PRESS RELEASES

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Could sell tickets to that...

I heard Saracens' Bakkies Botha is licking his lips in anticipation for the local derby against Quins now...

Strauss completes World Class front row at the Recreation Ground
Head Coach Bathite has joyously announced the signing of Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss on a 5 year deal. Strauss will join the club immediately and enters the first team squad to play Northampton Saints at the weekend, having completed a full pre-season schedule with the Cheetahs.

The former Cheetah joins Cian Healy and Owen Franks in the West Country front row to form one of the best front rows in world rugby. Strauss becomes the 7th Springbok to be part of the Bath squad and the presence of his countrymen will help him to settle quickly. The lineout will be a particularly familiar environement with Johann Muller heading up the unit and Francois Louw and Rynhardt Eldstadt also operating as jumpers. The link between the men is going to be a big advantage for the team.

ChequeredJersey wrote:Saracens manager ChequeredJersey is refusing to get downheartened after a series of disappointing recent results

"We have not had the results we would have hoped for in the past few games after what was a reasonably strong start to the season but we are confident we can turn our form around in Europe, and carry this into the next set of Premiership fixture.

"The recent match against Quins, where we suffered injuries to 3 key players, has made things a little harder, but Richie and Conrad will be back from New Zealand soon, which will help things. Hopefully Billy's injury isn't as bad as it looked and he should be back in a few weeks and can add some much needed carrying power to our pack, it was a shame he became injured so soon after arriving here.

"I am confident that we have one of the best teams in the Premiership, we just need to start winning again and make a couple of tweaks"

Saracen's manager CJ is proud of his team's reversal in form and says their rise in the League is testament to the squad's hard work

Saracens have won their last 9 matches in all competitions and risen to 5th in the Premiership, chipping away at the gap between themselves and the top 4. Despite being knocked out of the LV= Cup without failing to win a game due to the format of the competition, Saracens are also in the Quarter-Final Rounds of Europe in the Amlin Cup where they will face Worcester Warriors on their new shiny artificial turf. This is a huge change in fortunes compared to a few months ago where they languished at 9th in the table, missing a lot of their International players especially captain McCaw over the early period of the season.

"It's an amazing turn around," says CJ, "and I think it was the run in Europe that has given the boys confidence to play and win. We just won away at Welford Road and that's a big victory even with Leicester missing some key players. I'd also like to thank Julien Dupuy for his valuable work in a halfback injury crisis. This week we go to London Welsh, with whom we have just traded some players. George (Kruis) and Jackson (Wray) are great, talented, young players but were getting frustrated with lack of gametime with great players like Kelly Brown and Bakkies Botha in the squad and will do really well for Welsh, and we welcome the experienced hand of Nick Easter to guide the progress of Billy Vunipola and Tom Casson who is an exciting and versatile inside centre. I can't wait to see if we can keep up the momentum we have built up."

BOARD GETTING FIDGETY, POSSIBLE CHANGES COULD BE MADE

Rumours coming out of Wasps today that all is not well at the club. Much has been made of manager CF'S decision to rest and rotate his players towards the back end of the season, and it appears to have ruffled some feathers..Captain Dusatoir is one of the players to be annoyed by the system. Many of the club's 6 nations players haven't been involved for some time, as have some usual first team regualrs have been rested as well...CF has defended his system saying that he is looking at the bigger picture going into next season, but many players and fans feel that CF wont be there next season to carry on the long term plan CF has for the club.

THEIRY DUSATOIR STRIPPED OF CAPTAINCY WEEPU TAKES FULL TIME CAPTAINCY

Tensions rising yet again in the Wasps camp with the news that Dusatoir has been axed as Wasps skipper....Coach CF has said that Dusatoir's form has been disappointing and was no longer guaranteed a starting place in the Wasps side...Piri Weepu who stepped into the role when Dusatoir was on national duty will take over the role on a full time basis.

