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Filed under: Toulon

Dates confirmed for Heineken Cup

Toulouse v Biarritz Heineken Cup final May 10

Toulouse set for Sunday

English challengers Leicester and Northampton will play on different days of the Heineken Cup quarter-final weekend later this season.

Tigers' clash against Leinster - a repeat of the 2009 final - will take place on Saturday, April 9 at Dublin's Aviva Stadium, with a 6pm kick-off.

Top seeds Saints, meanwhile, will face Ulster at the stadium:mk in Milton Keynes the following day at 2pm.

Perpignan's quarter-final against Toulon is set for the 55,000-capacity Olympic Stadium in Barcelona on the Saturday, with Sunday's action concluded by Heineken Cup holders Toulouse facing Biarritz at Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian.

The semi-finals see Leinster or Leicester facing Biarritz or Toulouse, with Northampton or Ulster meeting Perpignan or Toulon.

via planetrugby.com

Toulon President Accuses ERC Of Fixing Heineken Cup Draw 

Media_httpwwwsportsne_afhus
via sportsnewsireland.com

Written by: Richard Sugar on 26th January 2011

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has accused European Rugby Cup Ltd (ERC) of rigging the draw for the Heineken Cup semi-finals to benefit Pool 2 winners Leinster.

The controversial owner said in La Provence that he had sent a letter to ERC asking for an explanation and evidence of the draw, which he said had not been shown on French television.

That lack of tv coverage sparked rumours in France the draw was done behind closed doors, although it is believed neither Boudjellal nor any of the other French club bosses were aware the draw was live on Sky.

“By chance, the province of Leinster will not only be home for their quarter final, which they won sportively, but for the semi-final too,” said the Toulon boss.

“Is it a coincidence ERC headquarters are to be found in Dublin? On behalf of Toulon and all the other French clubs we are prepared to shine a light as to why the draw was conducted in secret. That’s why we did what we did (in sending the letter). We’re ready to do everything necessary.”

An ERC spokesperson stated that the clubs concerned were informed the draw would be broadcasted live on the British channel ‘Sky Sports’ and on the ERC website.

“(France 2 show) Stade 2 was then to transmit a delayed broadcast of the draw as was the case. Last year the draw of the semi-finals appeared on Stade 2 as the final was in Paris.”


via sportsnewsireland.com

Jones happy to give Ospreys fans something to be proud of

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Photo: Huw Evans Agency

via ospreysrugby.com

Having picked up the man-of-the-match award with an all-action display at blindside, Ryan Jones says that the win over Toulon was a special one for the fans.

 

Speaking post-match on Saturday evening, Jones said:

"It's a huge consolation for us, in terms of how we will be remembered going out of Europe. We were bitterly disappointed about last week, but we managed to turn it around, front up, and put our own house in order. We provided a platform from which we could play, and score points.

"After the break we just managed to get some possession and momentum. The first half I thought we were a bit erratic, we looked scared. We were trying to make amends for last week and we probably tried a bit too hard. We were kicking it, rushing it, but we got a bit of composure at half time. We said that this was a game about building a performance, so we came out, built a platform, got parity at the setpiece and managed to get our backs on the front foot.

"When you've got characters like Jerry, Mike and Shane coming on we knew that momentum could see us through, if we got that catalyst early on.

"We've got a fantastic fanbase that supports us through thick and thin. We had a disappointment last week and we just wanted to come out and give them something to be proud of, something to encourage them to keep the faith."

via ospreysrugby.com

 

Ireland set to lose Flannery

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via espnscrum.com

Munster hooker Jerry Flannery's injury nightmare looks set to continue after he was forced from the field in Munster's Heineken Cup win over Toulon on Saturday.

The Ireland international made his comeback from a long-standing calf injury with 40 minutes for All-Ireland League side Shannon two weeks ago and returned to the provincial stage as a second-half replacement for Damien Varley last weekend only to limp off before the end of proceedings at Thomond Park.

Ireland coach Declan Kidney names his squad for their November Tests against South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina and Samoa on Tuesday and Flannery is a major doubt after it was confirmed that he will see specialists this week to determine whether he has suffered a recurrence of the calf problem.

"It's certainly unfortunate if it is [a recurrence of the injury] because he has worked so hard to get back," Munster boss Tony McGahan told the Belfast Telegraph. "He missed a significant part of last season and this was his first foray back into selection. To be injured in his comeback is devastating for him."

