Sky Sports are also coming on board to show a total of 33 games as part of a four-year deal revealed earlier this year.

The precise days for the PRO12 fixtures will be confirmed in around two weeks' time – yesterday's release just provides the weekends they are due to be played – though, clearly, Ulster are hoping that Friday night games at the Kingspan Stadium will remain largely intact aside from Sky's potential input .

This season will be no soft landing for Ulster and current Ireland assistant coach Kiss – who was unexpectedly brought in last week after Mark Anscombe's removal – will be hoping to do rather better than last season's visit to Parc y Scarlets, where, incidentally, coach Simon Easterby has been strongly linked with the currently vacant Ireland forwards job, when Ulster were turned over in November.

Indeed, Kiss's priority will be to get his side functioning from the off after the last campaign's damaging opening when Anscombe's men managed to lose their first two games – away at the Dragons and at home to Glasgow Warriors – which came back to bite Ulster later on in the season as they ultimately finished fourth and then lost their away play-off at champions Leinster.

This time around, Ulster's first home game will be against Zebre and Kiss's squad then end September with two away games, against Cardiff Blues – which could be tasty if Gareth Ansombe has completed his widely rumoured move to Wales – and then have their return fixture at Zebre which has proved a challenging enough venue in recent seasons.

Kiss will then be looking to rack up some victories as Ulster have four straight home games though these will be spread over the period of early October to the end of November thanks to the combined presences of the initial European Rugby Champions Cup games and the autumn internationals though the province – who will be without Kiss while Ireland are playing – do host the Ospreys on what is likely to be the day before Ireland play Australia in Dublin on Saturday, November 22.

The festive period – encompassing rounds 10,11 and 12 of the league – will see Ulster entertain Connacht in an interprovincial clash which is sandwiched between two away outings at Ospreys and fellow interpro rivals Leinster with the latter followed in round 13 by a trip to Treviso on the weekend of January 9/10/11.

There is one scheduled clash over the course of the Six Nations when Treviso come to Belfast on what will probably be Friday, February 13, the day before Ireland host France and, again, Kiss will clearly be otherwise engaged.

Ulster were hit by a difficult run-in during last season's regulation league campaign and this time it might prove to be much the same scenario as the province's last three scheduled outings see them host Leinster – on the weekend of April 24/25/26 – before doing likewise with Munster and then finishing with a nasty looking fixture at Glasgow.

Should Ulster make it through to a third straight PRO12 play-off, and emerge from that over the weekend of May 22/23/24 as victors – which seems to depend so much getting a semi-final at home – they will then play in the final which will now be held the following weekend and not, as before, at the end of May after the European competitions had previously been played out.

And with seven PRO12 sides qualifying for the European Champions Cup, with at least one club from each country being represented, final league position is vital to stay in the mix to make the all-important upper tier of European competition.


•The annual Ophir Rugby sevens tournament celebrates its 30th anniversary over the weekend of August 15-16 at the Ophir RFC pitches, Cottonmount, Mallusk.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 22760.html


WRU aiming to avoid crisis

The Welsh Rugby Union insisted it was working to avoid a crisis over the participation agreement after Regional Rugby Wales announced the governing body's proposal was "completely unacceptable" following "indescribably tortuous" negotiations.

The four regions which form RRW - the Blues, the Dragons, the Ospreys and the Scarlets - released a statement, saying every time progress was made "two steps back" followed.

The WRU responded, saying it was "saddened and surprised" by the RRW statement.

The WRU added in a statement: "The WRU will not respond to the highly emotional content of the document and assures all involved with Welsh rugby that the governing body will continue to work with complete focus on reaching agreement with the four regional organisations as soon as possible.

"The WRU remains determined to conclude an agreement which will ensure the existing four regional organisations continue as the nominated teams to take place in all IRB sanctioned competitions for the professional level of rugby involving teams from Wales."

The participation agreement, which ended on June 30, covers issues such as the competitions the teams play in, payment for international player release, overseas player quotas and the fourth autumn Test match.

No resolution to talks would throw into doubt the future of the regions and, potentially, professional rugby in Wales.

Wales captain Sam Warburton signed a central contract with the WRU which, at present, leaves him without a team to play for next season.

A RRW statement read: "Sadly, the Regions regret to confirm that despite an indescribably tortuous process of endless telephone calls and meetings since January 6, the control, commercial and financial conditions that are being demanded of them under drafts of the proposed new service agreement would be completely unacceptable for any responsible independent business to enter into and expose itself to.

"The regions have consistently made every possible effort to reach a positive and progressive agreement that truly works in the interests of both parties, to ensure a sustainable and competitive professional game in Wales at both regional and international level. They remain totally committed to the hope of reaching that solution.

"However, after many months of working hard to try to progress a new agreement, it is with heavy hearts that the boards of all four regions must now urgently consider the stark practical consequences of operating within a business model that does not include any form of agreement with the WRU outside IRB regulations and no WRU support or involvement in the development of professional regional rugby."

RRW stated public comments from leading figures in the WRU were not matched by actions in negotiations.

"Unfortunately, these comments in the public domain do not reflect the actual process that the regions continue to experience, with every apparent step forward eventually being replaced by two steps back," RRW said.

The WRU insisted it was following correct protocols in discussions.