Mad for Chelsea "would sign Dusautoir"

London Irish manager Mad for Chelsea admitted yesterday that he'd be "very interested" in signing Thierry Dusautoir if the French skipper became available. Rumours have abounded that Dusautoir isn't happy with the Wasps management, after he was stripped from the captaincy due to "disappointing form", and may be seeking a chance elsewhere. However, Chelsea denied that any talks had taken place with Dusautoir: "absolutely not, we haven't approached him", said Chelsea. "But a player of such quality, been player of the year in the past, captained his country, one of the finest rugby players on the planet. Well, obviously if he became available we'd be very interested in signing him."

London Irish have a crucial LV Cup tie this week-end against Worcester, and are very much targeting the competition for success. "Obviously, the League hasn't gone quite as well as we'd have liked" said Chelsea. "We've lost a few tight games, had a few crucial players injured at times, Delon [Armitage]'s ban has obviously not helped us either. We also felt we didn't quite do ourselves justice in the Heineken Cup, but the LV gives us a real chance at silverware, and European competitions, so we're obviously targeting that."

Asked about his plans for the summer, Chelsea wasn't giving anything away. "We'll see", he said. "We may freshen up the squad somewhat, they're obviously a few areas that could do with strengthening, but obviously with our budget restrictions we can't just buy willy-nilly, we may have to be smart. I think we have a great squad of players, and we're coming along nicely, but I want a strong finish to this season before thinking about the next one."

CF QUICK TO QUASH DUSATOIR RUMOURS

Coach CF has come out and responded to London Irish's comments about Dusatoir..CF has said that there is no problem with Dusatoir's happiness and that he is happy at the club. Dusatoir has also stated that he is happy at Wasps, and that it was mutual to give the captaincy to someone else. Dusatoir admitted that his form had been off and it was in best intrests of side to freshen things up.

you can't blame a guy for trying

lol was quite a funny bit of press statements

[b]BUXTON KEEPING WASPS HYDRATED[/


Today Wasps announce the new sponsor of the club. Buxton water company will sponsor Wasps signing a deal worth £8million over a period of 6 years. Coach CF wasnt avalible for comment however he is said to be perplexed by the announcement.

London Welsh sign England international

Today London Welsh Director or Rugby Flux confirmed the signing of current England International scrum half Danny Care from London Wasps. The former Leeds and Halrequins player had found limited opportunities in the Wasps fifteen after the arrival of New Zealand scrum half Piri Weepu. Flux had this to say;
"I am absolutely thrilled that we managed to get Danny to sign for us, and he will become a key player for us in the future. He will have some competition against Ruan, but he has played a large number of games already for us this season and still will be a perfect opportunity for Dan to stake a claim for the shirt. Come next season one may leave, but both are talented players and we will strive to keep them both here and happy. "

Basteraud signs for Wasps


London Wasps today are pleased to announce the signing of French powerhouse, Mathieu Basteraud. The French centre will compete with Maxime Mermoz and Luke Marshall for a place in a talented Wasps backline

Bath secure England international

In his first move as returning manager to Bath, head coach Bathite has announced the signing of England full back Alex Goode. The highly rated EPS member arrives at Bath from Saracens with Tom Varndell heading the other way.

Bath fought off considerable competition to sign the youngster and will be delighted to have secured his services.

Bath can now boast considerable depth in the 15 shirt, with Goode competing with World Cup winning All Black Israel Dagg and promising youngster Eliot Daly.

Saracens win Amlin Cup

After a disappointing previous season and very mixed results this year, Saracens took inspiration from their fantastic mid-season form and the leadership at their core to edge out London Welsh in the Final of Europe's 2nd tier competition in the RDS this Friday.

Saracens went ahead through a penalty from the boot of Parra and a long ranged kick from Leigh Halfpenny, bisected by an excellent penalty by Ruan Pienarr from Welsh's own half, before Pienarr cashed in on good work by Brussouw at the breakdown to level it up. The scores stayed level at half-time after Morgan Parra held up an attempted grounding off a drive by Paul O'Connell and the TMO rejected a near-try by Tom Williams who was just ushered into touch by Maxi Medard.

The first 40 minutes was a defensive display par excellence by both sides, but Saracens opened the second half with another Parra kick, before London Welsh came soaring back into the match with a well-worked try that saw Picamoles go in under the posts and another Pienarr penalty.

