[retired_jo1061]

Originally posted by Cobbler:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Pete!:
Sheridan won't be playing in that, Sale are playing Leicester in the EDF on Friday.

Similarly can't see some of the Welsh clubs players taking part, several teams still got a chance of qualifying in the EDF.

I didn't just make up a list of names, that's the 22 that was announced a couple of hours ago. Premier Rugby asked the English clubs not to release any players, but Sheridan and Regan appear to have been. Regan will captain the side, btw. </BLOCKQUOTE>

I wasn't accusing you of making it up.
The last I heard was that none of the English clubs were releasing players and then after reading your list an article on another website cast doubt over certain players appearing at Twickenham, particularly those from clubs with a chance of qualifying in the EDF.

Starting line-ups named on Wednesday, so I suppose that's where we'll hear definitively. I'll be disappointed if Sale have backed down/whatever as I believe all the Premier clubs should have stood together on this one.

[retired_jabda]

Leinster and Argentina star Felipe Contepomi was crowned the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Player of the Year at a luncheon at Killiney's Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel this afternoon.

2007 was a very memorable year for Contepomi as, apart from helping Leinster reach the Heineken Cup quarter-finals and finish third in the Magners League and qualifying as a doctor, he was to the forefront of Argentina's successful World Cup campaign.

The 30-year-old scored 91 points during the World Cup as he guided the Pumas past both Ireland and France and to an eventual third place finish. He was also nominated for the IRB Player of the Year award.

Today's Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland awards also saw Garryowen, the reigning AIB League Division One champions, honoured as the Club of the Year.

The Tom Rooney award for making an exceptional contribution to the game went to Phil Orr, the former Ireland and Lions prop who was also manager of the Grand Slam-winning Ireland Under-20 squad, which won the Dave Guiney perpetual award as Team of the Year.

The two new members inducted to the Guinness Hall of Fame were hooker Ken Kennedy and free-scoring winger Alan Duggan.

Kennedy made 45 appearances for his country, which at the time of his retirement in 1975 was a world record for a hooker.

He also played with great distinction for the Lions, winning four caps on the 1966 tour to New Zealand and Australia.

A medical student at Queen's University when he made his international debut, Kennedy featured strongly in some magnificent Irish triumphs, none better than the 14-9 success over France at Stade Colombes in 1972. It was Ireland's first victory in Paris in 20 years.

'Dixie; Duggan will go down in Irish rugby history as one of the best finishers in the game. The Lansdowne winger, who debuted for Ireland against New Zealand in 1963, scored 11 tries in his 25 appearances for the men in green.

When you take into account how low scoring the games often were in that era, that is a hugely impressive statistic. Leinster also, of course, benefited from Duggan's finishing ability. He made his final Irish appearance against France in 1972.

Michael Whelan of Guinness and Peter O'Reilly, chairman of the Rugby Writers of Ireland, jointly presented the awards at today's luncheon in Killiney.

2006/07 GUINNESS RUGBY WRITERS OF IRELAND AWARD WINNERS:

Player of the Year - Felipe Contepomi
Club of the Year - Garryowen
Tom Rooney Award for Exceptional Contribution - Phil Orr
Dave Guiney Award for Team of the Year - Ireland Under-20s
Guinness Hall of Fame - Ken Kennedy and Alan Duggan

Says everything about Irish rugby this year, well done Dr Contepomi :thup:

[retired_sexymomma]

Wasps starting to climb the table at last

Cipriani is looking pretty awsome this season so far

[retired_drumcook]

The last I heard was that none of the English clubs were releasing players and then after reading your list an article on another website cast doubt over certain players appearing at Twickenham, particularly those from clubs with a chance of qualifying in the EDF.

Sounds like it is down to these players. Sheridan and Regan must have made themselves available, despite what Premier Rugby said. According to Sheridan's agent he had a clause in his contract with Sale allowing him to be released for Barbarian's matches.

Regan doesn't, but wasn't due to play for Bristol this weekend. Maybe will play for the Baabaas and Bristol will fine him. We'll see.

[retired_kaila4337]

Originally posted by AdyTaylor:
Wasps starting to climb the table at last

Cipriani is looking pretty awsome this season so far

and he's going out with a Cheeky Girl \o/

Cipriani vs Wilkinson this weekend. MON CIPS!!

[retired_kaila4337]

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/2511_cheeky_cheat.shtml

i know which one i'd rather have

[retired_drumcook]

Just reading more about Andrew Sheridan in the Guardian. His contract with Sale was only signed a week ago and, according to his agent, contains a unconditional clause allowing him to play for the Baabaas. Agent says Sale will be in breach of contract if they prevent him from playing.

Sale sound a bit of a shambles, why would they agree to a contract allowing Sheridan to play for the baabaas after having agreed at the Premier Rugby meeting that no players were going to be released, then try to enforce that decision a week after that?

Sheridan to Northampton in time for next season plz, thx.

[retired_jo1061]

Sheridan's agent is also one of the BaaBaas selectors, not that that would in anyway effect the whole situation I'm sure.

Does sound like somebody's dropped a b*ll*ck if there is a clause in his contract but I think the benefits of his new contract would outweight the short-term gain of playing for the BaaBaas and openly taking a different standpoint to the whole of the Premiership.

Went to a Quiz Night at Edgeley last night with a load of the players, and even they didn't quite understand the situation

[trotamundos]

Originally posted by Herman Bloom:
Argentia to be denied entry to either competition, and NZ to announce the next World cup will have the number of teams reduced, thus undoing all the good work of the past few months and ensuring rugby goes back into the wilderness.

First bit almost there. Argies told to shove their application to enter the Six Nations.

[retired_derek]

Originally posted by Herman Bloom:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Herman Bloom:
Argentia to be denied entry to either competition, and NZ to announce the next World cup will have the number of teams reduced, thus undoing all the good work of the past few months and ensuring rugby goes back into the wilderness.

First bit almost there. Argies told to shove their application to enter the Six Nations. </BLOCKQUOTE>


Not quite that simple.

The IRB have advised they cannot join the Six Nations competition because it is intended for European teams.

They've agreed with the Argentinians to help them develop the professional structure in the country to the extent where the players are mainly based in Argentina and then allow them entry into the Tri-Nations.