http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/?service=Rss http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/springboks-humbled-by-leicester-1816610.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/springboks-humbled-by-leicester-1816610.html ]]> <p>Peter Wheeler was not wearing a hat last night which will have come as a relief to Austin Healey who had promised that he would eat the Leicester chief executive's headgear if his former club won this game. Healey's gloomy prediction that Leicester would be "tonked" was not just another controversial comment from the "Liverpool Lip" but was based on the sensible premise that a depleted Tigers would stand little chance against the World Cup holders, albeit the Springboks' midweek dirt-trackers.</p> Club Rugby Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/vickery-operation-a-success-1816277.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/vickery-operation-a-success-1816277.html ]]> <p> England prop Phil Vickery will miss the start of the RBS 6 Nations despite undergoing successful neck surgery. </p> Club Rugby Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:39:16 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/gloucester-face-strong-australia-side-1813350.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/gloucester-face-strong-australia-side-1813350.html ]]> <p> Gloucester will face an Australia side boasting nine full internationals at Kingsholm tomorrow night. </p> International Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:26:48 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/forgotten-club-falcons-post-a-reminder-of-european-potential-1813230.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/forgotten-club-falcons-post-a-reminder-of-european-potential-1813230.html ]]> <p>A match that was rendered undistinguished by appallingly difficult conditions was nevertheless massively significant, according to Newcastle's director of rugby, Steve Bates.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/quins-battle-for-draw-in-latest-war-of-attrition-1813231.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/quins-battle-for-draw-in-latest-war-of-attrition-1813231.html <p>For anyone thinking this prolonged stint of Guinness Premiership mediocrity will soon pass, Toby Booth, the head coach of London Irish, has some bad news. "Actually, it looks like it's getting worse than getting better," he said after seeing his side dragged into another scrap against Harlequins at the Stoop.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/thomas-gets-his-kicks-as-leeds-ambush-wasps-1813233.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/thomas-gets-his-kicks-as-leeds-ambush-wasps-1813233.html ]]> <p>The last time Leeds won a Premiership match away from the broad acres, England were still world champions. And the last time they beat Wasps? Don't bother looking it up, because it has never previously happened. The Yorkshiremen made a little history for themselves at Adams Park yesterday afternoon, on the day the Londoners confirmed plans to shift their St George's Day fixture against Bath to Twickenham in the hope of attracting an 80,000 gate. The way they played here, they might just about fill the phone box outside.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/cockerill-not-crowing-about-tuqiri-1813232.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/cockerill-not-crowing-about-tuqiri-1813232.html <p>Richard Cockerill made a brave attempt to throw the media off the scent of the main story at Welford Road on Saturday evening, but the Leicester head coach was fooling no one.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/venter-gives-saracens-fear-factor-1813235.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/venter-gives-saracens-fear-factor-1813235.html ]]> <p>Brendan Venter has always been for real – much too real for comfort, according to the midfield opponents he routinely sliced up during his days as one of the more implacable Springbok centres in living memory – but the same has not always been said of Saracens, the club he has guided to the top of the Guinness Premiership in the few short months since the most recent of the north London club's many managerial upheavals. As one member of their staff said at the weekend: "It used to be the case that when the going got tough, we didn't." And now? "Now," he replied, "it's very different."</p> Club Rugby Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saracens-boys-from-the-high-veld-give-bath-the-lowdown-1812845.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saracens-boys-from-the-high-veld-give-bath-the-lowdown-1812845.html ]]> <p>After years of accusations that they were under-achieving, Saracens are now being castigated for reaching the top of the Premiership with an unattractive style of play. They just can't win – unless you count the seven victories in a spin which have taken them to the summit.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/wrecking-ball-armitage-has-a-hand-in-exiles-stalemate-1812846.