Rugby Fixtures from May 01 - May 07

Date    Tournament                                  Match

May 2011
Sun 1	Italian Super 10	Crociati Rugby v Rovigo 14:00 GMT, 16:00 local
Sun 1	Italian Super 10	Infinito L'Aquila v Cavalieri Prato 14:00 GMT, 16:00 local
Sun 1	Italian Super 10	Lazio v Mogliano 14:00 GMT, 16:00 local
Sun 1	Italian Super 10	Petrarca Padova v Rugby Roma Olimpic 14:00 GMT, 16:00 local
Sun 1	Italian Super 10	Venezia Mestre v Gran Parma 14:00 GMT, 16:00 local
Sun 1	Heineken Cup	Semi final: Northampton Saints v Perpignan, Milton Keynes 14:00 GMT, 15:00 local
Wed 4	Asian 5 Nations	Chinese Taipei v Iran, Bangkok 08:00 GMT, 15:00 local
Wed 4	Asian 5 Nations	Thailand v India, Bangkok 10:30 GMT, 17:30 local
Fri 6	Super Rugby	Hurricanes v Blues, Wellington 07:35 GMT, 19:35 local
Fri 6	Super Rugby	Melbourne Rebels v Reds, Melbourne 09:40 GMT, 19:40 local
Fri 6	Super Rugby	Lions v Cheetahs, Johannesburg 17:10 GMT, 19:10 local
Fri 6	Magners League	Aironi v Ospreys, Viadana 18:05 GMT, 20:05 local
Fri 6	Magners League	Benetton Treviso v Edinburgh, Treviso 18:05 GMT, 20:05 local
Fri 6	Magners League	Dragons v Ulster, Newport 18:05 GMT, 19:05 local
Fri 6	Magners League	Leinster v Glasgow, Dublin 18:05 GMT, 19:05 local
Fri 6	Magners League	Munster v Connacht, Limerick 18:05 GMT, 19:05 local
Fri 6	Magners League	Scarlets v Cardiff Blues, Llanelli 18:05 GMT, 19:05 local
Sat 7	Asian 5 Nations	TBC v TBC, Bangkok 07:00 GMT, 14:00 local
Sat 7	Super Rugby	Chiefs v Highlanders, Hamilton 07:35 GMT, 19:35 local
Sat 7	Asian 5 Nations	TBC v TBC, Bangkok 09:00 GMT, 16:00 local
Sat 7	Super Rugby	Waratahs v Force, Sydney 09:40 GMT, 19:40 local
Sat 7	Asian 5 Nations	Sri Lanka v Hong Kong, Colombo 10:30 GMT, 16:00 local
Sat 7	Asian 5 Nations	Japan v Kazakhstan, Bangkok 12:00 GMT, 19:00 local
Sat 7	FIRA Championship D2	Croatia v Lithuania, Split
Sat 7	FIRA Championship D2	Sweden v Malta, Stockholm
Sat 7	FIRA Championship D2	Serbia and Montenegro v Armenia, Belgrade
Sat 7	FIRA Championship D2	Denmark v Israel, Odense
Sat 7	FIRA Championship D2	Luxembourg v Cyprus, Luxembourg
Sat 7	Aviva Premiership	Bath Rugby v Newcastle Falcons, Bath 14:00 GMT, 15:00 local
Sat 7	Aviva Premiership	Exeter Chiefs v London Wasps, Exeter 14:00 GMT, 15:00 local
Sat 7	Aviva Premiership	Gloucester Rugby v Sale Sharks, Gloucester 14:00 GMT, 15:00 local
Sat 7	Aviva Premiership	Harlequins v Saracens, The Stoop 14:00 GMT, 15:00 local
Sat 7	Aviva Premiership	Leicester Tigers v London Irish, Leicester 14:00 GMT, 15:00 local
Sat 7	Aviva Premiership	Northampton Saints v Leeds Carnegie, Northampton 14:00 GMT, 15:00 local
Sat 7	Top 14 Orange	Agen v Brive, Agen 14:25 GMT, 16:25 local
Sat 7	Top 14 Orange	Biarritz v Bourgoin-Jallieu, Bourgoin-Jallieu 14:25 GMT, 16:25 local
Sat 7	Top 14 Orange	La Rochelle v Bayonne, La Rochelle 14:25 GMT, 16:25 local
Sat 7	Top 14 Orange	Montpellier v Toulon, Montpellier 14:25 GMT, 16:25 local
Sat 7	Top 14 Orange	Perpignan v Castres, Perpignan 14:25 GMT, 16:25 local
Sat 7	Top 14 Orange	Stade Français v Racing Metro, Paris 14:25 GMT, 16:25 local
Sat 7	Top 14 Orange	Toulouse v Clermont Auvergne, Toulouse 14:25 GMT, 16:25 local
Sat 7	Super Rugby	Stormers v Crusaders, Cape Town 15:05 GMT, 17:05 local
Sat 7	Super Rugby	Sharks v Brumbies, Durban 17:10 GMT, 19:10 local