The WRU added in its statement: "Following receipt of a copy of the draft RSA (Rugby Services Agreement) with marked comments by Regional Rugby Wales the WRU responded in writing on Thursday, July 10, with comments to the RRW amendments.

"This is the legitimate, proper and private method adopted within corporate governance for agreements to be negotiated and concluded.

"It is extremely unhelpful to the process for emotionally charged statements to be made, either verbally or in writing, to interfere with this process."

The WRU statement suggested it believes an agreement is close.

"The WRU urges RRW to continue to fully engage in this process and has been encouraged by some recent comments from senior RRW personnel confidently predicting a positive outcome soon," the statement added.

"The WRU is confident that the governing body and RRW are in substantial agreement on the total monies contributed by the WRU within the RSA and the governing body will work to ensure the rugby commitments associated to the payments are acceptable to all parties and in the best interests of Welsh rugby."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 24839.html



RDS to be redeveloped into 25,000 capacity stadium
Work scheduled to begin in 2016 on ‘a multi-purpose world class arena’

Leinster and the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) have agreed to redevelop their grounds in Dublin into a 25,000 capacity stadium. The design of the new complex, which may included terracing for 1,500 spectators but which will be largely all-seater, will be decided after an international architectural competition is held.

The current capacity of 18,500 is seen as too small for Leinster, who have been one of the top European sides for the last number of years. The three-time European Cup winners have being playing in the RDS since moving from the smaller Donnybrook in 2007.

With a six month time frame in place for the selection of the design concept, work is not expected to start until April 2016 at the earliest. Leinster will continue to play their home games at the venue during the redevelopment and the Dublin Horse Show will also continue as normal.

The budget for the build, which is complex and involves demolishing the old Angelsea stand as well as putting additional seating beside the new stands, is €20 million. That money will come from the RDS, although with subsequent revenue streams coming from naming rights and other commercial activity, the RDS is satisfied with their investment.

“Naming rights would be an important part of our thinking,” said Michael Duffy chief executive of the RDS, this afternoon.

During the redevelopment the capacity will be reduced, although temporary seating will be used where the current Angelsea stand is located.

“We are realistic to know that we have to move with the time,” said Leinster coach Matt O’Connor. “And ensure development of the facilities in the RDS to a world class level and ultimately the players will benefit from that.”

The new stadium will be multi-purpose and will have enhanced facilities. The decision on the design will be adjudicated by a five person jury and chaired by Owen Lewis, professor emeritus of Architectural Science, UCD.

“The move from Donnybrook in 2007/08 has proved to be extremely successful,” said Leinster chief executive Mick Dawson. “However, we want to move forward and a 25,000 capacity, purpose built arena will allow us to do that and provide us with greater commercial opportunities both within the stadium and with regard to naming rights.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/p ... -1.1863031

[Mac]

Tuesday 15th July






New signing Ludik vows to give his all for Ulster

There are just eight weeks to go before the GUINNESS PRO12 kicks off and Ulster new boy Louis Ludik says the start of the season can't come round soon enough.

The full-back made the switch from French club Agen in May to sign a two-year deal in Ulster, joining South African compatriots Ruan Pienaar and fellow new signing Wiehahn Herbst at the Irish province.

Ludik's first chance to impress will be in the away trip to Scarlets on the first weekend in September, as Ulster look to go one further and reach the GUINNESS PRO12 final this season.

And the 27-year-old, who is quickly getting used to life in Belfast, promises to leave nothing out on the pitch in an Ulster jersey.

"At the moment it is all about getting fit and learning how the coaches want me to play and where they want me to fit into the team," Ludik told Ulster's official website.

"When I get onto the field I will give everything as a player. I can't wait to get out there.

"The facilities are the best that I have seen. They are the next level. It is such a privilege just to be there and to work out - it is awesome.

"People have been really friendly. We are still trying to find our way about but everyone that we have spoken to has been so helpful.

"We want to see what Ulster is all about. Next week we are planning to take an open top bus tour to see a bit more of Belfast."

http://www.pro12rugby.com/news/15299.php#.U8TUnl5OP4g
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... play-.aspx

JD.png (2.29 KiB) Viewed 8834 times

Selection of PS training pictures from late last week.
All courtesy of http://www.dicksondigital.com/

All the pics.... http://dicksondigital.photoshelter.com/ ... 3YhRT5c5uM

[Mac]

Wednesday 16th July


............ well it's rugby


The Modern Game ?


Leinster seeking Injury Prevention & Rehab coach

POST TITLE:

Injury Prevention & Rehabilitation Coach

ROLE AND PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The role involves rehabilitation of injured players to return to performance. The job requires the implementation of Injury Prevention Strategies within the Senior Squad and assistance of the Strength & Conditioning Department. The purpose of the role is to decrease the time lost through injury, increase players' capacity to perform upon return to play, and to decrease the Squad Injury Profile.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Operational:

Head Coach; Head of Strength & Conditioning; Head Doctor; Lead Physiotherapist; Team Manager

Functional:

CEO - Leinster Rugby

KEY QUALITIES:

Essential:
•BSc or equivalent in Sports Rehab/Athletic Training
•Minimum of three (3) years' experience in Professional Sport
•Highly Organised & Efficient
•Strong Program Design & Knowledge of Strength & Conditioning Principles
•Knowledge of Injury Pathology and Advanced Rehabilitation Techniques
•Excellent Communication Skills & Relationship Management
•Ability to use objective measures & be a strong decision maker
•Ability to work as part of a team