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/wrecking-ball-armitage-has-a-hand-in-exiles-stalemate-1812846.html <p>London Irish have started to make a habit of winning ugly as their quest for an elusive Guinness Premiership title heads into the winter, but their gritty progress was stalled yesterday by the stray hand of Steffon Armitage.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/allen-seals-tigers-win-over-workaday-saints-1812847.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/allen-seals-tigers-win-over-workaday-saints-1812847.html <p>The former Australia wing Lote Tuqiri is about to reinforce Leicester's battered and depleted squad. Though Leicester officials declined to confirm Tuqiri's capture last night, news that he had opted for a move to Welford Road on a short-term contract rather than London Irish dribbled out of Australia.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/tindall-injury-increases-pain-for-johnson-and-gloucester-1812452.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/tindall-injury-increases-pain-for-johnson-and-gloucester-1812452.html <p> Anybody in the same room, no make that the same county, as Martin Johnson last night would have been best off scarpering sharpish to avoid what must have been an almighty vent at the injury misfortune that has again struck England. </p> Club Rugby Sat, 31 Oct 2009 03:47:27 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/england-pull-rank-on-saints-to-keep-foden-safely-under-wraps-1812157.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/england-pull-rank-on-saints-to-keep-foden-safely-under-wraps-1812157.html <p> <b>Leicester v Northampton</b> </p> <p> Northampton have flexed their militant muscles in the direction of the international game on more than one occasion in the professional era, most recently when they prevented their prop Euan Murray from attending a British and Irish Lions get-together last May. </p> Club Rugby Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/gloucester-bid-to-end-woe-at-sale-1811898.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/gloucester-bid-to-end-woe-at-sale-1811898.html ]]> <p> Gloucester boss Bryan Redpath insists his team cannot carry the baggage of a crushing home defeat when they resume Guinness Premiership business tonight. </p> Club Rugby Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:39:10 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/tindall-embarrassed-by-gloucester-flops-1809467.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/tindall-embarrassed-by-gloucester-flops-1809467.html <p>He may have been one of the many injured Gloucester players who missed the game, but the England centre Mike Tindall certainly didn't miss the point in the latest embarrassing defeat for his side.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/lamb-stars-as-irish-put-leicester-in-a-stew-1809468.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/lamb-stars-as-irish-put-leicester-in-a-stew-1809468.html ]]> <p>"And another one... and another one gone..." You could almost hear the bass line from John Deacon as poor Julian White became the latest coal-face operative to bite the dust on the England selection front in Berkshire on Saturday. </p> Club Rugby Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saints-outgun-sharks-as-geraghty-presses-claim-1809469.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saints-outgun-sharks-as-geraghty-presses-claim-1809469.html ]]> <p>There is an elephant in the room with all the talk of England picking Shane Geraghty at inside centre against Australia on Saturday week: the Northampton Saint who joined from London Irish in the summer has played all but one of his club matches this season at fly-half.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saracens-stay-in-hunt-for-magnificent-seven-1809470.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saracens-stay-in-hunt-for-magnificent-seven-1809470.html ]]> <p>England captain Steve Borthwick reported unscathed for squad duty last night, having led Saracens back to the top of the Guinness Premiership with a hard-fought win over Leeds.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/quins-dig-deep-for-victory-but-pay-price-with-easter-injury-1809471.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/quins-dig-deep-for-victory-but-pay-price-with-easter-injury-1809471.html <p>Harlequins secured a second Premiership win of the season at Sixways on Saturday but their success came at a price as they lost their influential No 8 Nick Easter after little more than half an hour with a calf injury. </p> Club Rugby Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0000 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/van-gisbergen-helps-wasps-take-gloucester-apart-1809034.