Aviva Premiership _ Newcastle Falcons 11 - 14 Bath Rugby

April 30, 2011

Newcastle's quest to secure Premiership survival will go down to the final weekend of the season after losing 14-11 to Bath at Kingston Park.

The win keeps Bath in the race for Heineken Cup qualification, while the losing bonus point may well be enough to stave off relegation for the Falcons.

More to follow.

Final Score Newcastle (6) 11 Bath (8) 14

Scorers

Newcastle Falcons Tries: Fielden
Pens: Gopperth 2
Bath Tries: Claassens
Pens: James 2, Vesty

Referee: J P Doyle (24th Premiership game)

Teams

Newcastle Falcons :15 Alex Tait , 14 Luke Fielden , 13 Rob Vickerman , 12 Tane Tuipulotu , 11 Gcobani Bobo , 10 Jimmy Gopperth , 9 Micky Young,1 Jonny Golding , 2 Matt Thompson , 3 Euan Murray , 4 James Hudson (captain) , 5 Andrew van der Heijden , 6 Tim Swinson , 7 Will Welch , 8 Ally Hogg

16 Rob Vickers , 17 Grant Shiells , 18 Kieran Brookes , 19 Mark Wilson , 20 Alex Gray , 21 Chris Pilgrim , 22 Fitzpatrick , 23 Manning

Bath :15. Nick Abendanon,14. Jacques Boussuge,13. Matt Carraro,12. Matt Banahan,11. Tom Biggs,10. Sam Vesty,9. Michael Claassens ( C ),1. David Flatman,2. Lee Mears,3. David Wilson,4. Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe,5. Danny Grewcock,6. Ben Skirving,7. Lewis Moody,8. Simon Taylor

Replacements:16. Ross Batty,17. Nathan Catt,18. Duncan Bell,19. Josh Ovens,20. Guy Mercer,21. Mark McMillan,22. Butch James,23. Nick Scott

Leinster surge into Heineken final ( Leinster 32 - 23 Toulouse )

April 30, 2011

Leinster beat four time Champions Toulouse to book a place in the Heineken Cup final with a 32-23 victory at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.

Leinster will face the winner of Sunday's Northampton Saints vs Perpignan match.

Ireland's 2009 European Cup winners gained revenge for losing to the French side at the same stage last year.

Tries from man of the match Jamie Heaslip and iconic centre Brian O'Driscoll - who had been sin-binned late in the first-half - plus 22 points from the boot of Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton saw the hosts progress to the final.

O'Driscoll, who had turned down an invitation to attend the Royal Wedding on Friday because of the match, admitted that his side hadn't played at their best but had importantly learnt from their defeat last year.

"What's changed from last year is that we took the lessons from the defeat and corrected some of the mistakes, " said the 33-year-old, whose try was his 30th in the competition putting him just two behind Toulouse star Vincent Clerc in the all-time standings.

"Defensively we fronted up when we needed to and we ground out a result when we were not at our best. We didn't play brilliantly but its all about getting across the victory line. "

Toulouse manager Guy Noves, who has guided then French side to their four European Cup victories, said he was disappointed but conceded that the better side had prevailed.

"This match will help us in the future, " said Noves, who is hoping his side go on to lift their first French league title since 2008.

"Despite our two tries and our workrate, we were beaten by a stronger side who deserved to win.

"Leinster were a lot more fluent than us. We were expecting a tough match, and we got one, " added the 57-year-old.

Toulouse had got a lucky break early on as David Skrela missed with a penalty but the bounce over the tryline tricked O'Driscoll - who had given away the original penalty - and Florian Fritz followed up the kick to touch down.