Desirable:
•Strength & Conditioning Qualification (e.g. UKSCA / NSCA)
•MSc in Rehabilitation
•Specific practical knowledge in a collision sport
•Good knowledge and awareness of Athlete Monitoring Systems
•Relevant research in the area of Injury Rehabilitation and/or Prevention
•Ability to demonstrate on-going CPD in the required areas

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

General areas of responsibility include but not limited to:
•Develop & maintain a best practice approach in the area of Injury Rehab/Prevention to be implemented at all levels of the club (Senior; Academy; Sub-Academy)
•Management of Rehabilitation Programs for Senior Squad
•Planning objective Rehabilitation Milestones/Goals & Return to Play Markers
•Weekly Rehab Programme & Schedule Design
•Analysing programme efficacy & assessing achievement of goals
•Design & implement Injury Prevention Prehabilitation Programs in accordance with S&C Periodisation Design
•Annual Review & update of Medical Systems in conjunction with Medical Department
•Interpret & Review Athlete Monitoring Data and suggest alterations to Team/Individual Training Loads where required
•Research of Rehab & Prehab methods used
•Assist S&C Dept. with gym and field based Conditioning Units
•Assist S&C Dept. with Periodisation and Programme Design where necessary
•Match Day Physical & Pre-Game Preparation
•Effective communication between Medical, Strength & Conditioning and Rugby Departments

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send a copy of your CV, along with covering letter, to Ronan O'Donnell: ronan.odonnell@leinsterrugby.ie

Closing date: Friday, 25th July 2014

Leinster Rugby is an equal opportunities employer.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/12164.php#.U8YlP15OP4g



Here’s who the Premiership clubs have signed for the 2014/15 season
We’ve rounded up all the business done on the transfer market in England this summer.

LAST WEEK, WE brought you a round-up of the extensive recruitment made by the clubs in the Top 14 ahead of the upcoming season.

It’s the turn of the English clubs next, and they have nearly as busy in terms of numbers of signings, even if some of the new faces are not as high profile as those in France.

London Irish have strengthened their ties to Ireland with a batch of additions from the provinces, while Saracens have recruited a handful of players who they expect to improve their strength.

**********

Bath

Sam Burgess [back row/centre, South Sydney Rabbitohs], Luke Arscott [fullback, Exeter Chiefs], Henry Thomas [tighthead prop, Sale Sharks], Grant Shiells [loosehead prop, Newcastle], Nick Auterac [loosehead prop, Saracens].

Exeter Chiefs

Ryan Caldwell [second row, Bath], Thomas Waldrom [back row, Leicester], Moray Low [prop, Glasgow Warriors], Adam Hughes [centre/wing, Bristol], Mitch Lees [back row/second row, London Welsh], Elvis Taione [hooker, Jersey], Tomas Francis [tighthead prop, London Scottish].

Gloucester

James Hook [out-half/fullback, Perpignan], John Afoa [tighthead prop, Ulster], Greig Laidlaw [scrum-half, Edinburgh], Richard Hibbard [hooker, Ospreys], Mariano Galarza [second row, Worcester], Aleki Lutui [hooker, Edinburgh], Aled Thomas [out-half, Scarlets], Tom Palmer [second row, Wasps], Mark Atkinson [centre, Bedford Blues], Tom Isaacs [centre, Ospreys], Jacob Rowan [back row, Leeds], Steve McColl [fullback, Leeds], Callum Braley [scrum-half, Bristol], Henry Purdy [centre, Leicester].

Harlequins

Marland Yarde [wing, London Irish], Asaeli Tikoirotuma [wing, Chiefs].

Leicester Tigers

Freddie Burns [out-half, Gloucester], Leonardo Ghiraldini [hooker, Treviso], Christian Loamanu [wing/centre, Treviso], Robert Barbieri [back row, Treviso], Seremai Bai [centre, Castres], Michele Rizzo [loosehead prop, Treviso], Aniseko Sio [prop, Samoa], Laurence Pearce [No. 8, Rotherham].

London Irish

Daniel Leo [second row, Perpignan], Chris Noakes [out-half, Blues], Tom Court [loosehead prop, Ulster], Luke Narraway [back row, Perpignan], Eoin Griffin [centre, Connacht], James Short [wing, Saracens], Conor Gilsenan [back row, Leinster], Geoff Cross [tighthead prop, Glasgow Warriors], Sean Cox [second row, Edinburgh], Tom Guest [No. 8, Harlequins], Scott Steele [scrum-half, Leicester].

London Welsh

Piri Weepu [scrum-half, London Welsh], Olly Barkley [out-half, Scarlets], Eddie Aholelei [loosehead prop, Melbourne Rebels], Lachlan McCaffrey [No. 8, Brumbies], Pablo Henn [loosehead prop, Limoges], Dean Schofield [second row, Worcester], Shane Cahill [loosehead prop, Cornish Pirates], Tristan Roberts [out-half, Bristol], Paul Rowley [scrum-half, Plymouth], Darren Waters [back row, Newport Gwent Dragons], James Sandford [second row, Cornish Pirates], Tim Molenaar [centre, Harlequins], Nic Reynolds [centre, Scarlets], Koree Britton [hooker, Gloucester], Chris Elder [fullback, Plymouth Albion], Taione Vea [prop, Wasps], Josh McNally [second row, Air Force], Ricky Reeves [loosehead prop, Wasps], Jesse Liston [back row, Blackheath], Jack Gilding [tighthead prop, Viadana], Cameron Goodhue [No. 8, Worcester], Nathan Taylor [hooker, Hartpury RFC], Jimmy Litchfield [prop, Hartpury RFC].

