Scrumbag

Guinness Premiership to ban any future Shaun Edwards type people...

He's bald, he comes from rugby league, he's not Welsh, he's got a billion jobs, and he's not that popular amongst certain people. Ladies and gents... Mr Shaun Edwards!

Wasps and Wales fans should soak up the Edwards lovliness, as a beast like him will never be allowed to be created again. The Guinness Premiership clubs have drawn up a rule which will prevent any of their coaches taking a part-time job with a national side. Does this mean Edwards couldn't switch to England then?

Apparently the rule has been drawn up because Premier Rugby felt that, if a club coach were involved with a national team, from age-group side upwards, it would give them a potential advantage over rivals because they would be in a position to tap up players. Yada, yada, yada...

Ireland Vs Wales: could the Gatland O'Sullivan hatred spill into the Six Nations' first ever touchline bitch fight?

The brilliant clash between Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan and bonkers Wales gaffer Warren Gatland has all but boiled over today. Gatland was controversially axed as Ireland coach in 2001 and replaced by O'Sullivan, the man he originally appointed as his assistant. Now the two are squaring up like two school boys, but neither will actually say they hate the other.

O'Sullivan says: "It's a game of rugby between Wales and Ireland, we are just the coaches."
O'Sullivan means: "I hate him. Hate him!"

Gatland says: "This weekend is not about me."
Gatland means: "This weekend is about me being better than O'Sullivan."

O'Sullivan says: "I haven't seen him in six-and-a-half years and I spoke to him for about 30 seconds during the Six Nations launch."
O'Sullivan means: "If he wants a fight, let's 'ave it."

Gatland says: "I have been lucky enough to have gone back to Lansdowne Road with Wasps and beaten Munster in the semi-final of the 2005 Heineken Cup. That is all out of my system now."
Gatland means: "I'm so good. I'm so good. O'Sullivan sucks ass."

O'Sullivan says: "My relationship with Warren is fine."
O'Sullivan means: "Ggggrrrr."

Gatland says: "When I left Ireland I had eight job offers in the space of two weeks."
Gatland means: "Even if we were to fight, O'Sullivan could not hurt me because I'm so damned important God would protect my handsome skin with some kind of forcefield."

Does Ospreys head coach Lyn Jones secretly hate Ospreys head coach Warren Gatland?

They both manage Ospreys, but one of them has the cheek to call his Ospreys team "Wales" and then enter them into The Six Nations (and they look likely to win the bloody thing too - the cheek!). But does the real Ospreys gaffer hate Gatland? Well, today he's come out and sounded a bit miffed that Warren has picked a few non Ospreys stars for Wales.

“Wales have played two and won two, all our players have performed very well and I don’t think there is a problem with anyone at all," said Lyn, "Head coaches make decisions based on a number of criteria, not just a single thing so I’m sure there's a logic behind what Warren has decided.“

"I haven’t spoken to Warren about his choices," he continued, "selection can be quite a personal thing, but no doubt he is keen to broaden his squad and make full use of all the players and their experience. They are all top-quality players and deserve everything they’ve got."

If you're an Ospreys / Wales fan - let me know what you think about the two Ospreys gaffers. Surely they need a good line of communication if they're both managing the same players...

Munster boss Declan Kidney tips Llanelli Scarlets for the Heineken crown

First in the queue to congratulate and talk up Llanelli Scarlets was Munster fly half Ronan O'Gara, now Munster head coach Declan Kidney has stepped forward to tip Llanelli for the Heineken Cup title. "Llanelli have won seven out of seven in Europe this season. They have momentum and they are brimming with confidence," he said.

"They are a skilful side, and while there are still six other good teams left in the tournament, I wouldn't put them too far down the betting list. They have the ability to win it."

 

As the first side to qualify for the semi finals of the Heineken Cup, Llanelli can sit back and watch this weekend's action and see who they'll come up against in the penultimate round of games. Llanelli will play the winner of tomorrow's Leicester Tigers vs. Stade Francais game. Considering Llanelli have something of a dark history concerning Leicester in this competition, I'd expect fireworks if the East Midlands side can beat the Paris fancies on Sunday.

Argentian Head Coach Declines Leicester Tigers Offer

The president of the Argentinian Rugby Union, Alejandro Risler, has confirmed that Pumas head coach Marcelo Loffreda will not be taking up the position of head coach of the Leicester Tigers before the World Cup.

