Cornish Pirates

Injury Blow For Blues

Bedford Blues have been dealt an injury blow as they prepare for Saturday’s trip to Doncaster Knights with the news that prop Mike Guess will be out of action for up to a month.

The 25 year-old summer signing from Cambridge who tips the scales at a mighty 21 st 3lbs injured ankle ligaments in training on Monday night. Director of Rugby Mike Rayer may be forced to dip into the loan market in a bid to provide short-term cover.

Sambucetti – No Complacency At Bristol

Bristol’s Argentinean lock Mariano Sambucetti has told the Evening Post that there will be no complacency as his club strive to regain their Premiership status at the first attempt.

The 29 year-old said,

"In an ideal picture, we will be playing at Twickenham in the last game of the Championship season in May. But there is a lot of rugby to be played before then – and some very strong teams will be fighting for the same prize we aspire to.

“It certainly won't be easy, and even though in the past the team who have come down from the Premiership have normally gone back up, it will be very, very tough."

Full story.. www.thisisbristol.co.uk

Chiefs Skipper Out + Record Season Ticket Sales At Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs will start the new season without club captain Alan Miller who has been sidelined with a fractured cheekbone.

The 27 year-old flanker sustained the injury in a pre-season friendly played behind closed doors at Polson Bridge last month. Having undergone surgery he now faces a frustrating wait on the sidelines with October pencilled in as a likely return date.

He told the Express & Echo,

"I count myself lucky that I got it at this time of the year rather than after Christmas, when the games are a bit more important. I've got about another four weeks off and I should be back playing, so it's not the end of the world."

Full story.. www.thisisexeter.co.uk/rugby

In other news from Sandy Park chief executive Tony Rowe has told the media that season ticket sales for the club have now passed the 1,000 mark marking a 10% increase on last year.

With revenue topping £250,000 from this he said,

“Our season ticket numbers have increased year-on-year as more and more supporters continue to enjoy the Sandy Park experience and the ambition the entire club has to achieve Premiership recognition for the city and for the South West region as a whole."

Nottingham Sign Johnston

Nottingham have today announced the signing of former England international Ben Johnston.

The 31year-old centre last played for England against the All Blacks in 2002 and joins Nottingham in a player-coach capacity.

He is expected to fixure in the squad for Sunday`s Championship opener against the Cornish Pirates.

Full story.... www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/rugby

Nottingham Move Admin Base

Nottingham have announced the relocation of their administrative offices for the coming season.

They are now situated at The Hive, Nottingham Trent University but the club can no longer deal with personal callers due to access issues. Instead they have issued a new contact number of 0115-9850742.

Hopper Hoping For Selection

Plymouth Albion`s joint leading try-scorer from last season, Matt Hopper, is desperately hoping that he has done enough to earn a place in the starting line-up to face Birmingham & Solihull on Saturday after recovering from injury.

Hopper has only played 30 minutes of pre-season rugby after suffering an ankle ligament injury against the Cornish Pirates at Camborne in April, and was given the final ten minutes against Sidmouth on Sunday as a final run-out.

He told The Herald,
“I will just have to wait and see if I am selected, but fitness wise I am definitely there. I have had a good break over the summer and I am ready to go.

I had a fortnight's holiday in Sardinia and the rest of the summer I just chilled out, trying to get fit for the new season."

Full story.. www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/albion

A Dose Of Realism At Roth

Guy Williams` season preview on the Rotherham Titans website suggests that expectations at Clifton Lane are realistic.

He writes,
“The aim this season must be to survive in the Championship by winning their home games and earning some away wins against Birmingham, Plymouth, Moseley and may be London Welsh.”

Williams continues,
“Keen to avoid any repeat of the anxiety of last season, Rotherham seem to be moving in the right direction. The signs are clear that Clifton Lane is becoming much more professional. About time.”

Full story.. www.rotherhamrugby.co.uk