Newcastle Falcons

Josh Furno [second row/back row, Biarritz], Alesana Tuilagi [wing, NTT Shining Arcs], Anitelea Tuilagi [centre, Newport Gwent Dragons], Eric Fry [prop, London Scottish], Ruki Tipuna [scrum-half, Bristol], Uili Kolo’ofai [second row, Colomiers], Rob Hawkins [hooker, Leicester], Calum Green [second row, Leeds], Juan Pablo Socino [centre, Rotherham].

Northampton Saints

Joel Hodgson [out-half, Newcastle].

Sale Sharks

Chris Cusiter [scrum-half, Glasgow Warriors], Nathan Hines [second row, Clermont], Luke McLean [fullback, Treviso], Alberto de Marchi [prop, Treviso], Darren Fearn [loosehead prop, Bedford Blues].

Saracens

Juan Figallo [tighthead prop, Montpellier], Jim Hamilton [second row, Montpellier], Kieran Longbotton [tighthead prop, Western Force], Mike Ellery [wing/fullback, England Sevens].

Wasps

Alapati Leiua [wing/centre, Hurricanes], Ruaridh Jackson [out-half, Glasgow Warriors], Bradley Davies [second row, Cardiff Blues], John Yapp [prop, Edinburgh], James Gaskell [back row, Sale], Rob Miller [fullback.out-half, Sale], Lorenzo Cittadini [tighthead prop, Treviso], Ed Shervington [hooker, Worcester], Thomas Young [back row, Cardiff Blues], Alex Lozowski [out-half, Leeds], Buster Lawrence [second row, Moseley].

http://www.thescore.ie/premiership-rugb ... 3-Jul2014/



A request for Welsh Rugby - Shut Up And Talk!

I have no interest in the precise details of the Welsh rugby crisis anymore. About a year ago, I really did try to get to grips with what was going on from both sides, but now none of it really seems to matter.

Yesterday I read articles which claimed that the possibility of Sam Warburton beginning the season without a club was surely the tipping point that made us want to raise our desperation to “Scream Painting” levels. But that wasn’t the tipping point for me - that would be Adam Jones being on the brink of going to Bristol.

Of course I get that Warburton is Wales & Lions captain and all, but let’s face it, he’s not the best in the world at his position - heck, you could argue that he’s not even the best in WALES at his position. Sorry if I’m getting a bit cruel there, but the point I’m trying to make is that when it comes to evaluating the sport’s best tightheads you’ll have to answer to me if at the very least the top 3 doesn’t include the Ospreys’ iconic hair bear.

So if an ongoing spat featuring countless statements, counter-statements, articles, tweets, retweets, blocks & unblocks actually has AJ playing in the RFU Championship for an entire season then I reckon everyone involved needs to be hanging their heads in shame.

But I’m not here to justify my reasons for flipping out over the crisis; I’m here to call everyone, and I MEAN everyone involved whatever name it takes to make them come to their senses, assuming they have any. Immature? Stubborn? Narrow-Minded? Greedy? Lacking in cojones? All of the above? Take your pick.

And please, please, please understand that I’m not having a go at the entire Welsh people here. This isn’t a national thing at all. Consider me an interested outsider - in fact, given we still have a mutual interest in the Pro12, Irish fans would be less “outsiders” than others (though even at that I certainly don’t speak for all of them either!!!).

Naturally there are those eyebrow-deep in the saga who are reading this rant by an Irish blogger and thinking either (to put it politely; I presume their words would be a tad more colourful) “I’m sorry, old chap, but I hardly think it’s any of your business” or “Oh, but what you don’t seem to realise is that [insert one side or the other’s name here] has done [insert some terrible deed here] and we just cannot bring ourselves to accept that!”

For what it’s worth, and I know it’s probably very little, all I can hear in amongst all that is “blah, blah, blah.”

Whether it’s the WRU, the RRW, David Moffett, the Welsh clubs, the Welsh mainstream media, even the so-called social media “Ultras”, or anyone else who has a vested interest in what’s going on…

Find somewhere to meet, go there, lock yourselves in, close all access to the outside world, and JUST. SORT. IT. OUT. Before you go in, tell everyone that you won’t see daylight until you can greet it with a functioning Participation Agreement.

I don’t care if it won’t be easy. There’s plenty of crap out there that’s way more complicated I can tell you, and maybe some people need to be reminded that although everyone in the global rugby community loves the game with a passion, it is, after all, just that, a GAME (everyone’s!).