Doubt surfaced about whether the coach, who has taken Argentina to new heights, would remain with the international side when it emerged he had been in talks with the Tigers, whose current head coach Pat Howard leaves the club at the end of the season. But Risler confirmed Loffreda would remain for this Autumn's tournament, but could not confirm if Loffreda would remain following the World Cup.

"We are working with Marcelo Loffreda to reach Paris in September," Risler told the Ole newspaper. "All our efforts are concentrated on getting Argentina to our best-ever World Cup position. I'm sure that the Leicester's offer is in recognition of Loffreda's work with the Pumas in the last eight years. We are going to think about his successor after the World Cup."

We reported that Loffreda was in the frame a few months ago.

Gareth Jenkins furious at referee Chris White over "final lineout" blunder

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has spoken out about the confusion surrounding the final whistle in the Italy vs. Wales game. Wales were awarded a penalty and having checked with referee Chris White how much time was left, kicked the ball to touch to try and win the game with a final lineout. White, however, then blew his whistle to signify the end of the game and Wales' lost out on their chance of a final role of the dice to try and escape losing.

Wales head coach Jenkins said: "The instruction from the ref was clear that we had time to win the game. He then had a message in his ear to say time was over. If we had known that, we would have gone for the draw."

Chris White - normally the most reliable ref on the circuit - is said to be preparing to issue a statement later on today. More news when we have it.

Ireland claim Ronan O'Gara was "choked"

Following the final whistle in the torrid Scotland vs. Ireland game, Ireland fly-half Ronan O'Gara spent several minutes on the field surrounded by medical staff. The injury - which the BBC speculated was a shoulder problem - subdued the triumphant Ireland team and although O'Gara got up, he looked visibly shaken.

An explanation for what happened has now been offered, and boy is it a controversial one. Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan has told the press that O'Gara was "choked" by a Scottish player as he lay at the bottom of a ruck. O'Sullivan hinted that it is known which Scottish player was responsible, but added: "When there is no evidence on the television, unless the guy puts up his hand nothing is going to happen."

The SRU, meanwhile, have issued a blanket statement of innocent by saying: "We refute absolutely any allegation of any foul play at the end of the game."

Well something definitely happened. Here's hoping the truth will out during the week.

Ireland captain and coach rain scorn on Jonny Wilkinson injury claims

Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan and captain Brian O'Driscoll have both spoken out about England's claims that Jonny Wilkinson may miss the Ireland game due to injury. They don't believe a word of it, and O'Sullivan said: "England are playing silly buggers at the moment, I'd be amazed if he doesn't play on Saturday. I don't believe in doing all that kind of stuff, it is all nonsense."

Right. Hang on a minute. As Brian O'Driscoll has also added his tuppence by saying: "Teams sometimes play these sort of games beforehand." Now, they may be right (they probably are right), but as for O'Sullivan not believing in "doing all that kind of stuff", I would like to refer him to Brian O'Driscoll's own book in which O'Driscoll details how, having been injured against Italy in the 2005 Six Nations, both he and Gordan D'Arcy needed crutches to walk, but abandoned them at the airport because: "no point letting the Scots know that the two of us were completely banjaxed!"

Oh, tut England, playing such games with injuries is clearly not acceptable to Ireland (unless it's them playing them). Get over yourselves, everyone does it. And also, if Jonny doesn't play, you look really stupid and kind of cruel as well. (But he probably will play). Also, in the same interview O'Sullivan made out that he believes Ronan O'Gara to be of the calibre of Jonny Wilkinson. Yeah. Okay.   

Eddie O'Sullivan delighted at the return of Peter Stringer

Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan has spoken out in praise of scrum half Peter Stringer, who returns to the Irish starting line up today following injury. O'Sullivan said: "It's a big boost to have Peter back for a game like this."It's a pivotal game in the Six Nations for us and this is the one you want to have a full deck for.If we win we're right back in the hunt again.Peter is probably the best passer of the ball in the world at number nine - he gives the receiver so much time."

Stringer returns to an Ireland side who saw their Grand Slams dreams blown out of the water by France a fortnight ago. Both he and Brian O'Driscoll - arguably the two most key backs for Ireland - were unavailable for the French game but return to the side today against England and also play their first games at Croke Park.

I know I'd feel a lot more confident about an England wing if they were still injured...

(Don't forget, our Live Blogs kick off today with Ireland vs. England!).