© ESPN EMEA Ltd

 

Munster return to fortress Thomond

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via espnscrum.com

The Heineken Cup glamour ties just keep coming this weekend with Munster set to welcome Toulon to Thomond Park on Saturday in an eagerly-awaited Pool 3 clash.

The Irish giants have lost some of their aura in recent seasons but remain major contenders, especially on their home track. Last weekend's late show to secure a losing bonus-point against London Irish was straight out of the Munster playbook and Toulon will likely learn a lesson or two about the Heineken Cup this weekend.

They secured a maiden victory, over the Ospreys, with some late pyrotechnics of their own in the opening round and boast superb strength in depth. Attitude will be crucial from the new-boys in Limerick.

Munster - Player to Watch: Fly-half Ronan O'Gara ensured his side grabbed a vital euro lifeline last time out and will be keen to issue another reminder of his class against the Heineken Cup newcomers.

Munster - Team News: Johne Murphy switches from fullback to inside centre in the absence of the suspended Sam Tuitupou with Paul Warwick filling the No.15 shirt. Alan Quinlan returns to the blindside flank, David Wallace retains his spot at openside and Denis Leamy moves to No.8. Mick O'Driscoll will partner Donncha O'Callaghan and Jerry Flannery makes a return to the squad for the first time since the semi-final loss to Biarritz last season.

Toulon - Player to Watch: Toulon talisman Joe van Nierkerk never fails to catch the eye and he is sure to relish the exposure offered by this high-profile clash.

Toulon - Team News: In-form fly-half Jonny Wilkinson drops to the bench with Felipe Contepomi claiming the No.10 shirt. Paul Sackey, Mafi Kefu and George Smith are the only survivors of the win over Ospreys with big names likes Rudi Wulf, Carl Hayman, and Van Niekerk entering the mix.

Key Battle: The Munster back-row trio of Quinlan, Wallace and Leamy have clocked up plenty of miles over the years but face a fresh challenge in the form of former Wallabies skipper George Smith, Joe El Abd and Van Niekerk. Prepare for carnage.

Trivia: Munster have a winning record against French opposition in Europe but did take their heaviest beating against Toulouse in 1996-97 - shipping nine tries and 60 points.

Stats: Munster have only lost twice at home in the Heineken Cup and once went 31 matches unbeaten at Thomond Park.

Quote Unquote:

"We never do things the easy way -- we've lost the first game in an extremely tough group. It's a matter of refocusing and expecting a very difficult challenge against a really good French side." - Munster scrum-half Peter Stringer

"We are going to Thomond Park to learn. I'm sure the Munster guys will be angry. They play in front of their own fans, the stadium will be full and they have a lot to prove." - Toulon boss Philippe Saint-Andre expects a hostile reception

Prediction: Munster's opening round defeat will no doubt trigger a ferocious backlash with a star-studded Toulon set to get the lesson they desire as a result.

© ESPN EMEA Ltd

Ryan Jones to play second-row for Ospreys

WALES captain Ryan Jones makes his first Ospreys start of the season against London Irish in the unfamiliar position of second-row.

Jones replaces Ian Gough in the Ospreys starting line-up, with Jonathan Thomas remaining in the number eight position.

The 29-year-old has prevously played at lock for the Celtic Warriors.

The region, looking to bounce back from the opening Heineken Cup defeat against Toulon, name an unchanged backline for the must-win clash tomorrow night.

Ospreys director of coaching Scott Johnson said: “The reasons behind the selection are twofold.

“JT has started the year at eight as Ryan was unavailable for a period of time. He was asked to fill the void because of Ryan’s injury and in fairness to him he has done exceptionally well.

“Saying that, we’ve certainly missed Ryan’s contributions so we wanted him in the team. We feel that balancing that one change, rather than the two it would be if they swapped positions, is better for the team given the short turnaround and preparation time for the week.

“We needed Ryan’s effectiveness and his work-rate, the team needed that, but it’s too complicated to start moving everyone around. We are very happy with JT, and Ryan was happy to do that for the team.

“To put Ryan at eight and move JT to lock, it changes everything, calls, line-outs, and we didn’t want to go down that path for a five-day turnaround. We think that Ryan has had enough game time now to warrant his place at the start. If we had two weeks then maybe we would do it differently, but we haven’t, so for the sake of not having to change everything, we’ve gone with it this way.”

