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Premiership

Wigglesworth previews Premiership trip to Sale

Published

9 months ago

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Richard Wigglesworth says, like his players, he is focused on finding improvements in his own performance ahead of the second fixture in charge of Leicester Tigers.

Speaking mid-week from Mattioli Woods Welford Road, where the side held their final squad session ahead of Friday night’s trip north to face Sale Sharks in Round 14 of the Gallagher Premiership, Wigglesworth said he had taken learnings from his debut match in the top job.

“I just want to learn as quickly as I can, properly, so I can be as good as I possibly can for this group,” he said.

“I am so fortunate to have such good people around me and having had learned from a great coach in Steve [Borthwick] and watch him do his thing.

“There is definitely stuff I could have done better at the first game and, like when you are a player, you look at your performance, learn and improve for the next game.”

Discussing the different challenges he now faces from the coaches box, which weren’t as prevalent on the pitch, he added: “There are some very different and some very similar challenges, I am fortunate to have had the period of being both player and coach so it isn’t all a surprise for me in this role.”

“I mean one example is that we are now out on the road for a month without a game at home for four weeks, which I probably wouldn’t have considered as a player – living so week to week – but as a coach need to ensure we’re planning around that.”

Tigers trip north in the final fixture of 2022 is followed by an away game against Newcastle Falcons in Round 15 before a return to European action in France against Clermont, before hosting Ospreys in Leicester 27 days after the last appearance at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Asked about the lengthy period in between home games, the Tigers Head Coach said the Leicester support made it easier.

“We haven’t had many games at Mattioli Woods Welford Road this season, but it’s another challenge and as a group, we take them head on and we’ll do the same for the next four weeks on the road,” he said.

“Luckily, our travelling support is like no other and so it won’t feel like we are alone in the next four weeks – wherever we are playing.”

Having recorded a victory in his first game in charge – against Gloucester on Christmas Eve – Wigglesworth was quizzed on whether he would be trying to add more of his personality to the squad as he got more comfortable in the coaches chair.

“It’s not about my personality being all over the team,” said Wigglesworth.

“It’s about our personality as a coaching group, as players, all having an influence on who we are and what we do.

“The team are going to take this club forward in the best way we can, as a group, it will not be about any individual.”

His first Tigers side was missing a few familiar faces, ruled out through injury, of which the Head Coach said could be the case on Friday night but – like every week – each playing carrying an injury would be assessed “individually” and managed accordingly. 

“We don’t send anyone out before they’re right, it’s an absolute non-negotiable for us,” said Wigglesworth.

“Everybody has got the challenge, across the league, of blokes with bumps and bruises, so we aren’t any different in that regard.

“We’ll continue to assess all those who have got knocks, on an individual basis and make the call with each player once they are good to go.”

A Premiership winner with Friday night’s opponents, Wigglesworth said he had “fond” memories of his time at the club and was not surprised by their impressive form so far during the current league campaign.

“I have incredibly fond memories of my time at Sale Sharks and some of my best friends are from that time I spent at the club,” he said.

“They are a very well-organised team, who are well coached and it’s no surprise to me that they are one of the form teams of the Premiership.

“I think we can all see that they are going to be up there this season at the top of the pile.”

Content & Images from – Leicester Tigers Rugby


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Premiership

Club announce arrival of former Wallaby coach

Published

2 months ago

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August 16, 2023

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Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar has appointed Petrus du Plessis to his senior coaching team as Interim Scrum Coach.

The South African will remain in the role until the arrival of new Scrum Coach Dan Palmer, when his commitments with the Wallabies are complete following the Australian national side’s Rugby World Cup campaign.

Born in South Africa, du Plessis represented St Helens, Orrell and Sedgley Park between 2001-2009 before joining Nottingham Rugby ahead of the 2009/10 Championship season.

He joined Saracens a year later and, during the next sevens seasons, featured in three league and two European Champions Cup winning campaigns.