Do it now! You could have it wrapped up by the weekend. And despite the fact that between you all you’ve prolonged the crisis for what seems like an eternity, you’d come out of it as heroes, and then the rest of us can get on with looking forward to headlines being inspired by actual rugby from the pitch, particularly if they include Adam Jones playing the likes of Leinster, Northampton and Racing Métro next season like he should be and not trudging back and forth between Moseley and Bedford. JLP

http://www.harpinonrugby.net/

[Mac]

Thursday 17th July





Pitch Perfect

The summer is usually a time for holidays and relaxing, but that is not the case for Ulster Rugby’s Head Groundsman James Laird. The 26 year-old is hard at work preparing the pitch for the new season – a process that starts as soon as the final home game of the previous year is over:

“We begin by scarifying, which pulls up the thatch from the pitch bed,” reveals James. “Then we carry out hollow coring, which takes out small cores. These are then collected before we top dress. This year we applied 100 tonnes of HS masters sand, this is brushed into the core holes which gives us better drainage and levels any divots or uneven areas. Some parts we have to then fill by hand with a sand and soil mix to ensure that the surface is as level as possible. Then we overseed the pitch – sometimes we do this two or three times over the course of the summer.”

James is a graduate of Greenmount College and has been working at Kingspan Stadium for the past four years. His goal is a playing surface to match the new state-of-the-art surroundings of the redeveloped stadium. Once the business of preparing the pitch is complete it is then all about maintenance:

James says: “We cut it every other day or every third day. We use both a cylinder mower and a rotary flail mower. We use an irrigation system during drought or dry spells until new seed is established, We also verti-drain regularly. This spikes the ground with solid tines, three quarters of an inch thick and from three to 12 inches deep. This process relieves compaction, improves water infiltration and encourages deeper root development, meaning the pitch will be stronger in the winter months.”

In recent years James has had to contend with the redevelopment of the stadium and all the challenges that has brought to pitch maintenance.

“Its all about spending time and getting the pitch in as good a nick as possible so that when the harsh winter weather comes the pitch is strong and holds up.”

The pitch will be used by the Ulster team as well as clubs, schools and women’s teams. Time invested now in creating a top surface is time well spent.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... fect-.aspx



Rugby had higher percentage of positive drugs tests than athletics in 2013
1.3 per cent of the samples taken in rugby showed the presence of prohibited substances.

RUGBY HAD A higher percentage of positive drugs tests in 2013 than athletics or cycling, according to figures released by the World Anti-Doping Agency [WADA].

While cycling and athletics had rates of 1.2 per cent of positive tests, rugby was at 1.3 per cent. That was despite the latter having a considerably lower amount of tests carried out over the course of the year.

The results come as a slight surprise, given the oft-presumed association of cycling and athletics with performance-enhancing substances. 22,252 cyclists were tested in 2013, while 24,942 athletes and just 6,126 rugby players underwent urine and blood examinations.

These figures include all analyses conducted by the 33 WADA-accredited laboratories for in- and out-of-competition testing and by two additional laboratories that have been approved by WADA.

Analysis of the positive tests in rugby, of which there were a total of 78, indicates that a large proportion came from South Africa [16] and France [12].

1657 of the tests carried out by the International Rugby Board [IRB] in 2013 were analysed in WADA-approved labs, resulting in three bans. One of those involved a Scottish player, while the two others were Namibians.

Also included in WADA’s report are the 92 urine samples taken by the Irish Sports Council in rugby in 2013. Analysis of those samples returned two Adverse Analytical Findings [AAFs], which indicate the presence of prohibited substances or methods.

http://www.thescore.ie/drugs-testing-po ... 4-Jul2014/

For more on the 2013 WADA reports....... http://playtrue.wada-ama.org/news/2013- ... ng-figures




Brian O’Driscoll signs up as rugby expert with BT Sport
The 35-year-old will be involved in the Rugby Champions Cup packages this season.

FORMER IRELAND AND Leinster centre Brian O’Driscoll has agreed to join BT Sport as a rugby pundit.

The sports broadcaster has announced that O’Driscoll will “carry out various roles” for them, including acting as an on-screen rugby expert and ambassador.

Last month, the 35-year-old was added to the ‘Off the Ball’ team on Newstalk radio station, where he will work intermittently as a co-presenter alongside Ger Gilroy. These steps into the media world come as no surprise, given the iconic centre’s knowledge of the game and personality.

O’Driscoll’s main role for BT Sport will be as a rugby expert on coverage of the newly formed European Rugby Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup. He will also appear on BT’s weekly rugby show ‘Rugby Tonight’.

BT Sport is screened in Ireland as part of the Setanta Sports Pack, so viewers here will have the pleasure of watching O’Driscoll’s foray into a new career if they are subscribed to that deal.


I’m excited to be embarking on one of the next steps in my career with BT Sport,” said O’Driscoll. “It’s a big change for me but I’m looking forward to the challenge and being involved at the inception of the brand new European tournament at a brand new channel like BT Sport.”

“I’m joining BT Sport because I’ve been impressed by their new and fresh approach to rugby coverage and I’m looking forward to being a part of their team.”

Meanwhile, Brian Quinn, Marketing Operations Director for Setanta Sports, said:

“There is no bigger name in Irish sport so we are delighted that Brian has chosen to join BT Sport’s rugby coverage.