Sexton slotted over two penalties while Skrela grabbed one before Leinster got their first try.

It came after a sustained period of pressure on the Toulouse line saw Heaslip, who had started the initial move, just get the ball over the line for his ninth career try in the competition.

Sexton converted to make it 13-10 but then late in the half the hosts were hit by O'Driscoll's sinbinning after a tackle on Clerc.

Skrela slotted over the penalty but Leinster went in 16-13 up after the metronomic Sexton added a penalty on the stroke of half-time.

The visitors regained the lead five minutes into the second-half, with O'Driscoll still off the pitch, as former France backrow forward Louis Picamoles went over and Skrela added the conversion.

Sexton, though, kept adding vital points for the hosts as after Shane Horgan had made a great foray into Toulouse territory the visitors were penalised and Sexton stroked over a superb penalty from out on the left.

The home supporters joy -- and that of O'Driscoll -- was unconfined as the Ireland captain broke through a lame tackle by Clerc in the 59th minute to touch down for a try - which Sexton converted for a 29-20 lead.

The Leinster defence held firm as did their discipline under great pressure but the visitors reduced the deficit to six points with six minutes remaining when Nicolas Bezy slotted over a penalty.

However, despite Noves sending on veteran Yannick Jauzion they were not able to break the Irish side and it was Sexton who rounded off the scoring with another superb penalty on the final whistle to make it eight successful kicks from eight attempts.

Jamie Heaslip won the man-of-the-match award.

Final Score Leinster (16) 32 Toulouse (13) 23

Scorers

Leinster
Tries: Heaslip, O'Driscoll
Cons: Sexton 2
Pens: Sexton 6

Toulouse
Tries: Fritz, Picamoles
Cons: Skrela 2
Pens: Skrela, Bezy
Drop goal: Skrela

Referee: Dave Pearson (England)

Teams

Leinster: I Nacewa; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald; J Sexton, E Reddan; C Healy, R Strauss, M Ross, L Cullen [capt], N Hines, K McLaughlin, S O'Brien, J Heaslip

Replacements: J Harris-Wright, H Van Der Merwe, S Wright, D Toner, S Jennings, I Boss, I Madigan, F McFadden

Toulouse: C Heymans; V Clerc, F Fritz, C Poitrenaud, M Medard; D Skrela, J Doussain; J-B Poux, W Servat, C Johnston, Y Maestri, P Albacete, J Bouilhou [capt], Y Nyanga, L Picamoles

Replacements: V Lacombe, D Human, J Falefa, T Dusautoir, N Bezy, Y Jauzion, S Sowerby, *G Lamboley or R Caucaunibuca

Amlin Challenge Cup _ Munster 12 - 20 Harlequins

April 30, 2011

Harlequins wrecked Munster's dreams of a domestic and European double with a polished 20-12 victory in the Amlin Challenge Cup semi-final in the Thomond Park sunshine.

Conor O'Shea's men became just the second team to beat Munster in a European match at the Limerick venue, following up on Leicester's Heineken Cup pool win here in January 2007.

First-half tries from George Robson and Danny Care set the tone for Quins, who will face Stade Francais in the Amlin Challenge Cup final in Cardiff on May 20.

Winners of this competition on two previous occasions, the Londoners were outstanding in the opening half-hour, controlling play and winning the collisions.

Nick Evans missed two penalty efforts and Munster closed the gap to 14-7 by half-time, putting Felix Jones over for a relieving try in the last minute.

Paul O'Connell made his return from an ankle injury in the second half, yet Quins stood up to anything thrown at them and, helped by two Rory Clegg penalties, they held on despite having Nick Easter sent off for two yellow cards.

The visitors ratcheted up the pace early on, getting their offload game going under the direction of Danny Care and Evans. Maurie Fa'asavalu also levelled Keith Earls with a bone-crunching tackle.

The visitors dominated possession and territory in a frenetic opening salvo, Evans sending a delicious wide ball to send Gonzalo Camacho slaloming past Paul Warwick and Doug Howlett. He was hauled down close to the try-line but Quins swiftly moved the ball wide to the right, where lock Robson dived in past James Coughlan.

