Andy Irvine made new chairman of Celtic Rugby

Former Scotland and Lions full-back Andy Irvine has been appointed as the new chairman of Celtic Rugby as part of a major overhaul of the Magners League’s governing body.

Irvine, current chair of the British and Irish Lions committee and former president of the Scottish Rugby Union, replaces John Hussey to become Celtic Rugby’s first independent chairman as part of a new management structure. Hussey, the current vice-president of the IRFU, has been chair for the last seven years.

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Feehan, who is currently chief Executive of both the Six Nations and British and Irish Lions, will head up a team that will include 10 permanent members of staff, including the long-standing tournament director, David Jordan.

“As the Magners League prepares to expand through the introduction of two Italian teams to join the 10 clubs from Ireland, Scotland and Wales, I am delighted the Celtic Rugby Board has recognised there is a growing need to support the tournament’s expansion,” said Hussey.

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“Last season saw the highly successful introduction of a play-off system and grand final to determine our champions and the changes agreed by the board are aimed at continuing to shape the ever growing reputation of the tournament.

”Having a man of the calibre of Andy Irvine to take over from me is a real statement of intent from the Celtic Rugby Board and all the changes we have agreed will help support the growth of the Magners League product and our 12 clubs.”

“It is my desire to do everything I can to see the Magners League competition reach its fullest potential,” said Feehan. “Not only do I believe that the competition can be pushed further, I think that my team and I are uniquely qualified and ideally situated to make that a reality.

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“The taking on of the Magners League will undoubtedly pose a few challenges, but I know I speak for all of us in saying that we are ready to face them and are looking forward to getting involved with the game at club level.”

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Dan Carter sidelined for two months after surgery decision

Dan Carter will be out of rugby for two months. The All Blacks first-five is to undergo ankle surgery ruling him out of rugby and it means he will be unavailable for the All Blacks' final Tri-Nations match against Australia in Sydney on September 11.

All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson said Carter had been troubled by niggling pain in his right ankle throughout the year but had still managed to play rugby to play for the Crusaders and All Blacks each week.

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"It has reached the point now where it is restricting his ankle flexibility and, in turn, affecting his calf muscle strength, so now is the right time to have surgery," Dr Robinson said.

Dr Robinson said the surgery, which will take place in Christchurch on Tuesday afternoon, would involve removing loose material from the joint at the back of his ankle. A bone spur would also be removed from the front of his ankle.

"Given that movement in my foot is being affected, it's obviously in my best interests to have the surgery now," Carter said.

"I've been in this situation before and understand what is involved so will get through the surgery and rehab and then look forward to getting back into rugby," he said.

Carter will initially be in a cast to allow the ankle joint to settle before he could resume rugby training, with a recovery period of up to eight weeks required.

"Dan is the ultimate rugby professional when it comes to injury rehabilitation and, with the help of the All Blacks medical staff, he will be getting the best treatment possible and we look forward to his return to rugby," Henry said.

Henry said if the rehabilitation timeframe went to plan Carter would be available for selection for the All Blacks end of year tour to Hong Kong and the northern hemisphere.

It means Aaron Cruden is almost certain to start in Sydney with his back up possibly being Colin Slade or Stephen Brett.

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Shamed star Matt Stevens can win an England recall, says Saracens chief Brendan Venter

Brendan Venter has backed England prop Matt Stevens to claim a shock Test recall in next year’s Six Nations, just weeks after the end of his drugs ban.
When the South African-born player failed a doping test in December 2008, it appeared that his career was in ruins, but he now has a chance to enjoy a remarkable fresh start, according to Venter.


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‘I think he could surprise a few people when he comes back - that is my gut feeling,’
said the former Springbok centre.
We’re not going to put pressure on him when he arrives, but he is a very special individual, a talented person, so I think he will settle in quickly at Saracens.
‘In fact, I think he can play himself into the Six Nations reckoning with England. I’ve already spoken to Martin Johnson about Matt and asked him about that position in the team. He just said he has to play, then he will be considered.

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‘We are in contact with Matt, checking how he is doing. From what he has told us, he is in very good nick because he has been doing Brazilian jujitsu.
'Whenever I have spoken to him I’ve been impressed. He said from the start that he got things wrong and he would take his punishment.’

Venter can also see a Test future for his Saracens skipper, Steve Borthwick. The lock was Johnson’s England captain until injury opened the door to Lewis Moody at the end of the last Six Nations and he now finds himself in the second-string Saxons squad.