Both sides saw periods of success at disrupting their opponents set piece and breakdown but the momentum continued to seesaw in the second half and the Welsh defence held firm until the last 20 minutes when exhaustion started to tell and Billy Vunipola came crashing off the Saracens bench to plough through Thompstone on the blindside wing for a score that Parra couldn't convert. The game now poised at 16-14, Welsh hit back within minutes, after Danny Care took a trademark tap penalty and scorched the whole Saracens pack and Fullback Alex Goode to set up Johnson for a converted try. This was immediately succeeded by a penalty from Evans from near the touchline and a London Welsh victory seemed inevitable with 13 minutes left on the clock and Saracens facing a 12 point deficit.

However, the 2010-11 Premiership Champions pinned Welsh back into their 22 and played through the phases to let substitute Ben Tameifuina charge through 3 tackles to score a try after which Parra caressed over the conversion. Filled with confidence, on the field captain Kelly Brown (taking the band off Richie McCaw who came off after a gruelingly physical hour of hard graft) isolated Waldouck and Parra kicked the points to come within a penalty's distance of victory. Finally, with minutes to go, this was given up in a controversial scrum decision and Parra happily took the 3 points and the victory.


"After a hard season with a lot of highs and lows, it's a real testament to the lads that we came back from where we were with 15 minutes to go," said Manager CJ "and we are delighted with winning silverware of this caliber this season"


Saracens have augmented their squad by bringing in try-scorer and pace-merchant Tom Varndell from Bath in trade for Alex Goode, a club stalwart. "Alex is a great player but we felt that all 3 parties gained from this deal" said CJ.

Good write up mate, well done again

Flux swaps Welsh for Wasps.

Following a successful season with London Welsh, the former director of Rugby Fluxy has been handed the free reigns at London Wasps for next season. Flus stated he was delighted with the opportunity to take on such an established club and continue their proud tradition of strong league positions and hoped to bring back some silverware to Adams Park.

Flux has brought a number of coaching and playing staff with him to Wasps, most noticeable assistant manager Warren Gatland who is currently away with the Lions tour this summer and Captain and talisman and welsh last season Paul O'Connell.

Quins say bye to Budgen

Harlequins hosted a farewell game for retireing prop Chris Budgen who has returned to the British Army to finish off his career in HM Forces. Budgen will work with Quins academy 1 day a week as he prepares for life as a strength and conditioning coach.

A Quins 15 took on the British Army at the stoop with Budgen playing 55 mins for Quins in the 3 jersey. Quins won the game convincingly 35 -3.

1.Mark Lambert
2.Neil Briggs
3.Chris Budgen (c)
4.Mo Botha
5.James Percival
6.Jamie Gibson
7.Joe Trayfoot
8.Semisi Taulava

9.Luke Burguss
10.Gareth Steenson
11.James Short
12.Hudson Tonga'uhia
13.Sam Stuart
14.Seb Stegman
15.Ollie Lindsey Hague

Quins also confirmed this was Hudson Tonga'uhia's final game at the club as he joins Bedford Blues.

Saracens offer retiree Nieto a coaching job

Saracens have offered newly retired tight head prop, Carlos Nieto, a job as their assistant Forwards and Scrummaging Coach. Nieto, capped for Italy 34 times, said he was thankful for the chance to help Saracens continue to improve and work on the scrummaging of the talented crop of props currently at the Club, including Englishman Matt Mullan, Mako Vunipola, currently touring Australia with the British and Irish Lions, Sekope Kepu, possibly facing Mako for the Wallabies, Kieran Brookes who is one of England's brightest prospects in this area and Ben Tameifuna, a New Zealand age group sensation.

Saracens also said farewell to Sam Smith, who has served the club loyally this year, before revealing plans for their SummerTour for players involved in neither the Lions nor International sides. They will tour up and coming countries in Europe in July, starting off against each of the Scandinavian countries then playing in Spain, Cyprus and Romania

Quins name touring squad for USA tour and LA 7s.

Harlequins confirmed that players involved in the B&I Lions and Internationals would tour but be given sparse game time.

Due to costs the tour was limited to 28 players.

