The Rugby Thread

[Chazza]

Robshaw and Best also left out.

[Chazza]

LIONS
Lions squad for the tour to Australia:

Backs: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Rob Kearney (Ireland), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Alex Cuthbert (Wales), Sean Maitland (Scotland), George North (Wales), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Manu Tuilagi (England), Owen Farrell (England), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Conor Murray (Ireland), Mike Phillips (Wales), Ben Youngs (England).

Forwards: Dan Cole (England), Cian Healy (Ireland), Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Matt Stevens (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Dylan Hartley (England), Richard Hibbard (Wales), Tom Youngs (England), Ian Evans (Wales), Richie Gray (Scotland), Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Geoff Parling (England), Tom Croft (England), Toby Faletau (Wales), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Dan Lydiate (Wales), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Sam Warburton (Wales, captain)

[Alex]

Matt Stevens? Was that the bloke who got busted for doing coke a couple of years back? Didnt even think he still played International.

[Chazza]

Yep he retired from Internationals in August.

[Chazza]

Gatland on the radio saying that Wilkinson couldn't commit to the training camp and that he didn't think his body would take it otherwise he would have gone.

[RichC]

I can't believe Robshaw didn't make it tbh

[Chazza]

I would guess he is at the top of the reserve list.

He is bound to make an appearance at some stage with someone going home injured.

I was more surprised about us only taking 2 fly halves unless they are leaving some space for Wilkinson to turn up late.

[Red_Polo]

I can't believe Robshaw didn't make it tbh

Remarkable someone of his quality should miss out, but let's face it, those who've gone ahead of him are seriously ****ing mint.

[Liverpel]

I thought Ian Madigan played well enough in the last few weeks to just sneak in.

[Buzzo]

Sad news. Looked a prospect too. We've had some bad luck at centre over the last few years with Thom Evans and now Ansbro being forced to retire.

Scotland's Joe Ansbro forced to retire from rugby

Scotland centre Joe Ansbro has been forced to retire from rugby following the neck break he suffered last summer.
The 27-year-old London Irish star sustained the injury while playing in a pre-season match in August.
Despite extensive rehabilitation, he has been advised on medical grounds to retire with immediate effect.
Play media

Ansbro determined to play again
"Playing this great game at the highest level is a privilege and I will always look back on my career with fond memories," said Ansbro.
"I've been fortunate enough to play top-level rugby for both Northampton Saints and London Irish.
"To gain international recognition with Scotland has been an immense honour; victories over South Africa and Australia stand out.
Continue reading the main story
“
Sad to hear about Joe Ansbro's retirement. An excellent Test player - 100% committed, an intelligent defender and very quick. Top bloke too.
”
Gregor Townsend
Glasgow Warriors head coach
Ansbro, who made 14 appearances during his time with London Irish and scored three tries, added: "Thank you to all the players, coaches, staff and supporters of London Irish. I wish the club success in the future and look forward to watching the boys get off to a good start when September arrives.
"Thank you to everyone at Northampton Saints, the RPA and the wider rugby community for the support I received before and after my injury.
"Thank you also to all the supporters, players, coaches and staff at the SRU for making the responsibility of representing Scotland such an enjoyable experience.
"I'd especially like to thank [London Irish Head Physiotherapist] James Peckitt and [Scotland team doctor] James Robson for helping me through a difficult rehabilitation process. Finally, thank you to my family, friends and agent for their continuing support and positive influence."
Ansbro scored three tries in his 11 Scotland appearances.
Glasgow Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend, who worked with Ansbro while attack coach with the national side, tweeted: "Sad to hear about Joe Ansbro's retirement. An excellent Test player - 100% committed, an intelligent defender and very quick. Top bloke too."
London Irish director of rugby Brian Smith said Ansbro's retirement was "incredibly sad news" for the player and club.
"He has remained extremely committed to the club during his injury, and his presence around the squad has been a huge lift for all the players," Smith said.
"He is a very intelligent and articulate young man, and I have no doubt that he will be as committed to his next career as he has been to rugby.
"Everyone at the club wishes Joe all the best for the future."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22537531

[Neil Young]

Hey Reecie, how's the bike?

[Liverpel]

It has been a nervous wait over the last few weeks for Leinster and Irish rugby fans as they waited to see if Brian O’Driscoll would play one more year for club and country. That issue was resolved this morning with the news that O’Driscoll has signed a new one year deal, as the nation breathed a collective sigh of relief.

[Liverpel]

Ronan O'Gara is joining Racing Metro as a coach, according to l'Equipe.

O'Gara coaching Jonny Sexton seems a bit mad.

[Liverpel]

Leinster looking to be the first team to hold two different European trophies at the same time tonight, a feat that hasn't been achieved in any sport in at least 48 hours.

[Liverpel]

Ronan O'Gara is joining Racing Metro as a coach, according to l'Equipe.

O'Gara coaching Jonny Sexton seems a bit mad.

Confirmed now.




The Irish Independent has confirmed that Ronan O'Gara will join Paris-based Racing Metro as an Assistant Coach next season on a two year deal.


O'Gara met Racing's eccentric owner Jacky Lorenzetti in London today and agreed to join Jonathan Sexton at the club next season.

The 36-year-old will work on kicking with the professional team, and also within the youth setup at the club.

Sexton will become one of the highest paid players in world rugby when he moves to the French Top 14 in the autumn and will be mentored by the man who he has competed with for the Irish number 10 shirt over the past four years.

Today's announcement means the end of one of the greatest ever playing careers an Irish player has ever enjoyed.

He retires as the highest ever points scorer for both Ireland and Munster and will be forever remembered for the role he played in Munster's Heineken Cup successes in 2006 and 2008 as well as Ireland's incredible Grand Slam success in 2009.

Munster had offered O'Gara a one year contract extension but that has been declined.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/ronan-ogara-to-join-racing-metro-as-assistantcoach-next-season-29275774.html