Jenkins promises Wales improvement

Wales have so far failed to fire in this Six Nations and have yet to score a try, but head coach Gareth Jenkins has promised improvement and asked for his side to be proud when they run out against France tomorrow. Jenkins, in his first Six Nations in his position, said his team had learned "hard lessons" following their defeats to Scotland and Ireland and also said returning players would make a big difference.

"This is a big game for us. We have now lost two games out of two. The betting people would give us no chance - but that isn't the case. I feel as if we have had good preparation. We have learned hard lessons and the players realise they let a lot of people down two weeks ago in the way they played and they want to put that right. We have got to play well, we want to play well and it's important we play well so we can justify a performance to the fans."

Wales welcome back Shane Williams and Tom Shanklin to give the back line more shape and experience. Full team for both France and Wales below the cut.

France: C Poitrenaud (Toulouse); V Clerc (Toulouse), D Marty (Perpignan), Y Jauzion (Toulouse), C Dominici (Stade Francais); D Skrela (Stade Francais), P Mignoni (Clermont-Auvergne); O MilloudN Mas (Perpignan), L Nallet (Castres), J Thion (Biarritz), S BetsenJ Bonnaire (Bourgoin), E Vermeulen (Clermont-Auvergne). (Bourgoin), R Ibanez (Wasps, capt), (Biarritz),

Replacements: B August (Biarritz), S Marconnet (Stade Francais), G Lamboley (Toulouse), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz), D Yachvili (Biarritz), L Beauxis (Stade Francais), A Rougerie (Clermont-Auvergne).

 

Wales: L Byrne (Ospreys); S Williams (Ospreys), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Ospreys), M JonesS Jones (Llanelli Scarlets, capt), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), M Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), C Horsman (Worcester), I Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Wyn Jones (Ospreys), A Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys). (Llanelli Scarlets);

Replacements: R Thomas (Cardiff Blues), D Jones (Ospreys), B Cockbain (Ospreys), J ThomasM Phillips (Cardiff Blues), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), J Robinson (Cardiff Blues). (Ospreys),

Does Ospreys head coach Lyn Jones secretly hate Ospreys head coach Warren Gatland?

They both manage Ospreys, but one of them has the cheek to call his Ospreys team "Wales" and then enter them into The Six Nations (and they look likely to win the bloody thing too - the cheek!). But does the real Ospreys gaffer hate Gatland? Well, today he's come out and sounded a bit miffed that Warren has picked a few non Ospreys stars for Wales.

“Wales have played two and won two, all our players have performed very well and I don’t think there is a problem with anyone at all," said Lyn, "Head coaches make decisions based on a number of criteria, not just a single thing so I’m sure there's a logic behind what Warren has decided.“

"I haven’t spoken to Warren about his choices," he continued, "selection can be quite a personal thing, but no doubt he is keen to broaden his squad and make full use of all the players and their experience. They are all top-quality players and deserve everything they’ve got."

If you're an Ospreys / Wales fan - let me know what you think about the two Ospreys gaffers. Surely they need a good line of communication if they're both managing the same players...

Munster boss Declan Kidney tips Llanelli Scarlets for the Heineken crown

First in the queue to congratulate and talk up Llanelli Scarlets was Munster fly half Ronan O'Gara, now Munster head coach Declan Kidney has stepped forward to tip Llanelli for the Heineken Cup title. "Llanelli have won seven out of seven in Europe this season. They have momentum and they are brimming with confidence," he said.

"They are a skilful side, and while there are still six other good teams left in the tournament, I wouldn't put them too far down the betting list. They have the ability to win it."

 

As the first side to qualify for the semi finals of the Heineken Cup, Llanelli can sit back and watch this weekend's action and see who they'll come up against in the penultimate round of games. Llanelli will play the winner of tomorrow's Leicester Tigers vs. Stade Francais game. Considering Llanelli have something of a dark history concerning Leicester in this competition, I'd expect fireworks if the East Midlands side can beat the Paris fancies on Sunday.

Argentian Head Coach Declines Leicester Tigers Offer

The president of the Argentinian Rugby Union, Alejandro Risler, has confirmed that Pumas head coach Marcelo Loffreda will not be taking up the position of head coach of the Leicester Tigers before the World Cup.

Doubt surfaced about whether the coach, who has taken Argentina to new heights, would remain with the international side when it emerged he had been in talks with the Tigers, whose current head coach Pat Howard leaves the club at the end of the season. But Risler confirmed Loffreda would remain for this Autumn's tournament, but could not confirm if Loffreda would remain following the World Cup.

