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Originally posted by skysports.com
SALTER STAYS ON AS BRISTOL SKIPPER

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Salter: Bristol skipper

Newly-promoted Bristol, who raced to the National League One ***le last season, have confirmed that Matt Salter will retain the captaincy in the Guinness Premiership.

The 28-year-old returned to the Memorial Stadium last season after a year with Leeds and impressed as he led the club to promotion.

Coach Richard Hill said the decision to reappoint the 'inspirational' number eight had been an easy one to reach.

"Matt was superb for us last season," Hill said. "He was in excellent form as a player and was inspirational as a leader.

"He led from the front and I don't think it was any coincidence that our one dip in form took place when he was out injured.

"He came back to Bristol with the aim of getting us back into the Premiership and he duly achieved that.

"Now he will lead us on our return and he will do so with pride. Also, with all the changes and new signings this season, I felt that it was very important to have as much continuity as possible."

Salter, who signed a new two-year contract with Bristol last month, believes the task of leading the team will be easier this season thanks to the addition of several senior players.

The new-look Bristol squad includes ex-England hooker Mark Regan, who returns to the Memorial Stadium, former Wasps captain Mark Denney and fierce-tackling Munster centre Brian Lima.

"It's a huge honour to have the captaincy for another year," Salter said. "Last season was superb. It wasn't an easy job because we were trying to win a championship.

"It could be easier now. There will be more senior players around me while the younger ones have gained more experience."

Originally posted by skysports.com
REIHANA IS SAINTS STAND-IN

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Reihana: 'Overwhelmed'

Bruce Reihana has been named as Northampton's stand-in skipper for the games Steve Thompson will miss during the new season.

Thompson is sidelined for pre-season games with the revised rest period of England players, and could miss out on club action during the autumn internationals and Six Nations.

Reihana, who has played 75 games for Saints since his debut in 2002, signed a three-year deal at the end of last season that will see him at Frankilin's Gardens until 2008.

"I was overwhelmed to be asked to take on this captaincy role and it will be a true honour to lead out the Saints," he said.

Director of rugby Budge Pountney added: "Bruce is a popular player with both his fellow squad members and the supporters. But more than that he has everyone's respect.

"He leads by example on and off the pitch and was the ideal candidate for this important role."

Originally posted by skysports.com
MARSHALL EXPLAINS LEEDS MOVE

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  Marshall: Davies praise

Former New Zealand international Justin Marshall has outlined his reasons for joining Leeds Tykes.

Marshall has signed a two-year contract with the Tykes and will head to Headingley this summer from Canterbury Crusaders.

He will arrive in England having retired from international rugby following the All Blacks' drubbing of the British and Irish Lions.

But while his decision to transfer his considerable talents to English rugby is not a shock, signing for Leeds was considered a surprise.

The scrum-half has been one of the pre-eminent players of his generation and could probably have had his pick of Premiership clubs.

The deciding factor, though, in Marshall accepting an offer from Leeds was the chance to work with Tykes coach Phil Davies.

"Phil had a major influence on my decision," commented Marshall.

"I just thought it would be a good challenge for me and the setup and the team environment was really important for me.

"I needed to go somewhere where I was going to feel comfortable. That was at the forefront of my thinking and the potential of the Leeds side excited me.

"They are capable of showing a lot more than they have already and you could see that when they were struggling towards the end of the season."
 
DOUBLE FRACTURE FOR UNFORTUNATE LIPMAN

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Bath Rugby flanker Michael Lipman faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after sustaining a serious facial injury during his club’s 33-11 victory over Exeter Chiefs in a pre-season trial match on Saturday.

The England international openside sustained the injury shortly after the interval at the County Ground and was taken to hospital for X rays on Saturday evening. A visit to a Bath specialist this morning confirmed that the player had sustained a double facial fracture.

“Michael will be out for longer than originally anticipated,†said Bath Rugby’s Head of Sports Medicine Geoff Clark to www.bathrugby.com. “He sustained a heavy blow to the face and has a double fracture of his Zygoma (cheekbone) and his eye socket. He has yet to undergo surgery because the swelling has to be left to recede, however at this early stage it is looking as though Michael will be out of action for between two and three months.â€

The injury is a bitter blow for a player who has worked so hard over the summer period to get back to peak fitness following a nasty ankle injury and Michael was looking forward to making a big impression in the Guinness Premiership this season for his club.

Coach Mike Foley today praised Michael for his contribution over pre-season and expects the young openside to return in resolute mood.

