Friday Morning Round Up
- 2454
Friday Morning Round Up
Rees to Captain Wasps
Wasps have confirmed that flanker Tom Rees will be their captain for the upcoming forth season.
"It's a massive honour and responsibility to be asked to take on the captaincy and I am really looking forward to the challenge," said Rees.
"As a player, or as a captain, I wouldn't ask anything of anyone that I would not be prepared to do myself and in this group of players you can sense already a great unity."
Wasps' director of rugby Tony Hanks added, "Tom is a hugely focused and determined individual, who is undoubtedly one of the best players in his position not just in the Premiership but in Europe and on the world stage."
The 24-year-old, who has appeared 15 times for England, underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season but is expected to be fit for the start of the season as Wasps eye a return to form on three fronts: the Guinness Premiership, Euro Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Nigel Owens set to retire in 2019
The World Cup Final referee will only carry on until 2019 if he can stay fit enough to pass the physical tests set by union bosses.
The popular Welshman has revealed his intentions to bow out of refereeing at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
"I’m 44 and there’s no age limit on refereeing international rugby. My motivation is to keep reffing because I just enjoy it, whether it’s an under-12 match, a local derby, the Pro12, Champions Cup or a World Cup final," said Owens.
"As long as I can still do a good job on the pitch so the players enjoy it I plan to go on until the 2019 World Cup, if I am fit and refereeing well enough."
Owens is joint record holder with South African Jonathan Kaplan as the most ‘capped’ referee in world rugby with 70 appearances and is due to make his 71st when Fiji host Tonga in Suva on June 11.
Irish Rugby Player of the Year Nominees announced
The Irish Rugby Union Players' Association has unveiled the nominations for the Rugby Players' Awards, taking place on Wednesday, May 4th at the Double Tree Hotel Dublin.
Ten awards will be given out at the ceremony, culminating in Irish rugby's ultimate accolade being presented - the Zurich IRUPA Player's Player of the year award.
2016 ZURICH IRISH RUGBY PLAYERS' AWARDS - NOMINATIONS:
ZURICH IRUPA PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR -
Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)
CJ Stander (Munster)
Jack McGrath (Leinster)
Rory Best (Ulster)
NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR -
Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
BNY MELLON IRUPA HALL OF FAME -
Recipient to be announced the week of April 25
VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR -
Craig Gilroy - Ulster v Scarlets, GUINNESS PRO12
Jamie Heaslip - Ireland v Italy, RBS 6 Nations
Matt Healy - Connacht v Grenoble, European Challenge Cup
Find more categories and nominees here: http://bit.ly/1U8dpDr
Wasps have confirmed that flanker Tom Rees will be their captain for the upcoming forth season.
"It's a massive honour and responsibility to be asked to take on the captaincy and I am really looking forward to the challenge," said Rees.
"As a player, or as a captain, I wouldn't ask anything of anyone that I would not be prepared to do myself and in this group of players you can sense already a great unity."
Wasps' director of rugby Tony Hanks added, "Tom is a hugely focused and determined individual, who is undoubtedly one of the best players in his position not just in the Premiership but in Europe and on the world stage."
The 24-year-old, who has appeared 15 times for England, underwent shoulder surgery in the off-season but is expected to be fit for the start of the season as Wasps eye a return to form on three fronts: the Guinness Premiership, Euro Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup.
Nigel Owens set to retire in 2019
The World Cup Final referee will only carry on until 2019 if he can stay fit enough to pass the physical tests set by union bosses.
The popular Welshman has revealed his intentions to bow out of refereeing at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
"I’m 44 and there’s no age limit on refereeing international rugby. My motivation is to keep reffing because I just enjoy it, whether it’s an under-12 match, a local derby, the Pro12, Champions Cup or a World Cup final," said Owens.
"As long as I can still do a good job on the pitch so the players enjoy it I plan to go on until the 2019 World Cup, if I am fit and refereeing well enough."
Owens is joint record holder with South African Jonathan Kaplan as the most ‘capped’ referee in world rugby with 70 appearances and is due to make his 71st when Fiji host Tonga in Suva on June 11.
Irish Rugby Player of the Year Nominees announced
The Irish Rugby Union Players' Association has unveiled the nominations for the Rugby Players' Awards, taking place on Wednesday, May 4th at the Double Tree Hotel Dublin.
Ten awards will be given out at the ceremony, culminating in Irish rugby's ultimate accolade being presented - the Zurich IRUPA Player's Player of the year award.
2016 ZURICH IRISH RUGBY PLAYERS' AWARDS - NOMINATIONS:
ZURICH IRUPA PLAYERS' PLAYER OF THE YEAR -
Robbie Henshaw (Connacht)
CJ Stander (Munster)
Jack McGrath (Leinster)
Rory Best (Ulster)
NEVIN SPENCE YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR -
Josh van der Flier (Leinster)
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)
Garry Ringrose (Leinster)
BNY MELLON IRUPA HALL OF FAME -
Recipient to be announced the week of April 25
VOLKSWAGEN TRY OF YEAR -
Craig Gilroy - Ulster v Scarlets, GUINNESS PRO12
Jamie Heaslip - Ireland v Italy, RBS 6 Nations
Matt Healy - Connacht v Grenoble, European Challenge Cup
Find more categories and nominees here: http://bit.ly/1U8dpDr
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