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/van-gisbergen-helps-wasps-take-gloucester-apart-1809034.html <p>A fourth defeat in five Premiership matches does not augur well for Gloucester, especially when you realise that Australia are their next visitors. A few charges from Lesley Vainikolo and Akapusi Qera apart, there was little that raised a cheer in the Shed. Kingsholm used to be a bear pit, but these days the home of the Cherry and Whites is a long way from its fearsome past.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/black-day-for-red-rose-as-white-deepens-injury-blues-1809035.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/black-day-for-red-rose-as-white-deepens-injury-blues-1809035.html ]]> <p>So another one bites the dust. First Andrew Sheridan. Then Phil Vickery. Now Julian White. At this rate, England will be propping up their scrum on beer crates when they face Australia on Saturday week.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/geraghty-puts-cautious-case-for-place-at-the-top-table-1809037.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/geraghty-puts-cautious-case-for-place-at-the-top-table-1809037.html ]]> <p>Two eyeballs-out Heineken Cup ties, against Munster and Perpignan, in the past fortnight appeared to have taken some of the oomph out of Northampton and there were few dissenting voices from the home supporters when Shane Geraghty, the hot tip to receive an England call-up tomorrow, was taken off with more than a quarter of this match to go. There had, indeed, been plenty of groans when Geraghty, possessor of gifts most can only dream of when the ball is in his hands, was kicking high and often. You pays your money...</p> Club Rugby Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/guinness-premiership-roundup-falcons-plunge-bath-into-hot-water-at-bottom-1809036.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/guinness-premiership-roundup-falcons-plunge-bath-into-hot-water-at-bottom-1809036.html <p>A slow start to the season became a bad one for Bath when they lost 27-16 at home to Newcastle yesterday. After one win in six Guinness Premiership games – as well as two defeats in the Heineken Cup, by the by – Steve Meehan's team have fallen to 11th in the table.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/irish-bring-back-armitage-for-champions-visit-1808247.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/irish-bring-back-armitage-for-champions-visit-1808247.html <p> <b>London Irish v Leicester </b> </p> <p> The England flanker Steffon Armitage is one of five changes made by London Irish for the game with Guinness Premiership champions Leicester this afternoon. </p> Club Rugby Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saracens-hit-by-ninemonth-owen-injury-1807883.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saracens-hit-by-ninemonth-owen-injury-1807883.html <p> Saracens and Wales back row Michael Owen has been ruled out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage. </p> Club Rugby Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:48:37 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/meehan-expects-bath-improvement-1807882.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/meehan-expects-bath-improvement-1807882.html ]]> <p> Steve Meehan is confident Bath's season will be "up and running" following a quickfire return to Guinness Premiership action. </p> Club Rugby Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:47:20 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jennings-ban-for-gouging-upheld-1807449.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jennings-ban-for-gouging-upheld-1807449.html ]]> <p>The Ireland flanker Shane Jennings yesterday lost his appeal against a 12-week suspension for gouging. Jennings was handed the suspension for "making contact with the eye area" of Nick Kennedy in Leinster's 12-9 Heineken Cup defeat to London Irish earlier this month </p> Club Rugby Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jennings-loses-gouging-appeal-1807312.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jennings-loses-gouging-appeal-1807312.html ]]> <p> Ireland flanker Shane Jennings today lost his appeal against a 12-week suspension for gouging. </p> Club Rugby Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:32:26 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/palaamos-leeds-move-falls-through-1806607.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/palaamos-leeds-move-falls-through-1806607.html ]]> <p> Samoa international Fosi Pala'amo will not be able to join up with Guinness Premiership club Leeds Carnegie this season after having his visa application rejected. </p> Club Rugby Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:27:57 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/cherry-and-whites-mesmerised-by-magic-touch-of-ngwenya-1805102.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/cherry-and-whites-mesmerised-by-magic-touch-of-ngwenya-1805102.html <p> In a shining display of staggering individual talent, a modest 24-year-old Zimbabwean American shone almost as brightly as the sun above his adopted Basque homeland to play a pivotal role in the downfall of Gloucester in their second Heineken Cup pool game. </p> Club Rugby Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:38 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/dupuy-puts-boot-into-baths-european-hopes-1805123.