Rugby Shorts: Rugby Snippets from Ireland and the World

In this week’s Rugby Shorts: Navan play a return fixture in Argentina – 20 years later, Munster coaches get tips from the All Blacks, Shannon FINALly lose after 23 years and Gregan to rest during Autumn International series.

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Navan in Hurling Match

Meath may well be a breeding ground for Footballers but is Navan a secret hotbed of Hurlers?

Navan Rugby Club are playing a return fixture against Hurling Club de Buenos Aires twenty years after the original fixture. Hurling Club travelled to Navan looking for a game twenty years ago but they came without any Hurlers. Instead it was rugby they were interested in. The club was founded in Argentina by Irish emigrants as a hurling club but soon branched out into other sporting fields – mainly as a result of not being able to import sliotars and hurleys during the second World War.

Now Navan are returning the favour having been drawn against Hurling Club in the World Cup of Veterans in Argentina. They will also play a team from South Africa and a Hong Kong Ex Pats side. Having originally played them at U20 level all those years ago there may well be a few in the Vets side for the return fixture.

Navan will be led by Tour President Brian Coyle and Tour Captain Richard Kelly. Navan expect to acquit themselves well on tour. Former Captain Christy Moffett is hoping that Navan will prove great ambassadors against some of the renowned Vets: “The most important thing for Navan is that when we beat these greats on the field we bring them up to the bar afterwards and allow them to buy us a beer.”

Navan will be joined by teams from Lansdowne and Clontarf as one of 55 in the tournament and we at IrishRugby.ie wish them all the best. For more on Navan Rugby Club click here.

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Crusading All Black Coach in Munster

Munster Rugby was delighted to welcome All Blacks and Canterbury Crusaders Strength & Conditioning Coach Ashley Jones to Munster for two sessions with club and school coaches this week.

For the last three seasons, Australian born Jones has held the position with the Crusaders, and has been working with the All Black team for the last two seasons. Prior to that, he worked in Australia and Japan with some of the major basketball teams before progressing onto rugby league and then working with NSW Rugby.

With responsibilities that include devising the fitness and strength training schedule of world class players such as Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter, it was a fantastic opportunity to learn from one of the best in the game. Organised by Club Development Manager Damon Urlich, the opportunity to bring this expertise to the grassroots level in Munster has proved hugely beneficial for the domestic game.

Over 140 people attended the two seminars, with over 90 people attending in UL in Limerick, and over 50 people in Highfield RFC the next day. In Limerick, Jones put players from the Munster Rugby Academy though their paces in his demonstration, while in Cork, the students of Presentation Brothers College took part in the session.

For the enthusiastic crowd present, it offered a fantastic opportunity to learn from one of the sport’s elite coaches, illustrating first hand different techniques and approaches to fitness and strength training. Interested in Coaching in Ireland? Click Here.

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Shannon’s FINAL Hurdle

…UL Bohs Captain Colman Finn accepts the Limerick Charity Cup and Shannon’s 23 year record…

It had to happen, we all knew that one day they would fall. After 23 years of never losing a Senior Final, Shannon FINALly lost to neighbours UL Bohs in the Limerick Charity Cup.

One Shannon man commented: Maybe it was becoming a burden to carry but it’s over now. A very proud record of never having been beaten in a Senior final (and there have been quite a few) since 1989. Local neighbours and co-tenants of Thomond Park were the team to halt the roll, and, if truth be known, just about deserved it.”

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Gregan To Rest

…The world’s most capped player: George Gregan…

Irish rugby fans will not get to see the World’s Most Capped player in action in November as George Gregan has decided to rest up in an effort to be fresh for the Rugby World Cup in France next year.

Wallabies Captain George Gregan has opted to rest from the Wallabies’ four-Test Spring Tour to focus on his preparation for next year’s World Cup in France.

Gregan, the World’s most capped international player with 127 Test caps, said his decision to miss next month’s tour was based purely on the opportunity to gain a full physical preparation ahead of the World Cup.

I haven’t completed a solid block of physical training since 2000, so having the opportunity to rest from the Spring Tour will give me a chance to make some good physical gains leading into a World Cup year, said Gregan.

Wallabies Coach John Connolly said Gregan’s decision to rest from the Spring Tour has by no means signaled the end of his Test career.

This does not mean that George’s Test career is over, said Connolly.

We understand from George’s perspective that he wants to go out on a high after the World Cup and is focused on getting into the best possible shape to give himself the chance to perform at his best next year, he said.