Rugby Digest

A roundup of today's other news in brief

Injury puts Tuilagi out for six weeks

ENGLAND and Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi is set to be out of action for the next six weeks after breaking a cheekbone.

Leicester yesterday confirmed Tuilagi’s anticipated length of absence, which will see him miss a run of key games for the Aviva Premiership strugglers.

Tuilagi returned to club action, after his World Cup involvement, in last Friday’s 40-14 home victory over Gloucester and scored a try before being substituted after colliding with Scott Lawson.

Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill said yesterday: “We’ll be without him for about six weeks.”

Henry hints at interest in joining the England set-up

WORLD Cup-winning New Zealand boss Graham Henry has again hinted his time is over with the All Blacks and said he would be interested in working with England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU) – but not as coach.

Henry led New Zealand to World Cup glory on home turf and now looks set to stand down with his contract up.

England were beaten by France in the quarter-finals after a troubled campaign and their coach Martin Johnson is under pressure to resign.

“Yes, I would talk to the RFU, sure. I couldn’t just not do anything. I would love to help other people,” the 65-year-old Henry said yesterday.

“I would love to work in coach development, player development, environmental development, cultural development of a group of people. I’m passionate about that.”

Henry said the pressure on England’s 2003 World Cup-winning captain Johnson was ridiculous.

“Too many people with real ability get shot because of a result. Replacing a coach because of a result or because of public pressure or media pressure is not the right thing to do,” he added.

Replacing a coach because he’s not good enough is the right thing to do.”

Henson contends hunger still there

GAVIN Henson insists his hunger for rugby is “bigger than ever” as he embarks on the latest chapter of an often controversial career with Cardiff Blues.

The 29-year-old Wales international, who is still recovering from the wrist injury which wrecked his World Cup hopes, has joined the region on an eight-month contract after being let go by French outfit Toulon at the end of last season.

Henson, who only returned to action last December after a self-imposed exile of 19 months, has become better known for his appearances in reality television shows such as 71 Degrees North, Strictly Come Dancing and The Bachelor than his rugby abilities, but he claims he has regained his appetite to succeed on the pitch.

He said: “My hunger is bigger than ever. That’s exciting for me, I didn’t have those feelings until I took that time out. Running out for games and not feeling anything wasn’t nice. But those feelings have come back and the love for the game is there.

“I want to prove to myself that I can play week-in week-out rugby. There’s a lot of people I want to prove myself to.”

Ireland squad donate to appeal 

THE Ireland squad may have been knocked out of the Rugby World Cup just over two weeks ago, but are hoping their time spent in New Zealand can continue to have a positive effect and, along with the IRFU, have donated NZD$6,000 (€3,462) to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Fund.

The donation was offered as a mark of respect to the lives lost in Christchurch and the affect on the Canterbury rugby community. The money will will go directly to helping to restore Canterbury’s Rugby infrastructure at all levels. Donations can be made at www.rwcchristchurchappeal.com.

Lock James extends Kingsholm stay

LOCK Will James has signed a one-year contract extension to keep him at Kingsholm until the end of the 2012-13 season.

The 34-year-old former Wales international has made over 100 first-team appearances during his six seasons at the Cherry and Whites, and has been an important figure so far this term with Alex Brown injured and Jim Hamilton away on World Cup duty with Scotland.

James said: “I’m delighted. It’s good for me that I’ve got this year and next year and can just concentrate on the rugby. I’m over the moon.”