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/dupuy-puts-boot-into-baths-european-hopes-1805123.html ]]> <p>Bath thought they had poured five-star on the smouldering embers of their Heineken Cup campaign, but Julien Dupuy extinguished the flames completely with seven penalties.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/biggar-stands-tall-to-see-off-french-revival-1805126.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/biggar-stands-tall-to-see-off-french-revival-1805126.html ]]> <p>The 1,000th game of the Heineken Cup was marked in suitably enterprising style as the Ospreys clung on for a tense win over Clermont Auvergne at Liberty Stadium yesterday. </p> Club Rugby Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/monyes-mixed-display-leaves-quins-facing-exit-1805125.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/monyes-mixed-display-leaves-quins-facing-exit-1805125.html <p>Ugo Monye says he is a player who likes to play rugby with a smile on his face, but Harlequins supporters would not have known whether to laugh or cry at his erratic performance at the Stoop on Saturday.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/exiles-short-of-stamina-to-keep-up-with-joneses-1805135.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/exiles-short-of-stamina-to-keep-up-with-joneses-1805135.html ]]> <p>When the next two rounds of the Heineken Cup are played in December, the Scarlets will have home and away meetings with Leinster, the holders. Little wonder the Welsh side's captain Mark Jones kept the lid on the hwyl, despite a notable win on the ground on one of England's standard-bearing sides. "We're miles off being the finished article but we're taking the right steps," said Jones, the flying wing who enjoyed one of his most influential afternoons in a career marred by injury.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/gloucester-flattened-by-ngwenyas-biarritz-blitz-1804822.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/gloucester-flattened-by-ngwenyas-biarritz-blitz-1804822.html <p>There is no silence, it was once written, like the silence at Kingsholm when the opposition scores. But even the most curmudgeonly of Gloucester supporters could not have failed to salute the hat-trick of tries scored against them in France yesterday by the remarkable Takudzwa Ngwenya in what became another festival of Heineken Cup rugby.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jones-the-boot-puts-scarlets-in-the-pink-1804823.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jones-the-boot-puts-scarlets-in-the-pink-1804823.html ]]> <p>Stephen Jones has teed up a few decisive kicks in his time, some successful and others not – the heart-aching near miss for Wales which allowed Ireland a Grand Slam in Cardiff a few months ago springs to mind in the latter category, whereas his boot often kept the Lions in contention on tour in the summer.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/visser-scores-late-try-to-keep-scottish-interest-alive-1804825.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/visser-scores-late-try-to-keep-scottish-interest-alive-1804825.html <p>At that moment when a team are faced with their greatest fear, that however meaningful their efforts they will still come up short, Edinburgh found something invaluable. It was the spirit that drives you on in the face of the kind of doubt that might otherwise prompt despondency. So despite the aggressive resolve of Ulster's defence, in a game that had been littered with disheartening errors, Edinburgh reached for the victory that means they are still a relevant presence in the Heineken Cup.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/quins-pay-full-price-for-costly-errors-by-monye-1804824.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/quins-pay-full-price-for-costly-errors-by-monye-1804824.html <p>Harlequins were flattened by Toulouse's second-half onslaught but the quality of their rugby in defeat helped them go some way towards restoring their tarnished reputation in Europe. They failed to defend a 14-point half-time lead and the England winger Ugo Monye proved both hero and villain in the first Heineken Cup tie at this ground since last season's ill-starred quarter-final defeat by Leinster and the scandal over the use of fake blood that followed it.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/hamilton-seals-bonus-point-for-rampant-tigers-1804827.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/hamilton-seals-bonus-point-for-rampant-tigers-1804827.html <p>Scott Hamilton scored a hat-trick as Leicester secured a valuable bonus-point victory in Italy. In doing so, the former All Black wing, who was playing at full-back, inflicted more misery on Viadana, who, in their 14th campaign, are yet to register their first victory in Europe's premier competition.