RUGBY NEWS ROUND-UP:HEINEKEN CUP: London Irish have confirmed a report in yesterday's Irish Times that their concluding Heineken Cup pool game on January 23rd against Leinster (kick-off 6pm) has been moved to Twickenham, writes GERRY THORNLEY.
The switch to a venue in London 35 miles away from Reading will undoubtedly anger thousands of Leinster fans who have already made their travel plans and hotel books. However, in a statement, London Irish said they “had been forced to switch the fixture from the Madejski Stadium to Twickenham Stadium due to the possibility of Reading Football Club, who share the Reading-based stadium, playing against Burnley in the FA Cup Fourth Round on the same day.”
Interpreting the change from a ground with a capacity of 24,100 as a potential positive, London Irish estimated that as many as 40,000 fans may now attend the game.
The London Irish captain and former Leinster player Bob Casey said: “Of course it is a shame that we won’t be able to play at our home ground, the Madejski Stadium, but we are really excited that more people will be able to come and watch what will be a massive match for both clubs.”
A crowd of 40,000 seems plausible given it will be a pool shoot-out and the green-tinged rivalry between the two, given 33,282 attended Leinster’s penultimate pool match at Twickenham last year when Wasps moved the fixture to maximize the game’s earning potential.
Tickets are priced from £20 for adults (Children from £7 and concessions from £10) and are available from Ticketmaster online via www.ticketmaster.co.uk or 0844 847 2492.
AIB LEAGUE:The Big Freeze has prompted the IRFU to cancel all AIB League games scheduled to take place this weekend in the interests of player and spectator safety. Further games that have been cancelled include the women's interprovincial finals that were scheduled to be played in Naas this weekend also. Revised dates will be announced next week.
Likewise, Leinster and Munster branches cancelled all club fixtures for the coming weekend, while the Ulster Branch confirmed that all domestic fixtures, including schools games, have been cancelled.
SIX NATIONS:Former captain Marco Bortolami was called up to Italy's 30-man Six Nations training squad yesterday after the lock missed their November Tests with a dislocated shoulder.
Fullback Andrea Masi also returns after a knee problem ruled him out of the series, in which Italy ended a 13-match losing run by beating Samoa 24-6 following defeats to world champions South Africa and New Zealand.
Outhalf Andrea Marcato returns from injury but Azzurri coach Nick Mallett has had to leave out inspirational captain Sergio Parisse, who will miss the tournament following knee ligament surgery.
Italy start their Six Nations campaign against Ireland in Dublin on February 6th.
ITALY (squad for Six Nations):Forwards: M Aguero, Ma Bergamasco, M Bortolami, M Castrogiovanni, L Cittadini, Carlo A Del Fava, S Favaro, Q Geldenhuys, L Ghiraldini, F Minto, F Ongaro, A Pavanello, S Perugini, J Sole, M Vosawai, A Zanni. Backs: Mi Bergamasco, R Bocchino, G Canale, G Garcia, C Gower, A Marcato, A Masi, L McLean, S Picone, M Pratichetti, K Robertson, Me Sepe, A Sgarbi, T Tebaldi.
ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP:Carlos Spencer is reportedly set to quit Gloucester and join South African Super 14 side the Golden Lions.
According to South African website www.iafrica.com, 34-year-old New Zealander Spencer will arrive at the Johannesburg-based franchise later this month.
Outhalf Spencer joined Gloucester last year from their Premiership rivals Northampton. The former All Black back made more than 100 appearances for Saints, but his Gloucester first-team opportunities have been limited. “We are using him for his experience and also to guide the youngsters,” Golden Lions president Kevin de Klerk told the website.
De Klerk also claimed Spencer would not be the only overseas arrival at Ellis Park ahead of the new Super 14 season.
“The negotiations are at a delicate stage, but we are working on a couple more from abroad, as well as a few local players,” he added. If Spencer heads to the Lions, he would replace former South Africa outhalf Andre Pretorius, who has joined Australian side Western Force.
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