Thursday’s rugby news has Slipper winning the RUPA award, criticism of the English scrum, Castrogiovanni suspended and Lydiate signing on with Welsh rugby.
[one_half last=”no”]
Slipper wins RUPA medal
Wallabies prop James Slipper has taken out the RUPA Medal for Excellence, an award voted on by all Australian Super Rugby players, for on and off field performance based on the criteria of leadership, performance, consistency and discipline.
Other winners include Matt Hodgson for RUPA People’s Choice Award, having led the Western Force to a franchise-record nine Super Rugby wins in 2014 and earning a Wallaby recall in the process. There was further good news for Sean McMahon too, with the Melbourne Rebels and Wallabies backrower taking out the award for Newcomer of the Year.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Dwyer labels English scrum ‘illegal’
World Cup-winning coach Bob Dwyer has accusing England of engaging in particularly egregious illegal tactics at Twickenham. Dwyer accused English captain Chris Robshaw of frequently creeping up from his flanker position and effectively adding weight as an additional front-rower, although this illegality was said to have been missed because of the perception of the Australian pack’s weakness.
Dwyer was also careful though to emphasise that the Wallabies had much improvement that they needed to otherwise make, with England still overpowering them at scrum-time without illegal tactics, as was seen in the second pushover try.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”no”]
Toulon suspend Castrogiovanni
Toulon have suspended Martin Castrogiovanni following his outburst in Leicester, meaning that the Italian prop will not be available for Saturday’s rematch. Toulon President Mourad Boudjellal has also written to Leicester and Richard Cockerill to apologise for the misconduct, while fining Castrogiovanni.
“I was very surprised by Martin’s behaviour,” said Boudjellal. “This is not the boy I know.” Although Castrogiovanni apologised less than 24 hours after the event, he remains subject to a European Professional Club Rugby misconduct hearing.
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
Lydiate signs dual contract
Dan Lydiate has become the first player to join Wales Captain Sam Warburton on a National Dual Contract between the Welsh Rugby Union and the Regions. The Test flanker will return to Wales playing for Ospreys after being released from his contract by Racing Metro.
Lydiate headed the list of 12 players who have been offered National Dual Contracts by the Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland. The WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis emphasised that, “National Dual Contracts will help us keep international class talent here in Wales available for Regional rugby and for international selection.”
[/one_half]