The duo were advised of the decision simultaneously, along with the reasoning behind it, and Johnson says the response was exactly as he anticipated it would be:

“Ryan is a great team man, he has no issue at all with doing this for the team, which is exactly the kind of response we expected from him. They were both told the situation at the same time, we explained the logic to them and there were no issues.

“I promised JT at the start of the season that once a bloke gets the shirt, it’s up to the others to get it off him, and we are supporting his form as a coaching team. At the same time, we are acknowledging the work that Ryan has done, and the work that we’ve missed.

“Ryan has played there before, and I genuinely believe that after the World Cup we’ll probably see a bit more of him there. He’s such a brave and industrious player, the way the game is going he will give us a competitive edge, and we wanted as many good athletes out on the pitch as we can.”

Forwards coach Jonathan Humphreys said: “Obviously, we were disappointed to lose out in Toulon, particularly having managed to work ourselves into a good position with just a few minutes left. That’s the Heineken Cup for you though isn’t, the quality of the opposition, particularly in this pool, means that you can’t give them an inch or you will pay the price.

“We haven’t dwelt on it, with a short turnaround to a Friday night game there isn’t time to. We know that we face another particularly tough challenge in the shape of London Irish, a quality side who have had a great start to the season, top of their domestic league and securing the win against Munster on Saturday night.

“This is a pool that will go down to the wire, make no mistake about it. We were sat in the airport last week following the scores and even though London Irish were pulling away we all felt Munster would get a bonus point, which is how it turned out. It’s very evenly poised at the moment, the two homes teams have won without picking up a bonus, the two away teams have got bonus points. It’s no different than anyone anticipated and it’s exciting to be involved in it."

Ospreys team to face London Irish:

15 Lee Byrne, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Andrew Bishop, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Mike Phillips, 1 Paul James, 2 Richard Hibbard, 3 Adam Jones, 4 Ryan Jones, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (Capt), 6 Jerry Collins, 7 Marty Holah, 8 Jonathan Thomas

Replacements

16 Huw Bennett, 17 Ryan Bevington, 18 Craig Mitchell, 19 Ian Gough, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Jamie Nutbrown, 22 Gareth Owen, 23 Nikki Walker

via walesonline.co.uk

Blues wait on Drico's fitness

Friday October 15 2010

Leinster may take a wait and see approach without regard to injured Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll ahead of tomorrow evening's Heineken Cup group match against Saracens at Wembley.

O'Driscoll suffered a hamstring injury during the weekend victory over Racing Metro and the centre will not line out unless he is fully fit.

Leinster skills coach Richie Murphy said: "Brian's recovering well. He's been in rehab all week and there is a chance he will be there. But what's best for us and for Ireland is that if there's a doubt at all -- he'll know that and so will the medical staff -- they'll pull him."

Irish coach Declan Kidney will be hoping the injury is nothing more severe than a strain, with a four-match autumn programme starting with South Africa on November 6, the official opening of the Aviva Stadium.

 

Thomond a sell out

RUGBY: Munster have sold all the tickets for tomorrow's Heineken Cup clash against Toulon at Thomond Park in a game that will have a bearing on what is expected to be this season's tightest group.

Jonny Wilkinson has been Toulon's match-winner this season, with 149 points in all competitions, and he believes that his move to France last year did not so much prolong his career as save it. "For a long time rugby just meant fighting against injuries and media pressure, the weight of the 2003 and 2007 World Cups," he said. "It wasn't rugby anymore, but maybe just work. I am enjoying my game again with Toulon and I am a different player."

Bowe soars to his Ospreys half century

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via ospreysrugby.com

The Irish flyer has racked up 49 caps since his debut against Connacht in September 2008 following his move from Ulster that summer, and his 50th will come against Toulon on Saturday afternoon.

In that short period he has already scored 26 tries, putting him fourth in the region's all time try scoring list behind Shane Williams, Nikki Walker and Lee Byrne, and after initially joining on a two year contract, he agreed to extend his stay in Ospreylia last season, signing a new contract that runs until summer 2013.

