TV times run roughshod over the paying spectator in the Six Nations

A Northampton supporter, in a letter to the Guardian this week, challenged Premiership Rugby’s theory about why attendances at league matches have dropped this season, unimpressed with the contention that an increase in the number of games being televised had anything to do with the fall.

“I have a season ticket at Northampton and everyone around me is sick of being taken for granted,” wrote Phil Hogg. “Once they have our money the clubs surrender the fixture list to the TV companies and we are meant to turn out on whatever day and time they choose.

The BBC only gets interested in rugby nationally when internationals come around, November and the Six Nations. The latter starts next month on a Friday night in Cardiff when Wales face England, kick-off 7.45pm. Those travelling from a distance on public transport will have to spend the night in the Welsh capital because they will be lucky to get a train back.

Full story: The Guardian

Time running out on my Wales hopes – Gavin Henson

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Gavin Henson fears he is running out of time to earn a Wales recall for the Six Nations championship.

The double Grand Slam-winning centre has only made one start for Saracens since returning to rugby after 21 months out of the game.

He was dropped for last Sunday’s Aviva Premiership clash with London Irish and was limited to just the final five minutes as a replacement.

With the Six Nations opener against England looming in just 22 days, Henson admits he’s concerned about his situation.

Full story: Wales Online

Chabal haunted by Wallabies thrashing

Sébastien Chabal is looking to put the nightmare of Australia behind him when France open their defence of the Six Nations against Scotland. Image via Wikipedia

Sebastien Chabal has admitted France’s surprise thrashing at the hands of Australia still haunts him.

The Wallabies finished off their European Tour with a 59-16 hammering of the Six Nations champions at Stade de France in November and with that also being France’s last game of 2010, Chabal and his team-mates have as yet had no chance to redeem themselves.

Scotland should therefore beware a fired-up France when they meet at the same venue on February 5 to get their Six Nations defence underway.

“To be truthful, I was thinking about it for days afterwards and it is still on my mind, but there are so many other things like the European Cup and the championship, that you just have to focus on playing well for your club,” Chabal told AFP.

Full story: ESPNscrum

 

England EPS announced for 2011 RBS 6 Nations

There are three additions to the England EPS for the 2011 RBS 6 Nations in Sale Sharks fly half Charlie Hodgson, Leicester Tigers lock Louis Deacon and uncapped London Wasps scrum half Joe Simpson.

Deacon and Simpson replace David Attwood (Gloucester Rugby) and Dominic Waldouck (London Wasps) respectively with Hodgson’s addition making up a 33-man group.

England Senior EPS Squad

Forwards
Player	Club
George Chuter	Leicester Tigers
Dan Cole	Leicester Tigers
Tom Croft	Leicester Tigers
Louis Deacon	Leicester Tigers
Paul Doran Jones	Gloucester Rugby
Hendre Fourie	Leeds Rugby
Nick Easter	Harlequins
Dylan Hartley	Northampton Saints
James Haskell	Stade Francais
Courtney Lawes	Northampton Saints
Lewis Moody	Bath Rugby
Tom Palmer	Stade Francais
Tim Payne	London Wasps
Simon Shaw	London Wasps
Andrew Sheridan	Sale Sharks
Steve Thompson	Leeds Rugby
David Wilson	Bath Rugby
Joe Worsley	London Wasps

 

Backs
Player	Club
Delon Armitage	London Irish
Chris Ashton	Northampton Saints
Matt Banahan	Bath Rugby
Danny Care	Harlequins
Mark Cueto	Sale Sharks
Toby Flood	Leicester Tigers
Ben Foden	Northampton Saints
Riki Flutey	London Wasps
Shontayne Hape	Bath Rugby
Charlie Hodgson	Sale Sharks
Joe Simpson	London Wasps
David Strettle	Saracens
Mike Tindall	Gloucester Rugby
Jonny Wilkinson	Toulon
Ben Youngs	Leicester Tigers

Full story: rfu.com

England lock Courtney Lawes out of Six Nations

Courtney Lawes. Image by hjsouthgate via Flickr

England second row Courtney Lawes will miss the Six Nations after a knee injury he suffered against Leicester proved more serious than first thought.

The 21-year-old Northampton lock had hoped to be fit for the tournament opener against Wales on 4 February.

But Saints boss Jim Mallinder said Lawes, who was injured in Saturday’s 27-16 loss, has ligament damage.

Full story: BBC Sport

 

Marler not expecting Six Nations call

Quins loosehead Joe Marler does not expect to receive a phonecall from Martin Johnson this week despite a growing fan club calling for his inclusion in England’s RBS 6 Nations squad.

The 20-year-old, who is equally effective in the loose as he is in the tight, has been one of the shining lights of Harlequins’ season so far.

He has attracted just as much attention for his haircut – an eyecatching Mohican – but, despite being called up to the England squad as cover during the autumn internationals.

Full story: rbs6nations.com

 

Williams: Wales will welcome Henson

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Martyn Williams has assured Gavin Henson that he would be welcomed back into the Wales fold if he makes a Six Nations return.

The centre has not played for his country since March 2009 but after a long spell out of rugby he has returned with Aviva Premiership club Saracens. Henson underwent fitness tests with the national side at their Vale of Glamorgan base earlier this week and could be in line for a sensational recall for Wales’ Six Nations opener with England on February 4.

Full story: ESPNscrum

 

Andrew moved sideways in RFU reshuffle

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Rob Andrew‘s role as director of elite rugby is being scrapped after the RFU announced sweeping changes to its organisation aimed at preparing to host the 2015 World Cup.

Andrew, who was hired in 2006, has been invited to apply for a new role in a more streamlined structure that RFU chief executive John Steele hopes will revive England’s fortunes.

“Today’s announcement is all about looking forward not back and ensuring that we have the best people in place to serve and lead rugby in England as we prepare for a home World Cup in 2015,” he said in an RFU statement.

Full story: Yahoo

Flutey targets England recall

Wasps centre Riki Flutey has set his sights on an England recall after finally putting 18 months of injury hell behind him.

The Wasps centre spent the majority of last season sidelined by a shoulder injury and he missed England’s November Tests with a torn calf. Flutey’s comeback was then delayed by another fortnight after he contracted a severe dose of the flu, which left him bed-ridden and unable to walk. But the fit-again 30-year-old was handed his first start since October against Newcastle Falcons on Sunday and helped Wasps climb into fourth place in the Aviva Premiership with a 33-16 victory at Adams Park.

Full story: ESPNscrum

 

Falcons move for free agent Murray

Image by Cdr Aitch via Flickr

Scotland’s hopes of having Euan Murray match fit for the RBS 6 Nations have received a boost with the news that Newcastle Falcons are planning to offer the prop a return to Premiership rugby.

The 30-year-old, who refuses to play on a Sunday due to his religious beliefs, quit Northampton last week by mutual consent with six months still remaining on his deal.

An increase in the number of Premiership games scheduled for Sundays saw Murray fulfilling the role of the forgotten man at Northampton – where he had clocked up over 60 appearances since joining from Glasgow in 2007.

Full story: rbs6nations.com