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/hape-shapes-up-to-put-rec-back-in-reckoning-1804944.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/hape-shapes-up-to-put-rec-back-in-reckoning-1804944.html <p>When Stade Français run out at the Rec today wearing one of their shocking pink numbers to face Bath in their "camouflage" blue European jerseys, it could resemble not so much a do-or-die Heineken Cup tie as an audition for the Turner Prize. Don't forget your sunglasses.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/heineken-cup-roundup-cheikas-leinster-fulfil-their-brief-and-beat-brive-1804826.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/heineken-cup-roundup-cheikas-leinster-fulfil-their-brief-and-beat-brive-1804826.html <p>Leinster, the Heineken Cup holders who lost at home to London Irish last week, won 36-13 in Brive yesterday. The back-row replacement Kevin McLaughlin scored two tries, late on, after the Ireland and Lions full-back Rob Kearney had scored the first. Jonny Sexton kicked 19 points. The England fly-half Andy Goode kicked two penalties for a Brive side rather light on actual Frenchmen – three started the match, with four on the bench – and converted a try by the South African flanker Gerhard Vosloo.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/sharks-survive-but-sheridan-pays-the-price-1804470.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/sharks-survive-but-sheridan-pays-the-price-1804470.html <p> A good night for Sale, on the result front at least; a bad one for England. The Sharks sank their teeth into the side beaten only by a penalty shoot-out in last season's Heineken Cup – just, after a try by flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor and a Ben Blair conversion brought the Blues to within a point two minutes from the end of the Pool Five encounter. </p> Club Rugby Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:49:47 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saints-slide-to-thumping-loss-in-perpignan-1804467.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saints-slide-to-thumping-loss-in-perpignan-1804467.html <p> Northampton were brought back down to earth after last week's stunning Heineken Cup win against Munster when they were beaten 29-13 by French champions Perpignan at Stade Aimé Giral. </p> Club Rugby Sat, 17 Oct 2009 03:47:58 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/exiles-aim-to-build-on-strong-home-foundations-1804244.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/exiles-aim-to-build-on-strong-home-foundations-1804244.html <p> <b>London Irish v Scarlets (Pool 6, 3pm)</b> </p> <p> Ahead of today's game, Toby Booth's Exiles are in something of the pink following their opening night 12-9 success over champions Leinster at the RDS Showground in Dublin. </p> Club Rugby Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/fearless-saints-go-hunting-for-french-scalp-1803519.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/fearless-saints-go-hunting-for-french-scalp-1803519.html ]]> <p>According to Salvador Dali, the railway station in Perpignan was "the centre of the universe." He said he got his best ideas sitting in the waiting room there. Up the road in the Stade Aime-Giral tonight, Jim Mallinder will be thinking of nothing more surreal than the sight of a greater points haul for the visitors on the scoreboard. </p> Club Rugby Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saracens-hit-by-vintage-wilkinson-1803746.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saracens-hit-by-vintage-wilkinson-1803746.html ]]> <p>A hero in his own land and a hero now in France, the former and perhaps future England stand-off Jonny Wilkinson brought more than just 16 points to his new club Toulon's richly deserved win over Saracens in the Amlin Challenge Cup here last night. He also brought that vital extra component of mature composure.</p> Club Rugby Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/northampton-ready-for-another-heineken-cup-shock-1803256.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/northampton-ready-for-another-heineken-cup-shock-1803256.html ]]> <p> Dylan Hartley insists Northampton will step into the unknown without any fear at Perpignan tomorrow night, after their momentous victory over two-time European champions Munster. </p> Club Rugby Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:54:51 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/leinster-will-challenge-jennings-ban-1803098.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/leinster-will-challenge-jennings-ban-1803098.html ]]> <p> Leinster last night expressed their "shock" after flanker Shane Jennings was hit with a 12-week ban for eye-gouging the London Irish lock Nick Kennedy. </p> Club Rugby Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:43:10 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jennings-banned-for-eyegouging-1802676.