English training squad selected; Scotland still searching; Warriors sign new hooker - Rugby Roundup
England practice squad revealed
Matt Stevens is now part of England training squad for Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011. The training squad has 45 members including Stevens. The player was banned from playing any form of rugby for two years because he tested positive for cocaine use several
years ago and he has not played for England since November 2008, when the disciplinary action against him took place. After his return, he joined the Saracens and performed miracles and helped the club achieve their first Premiership title. The veteran player
has also been credited with guiding the Saxons to the Churchill Cup finals.
There are five uncapped players in the training squad as well. This includes Mouritz Botha, Manusamoa Tuilagi, Thomas Waldrom, Joe Simpson and Charlie Sharples. Botha, who was a former club-mate of Stevens, has also been selected for the World Cup 2011 training
squad.
Martin Johnson, the manager of the English squad, has compiled a team that he believes will lead the pack for the Webb Ellis trophy. Johnson, a former rugby union player who lead England and Liecester, is well known for his impressive leadership in the 2003
World Cup. He succeeded Brian Ashton, as the latest England team manager on July 1, 2008.
Johnson has also selected Thomas Waldrom in place of Gloucester skipper Luke Narraway. He believes that Waldrom is suitable for England midway position. He stated that, “Every one of these players has the chance to be in that final 30 going to New Zealand.”
He also mentioned that camps ahead of Rugby World Cup 2011 are going to be really tough and all players are prepared for it.
Harlequins skipper Chris Robshaw along with Saracens scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth have also done very well on the rugby field this year and have been given spots on the squad. Robshaw’s very recent success against Munster at Thomond Park will attribute
immensely to his participation in the upcoming World Cup this September.
Scotland still looking for a Chief
Scotland is on the lookout for a new Chief Executive for the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU). Former chief executive, Gordon McKie, was appointed in August 2005. During his tenure, SRU benefited from him in terms of breaking free of financial constraints on
the union. His business skills were valuable for SRU but he was lacking in his communication and other soft skills which made him hard to work with and disliked. The pressure came to a head and his departure from SRU was confirmed recently. His vacant spot
is still waiting to be filled and the situation is becoming dire as the World Cup is fast approaching.
Warriors sign Chris Fortey
Chris Fortey, Worcester Warriors (WW) hooker, has signed a six- month contract with the squad in spite of rumours that he was considering leaving Sixways. Initially, he had refused the deal with the Worcester Warriors due to its brief period, but later Fortey
agreed to extend his stay with Sixways, as Ollie Hayes will skip the start of the tournament due to recent injuries. Also, Stourbridge Rugby Football Club (RFC) took Fortey on board as the forwards coach for the 2011/ 2012 season.
After signing with Gloucester in 2005, Chris Fortey has played for WW 144 times with 200 games in the top-flight. General Manager, Charlie Little, stated that, "Chris has the determination and ambition to finish his career as a Premiership player."
Greg King’s contract with WW has been terminated as he is going to join Championship Club Moseley although his contract term was valid for the 2011/2012 season.
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