Speaking about reaching the 50-cap mark in such a short period of time, Bowe said:

"I'm only at the start of my third season as an Osprey so it's great to have notched up so many caps already, especially with the 50th coming in such a big game for the team. It's always great to reach any landmark, and it'll make Saturday all the more memorable for me personally.

"I've managed to stay relatively trouble free and away from any serious injury since I came here, and hopefully that will keep going so that I can continue clocking up the games. It's great that the Ospreys look at these milestones and make sure that they get flagged up as its important to team spirit that achievements like this get recognised. So many players in the squad can sometimes get overlooked, doing this makes sure that everyone gets due recognition for their service.

"I came here in 2008 to improve myself as a player, and to be part of an ambitious organisation that wants to compete at the highest level and I couldn't be happier to be honest. I signed a new deal last season as I believe that we are definitely heading in the right direction, and hopefully we can continue that progress this season."

Ospreys Head Coach, Sean Holley, said that Bowe has quickly established himself within the Ospreys family:

"His 50 has come around really quickly, which just goes to show the huge impact he's made here in a very short period of time since joining us. He's played a lot of games and has become an integral member of our squad.

"He's settled very quickly into our environment, feels very comfortable here as part of what we are trying to build, and we've been able to help him improve his all-round game since he's been here.

"Not only has he become a true Osprey on the field, but he is also showing those values off the field as well and having recently extended his contract to ensure he stays here until 2013, I look forward to marking his 100th cap in the not too distant future."

With Toulon providing the opposition for his 50th cap, Bowe says that he is expecting not only the French side, but also the other sides in Pool Three, to provide a stern test of the Ospreys' European credentials:

"Toulon away is going to be very difficult" he insisted.

"They've got a first rate squad with some very senior players at 8,9,10, some world class players. It's on their patch and they are a very proud French team that won't want to give anything away at home, but we are very ambitious and believe in our own ability, so we will go over there looking to bring something back with us.

"It's a very, very difficult group we find ourselves in. As well as Toulon who have spent huge amounts of money to build a squad that will be the envy of any club in Europe, we've got Munster who've not failed to make the quarter finals in something like 10 years I think and London Irish who have started the season well and are top of the Premiership. We want to qualify for a fourth consecutive quarter-final but we are well aware of the size of the challenge ahead of us."

via ospreysrugby.com

 

ML Preview: Connacht

Fionn Carr for Ireland A

Promising: Fionn Carr

Club name Connacht

- 2010/11 Season Preview -

Last season Connacht did quite well in Europe last season with a semi-final appearance in the Amlin Challenge Cup coming after they won all six of their Pool fixtures, against Montpellier, Worcester and Madrid. However, Toulon proved a touch too strong in the end and edged them by seven points in Michael Bradley's final season at the helm. They also came close to not finishing bottom of the Magners League for the first time in three years but could not maintain their late-season form as Ulster and Scarlets got away from them. Always room for improvement in Galway.

This season It would have once again been difficult for the Sportsground outfit to finish above a league rival in 2010/11. However, this could be their best chance as two Italian teams join the 2010/11 party in the shape of Aironi and Treviso so they will be confident of moving up the ladder. Amlin Challenge Cup rugby will again be a welcome distraction too and they have been thrown in with Cavalieri Prato, Harlequins and Bayonne in Pool 2, which is a tough group to get out of. One thinks that their season goal will be to make the 2011/12 Heineken Cup. A tough ask.

Coach: Connacht followers will have a new face leading their side this season after Michael Bradley moved on to pastures new. Into his seat comes former Galway star Eric Elwood, who played 168 times in the green jersey and 35 times for his country. Elwood's high point as a coach came when he led Ireland U20s to a Grand Slam in the 2006/07 Six Nations Championship.

Captain: John Muldoon will once again lead at the Sportsground and with a further June appearance for Ireland under his belt - against the All Blacks in New Plymouth - the 28-year-old blindside flanker will be hoping to lift his team-mates to his own personal form of 2009/10.

One to watch: Fionn Carr showed again last term that he has potential while it will be interesting to see how former Reds man Ezra Taylor goes in Galway. But winger Carr is the man that Connacht will be counting on to get over the whitewash. Plenty on the youngster's shoulders then.

In: Shane Monahan (Leinster), Darragh Fanning (Leinster), Ezra Taylor (Queensland Reds), Cillian Willis (Ulster).