Evans topped off the ninth-minute try with a well-struck conversion and the Londoners' early barrage continued with the forwards regularly crossing the gain line. A crucial intervention from O'Gara prevented George Lowe from getting over in the left corner.

Good pressure from Earls on Camacho yielded a scrum for Munster in the visitors' 22. However, the covering Monye foiled a back-line move involving Felix Jones.

Two muddled Munster lineouts invited Fa'asavalu to take on O'Gara and company, but Evans dragged a penalty to the left and wide after a high tackle from Wian du Preez.

The New Zealander had another uncharacteristic miss in the 29th minute, failing to punish Munster for hands in the ruck, and took a worrying knock to his left knee as Quins maintained their attacking poise.

Having received medical attention, Evans almost wormed his way over close to the posts. From the next ruck, Munster's overworked defence was caught out by Care's feint and stretch for the line.

The England scrum-half had enough downward pressure with his fingertips to satisfy television match official Giulio De Santis, with Care adding the conversion himself.

O'Gara turned down a kickable penalty as Munster went in search of their first points late on. Their endeavour was rewarded when Lifeimi Mafi and Warwick straightened for Jones to come in on an angle and glide over from close range. O'Gara landed the conversion to give Munster a further boost.

Replacements O'Connell, John Hayes and Sam Tuitupou helped Munster up the tempo on the restart, Quins introducing youngster Clegg for the injured Evans.

Donncha O'Callaghan and Easter earned time in the sin-bin for scuffling off the ball, before Clegg coolly slotted a right-sided penalty for Quins in the 50th minute.

O'Shea's side threatened again with ball in hand, Munster needing a clever piece of play from Denis Leamy to keep their defence intact.

There were near misses for Lowe and Howlett, the latter having a try ruled out for a forward pass from Jones. Another forward pass prevented Howlett from scoring and O'Connell was held up close to the line.

Mike Brown was alert to cover a chip-and-chase from Howlett, who got over for a deserved try in the 78th minute. A ruck offence had seen Easter walk eight minutes earlier, and the former All Black struck from close range to give Munster late hope.

But O'Gara's conversion attempt from wide out on the right was off target and Harlequins' heroic defence, led by captain Chris Robshaw, was rewarded at the final whistle.

Japan kick off Five Nations with Honk Kong win

April 30, 2011

Japan marked an emotional return to the Asian Five Nations with a 22-45 away victory over Hong Kong, as they began their World Cup preparations with glimpses of free-flowing rugby.

Ahead of the game the crowd observed a moment's silence to mark the victims of Japan's March 11 earthquake and tsunami disaster.

Heads bowed and arms across each other's shoulders Japan's players, sporting black armbands, led the tribute while a Japanese flag was unfurled with the words "One for all and all for one" running across the Rising Sun.

Japan are Asia's number one side and the tournament's defending champions, and after testy early exchanges in which both teams swapped big hits Japanese pressure began to translate into possession close to the home try line.

Powerful number eight Ryukoliniasi Holani found his way through the defence on 11 minutes, with his try was converted by Ryan Nicholas.

Japan's back line began to assert themselves, with quick hands aiding their expansive running game to pin Hong Kong down on their 22. After a clever dummy fly-half Shaun Webb went over on 18 minutes, again converted by Nicholas.

Mop-haired captain Takashi Kikutani was at the centre of Japan's forward play, bustling with energy and drive, and Japan notched a third try through centre Hirotoki Onozawa.

Hong Kong's first points did not come until the 35th minute, from the boot of Keith Robertson, but two quick-fire Ailsi Tupuailai tries, the second off a flowing move started deep in Japan's half, gave the visitors a commanding 3-31 half-time lead.

True to their captain's pre-match pledge not to roll over Hong Kong stuck doggedly to their task, with the forwards tackling hard and backs increasingly influential.

In the second half Tupuailai completed his hat-trick but Hong Kong outscored the visitors by three tries to two, including a Rowan Varty dash the length of the field with 15 minutes to go.

That left the hosts 22-45 behind, but the reigning champions refused to be pegged back any further.

FIRA Championship D2 _ Malta 21 - 14 Croatia

April 30, 2011

In a superb performance, Malta recorded a famous victory against a much stronger Croatian side to emphasise the resurgence of the local team in rugby and also gain some precious points in our qualifying group. Malta 21 Croatia 14

The much anticipated clash between Malta and Croatia at the Hibs Stadium got off to a stirring start with a beautiful rendition of the Maltese national anthem by Vanessa Camenzuli.