“He brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience which will be a huge asset in BT Sport’s coverage of the new European Rugby Champions Cup. Irish fans will enjoy seeing his personality and experience shine through when the coverage starts.”

http://www.thescore.ie/brian-odriscoll- ... 7-Jul2014/

[Mac]

Thursday 24th July





Reidy keen to take his chance

As one of nine additions to the Ulster squad over the summer, Sean Reidy is keen to impress. The 25 year-old New Zealander, who is Irish qualified through his grandfather, signed a short term contract and his ambition in the coming months is to convert that into a long term association with the Province:

“I have set my self a few goals,” says the former Manukau Steelers player. “I am here on trial basis so it’s about getting that full-contract. The pre-season and early season games are important. The internationals may not be available for those matches with being phased back in, so that’s the time when I hope to play and to put my hand up. I have a chance here with Ulster and I want to take it.”

Its now the fourth week of pre-season and Reidy has been impressed with the set up at Ulster:

“Everything is really good,” he says. “The medical staff and the fitness guys have been really excellent and I have been learning a lot. It’s a little bit different to back home. I would say that it’s a bit more based on strength and conditioning as opposed to skills work at this stage – but as pre season goes on I know that ball-in-hand sessions will become a bigger focus.”

Reidy is also a fan of his new surroundings:

“I am enjoying Belfast. I have got lost a few times down a few one-way streets! I had a look around the city centre and have seen most of the main sites. I also had a walk up cave hill the other day which was good.

“It’s good to be here at Ulster. I am keen to learn as much as I can and to put my best foot forward.”

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestN ... ance-.aspx



Bowe keen to put injuries behind him

Ulster wing Tommy Bowe is hoping his injury problems are a thing of a past as he eyes a return to the Ireland squad and winning domestic silverware.

Bowe endured a frustrating 2013/14 season as wrist and groin injuries restricted him to just 10 PRO12 appearances for Ulster.

Bowe's wrist injury also restricted him to two Tests for the Lions in their series win over Australia and he last played for Ireland in November.

But with next year's World Cup coming up, he is determined to return to the international stage.

"Being injured is by far the worst part of playing rugby," Bowe told the PRO12's official website.

"It's my 11th year. I was fortunate.

"I've had eight years of pretty much no injuries but the last years have been hell. Hopefully this is my year.

"It's the World Cup at the end of the year and hopefully I will get back involved in that and we'll see how we go."

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 72,00.html



Has Ulster Rugby’s new away kit been leaked online?

The official launch is a week away but an image of Ulster Rugby’s new away shirt has appeared online today.

Posted on Reddit Rugby by Redditor Mnorris2189 today, this is claimed to be Ulster Rugby’s new, very purple, away shirt for the 2014-15 season.

Last year’s black number was fairly nifty in our book but the new one is a tad more garish. Not Stade Francais garish but still.

The official kit launch is to be held next week, but some of the 2014-15 range has already available to buy on the Ulster website, and the thermal top (below) features the same colour scheme, so this kit is probably not far off what we will see next week.

http://www.joe.ie/rugby/rugby-news/pic- ... ed-online/


OTHER


GETREALRUGBY......

Top Attendances Per League and Club

The 2013-2014 European club season was comparable to the 2012-2013 season in terms of inter-league battles. The Heineken Cup champion in both years was Toulon which saw France become the most successful country in the history of the competition with a total of seven titles split between Brive, Toulon and Toulouse. Both the Aviva Premiership and Rabo Direct Pro 12 competitions won the competition six times with all of the Rabo Direct Pro 12 champions being Irish. Ireland also, overall, enjoys larger crowds than other Pro 12 participants

Opinion is mixed across the board as to which of the three European professional leagues is the best. For supporters of one of the three member countries obvious preferences exist while for supporters of other countries preference very often comes down to which league has more players from ones home country. U.S. supporters, for instance, have less reason than Canadians to focus on the Rabo Direct Pro 12 while Georgians have more reason to follow the Top 14 than the Aviva Premiership. For neutrals, however, other criteria come into play as fans seek to be entertained.

No method exists that can be used to conclude which, if any, of the leagues is the best. Ultimately it comes down to what it is that the individual is seeking. For many it is high scoring matches packed with tries while for others close matches, high scoring or not, are ideal. With Super Rugby tending to be of the earlier variety there are regular criticisms over the professional leagues played in western and central Europe.

Reaching a conclusion as to which league is the best is therefore a subjective rather than an objective process. This does not, however, mean that methods of comparing the leagues cannot be made. Based on attendance numbers the resulting differences between leagues and from within the leagues themselves is noteworthy.

In the 2013-2014 season the three competitions operated at the same time but under differing models. With both having twelve teams facing each other home and away followed by Semi Finals and a Final the Aviva Premiership and Pro 12 each had a total of 135 matches. France’s club season is longer with it containing fourteen teams and having an additional play-offs round known as the barrage. In total the Top 14 had 187 matches this past season.

The French league therefore had 52 more matches than that of either the English or the Celtic-Italian leagues. With more matches being played the Top 14 therefore recorded a higher overall attendance figure than the two others but it also led the way in terms of average attendances per match with 13,538. It represented a 3% rise from the previous season.

The figures corresponded to Top 14 matches having on average 784 more people than those at Aviva Premiership matches and 5,333 more than the average sized crowd in the Rabo Direct Pro 12. The average attendance recorded in England was actually smaller than the 13,364 spectators per match in the 2009-2010 season when ten matches were played at Twickenham.