“We all feel desperately sorry for Lippy because he has trained so hard over the summer,†said Foley. “Michael is a quality player and I thought that both he and James Scaysbrook were a little hard done by not to be included in the EPS squad. However, I expect Michael to bounce back more determined than ever and show the England selectors what they are missing and we are all looking forward to that. The whole squad would like to wish him a speedy recovery.â€

____________-
Cock!
 
I wonder would he not just retire, all these injuries are bound to have taken a toll and he'll be 33 by the time he's on the verge of a comeback, plus there could be the payoff of the gamble on Andy Farrell turning into a decent backrow player. Is all the hassle worth it?
 
Originally posted by An Tarbh@Aug 17 2005, 08:31 AM
I wonder would he not just retire, all these injuries are bound to have taken a toll and he'll be 33 by the time he's on the verge of a comeback, plus there could be the payoff of the gamble on Andy Farrell turning into a decent backrow player. Is all the hassle worth it?
I certainly doubt he'll ever play for England again. The word is that Farrell is going to play 12 for Sarries though, not back-row.
 
Backrow just seems the natural position for me, his defensive work will certainly be up to scratch, his ball carrying ability isn't questionable, scrummaging shouldn't be a major issue for him and he should be able to pick up the technical issues quite quickly, it's just his out and out pace I'd question for him playing centre.
 
Saw a piece on Farrell on Sky Sports News yesterday. It said that even though he'll be playing 12 in the game on Saturday, he's been training with the forwards as much as the backs. I don't think they know for sure where to play him until he's tried a few positions out.
 
Originally posted by An Tarbh@Aug 17 2005, 07:31 PM
I wonder would he not just retire, all these injuries are bound to have taken a toll and he'll be 33 by the time he's on the verge of a comeback, plus there could be the payoff of the gamble on Andy Farrell turning into a decent backrow player. Is all the hassle worth it?
Shame to hear about Hill, unlikely to play for England again, but still could have a shout come 2007 knowing the state of English rugby at the moment.

His last game was the dreadful 1st Test for the Lions - enough motivation for any player to keep on with it and have a better departure from the sport. Hill will hopefully play again before bowing out.
 
Guinness Premiership - 2005/06 fixtures:


GP Round 1 - Sept 2/3/4
Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Worcester Warriors v Gloucester
Leeds Tykes v London Irish
Sale Sharks v Newcastle Falcons
London Wasps v Saracens
Bristol Shoguns v Bath

GP Round 2 - Sept 9/10/11
Bath v Northampton Saints
London Irish v Worcester Warriors
Newcastle Falcons v Bristol Shoguns
London Wasps v Leicester Tigers
Gloucester v Sale Sharks
Saracens v Leeds Tykes

GP Round 3 - Sept 16/17/18
Bristol Shoguns v Gloucester
Leicester Tigers v Bath
Worcester Warriors v Saracens
Leeds Tykes v London Wasps
Sale Sharks v London Irish
Northampton Saints v Newcastle Falcons

GP Round 4 - Sept 23/24/25
Leeds Tykes v Leicester Tigers
London Irish v Bristol Shoguns
Newcastle Falcons v Bath
London Wasps v Worcester Warriors
Gloucester v Northampton Saints
Saracens v Sale Sharks

GP Round 5 - Oct 14/15/16
Bristol Shoguns v Saracens
Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons
Bath v Gloucester
Worcester Warriors v Leeds Tykes
Sale Sharks v London Wasps
Northampton Saints v London Irish

GP Round 6 - Nov 4/5
Worcester Warriors v Leicester Tigers
Leeds Tykes v Sale Sharks
London Irish v Bath
London Wasps v Bristol Shoguns
Gloucester v Newcastle Falcons
Saracens v Northampton Saints

GP Round 7 - Nov 11/12/13
Bristol Shoguns v Leeds Tykes
Leicester Tigers v Gloucester
Bath v Saracens
Sale Sharks v Worcester Warriors
Northampton Saints v London Wasps
Newcastle Falcons v London Irish

GP Round 8 - Nov 18/19/20
Worcester Warriors v Bristol Shoguns
Leeds Tykes v Northampton Saints
Sale Sharks v Leicester Tigers
London Irish v Gloucester
London Wasps v Bath
Saracens v Newcastle Falcons

GP Round 9 - Nov 25/26/27
Bristol Shoguns v Sale Sharks
Leicester Tigers v London Irish
Bath v Leeds Tykes
Northampton Saints v Worcester Warriors
Newcastle Falcons v London Wasps
Gloucester v Saracens

GP Round 10 - Dec 26
Bristol Shoguns v Leicester Tigers
Worcester Warriors v Bath
Leeds Tykes v Newcastle Falcons
Sale Sharks v Northampton Saints
London Wasps v Gloucester
Saracens v London Irish

GP Round 11 - Jan 1
Leicester Tigers v Saracens
Bath v Sale Sharks
Northampton Saints v Bristol Shoguns
London Irish v London Wasps
Newcastle Falcons v Worcester Warriors
Gloucester v Leeds Tykes