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jennings-banned-for-eyegouging-1802676.html <p>The Leinster flanker Shane Jennings has been handed a 12-week ban for attempted eye-gouging of the London Irish lock Nick Kennedy.</p> Club Rugby Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jennings-receives-lengthy-ban-for-gouging-1802596.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jennings-receives-lengthy-ban-for-gouging-1802596.html ]]> <p> Shane Jennings has been banned for 12 weeks after being found guilty of eye-gouging London Irish lock Nick Kennedy. </p> Club Rugby Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:27:47 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saracens-bolster-squad-with-lealamanua-swoop-1802507.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/saracens-bolster-squad-with-lealamanua-swoop-1802507.html <p> Saracens have strengthened their front-row options with the signing of Samoan World Cup prop Kas Lealamanua. </p> Club Rugby Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:04:36 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/cardiff-trio-left-feeling-the-blues-as-flu-strikes-1802087.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/cardiff-trio-left-feeling-the-blues-as-flu-strikes-1802087.html ]]> <p>Cardiff Blues are facing a mounting fitness crisis ahead of their Heineken Cup Pool Three encounter away to Sale Sharks on Friday night. </p> Club Rugby Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/azams-record-undermines-appeal-against-12week-ban-1802208.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/azams-record-undermines-appeal-against-12week-ban-1802208.html <p>The Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam has paid the price for a poor disciplinary record after yesterday failing in his appeal against a 12-week ban for kicking the England captain, Steve Borthwick.</p> Club Rugby Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/leicester-rescued-by-dream-debutant-1801380.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/leicester-rescued-by-dream-debutant-1801380.html ]]> <p>There were 10 minutes to go before kick-off at Welford Road yesterday when Billy Twelvetrees was handed the Leicester No 12 shirt. Dan Hipkiss had fallen victim in the pre-match warm-up to the Tigers' backline curse that had already accounted for three men in morning fitness tests (Aaron Mauger, Harry Ellis and Matt Smith), the in-form England centre having complained of suffering from what Richard Cockerill, Leicester's director of rugby, described as "aching joints and swollen testicles".</p> Club Rugby Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/shanklin-and-roberts-deliver-touch-of-class-to-quell-quins-1801383.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/shanklin-and-roberts-deliver-touch-of-class-to-quell-quins-1801383.html ]]> <p>It was a mantra of Ian McGeechan on last summer's Lions tour that the basis of a good team is combinations. Cardiff Blues have one of the best around in the midfield: Jamie Roberts and Tom Shanklin. Against Harlequins in this Heineken Cup pool opener at the shiny new Cardiff City Stadium, they fielded the pair for the second time in six matches this season. Those two matches have provided the Blues' only wins.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/sharp-shoots-saracens-to-perfect-start-1801385.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/sharp-shoots-saracens-to-perfect-start-1801385.html ]]> <p>Saracens will find life considerably tougher when they travel to face Jonny Wilkinson's Toulon on Thursday night, but this bonus-point victory puts them top of the Amlin Challenge Cup's Pool Three.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/geraghty-darts-in-as-lawes-knocks-on-england-door-1801384.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/geraghty-darts-in-as-lawes-knocks-on-england-door-1801384.html ]]> <p>The sheer quality wrapped around the shoulders of Shane Geraghty makes it inevitable that Northampton's fly-half will confront the southern hemisphere at Twickenham next month.</p> Club Rugby Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/goode-backs-roaring-lyons-to-fuel-scarlets-surge-1801386.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/goode-backs-roaring-lyons-to-fuel-scarlets-surge-1801386.html ]]> <p>Andy Goode believes London Irish should beware. The Exiles will understandably be feeling high and ever so mighty after winning at the home of Leinster, the defending Heineken Cup champions, on Friday night. But the Scarlets will provide no easy homecoming fodder at Reading this weekend. </p> Club Rugby Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/toulouse-inflict-pain-on-sale-in-heineken-cup-1801192.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/toulouse-inflict-pain-on-sale-in-heineken-cup-1801192.html <p> Drums pounding, ecstatic, red wine-fuelled fans alternately baying for more and roaring approval signalled Toulouse were in their pomp in a home town where they have not lost an opening Heineken Cup match since 2000-2001 against Saracens. </p> Club Rugby Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:20:03 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/halfpennys-try-sinks-halfstrength-quins-1800953.