League Average Attendance
Aviva Premiership .... 12,754
Rabo Direct Pro 12.... 8,205
Top 14 ....13,538

In terms of the Semi Finals attendances the Top 14 is quite clearly a far more successful product than the two other leagues. Crowds of 48,942 and 49,257 attended the matched played in the neutral city of Lille. Neither the Aviva Premiership nor the Rabo Direct Pro 12 utilizes neutral venues for the Semi Finals. The matches are instead played at the regular home venues of the Semi Finalists.

The policy is ongoing from the LNR. Semi Finals in previous seasons have been played in a variety of cities including and Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseilles, Montpellier, Nantes, St. Etienne and Toulouse. Venues used for international rugby including Rugby World Cup 2007. The lesson is that by planning ahead it is possible to have soccer cities flying rugby colors which helps the sport tremendously.

By hosting Semi Finals at the homes of the Northampton Saints and Saracens the Aviva Premiership had smaller attendances not only than those in Lille but was also lower overall than the combined total of people attending the Rabo Direct Pro 12 Semi Finals in Glasgow and Dublin. A crowd of 10,000 saw the Glasgow Warriors eliminate Munster and 18,246 were on hand for Leinster v Ulster. 13,491 people saw Northampton defeat Leicester while 9,961 were on hand to see Saracens eliminate Harlequins in a Greater London showdown.

League Semi Final 1 Semi Final 2 Total
Aviva Premiership 13,491 9,961 23,432
Rabo Direct Pro 12 10,000 18,246 28,246
Top 14 48,492 49,257 98,199

The finals of both the Aviva Premiership and Top 14 are played at the same venues every year – Twickenham and the Stade de France. As such tickets are available well in advance and attendances are strong. With the Rabo Direct Pro 12 being a four nation competition the venue for the final is not determined until the completion of the Semi Finals with the top ranked Semi Final winner gaining home advantage. For this reason the much smaller RDS Stadium in Dublin hosted the 2014 Pro 12 final attracting 19,200people compared to 79,193 in London and 80,174 in Paris.

League Final
Aviva Premiership 79,193
Rabo Direct Pro 12 19,200
Top 14 80,174

Despite having a much lower overall attendance record compared to the Aviva Premiership and Top 14 the attendances recorded in Ireland are actually very strong with three of the four Irish provinces having had strong overall attendances. In the four seasons of Italian involvement Irish teams have dominated on the field and off it winning three finals and having Leinster, Munster and Ulster all compete in finals.

The Welsh crisis again prevented the four regions from receiving anything comparable to the popularity that the national team enjoys while Scotland and Italy continue to have low support. So much so that in the 2012-2013 season Connacht had higher attendances than both Edinburgh and Glasgow. The strongest crowds were all Irish with Leinster averaging 19,791 per game, Munster 14,137 and Ulster 10,307 . For the same season the Ospreys had 9,291 and the Cardiff Blues 8,933.

Such crowd sizes make these three Irish provinces amongst the best supported in Europe. Indeed all of the London Irish, London Wasps, Newcastle Falcons, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, Saracens and Worcester Warriors had lower attendances in 2013-2014 than in the 2012-2013 season. Attendances for Wasps’ fixtures dropped by 32.58% from 8,542 at Adams Park in 2009-2010 to 5,759 this past season.

The lowest attended club in France was Castres with 8,445 per match, or 2,686 more than the Wasps who , overall, did better than Bath, Exeter, Worcester, Sale and Newcastle due to the use of Twickenham. The Wasps’ total attendance figure of 153,691equated to an average of 13,971 per match. Newcastle recorded the lowest with an average attendance of 5,135 per match.

The Leicester Tigers continued to be the most popular European club with an average attendance of 20,948 out of a total of 251,377 in the Aviva Premiership. The Harlequins received 18,842 per match and Saracens as third with 14,970. Champions the Northampton Saints averaged 13,125 per match a figure similar to the sixth best in France, Bayonne.

With a total attendance of 181,498 across thirteen home matches Bayonne had an average of 13,961 per match. The strongest attendances were recorded by Bordeaux-Begles at an average of 19,545 per match. It is likely to overtake Leicester next season as ten out of thirteen matches will be at the Stade Chaban Delmas. Champions Toulon attracted 18,588 per match, Stade Français was third with 17,037, Clermont fourth with 17,074 per match while Toulouse rounded out the top five with 16,355 people attending home matches on average.

The larger attendances recorded in France overall during the regular season are therefore consistent with France having the highest number of teams in the list of the top ten supported clubs in Europe. Of the top ten five are French, three are English and two are Irish.

Top Ten Supported Clubs
1 Leicester Tigers
2 Leinster
3 Bordeaux Begles
4 Harlequins
5 Toulon
6 Clermont Auvergne
7 Stade Français
8 Toulouse
9 Saracens
10 Munster

http://www.getrealrugby.com/top-attenda ... ague-club/



Defining Season Ahead For Guinness Pro12

The European rugby season commences in mid August when the Top 14 kicks off. The season ahead will be the first with the new European structure and the ‘Champions Cup’. However, the tournament that faces its biggest season yet is the Pro12.

Some major changes will take effect from this season, and they need to invigorate the competition to guarantee its survival. Otherwise, the Pro12 may very well find itself on the scrap heap. This season the league must show serious signs of growth, or face serious questions over its future.

