A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Connacht resigned to loss of Carr, Cronin and Keatley
COACH ERIC Elwood says Connacht have accepted that three of their frontline players will be moving on at the end of the season. There was a huge shock at the Sportsground last week when it emerged that Fionn Carr and Seán Cronin were being linked with Leinster and Ian Keatley with a move to Munster, but Elwood said that Connacht, as a squad, have now dealt with that and are moving on.
He said the matter arose at a meeting of players and management and that the three departing players were wished the best of luck. Elwood said that he has no doubt the three will continue to play a key role for the remainder of the season for Connacht.
“In the business we are in players come and go. We acknowledged it in a meeting with the players and management that the three lads are moving on.
“That’s the nature of the business we are in. It is up to everyone to knuckle down. Some other players may come in, some may go. But it is out there now about the three lads moving on at the end of the season and we just need, as a squad, to move on from here.
“Of course we are sorry to see them go but that’s the nature of the business. They are three good kids and I wish them well and I know they will do their best for Connacht for the remainder of their time here, as they have done since they arrived here a few years ago.
“We must be doing something right if other teams are coming in looking at our players. . .”
Henson ready to launch comeback
GAVIN HENSON will run out at football HQ for his first match in 21 months for Saracens against Wasps in the English Premiership on Sunday and he believes he can now play for another eight years.
The 28-year-old sees his next journey taking him to the World Cup in New Zealand with Wales next October. Henson said of his comeback: “I’m really excited about it. I’ve no idea where I’m at but I’m feeling pretty good.
“The skill levels are not too bad in training, it’s going to be fun. I just hope I perform pretty well.
“I’ve only had one or two days training with Saracens per week because the dancing just continued until the end. I’ve not had much contact work but it should be all right. I should be able to wing it some way hopefully.”
Henson’s presence should ensure Saracens attract a record crowd of around 50,000 for their sixth game at Wembley. Henson played his last game for the Ospreys in
March 2009 and since then has been busy with reality TV shows 71 Degrees North as well as Strictly Come Dancing.
Marler signs new contract
PROP FORWARDS Joe Marler and James Johnston have signed new contracts with Harlequins. Loosehead Marler (20) has extended his deal until the summer of 2014 after making a big impact for the Londoners since being handed his debut against Leicester at the end of last season.
The England Under-18 and Under-20 cap’s form this season has been so impressive that he was called into Martin Johnson’s England squad for the autumn internationals last month as injury cover. Samoa international Johnston (24), whose new deal runs until 2013, joined Harlequins from New Zealand club Ponsonby in 2009, and the tighthead has become a regular in the English Premiership club’s match-day squads.
Attwood cited for stamping
GLOUCESTER LOCK David Attwood has been cited for stamping, under law 10.4 (b), on La Rochelle’s Romanian prop Petrisor Toderasc in last Sunday’s Amlin Challenge cup match at Kingsholm, writes Gavin Cummiskey.
The French club subsequently stated Toderasc sustained a fractured cheekbone, smashed teeth and is in danger of losing an eye due to the incident.
The minimum suspension, if Attwood is deemed to have stamped on Toderasc, is two weeks (low end) with a maximum of 52 weeks (high end). A hearing date and judicial officer will be announced in due course.
La Rochelle centre Vincent Roux is before an ERC judicial officer, Roger Morris (Wales), tomorrow via video conference following his two yellow cards, for punching and a deliberate knock on, also against Gloucester.
Meanwhile, London Irish winger Sailosi Tagicakibau will receive no further punishment for the red card, after two yellows, he received in the Heineken Cup match against Toulon last Saturday but Cardiff Blues number eight Xavier Rush must go before an ERC hearing today for a straight red card he received against Northampton.
Rush has been charged with a dangerous tackle under law 10.4 (e) after it was deemed the former All Black made contact “above the line of the shoulders” on English lock Courtney Lawes in the 55th minute. Cardiff lost 23-19 despite leading 16-12 when French referee Jerome Garces sent Rush off.
The hearing will be held in Bristol with Christopher Quinlan (England) acting as the independent judicial officer. A suspension anywhere between two weeks (low end) and 10-52 weeks (high end) can follow if Rush is found to have committed the offence.
Welsh scrumhalf Richie Rees will also have a case to answer having been cited for Contact with the eye /eye area; Acts contrary to good sportsmanship under law 10.4 (m) following an incident with Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley.
