McCall: Trophy proves nothing May 27, 2014 SARACENS director of rugby Mark McCall insists his side do not need to win silverware for the season to be deemed a success. The runaway league leaders lost the Heineken Cup final to Toulon on Saturday, but have a second chance to ensure they do not end the season empty-handed in Saturday’s Aviva Premiership final [...]
Sarries sweating on injured pair while Borthwick gets Japan call May 26, 2014 A FREAK ankle injury could cost Saracens the services of fly-half Owen Farrell in this weekend’s Aviva Premiership final against Northampton, director of rugby Mark McCall has confirmed. Farrell completed 64 minutes of Saturday’s Heineken Cup final defeat to French side Toulon, the England No10 kicking two penalties in Sarries 23-6 defeat. But McCall has [...]
Dallaglio tells Saracens: You have to beat the best to be champions May 22, 2014 SARACENS back-row Billy Vunipola has been taking tips from a former European champion in Lawrence Dallaglio as he prepares for his first Heineken Cup final. Vunipola, who has had a dream season since leaving London Wasps last summer, will be looking to dethrone holders Toulon tomorrow at the Millennium Stadium, with an Aviva Premiership final [...]
Sarries over semi-final stumbles May 18, 2014 SARACENS director of rugby Mark McCall feels his players have banished the demons of their recent past after staying in contention for a European and domestic double. Having lost their last two Aviva Premiership semi-finals, Sarries successfully cleared the same hurdle on Saturday by beating Harlequins 31-17, recovering from a 17-11 half-time deficit thanks to [...]
Goode delivers late sting as Wasps close in on Euro spot May 18, 2014 LONDON Wasps director of rugby Dai Young admitted his frustration at failing to build more than a one-point lead against Stade Francais yesterday as they chase a place in next season’s inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup. Wasps, who finished seventh in the Aviva Premiership table, recovered from shipping a season high 74 points in defeat [...]
Aviva shares dip as annuity rules hit UK business May 15, 2014 BRITISH insurer Aviva has become the latest to be hit hard by the government’s changes to the UK pensions market, as new business fell 22 per cent in the first quarter of the year to £89m from £114m the year before. This fall was offset by strong figures from elsewhere in Europe, and Asia, where [...]
City Moves for 16 May 2014 | Who’s switching jobs May 15, 2014 Fujitsu The technology company has announced the appointment of Michael Keegan as head of UK and Ireland. He has previously held senior leadership roles at Magex, MasterCard, Royal Mail Group and NatWest. KPMG The professional services firm has made four senior appointments to its cyber security practice. Phillip Hodgins has over 12 years’ experience helping executives [...]
Quins not scared of Sarries clash, says Turner-Hall May 15, 2014 HARLEQUINS centre Jordan Turner-Hall has dismissed the notion that his team’s defeat to Saracens at Wembley two months ago will weigh heavy on their shoulders in tomorrow’s Aviva Premiership semi-final. Following the 39-17 loss to their London rivals in front of almost 84,000 spectators, Quins stormed to five consecutive wins to snatch fourth place in [...]
Harlequins boss plans Saracens play-off upset May 11, 2014 HARLEQUINS director of rugby Conor O’Shea insists it will be their greatest ever achievement if his side go on to lift the Aviva Premiership trophy this season after they secured the final play-off spot. Mike Brown’s first-half score and 14 points from Nick Evans saw Quins secure a 19-16 win over Bath Rugby at the [...]
Quins tipped to upset the odds for play-off spot May 8, 2014 HARLEQUINS wing Ugo Monye backs his side to continue thriving against the odds as they seek an Aviva Premiership play-off place with victory over Bath tomorrow. Quins have won four matches in a row and will book a semi-final with a bonus point win, or regular win, provided their opponents do not claim two bonus [...]