The front-rower moved to London Irish in 2017 and then Glasgow Warriors in 2018, spending two seasons in Scotland before retiring in 2020 – including a final season as player/coach.

In September 2020, du Plessis was announced as Australia’s Scrum Coach where he worked alongside McKellar for almost three years.

Speaking about the interim appointment, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar said: “Our scrum is an integral part of what we do and, with Dan [Palmer] arriving after the World Cup, we felt it was important to have that specific focus on it during this period.

“To have been able to appoint someone with the experience of Petrus for that was an added bonus and too good an opportunity not to take up for the club and our players.

“I have worked with Petrus over the past few years in Australia and know the energy and enthusiasm he brings, as well as the effort he puts into his work. I am glad we’re able to have that here at Leicester Tigers in the interim.”

The appointment of Petrus du Plessis to the interim role is effective immediately.

Content & Images from – Leicester Tigers Rugby


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Premiership

Bath confirm 2023/24 squad

Published

2 months ago

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July 27, 2023

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The official Bath Rugby squad for the 2023/24 season has been announced.

Entering into his second year at the helm of Bath Rugby, Johann van Graan welcomed Ollie Lawrence, Ted Hill, Alfie Barbeary and Fergus Lee-Warner over the course of 2022/23, who remain with squad as we head into 2023/24.

With Finn Russell and Thomas du Toit still yet to link up with the squad after the Rugby World Cup, the Head of Rugby’s squad is looking full of power and prowess. 

Several big names committed their futures to the Blue, Black and White earlier this year, seeing England internationals Tom Dunn, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Ben Spencer and Joe Cokanasiga all re-signing. 

Scotland international Cameron Redpath also pledged his future to the club, as did Irish international second row Quinn Roux. 

Arriving at the club this summer is recently announced signing, Mikey Summerfield, who joined from London Irish. The young prop has been lauded with talent and high prospects, offering another option in the front row. 

Bath Rugby also named Billy Sela, Jack Bennett, Ieuan Davies, Ioan Emanuel, Rory Cameron, James Short, George Timmins and Raff Weston as their Academy intake for 2023/24, with many of them already putting their stamp on the age-grade international stage. 

The Bath Rugby squad are now preparing for the season ahead, with the opening fixtures seeing the commencement of a newly formatted Premiership Rugby Cup.

The coaching set-up has also been refreshed for 2023/23. Joining van Graan on his staffing team are Assistant Coaches Lee Blackett and Richard Blaze, who arrived at the club from Wasps and Leicester Tigers ahead of pre-season.

Stevie Scott and Andy Robinson have also joined van Graan to assist with scrummaging and the coaching of the Academy, respectively.

JP Ferreira and Jon Callard remain with the squad into their second year alongside van Graan. 

bath rugby squad 2023/24

PROP: Arthur Cordwell, Thomas du Toit, Ioan Emanuel, Archie Griffin, Johannes Jonker, Scott Kirk, Beno Obano, Juan Schoeman, Billy Sela, Archie Stanley, Will Stuart, Mikey Summerfield, Kieran Verden

HOOKER: Niall Annett, Tom Dunn, Max Pearce, Jasper Spandler, John Stewart

SECOND ROW: Jack Bennett, Rory Cameron, Harvey Cuckson, Josh Dingley, Eddie Erskine, Charlie Ewels, Will Jeanes, Fergus Lee-Warner, Daniel Marais, Josh McNally, Ewan Richards, Quinn Roux

BACK ROW: Abdul-Khalik Akenzua Al Kareem, Alfie Barbeary, Josh Bayliss, Chris Cloete, Jaco Coetzee, Thompson Cowan, MacKenzie Graham, Arthur Green, Ted Hill, Nahum Merigan, Miles Reid, Ethan Staddon, George Timmins, JJ Tonks, Sam Underhill

