Rugby Union 2008

[Mike]

Brian Moore has predicted that Brian Ashton is on his way out - though he does claim that this would be unjustified given finishing second in the World Cup and the Six Nations. . . the only problem stated being inconsistent performance.

[Mike]

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has quit his post as Ireland coach. . . it is always a shame to see a muchly decorated coach leave but I suppose he has been suffering from a poor run of form recently.

[stimpsonslostson]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7306620.stm

England approach Martin Johnson as a potential manager! Not really a surprise- ever since he retired from the game his name has been banded about. It'll be interesting to see what he says to a serious approach- he's distanced himself from the job in the past.
Apparently the plan is to bring in a manager to deflect the pressure off Ashton, he has always said he is a coach and not happy dealing with the other aspects. (Which based on the World Cup Johnson excels at). His experience and attitude may bring some steel to the england set up too.
p

[BarcelonAl]

Apparently if Johnno does take up the role, he'll bring Austin Healy (best name...ever!) into the set-up as a Backs coach. England's World Cup winners are finally coming home to roost by the looks of it! Still at least they know exactly what it takes to win no matter what the odds are.

[Mike]

Brian Ashton is still Coaching England but it appears that they are looking for a Manager to take some of the administration functions of his weary shoulders.

[Mike]

James Bretel has been part of a news story on the Sharks website as the lucky winner to kick for a Mercedes C-Class . . . worth over £25k. He thought it was an april fools joke to start with which is amazingly funny. I hope he keeps his nerve on the night.

I am surprised that they did not mention he was kicking for a disabled winner too!

[Mike]

Oh and there is an amazing action shot of him kicking too!

[Mike]

I have not been to a Sale match recently, however, I did see that they beat Bristol 24-17 yesterday to move into a highly contended third place. We are still needing a win from our game in hand on Tuesday to keep the position but yay Sharks!

[Mike]

There seems to be more confusion and misinformation regarding Brian Ashton's future as the England head coach and manager following a rumour of the imminent appointment of a Martin Johnson as manager and a specialist Back coach for the side. It seems like his future is shaky with the RFU gently prodding him out of the door by marginalising his input into the team.

It is a shame, I don't think that a Final at the World Cup and Second place in the Six Nations is a bad thing. I know the team could improve the intermittent performance but they need more time together away from Premiership rugby.

[Mike]

Oh and I forgot to mention that Sale were beaten 29-19 by Wasps yesterday. Bummer. That does put us in 5th place behind Wasps and just outside the playoff stage with Wasps having a game in hand. I hope we can beat Falcons at the weekend, there are posters in the pubs around Edgeley advertising the Charlie vs Johnny challenge for the game.

[Mike]

Wasps have beaten Leicester to win their 4th title in six Premiership seasons. This brings our rugby season to a close and their Captain Lawrence Dallaglio career to a highlight end.

[BarcelonAl]

The rugby sevens tournament which ended today was cracking as always. England lost in the final to a superb New Zealand side but it was pretty tight for a while!

[Claire]

Marvellous news - me and Rach (who i'm going to NZ this summer with) have officially got tickets for All Blacks V Australia on 2nd August at Eden Park in Auckland for the Tri-Nations!!!!! How excellent is that!!

[mr_e]

Most excellent, Ted! Or Claire, even. You're two lucky lasses! We'll be expecting a full live-at-the-scene match report, naturally (one thousand words, double spaced, on my desk by the end of September please).

I was about to ask if you'd get the chance to catch an Aussie rules football game as well, but I have a nagging feeling it's not played outside of Australia. Possibly because no other nation is crazy enough.

[Mike]

I was cheering on the England Saxons in a Dublin Bar as they were beating the Irish A on Saturday. . . . maybe not the best idea but I survived. Oh, and England won 27-13! Yay.