This season really is make or break for the Pro12. Guinness coming on board as the new title sponsor is a massive boost for a league that did not have any title sponsor for its first five seasons. The combined marketing resources of the Pro12 and the Guinness brand-under Diageo- should give the league a much-needed boost. The league really must use this boost to put significant effort into improving attendances, with last season’s league averaging of just over 8,000 per match, lagging behind the Aviva Premiership and Top 14 by 4,000 and 5,000 respectively.

The Champions Cup has at least required a semi-meritocratic qualification system from the league, therefore increasing the importance of each match, and hopefully attendances will grow correspondingly.

An even greater coup for the league is its broadcast on Sky Sports from next season. While Sky will broadcast 33 matches, the Pro12 will still enjoy the benefit of having some matches available free-to-air. The Sky deal is the best thing to happen to the league in its short history, with their presence in the market challenging other broadcasters to improve their service.

Sky did so much to make the Heineken Cup the special competition that it was, and will no doubt transform the viewing experience of the league. Also consider that Sky are being increasingly challenged by rivals BT sport. BT have the rights to the Aviva Premiership, and also broadcast the Top 14 with Setanta, so the Pro 12 will be the only major European league that Sky will broadcast. With Sky fully on board, the league can only improve.

Sky’s involvement also marks an end of the always frustrating, often farcical nature of the league’s broadcast in recent years. A degree of certainty is offered to fans, with the days of frantically searching through channels such as TG4 and S4C at an end. It also appears to be the beginning of the end of listening to commentary in Irish or Welsh, which had previously acted as a deterrent to casual rugby fans.

Sky’s involvement will increase competition amongst broadcasters and will hopefully increase the number of cameras being used at matches. This should ensure that the scenes during last year’s Glasgow-v-Munster semi-final will not be repeated. On that day, Italian referee Marius Mitrea asked for the TMO’s judgment on a Simon Zebo scoring attempt. The resulting situation was scarcely believable for a match of such magnitude, a semi-final of one of the world’s biggest club competitions.

The TMO could not adjudicate upon Zebo’s action due to a lack of an in-goal camera angle. The TMO’s angles are provided by the broadcasting stations, and Sky’s involvement should erase this problem, through their own spending and increased competition.

While the aforementioned aspects are big opportunities for growth, serious threats still loom large over the future of the Pro12. The enormous spending power of the Top 14 is an obvious threat, while enterprising club owners in England are also starting to pump money into their playing squads.

Bath owner Craig Gold is greatly improving the club; while West Country rivals Gloucester have alone acquired John Afoa, Greg Laidlaw and Richard Hibbard from Pro12 clubs. Losing such players is a great blow to the league. Whilst the Pro12 has signed a deal with Sky, the Top 14 have their own new deal. Signed with Canal-Plus, it is worth over €70m a season for the next five years, an increase of around €40m a year from their previous deal.

While a player exodus matching that of the Welsh regions in recent years is a major worry, the exit of the Welsh clubs themselves is also a serious threat to the future of the league.

Chaos currently rules supreme in Welsh rugby. The mainly financial argument between the Union and the regions has dragged on for months, and Cardiff Blues (in solidarity with the other regions) are threatening to refuse to take up the services of Sam Warburton (the WRU’s only centrally contracted player) for next season. As of now, the Wales captain is contracted to the Union, yet effectively without a club to play for.

During the negotiations for the new Champions Cup, the Welsh regions seriously considered jumping ship and establishing an Anglo-Welsh league. With such a player drain combined with worrying finances, many in Welsh rugby believe it best to join the Aviva Premiership. They foresee more money and a higher playing standard in a 16-team Premiership would keep more Welsh players in Wales.

Without the Welsh regions, this writer sees little benefit in the Irish provinces remaining in a league with the Scots and Italians, so would be forced to look elsewhere for regular meaningful and challenging fixtures. The Italian clubs also threatened to leave during this season, although this hardly sent shockwaves across European rugby. However, the exit of the Welsh regions would almost certainly spell the end of the league, and take us ever closer to a European-wide league.

Therefore, the first season of the Guinness Pro12 must be a successful one. It must be bigger and better than any season before. The future of the Welsh regions in the league must be put beyond doubt. The league must be solidified. Most of all, the overall standard must be driven up, and the new European qualification system, while far from perfect, will at least reduce the amount of dead rubbers.

If none of this happens, the player drain might spread to Ireland, and the league could be critically damaged. Signs of a Pro12 with a better standard and better attendances must begin to be seen this season. It is a season ahead with challenges and worries, but also of great promise and great opportunity, and an improved European Cup to look forward to. Whatever happens, this season promises to define this competition’s future.

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/thepat ... ess-pro12/

[BaggyTrousers]

WTF is Punditarena? I have seldom read a piece littered with more errors. Written by a monkey with a typewriter I suspect.

On further investigation it appears punditarena is a staging post for any gobshite who thinks he/she can write. "The Team" as the website describes this dispirit shower of scribes, consists of a few names and a shower of children, most of whose next shave will be their first, though in fairness, that includes the weemen and since it's only headshots ............

Anyway, the ill-researched piece was written by someone not considered proficient enough to be part of "The Team".