SCRUM-HALF: Tom Carr-Smith, Ieuan Davies, Murdoch Lock, Louis Schreuder, Ben Spencer

FLY-HALF: Orlando Bailey, Piers Francis, Sam Harris, Finn Russell, Raff Weston, George Worboys

CENTRE: Will Butt, Louie Hennessey, Ollie Lawrence, Max Ojomoh, Will Parry, Cameron Redpath, James Short, Max Wright

BACK THREE: Joe Cokanasiga, Tom de Glanville, Ciaran Donoghue, Matt Gallagher, Gabe Goss, Luke Graham, Byron Lloyd-Gilmour, Ruaridh McConnochie, Will Muir

bath rugby coaching team

HEAD OF RUGBY: Johann van Graan

ASSISTANT COACHES: Lee Blackett, Richard Blaze, Jon Callard, JP Ferreira, Andy Robinson, Stevie Scott

 

Content & Images from – Bath Rugby


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Premiership

Alex Brown | Open letter to supporters

Published

2 months ago

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July 21, 2023

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Gloucester Rugby

Dear All, 

I wanted to write following Lance’s announcement last week that he was standing down as CEO of Gloucester Rugby. First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lance for his significant contribution to the Club over the past four years; during Lance’s stewardship, we have emerged from an extremely challenging period to a position of financial health and together, have built a team of staff and players who hold a forward-thinking mindset, setting up our Club well for a promising future ahead.  

I feel truly privileged and humbled to have been asked by Martin St Quinton to help to drive the Club forward this summer. 

So, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight how the off-season is progressing behind the scenes.  

150th Anniversary 

Founded in 1873, it is an incredibly exciting year for the Club as we celebrate our 150th Anniversary. We have been working on plans to commemorate this significant event and look forward to hosting our Big Summer Party on the 12th August to kick off the season. There will be live music, community coaching opportunities, signing sessions and more. And of course, not forgetting a hero’s welcome for our Premier 15s winning Gloucester-Hartpury team who will be joining us on the day to mark this notable milestone in the Club’s history. I am also delighted to announce that we will be launching our new 2023/24 home shirt on this day too. 

Fixtures 

The full fixture list has now been drawn; and with a new season structure in place this year (owing to the Rugby World Cup), the Gallagher Premiership season will start slightly later, and include a rest period during the Six Nations. This is a beneficial change for the whole league, ensuring that international players are available and promoting Premiership Rugby for much of the season. Tickets for our opening three Premiership games and all our Premiership Cup fixtures will go on sale on the 1st August.  Our Venue Sales Team have been working hard to update and improve the hospitality packages for next season and I’m pleased to say we are already taking bookings for the first three games. If you are interested in learning more about our hospitality packages, please do get in touch with us here.  

We are delighted to have over 5000 Club Members already signed up for next season, with another 200 Gloucester-Hartpury Club Memberships sold in our first season too. There’s still time to secure yours if you haven’t yet. Being a Club Member is the most cost-effective way to secure your spot at every regular home fixture next season. All Club Membership packs will be sent out over the coming month. You can get your membership here. 

2023/24 season 

As we edge closer towards September, work is continuing behind the scenes across the business in readiness for the new season. Our ambition remains to deliver success for our Club at every level; either through on-field success, through our inspiring work within the community or the experiences we all enjoy at our stadium. We have always benefitted from a strong brand and an incredible fan base; now is the time we strengthen that to put Gloucester Rugby at the top of the table in all areas. 

I’d also like to thank you for your tremendous ongoing support. Despite last season not finishing how we hoped, we still had record numbers of supporters turning out to watch our men’s and women’s teams. We hope that as we grow, you will remain on this journey with us and once again, thank you. I look forward to welcoming you back to Kingsholm again.  

I will keep everyone informed as things are firmed up in terms of long-term leadership for the Club. 

Best wishes, 

Alex 

Content & Images from – Gloucester Rugby


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