GP Round 12 - Jan 6/7/8
Worcester Warriors v Northampton Saints
Leeds Tykes v Bath
Sale Sharks v Bristol Shoguns
London Irish v Leicester Tigers
London Wasps v Newcastle Falcons
Saracens v Gloucester

GP Round 13 - Jan 27/28
Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks
Bath v London Wasps
Northampton Saints v Leeds Tykes
Newcastle Falcons v Saracens
Bristol Shoguns v Worcester Warriors
Gloucester v London Irish

GP Round 14 - Feb 10/11/12
Worcester Warriors v Sale Sharks
Leeds Tykes v Bristol Shoguns
London Irish v Newcastle Falcons
London Wasps v Northampton Saints
Gloucester v Leicester Tigers
Saracens v Bath

GP Round 15 - Feb 17/18/19
Bristol Shoguns v London Wasps
Leicester Tigers v Worcester Warriors
Bath v London Irish
Sale Sharks v Leeds Tykes
Northampton Saints v Saracens
Newcastle Falcons v Gloucester

GP Round 16 - Feb 24/25/26
Leeds Tykes v Worcester Warriors
London Irish v Northampton Saints
Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers
London Wasps v Sale Sharks
Gloucester v Bath
Saracens v Bristol Shoguns

GP Round 17 - March 10/11/12
Bristol Shoguns v London Irish
Leicester Tigers v Leeds Tykes
Bath v Newcastle Falcons
Worcester Warriors v London Wasps
Sale Sharks v Saracens
Northampton Saints v Gloucester

GP Round 18 - March 24/25/26
Bath v Leicester Tigers
London Irish v Sale Sharks
Newcastle Falcons v Northampton Saints
London Wasps v Leeds Tykes
Gloucester v Bristol Shoguns
Saracens v Worcester Warriors

GP Round 19 - Apr 7/8/9
Bristol Shoguns v Newcastle Falcons
Leicester Tigers v London Wasps
Worcester Warriors v London Irish
Leeds Tykes v Saracens
Sale Sharks v Gloucester
Northampton Saints v Bath

GP Round 20 - Apr 14/15/16
Bath v Bristol Shoguns
London Irish v Leeds Tykes
Newcastle Falcons v Sale Sharks
Northampton Saints v Leicester Tigers
Gloucester v Worcester Warriors
Saracens v London Wasps

GP Round 21 - Apr 28/29/30
Bristol Shoguns v Northampton Saints
Worcester Warriors v Newcastle Falcons
Leeds Tykes v Gloucester
Sale Sharks v Bath
London Wasps v London Irish
Saracens v Leicester Tigers

GP Round 22 - May 6/7
Bath v Worcester Warriors
Gloucester v London Wasps
London Irish v Saracens
Newcastle Falcons v Leeds Tykes
Northampton Saints v Sale Sharks
Leicester Tigers v Bristol Shoguns

GP Semi-Finals - May 12/13/14
2nd vs 3rd

GP Finals - May 27
1st vs Winner of semi-final
 
The playoffs have been changed to include the 4th placed team and have 2 semi finals. The wildcards have also been scrapped.

Originally posted by BBC Sport
The entry criteria for Heineken Cup qualification will now be:

# Heineken Cup winner
# Guinness Premiership first place
# Guinness Premiership second place
# Guinness Premiership third place
# Guinness Premiership fourth place
# European Challenge Cup winner
# Powergen Cup winner

In the event that the winner of the Heineken Cup, European Challenge Cup or Powergen Cup qualifies by being in the top four, or in the event that there is no English winner of the Challenge Cup and/or Powergen Cup, then the Heineken Cup runner-up would qualify, followed by Guinness Premiership fifth, sixth and so on.

Gets a bit messy having the Heineken Cup runner up getting a place ahead of the 5th or 6th placed league team, that's assuming there's even an English team in the final let alone two. Thought as well that there were only 6 places for England and an extra if an English club wins the HEC.
 
Originally posted by An Tarbh+Aug 26 2005, 08:34 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (An Tarbh @ Aug 26 2005, 08:34 AM)</div>
The playoffs have been changed to include the 4th placed team and have 2 semi finals. The wildcards have also been scrapped.

<!--QuoteBegin-BBC Sport
The entry criteria for Heineken Cup qualification will now be:

# Heineken Cup winner
# Guinness Premiership first place
# Guinness Premiership second place
# Guinness Premiership third place
# Guinness Premiership fourth place
# European Challenge Cup winner
# Powergen Cup winner

In the event that the winner of the Heineken Cup, European Challenge Cup or Powergen Cup qualifies by being in the top four, or in the event that there is no English winner of the Challenge Cup and/or Powergen Cup, then the Heineken Cup runner-up would qualify, followed by Guinness Premiership fifth, sixth and so on.