Forwards(15); Joe Grey , Neil Briggs ,John Smith , Marcos Ayerza , James Johnstone , Mark Lambert , Eben Etzbeth , Al Hargreaves , Iain Henderson , George Merrick , Jamie Gibson , Tom Croft , Marcell Coatzee , Dave Denton and Chris Robshaw (C)

Backs(14); Richard Wrigglesworth , Bryn Hall , Morne Steyn , Gareth Steenson , Wesley Fofana , Adam Ashley Cooper (VC) , Sam Stuart , HArry Sloan ,George North , Seb Stegman , James Short , Ollie Lindsey Hague , Jared Payne ,

In form All Black jets into the Rec

Today, Bathite announced the signing of All Black Rene Ranger to his Bath squad. The versatile centre and wing will provide more competition to an already exciting set of backs. 

"Rene has been on our radar for a couple of years now, but it's his form this season that has really impressed us. He's been electric for the Blues and thoroughly deserves his AB call up."

Ranger will compete with fellow former AB Casey Lualala and promising youngster Eliot Daly for the 13 shirt, whilst providing cover on the wing. The Aucklander could also form part of a world class back three with Israel Dagg and Tommy Bowe

Future All Black signs up to the Wasps

London Wasps today confirmed the signing of promising New Zealand centre Francis Saili. 

Director of Rugby at Wasps, Flux had this to say about Saili;

"We had been tracking Francis for a while, and he has come in to some very strong form over the past few months. Luckily we managed to tie him into a long term contract as of next season, but we won't stand in the way of his All Black ambitions, as we predict he will become a mainstay for the side in the future."

Got a huge future Flux, I picked him up last year on other game after seeing him play one game.

Glad I signed him now actually. Wouldn't surprised to see him at 12 for ABs in the next world cup. Got some gas and size about him.

Great player, really wanted him, but wasn't sure he could play 13 for me. Him and Ranger have been great in the centres for the Blues

Saili is a 13, he only moved to 12 this season. Has a fair bit of gas and a good step etc

Ah balls!

Out with the old, in with the Olding

Bath today announced the signing of Stuart Olding, the recently capped Irish international fly-half. Olding is also capable of playing at inside centre and has also featured at full back for Ulster.

The signing of Olding fills the gap left by Stephen Donald, who has already left the club to play in Japan

Wasps pre-season tour in full swing.

London Wasps director of rugby Flux has taken his first team squad on a pre-season trip to New Zealand. Flux stated he decision to take his side down to the southern hemisphere was based on the chance to training alongside some of the countries Super Rugby sides, and to look at other approaches of coaching and training players.

There are a few specific training days that each side does, and Wasps are said to be interested in doing a number of them. Such as the team building on Waihi beach that the Chiefs cover, and the sprints up One Tree hill which the Blues undertook for their pre-season this season.

Bath complete world class back row trio

Bath have announced the signing of Johnnie Beattie, Scottish international from Montpellier. He will line up alongside British and Irish Lion Sean O'Brien and Springbok Frans Louw to form a formidable trio.

Bathite stated "the back row is a fiercely competitive area in this league and it is an area we've looked to strengthen consistently over the last few years with the signings of Kalamafoni and Salvi. They way that we play the game, it is hugely important to have depth in this area"

Falcons unveil Carlsberg as their new sponsor

Newcastle Falcons have today unveiled Carlsberg as their new sponsor ahead of the new season. There had been much speculation as previous sponsor had pulled out soon after the previous season, but Carlsberg have stepped in to sign a 12-month rolling contract.

Bosch boost Bath's brimming squad

Today, Head Coach Bathite announced the signing of Argentinian international Marcelo Bosch on a 4 year deal. The former Biarritz player is currently with his international team mates in the Rugby Championship and will report for action in November.

"Marcelo offers quality options at 10,12,13 and 15 for us. Alongside (James) Hook, Freddie (Eastmond) and Frans (Steyn), we now have 4 top class players able to play in a number of positions, which will be crucial with international commitments. It also means that we will be able to have flexibility throughout the season, but also during a change to change the tactics and point of attack"