"We are working with Marcelo Loffreda to reach Paris in September," Risler told the Ole newspaper. "All our efforts are concentrated on getting Argentina to our best-ever World Cup position. I'm sure that the Leicester's offer is in recognition of Loffreda's work with the Pumas in the last eight years. We are going to think about his successor after the World Cup."

We reported that Loffreda was in the frame a few months ago.

Gareth Jenkins furious at referee Chris White over "final lineout" blunder

Wales coach Gareth Jenkins has spoken out about the confusion surrounding the final whistle in the Italy vs. Wales game. Wales were awarded a penalty and having checked with referee Chris White how much time was left, kicked the ball to touch to try and win the game with a final lineout. White, however, then blew his whistle to signify the end of the game and Wales' lost out on their chance of a final role of the dice to try and escape losing.

Wales head coach Jenkins said: "The instruction from the ref was clear that we had time to win the game. He then had a message in his ear to say time was over. If we had known that, we would have gone for the draw."

Chris White - normally the most reliable ref on the circuit - is said to be preparing to issue a statement later on today. More news when we have it.

Ireland claim Ronan O'Gara was "choked"

Following the final whistle in the torrid Scotland vs. Ireland game, Ireland fly-half Ronan O'Gara spent several minutes on the field surrounded by medical staff. The injury - which the BBC speculated was a shoulder problem - subdued the triumphant Ireland team and although O'Gara got up, he looked visibly shaken.

An explanation for what happened has now been offered, and boy is it a controversial one. Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan has told the press that O'Gara was "choked" by a Scottish player as he lay at the bottom of a ruck. O'Sullivan hinted that it is known which Scottish player was responsible, but added: "When there is no evidence on the television, unless the guy puts up his hand nothing is going to happen."

The SRU, meanwhile, have issued a blanket statement of innocent by saying: "We refute absolutely any allegation of any foul play at the end of the game."

Well something definitely happened. Here's hoping the truth will out during the week.

Ireland captain and coach rain scorn on Jonny Wilkinson injury claims

Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan and captain Brian O'Driscoll have both spoken out about England's claims that Jonny Wilkinson may miss the Ireland game due to injury. They don't believe a word of it, and O'Sullivan said: "England are playing silly buggers at the moment, I'd be amazed if he doesn't play on Saturday. I don't believe in doing all that kind of stuff, it is all nonsense."

Right. Hang on a minute. As Brian O'Driscoll has also added his tuppence by saying: "Teams sometimes play these sort of games beforehand." Now, they may be right (they probably are right), but as for O'Sullivan not believing in "doing all that kind of stuff", I would like to refer him to Brian O'Driscoll's own book in which O'Driscoll details how, having been injured against Italy in the 2005 Six Nations, both he and Gordan D'Arcy needed crutches to walk, but abandoned them at the airport because: "no point letting the Scots know that the two of us were completely banjaxed!"

Oh, tut England, playing such games with injuries is clearly not acceptable to Ireland (unless it's them playing them). Get over yourselves, everyone does it. And also, if Jonny doesn't play, you look really stupid and kind of cruel as well. (But he probably will play). Also, in the same interview O'Sullivan made out that he believes Ronan O'Gara to be of the calibre of Jonny Wilkinson. Yeah. Okay.   

Eddie O'Sullivan delighted at the return of Peter Stringer

Ireland head coach Eddie O'Sullivan has spoken out in praise of scrum half Peter Stringer, who returns to the Irish starting line up today following injury. O'Sullivan said: "It's a big boost to have Peter back for a game like this."It's a pivotal game in the Six Nations for us and this is the one you want to have a full deck for.If we win we're right back in the hunt again.Peter is probably the best passer of the ball in the world at number nine - he gives the receiver so much time."

Stringer returns to an Ireland side who saw their Grand Slams dreams blown out of the water by France a fortnight ago. Both he and Brian O'Driscoll - arguably the two most key backs for Ireland - were unavailable for the French game but return to the side today against England and also play their first games at Croke Park.

I know I'd feel a lot more confident about an England wing if they were still injured...

(Don't forget, our Live Blogs kick off today with Ireland vs. England!).