Gets a bit messy having the Heineken Cup runner up getting a place ahead of the 5th or 6th placed league team, that's assuming there's even an English team in the final let alone two. Thought as well that there were only 6 places for England and an extra if an English club wins the HEC. [/b]
It seems better for the first place team to play forth as history shows 2 weeks off doesn't really help at all. Wildcards had little to them as well.

As for HC runners-up, well can't see that happening to a team outside the top4 if a English team does make it.
 
Taken from Sale's website;

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
Sale Sharks have tonight rejected the position adopted by the RFU over their desire to see the clubs rest their English Lions for the first three weeks of the Guinness Premiership Season. Owner Brian Kennedy says;

‘I cannot accept the statements made by the RFU claiming that a clear agreement was in place. This is absolutely not the case and Sale Sharks, along with every other Premiership club, are clearly within their right to play their English Lions in the Premiership if they chose to do so.

The RFU have pointed to the fact that the Irish and Welsh players will get an 11 week break or more â€" however this will not apply to Irish, Welsh and Scottish Lions playing in the Premiership, who will be available for selection by their clubs, whilst French players (who also had a summer tour schedule) were asked only to observe an 8 week rest period and have already started their league programme.

Consequently the Board of Sale Sharks can now confirm that Director of Rugby Philippe St Andre will be able to select from a squad including all his English Lions players when he picks his team to face Newcastle Falcons in the opening Guinness Premiership fixture at Edgeley Park next Friday evening.’

‘We believe that this is absolutely the correct decision, reflecting the understandable desire of our Lions contingent to play their full part in the opening game of the season in front of a predicted full house at Edgeley Park. We have taken the decision only after consultation with each of the players concerned. We are fully aware of our responsibility to manage player welfare and employ the very best medical and conditioning staff to ensure that our players are in top condition whenever they step on to the pitch. We manage every aspect of our players conditioning 52 weeks a year and believe that we are best placed to make decisions as to when and where our players need to be rested. The first game of the season, after a planned period of scientific rest combined with thorough preseason training when the players concerned are at peak readiness is clearly not that time.’

Brian Kennedy went on to say ‘ I very much hope that this is not seen as Sale Sharks setting themselves in conflict with the interests of England because that is 100% not the case. Our Director of Rugby Philippe St Andre has met with England coach Andy Robinson and explained how he plans to use the players and how he will work with Andy through the season to ensure the players are not overused. In recent years Sale Sharks has become one of the biggest contributors to the England Squad, and we have also provided a steady stream of new English talent through our academy, developing players that will hopefully help England retain their World Cup in 2007. A strong English player presence in the Guinness Premiership is essential for a successful England side. The paradox of inadvertent penalisation of clubs who develop successful England players through making them unavailable for vital club games will ultimately prove detrimental to the future player resource and therefore the prosperity of the England national side. There are clear signs of this now happening, so the imbalance has to be urgently resolved. Looking forward to the next world cup it is our desire to work closely with England to develop a partnership that is beneficial to both club and country â€" I am sure this will not prove beyond us with careful planning and co-operation from all sides.[/b]
 
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>
We are not going to win games by a war of attrition and if we try to do that I think we will come off second best[/b]

They've got no chance against Bath then!
 
Originally posted by robbinho@Aug 31 2005, 10:35 PM
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE
We are not going to win games by a war of attrition and if we try to do that I think we will come off second best

They've got no chance against Bath then! [/b][/quote]
lol! Cometh Sunday, we will have your fat boys run off their feet!
 
Originally posted by Teh Mite@Sep 1 2005, 06:25 AM
We won't mention the thumping from relegated Quins...
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<
We can talk about it if you want. No excuses, but here are some anyway:

1) Quins have practically the same team, therefore a gelled squad, where as Bristol have recruited the most in the Prem(as they are 1 yr ahead of schedule).

2) It was a pre-season friendly, i.e. time to experiment, such as with the new type of defence we will employ.

3) They had that ******* Merthens.

I will be happy with 11th. Hill is an amazing coach, one for England in the future, and we will surprise some. We did however beat Cardiff the other day, who are Heinenken Cup quality!

London Irish for relegation!
 
Plus it's a derby game and we have got over our hoodoo of not being able to beat them.
 
Opening matches sold-out at Bris, Worcester and Leicester, and 35,000 tickets sold for double header at Twickenham. God bless the Bristol ticket office for sending me 4 tickets when I only ordered 2!
 
Originally posted by robbinho@Sep 2 2005, 02:43 AM
Opening matches sold-out at Bris, Worcester and Leicester, and 35,000 tickets sold for double header at Twickenham. God bless the Bristol ticket office for sending me 4 tickets when I only ordered 2!
Oh man, got a price for them 2 tickets Robbinho?
 

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