The opening minutes were affected by the strong southwest wind with the burly Croatians taking advantage of their physical superiority.  However the locals showed great courage also winning a series of scrums and penalties countering the power of the Croation forwards.

On 17 minutes, Robert Holloway managed to penetrate in the 20 metre area and won a penalty which was easily converted by O’Brien for a 3-0 advantage. On 25 minutes, Malta won another penalty just outside the 20 metre zone but the wind took hold of O’ Brien’s kick which ended up wide. The locals continued playing very well and on the half hour had a sustained period of possession with Holloway ending up just a few metres away from the touchline but eventually losing possession.

The pressure paid off as on 35 minutes, Malta managed to score the first try of the game through Watts who buried his way past the Croatian defence. Unfortunately O’Brien missed the conversion for another two points but the lead was healthy enough at that stage. However Malta immediately paid for a slack error from the line out with the Croatians scoring a try and conversion on 37 minutes to make it 8-7 at half time.

Malta started the second half like a house on fire and on 43 minutes O’Brien weaved his way through the Criatian defence but he just missed the try as a Croatian player cleared the ball in the final second. But after a period of Croatian pressure, Matthew Camilleri managed to penetrate to score Malta’s second try on 51 minutes to put the local six points ahead with O’Brien converting the spot kick to make it 15-7.

Malta continued to provide strength in the pack and their rucking was also excellent taking the physically stronger Croatians by surprise. On 63 minutes, Malta won another penalty inside the 20 metre area with O’Brien converting clinically to take Malta 18-7 up. On 73 minutes, Malta sewed up the win with another immaculately converted penalty by O’Brien to take his tally to 11 points

Kirk was unlucky to end up in the sin bin and seconds later Croatia managed their second try of the day with a conversion also duly put away to make it 21-13 in the final three minutes. However the local boys saw out the final seconds with ease to record a truly famous victory.

Malta:  Malta: K. Mason, H. Collins, A. Livesey, L. Watts, C. Cassar, J. Howland; P. Calgaro, C. Sammut, T. Holloway, R. Holloway, O. Sacco, D. Busuttil, J. Kirk, M. Camilleri, J. O’Brien.

Coach: Damian Neill

Scorers: Watts (5), Camilleri (5) O’ Brien (11)

Yellow card: J Kirk

Referee: F Malagath (Portugal)

Super Rugby_ Stormers 32 - 12 Sharks

April 30, 2011

The half time score was Stormers 22 Sharks 9

The full time score is Stormers 32 Sharks 12 

Scorers
Stormers Tries - J De Villiers, G Aplon, J Fourie, D Fourie
Pen - L Cronje
Con - L Cronje 2, K Coleman
Drop - G Aplon
Cards -
SharksTries -
Pen - P Lambie 4
Con -
Drop -
Cards - Bismarck du Plessis (78th min) yellow.
Match Officials Referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Christie du Preez (South Africa), Phillip Bosch (South Africa)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Teams

Stormers: Conrad Jantjes, Gio Aplon, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Byran Habana, Peter Grant (Lionel Cronje), Dewaldt Duvenage, Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger (c), Andries Bekker, Rynhardt Elstadt, CJ van der Linde, Deon Fourie, Wicus Blaauw
Replacements: Ethienne Reynecke, Brok Harris, De Kock Steenkamp, Nick Koster, Ricky Januarie, Lionel Cronje (Kurt Coleman) , Juan de Jongh
Sharks :1. Tendai Mtawarira , 2. John Smit (Captain) , 3. Jannie du Plessis , 4. Steven Sykes , 5. Ross Skeate , 6. Keegan Daniel , 7. Willem Alberts , 8. Ryan Kankowski , 9. Charl McLeod , 10. Patrick Lambie , 11. JP Pietersen , 12. Meyer Bosman , 13. Stefan Terblanche , 14. Odwa Ndungane , 15. Louis Ludik
Replacements : 16. Bismarck du Plessis , 17. Eugene van Staden , 18. Alistair Hargreaves , 19. Jean Deysel , 20. Conrad Hoffmann , 21. Adrian Jacobs , 22. Lwazi Mvovo