Jenkins promises Wales improvement

Wales have so far failed to fire in this Six Nations and have yet to score a try, but head coach Gareth Jenkins has promised improvement and asked for his side to be proud when they run out against France tomorrow. Jenkins, in his first Six Nations in his position, said his team had learned "hard lessons" following their defeats to Scotland and Ireland and also said returning players would make a big difference.

"This is a big game for us. We have now lost two games out of two. The betting people would give us no chance - but that isn't the case. I feel as if we have had good preparation. We have learned hard lessons and the players realise they let a lot of people down two weeks ago in the way they played and they want to put that right. We have got to play well, we want to play well and it's important we play well so we can justify a performance to the fans."

Wales welcome back Shane Williams and Tom Shanklin to give the back line more shape and experience. Full team for both France and Wales below the cut.

France: C Poitrenaud (Toulouse); V Clerc (Toulouse), D Marty (Perpignan), Y Jauzion (Toulouse), C Dominici (Stade Francais); D Skrela (Stade Francais), P Mignoni (Clermont-Auvergne); O MilloudN Mas (Perpignan), L Nallet (Castres), J Thion (Biarritz), S BetsenJ Bonnaire (Bourgoin), E Vermeulen (Clermont-Auvergne). (Bourgoin), R Ibanez (Wasps, capt), (Biarritz),

Replacements: B August (Biarritz), S Marconnet (Stade Francais), G Lamboley (Toulouse), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz), D Yachvili (Biarritz), L Beauxis (Stade Francais), A Rougerie (Clermont-Auvergne).

 

Wales: L Byrne (Ospreys); S Williams (Ospreys), T Shanklin (Cardiff Blues), J Hook (Ospreys), M JonesS Jones (Llanelli Scarlets, capt), D Peel (Llanelli Scarlets); G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), M Rees (Llanelli Scarlets), C Horsman (Worcester), I Gough (Newport Gwent Dragons), A Wyn Jones (Ospreys), A Popham (Llanelli Scarlets), M Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Jones (Ospreys). (Llanelli Scarlets);

Replacements: R Thomas (Cardiff Blues), D Jones (Ospreys), B Cockbain (Ospreys), J ThomasM Phillips (Cardiff Blues), C Sweeney (Newport Gwent Dragons), J Robinson (Cardiff Blues). (Ospreys),

Quotes Of The Weekend

"Eight tries is not a bad way to say goodbye to Lansdowne Road"  Eddie O'Sullivan after Ireland's battering of the Pacific Islands.  Good thing it wasn't last year the work got underway - taking thumpings off Australia and New Zealand WOULD have been a bad way to say goodbye.

"It was a good day at the office for me."  Man of the Match Paddy Wallace.  Ronan O'Gara's day was disrupted by a nagging sense of doubt, on the other hand.

"We came out strong in the first 10 minutes, but you have to keep that up for 80 minutes." Scotland's Hugo Southwell.  Just look at it as eight blocks of ten, Hugo.

"We won't take any negatives out of this tour."  Australia coach John Connolly.  What, not even the tanking Ireland handed out to you?  Eh?  Eh?

"We don't feel we are behind Ireland going into the Six Nations.  You look through the Celtic League and Heineken Cup rugby and there's nothing to choose between the teams."  Wales wing Mark Jones loses sight of the fact that an Irish province currently holds the Heineken Cup, another holds the Celtic League title, and that Wales ARE behind Ireland going into the Six Nations.

"We got what we wanted out of the haka in our changing room. It was funny but we got it done."  New Zealand lock Ali Williams on the controversy sparked by a song and a dance.  There you go, Ali, you can do it in the changing room every game now and cut a few minutes out of the pre-game ritual.

Andy Robinson Disagrees With Zinzan Brooke

England head coach Andy Robinson has expressed optimism over his side's World Cup hopes.  At about the same time as Zinzan Brooke (I've never used the "Z" key so much.  Except when I wrote a football post about a match involving Muzzy Izzet and Zinedine Zidane) was saying that they need a miracle to even reach the final, Robinson was defying the evidence of our own eyes to strike an upbeat note.

"Yes, there's a lot of doom and gloom from a lot of people because we've lost our last five games," he said. "But, actually, we're not far away. It's about tweaking things and concentrating on the inches, the little gains we can make. I've got belief that England can win the World Cup."  Far be it from me to contradict Andy Robinson, but the way in which England have lost those five games is a very good reason why they won't win the World Cup.  He did, to his credit, point out that England are "doing it a different way than in 2003".  Yes, Andy.  Badly.  [Paul Kelly]