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/halfpennys-try-sinks-halfstrength-quins-1800953.html ]]> <p>Some critics said Harlequins should never have been here; that the punishment for "Bloodgate" should have included chucking them out of the Heineken Cup. You wondered at the London club's own commitment to the competition when they rested their England senior squad members, Ugo Monye, Danny Care and Nick Easter, for this match, although the relevant rules stipulate a club is obliged to go short, somehow, somewhere, at this stage of the season. The Cardiff Blues had, like Quins, begun with one win in five league matches. Second-half tries by Tom James and Leigh Halfpenny provided a welcome lift for last year's European semi-finalists.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/geraghty-just-too-good-for-munster-in-a-thriller-1800954.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/geraghty-just-too-good-for-munster-in-a-thriller-1800954.html <p>Northampton withstood a ferocious rally by Munster to win a Heineken Cup battle that truly touched the heights. And Shane Geraghty was as close to world-class as you can get in the face of such ferocity. The Northampton fly-half, watched by the England manager, Martin Johnson, and attack coach, Brian Smith, shone in a match that had all that is so wonderful about this competition. </p> Club Rugby Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/lunds-lunge-denies-battling-warriors-a-win-1800955.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/lunds-lunge-denies-battling-warriors-a-win-1800955.html <p>If there were some glimpses of Glasgow's ability to make an impression at this level, they were lost in the assertion of a more painful truth. It is an old failing, but one that persists beyond the words of resolve that Sean Lineen, the Warriors' astute coach, had used to deliver the challenge to his team of being contenders in the Heineken Cup. Again, they were left with the regret of having been unable to sustain the best of their performance for long enough.</p> Club Rugby Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/high-time-for-ospreys-to-spread-wings-and-fly-1800956.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/high-time-for-ospreys-to-spread-wings-and-fly-1800956.html <p>You can afford to be strident on your own website. "Never forget who you are" is the banner slogan on <a href="http://OspreysRugby.com" target="new">OspreysRugby.com</a>. Which is sound advice, when taken literally, but what will it count for at Welford Road today when the Welsh region, barely out of nappies in their seventh season, meet the Leicester Tigers, that fearsome fusion of ancient and modern? </p> Club Rugby Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jones-hints-at-old-glories-in-meeting-of-past-masters-1800959.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/jones-hints-at-old-glories-in-meeting-of-past-masters-1800959.html ]]> <p>A squint of the eyes and it could have been the 90s again, and the formative years of this grand competition. There were the men in Scarlet punching the air, celebrating a rousing European afternoon, and there were the grim Frenchmen, vowing it would be different next time. </p> Club Rugby Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/heineken-cup-roundup-arias-on-song-as-scots-get-plastered-in-paris-1800958.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/heineken-cup-roundup-arias-on-song-as-scots-get-plastered-in-paris-1800958.html <p>Stade Français scored four first-half tries against Edinburgh in Paris, on their way to a 31-7 victory in Pool Four of the Heineken Cup. </p> Club Rugby Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/robinsonrsquos-boot-douses-dragonsrsquo-fire-1800691.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/robinsonrsquos-boot-douses-dragonsrsquo-fire-1800691.html <p> Nicky Robinson rescued Gloucester with a late penalty that extinguished an impressive Dragons display in the Heineken Cup. The Wales international fly-half kicked 14 points, but his match-winning strike did not arrive until five minutes from time. </p> Club Rugby Sat, 10 Oct 2009 03:46:36 +0100 http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/quins-goal-is-to-draw-first-blood-1800479.html http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/club-rugby/quins-goal-is-to-draw-first-blood-1800479.html <p> <b>Blues v Harlequins </b></p> <p> <i>(Heineken Cup Pool 5, Today 1.35pm)</i> </p> <p> Harlequins' first match in Europe since the infamous "Bloodgate" incident in last season's quarter-final against Leinster and the baiting will be obvious. However, it is the remarkable recovery from an all-too-real injury which may blight the English aristocrats in Cardiff today. </p> Club Rugby Sat, 10 Oct 2009 00:00:01 +0100