Out: George Naoupu (Kobe Kobelco Steelers).

Home ground: The Sportsground - capacity of 8,000

Travel connections: Coming from Dublin take the N81 and then head for the M4 (signed for Sligo) for 50 km. At junction 1 head onto the M6 to Galway for 57km before N6 to Galway for 83km. Take first exit onto N18 for 800 metres, third exit onto R338 to Durabhan followed by the first exit onto College Road. Destination is on the left.

via planetrugby.com

Contepomi exclusive: Puma in Toulon

Felipe Contepomi toulon training

 

Enjoying it: Felipe Contepomi

In the last of our series of interviews, we catch up with Pumas playmaker Felipe Contepomi to talk about Toulon and the expanded Tri-Nations.

 

 

Few clubs in the world can boast the luxury of having two world class fly-halves and in Jonny Wilkinson and Felipe Contepomi, who is equally comfortable at inside centre, Toulon have two of the very best around.

 

Planet Rugby's Ross Hastie sat down to Contepomi to get his thoughts on playing next to Wilko, Toulon's prospects in Europe and the future of Argentine rugby.

 

Planet Rugby: Hola Felipe, que tal? How have the preparations gone so far? The heat in the South of France must be quite different from training with Leinster in Dublin?

 

Felipe Contepomi: Hola! Pre-season is always tough. It's difficult in the heat but it's nice to know that at the end of the day you can go for a swim in sea!

 

PR: Maybe that's part of the answer to my next question. You could have gone to lot of places, why Toulon, where you aren't assured of a place in the starting XV with Jonny Wilkinson the incumbent?

 

FC: I spoke a lot with Philippe Saint-Andre before I came. I wanted to experience French rugby and I chose Toulon partly for my family to experience a different style of living. But also when you're a player you want to play with the best, so a chance to play beside Jonny is an honour for me. There is so much talent here in Toulon, it's easy to see the potential to do something special.

 

PR: Do you expect to play ten or twelve this season - or shift between the two?

 

FC: I'm not fussy. I've been plying ten and twelve for Argentina and Leinster. To play twelve next to Jonny would be great. We'll probably swap around a bit. I just want to play as much as I can.

 

PR: Toulon has been grouped with your old rivals Munster in the Heineken Cup, I'm sure you're looking forward to that?

 

FC: It doesn't get bigger or better than going to play Munster. It'll be great experience for us to grow as a team and it would be super if we can get some results and go through in our first season.

 

PR: Someone you know very well, Michael Cheika, is now also in France coaching Stade Français. How do you expect him to fare in Paris?

 

FC: Yes, we've got a great relationship. Paris didn't have a good last few seasons. Michael can bring some structure and a great style of rugby. Playing in the Challenge Cup will give them some time to change a few things and if they use their time properly they've got enough talent to pose a challenge in the Top 14.

 

PR: Let's chat a bit about Argentina. After two miserable Tests against Scotland things clicked in a great game against France.

 

FC: I think we can find a lot of reasons for our bad performances against Scotland. I think we struggled to adapt to the new rules because we didn't have a lot of time together. The strategy we were trying to use was new for many players and I think against Scotland we were more worried about the technique than what matters in rugby which is winning your one-on-one battles in the contact area. Then against France it just clicked, we played with much more physicality and cut down the errors. It was make or break for us because we were under a lot of pressure.

 

PR: In two years Argentina joins the expanded Tri-Nations. You'll be nearly 34....do you think you will still be around to experience it?

 

FC: Ha! I don't know. To be honest my goal for now is to have a good year with Toulon and make the World Cup team. We'll see if I'm still fit enough to play international rugby, but I'll have to talk to the family. If I feel I'm up to it would be a great experience - it's history for Argentinean rugby

 

PR: One of the prerequisites for Argentina to join the competition was for the top Argentine players start joining teams in the South. That's not happening. Where's the problem?

 

FC: The biggest problem is that we don't have a professional structure yet in Argentina. Maybe once we join the Tri-Nations some players can play in South Africa or Australia or New Zealand or two Argentinean franchises can play in Super Rugby. I'm not sure how it will go, but it would definitely be better if Argentine players can go to the South and develop there. The best would be for Pumas to play in Argentina.

 

PR: Gracias Felipe, enjoy a good season.

 

FC: De nada!

via planetrugby.com

 

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