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‘We feel like we’ve signed a new player with Steve and you can imagine how motivated
he is at the moment,’ said Venter. ‘He was involved with England for a long time, so he wants to get back into that squad and he is looking in great form.
‘Steve is a special person with that most important attribute - a will to win and fight that can’t be coached. If Saracens do well this season he will play his way back into the England team, no doubt.’

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Toulon refuse to release Jonny Wilkinson for England training session

England manger Martin Johnson, wanting nothing to derail England after building up a useful head of steam in the summer, spent Wednesday successfully, it would appear, avoiding another wounding row over his England players based in France.

The French or to be precise Stade Francais and Toulon - insist that the England camp falls outside any IRB international window and on this occasion their domestic needs must take precedence.

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“We believe that these have been the right decisions to take after close and amicable consultation with the clubs concerned,” said Johnson. “We will continue to have regular contact and subject to fitness look forward to seeing all of the players when we meet again at the end of October ahead of the Investec internationals.”

The RFU has an “eight-year” agreement with the Premiership clubs whereby Elite Player Squad members are automatically released for such England summer camps and the RFU insists that all players seeking to play in France and represent England must have that clause replicated in their individual contracts with those clubs.

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Stade and Touloun strongly dispute the latter and in March last year Stade owner Max Guazzini wildly accused England of “blackmail” when they refused to release Haskell for a match against Toulouse during a fallow week in the Six Nations although England were fully entitled to retain him in camp between matches. The situation is much less clear cut on this occasion and Johnson has opted for the concilatory appraoch.

"It is not a confrontation,” insisted Toulon spokesman Benjamin Larrue talking to Telegraph Sport on Wednesday night. “Toulon and England have worked very well together concerning Jonny and we have been talking again this week because we always support his desire to play international rugby for England.

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"But we also believe it is clear from the contract he signed with Toulon that his first allegiance on Aug 13 is to Toulon. Our club rugby season has started and takes precedence. In addition now he has a blow on his shoulder and he will need daily treatment and assessment to play against Bayonne.”

Meanwhile Johnson recieved the encouraging news that Andrew Sheridan has been named in Sale’s 26-man squad for their friendly at Clermont Auvergne on Friday night after being sidelined for nine months after dislocating a shoulder against Cardiff in October. Johnson named Sheridan in his EPS squad last month despite the prop’slong lay-off.

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Rugby: Manuflattered by England recognition

Tongan international Willie Manu says he is flattered to be considered for an England call-up.He now qualifies for England on residency grounds, having moved to the United Kingdom in 2006 - initially to play for Castleford - and he was brought into England coach Steve McNamara's squad for a get-together in Liverpool this week as part of the preparation for the end-of-season Four Nations series.

"Whilst I will always be proud of my Tongan heritage, I am honoured to have been recognised by the England national team," said Manu.

"I was flattered to receive the call from Steve McNamara to join the players this week and, if I was to be given the chance to play at this level, it would be something I would have to consider.

"To play alongside the best players in the English game whilst challenging the strongest players from the world of rugby league and testing yourself at the highest level is the aim of every professional sportsmen and, if selected for England, this would give me the chance to do that."

."It's a hot potato," said Agar. "If Steve picks him, he'll open himself up for some criticism, but if he picks him and England win the Four Nations, he'll be judged as a hero.

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"Most other sports do it - a lot of players Australia pick have been born and bred in New Zealand - and Willie by rights qualifies for England on residency grounds, as he would in cricket or rugby union.

"What I do know is that he's a player that can win you a game so, from an ability and form perspective, I don't think there's any argument.

"He's a long way off selection but, if he wants to represent England and Steve is prepared to pick him, I think we should support him.

"It's up to Steve," he said. "There is nothing illegal in what he's done and I'll back him in every way I can because I want England to do well.

"Whoever is coach, the selection wouldn't please everybody. You've got to accept that some selections are easier than others."

"We don't get many opportunities to get the country's elite players together so the chance to work alongside the Royal Marines was really useful.

"All the players involved are potential candidates for selection for this year's Four Nations but that's not to say the final squad will come from this group. It's certainly not a definitive list.

"As well as the boys who are playing in Australia, there are many other players to consider. The door remains wide open for anyone to play themselves into contention for selection over the next couple of months.

"It's not just about ability - Tuesday was all about making sure we continue to develop the right culture for England to achieve international success that we began in last year's Four Nations and continued in the mid-season international."

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