Glasgow Pulls The Upset

There are two rugby clubs that I support. Unfortunately for me, one of those teams kicked off their season with a loss and what a loss at that. Glasgow showed their “Warrior” spirit yesterday, knocking off the defending Magners League Champs, Munster, 22-9 at Firhill.

Glasgow pretty much dominated from the opening kick and lead 12-3 at the half thanks to 4 penalty conversions courtesy of Flyhalf Dan Parks. Parks would add another one in the second half & second half replacement Ruaridh Jackson would add a try.   Jeremy Manning used his boot to score all 9 Munster points on the day.

I was very impressed with Glasgow. They played with a ton of passion and dominated defensively.  I’m not that upset, we got a long ways to go this season and I still feel Munster & Leinster will be the only two clubs really in contention for the league title. Let’s just hope my other club, London Wasps, can get the job done today.

Magners League Results (Friday)

Glasgow-22   Munster-9

Connacht- 12   Ospreys-19

Cardiff-21   Edinburgh-22

Guinness Premiership (Friday)

Sale-15   Leicester Tigers-12

Live Blog Canceled

Just a quick note. The planned “Live Blog” for the Glasgow vs Munster match was canceled. I had a few emails bitching about why there was no live blog. Well, real life is the reason. I got held up at work and didn’t get home until the 38th minute of the first half.

I apologize. It couldn’t be helped.

Guess the good news is, today was my last day as I’m now officially unemployed. Not good news for my bank account but good news for this blog cause now I will have more time to post shit and my guess is, it will be awhile before I find another job.

So again…my bad. Next Live Blog won’t get jacked up, I promise.

Magners & Guinness Fixtures This Weekend

We’ve already posted this weekend’s U.S. TV Schedule and now as promised earlier this week, the full fixture list, including a Guinness Premiership double header at Twickenham. By the way, speaking of the above “U.S. TV Schedule”, please keep in mind that if your team is not featured on Setanta this weekend, there are other ways to watch (hint, rhymes with  “Bustin TP”).

Magners League

Friday September 4th

Connacht vs Ospreys

Cardiff Blues vs Edinburg

Glasgow vs Munster (Come On Munster!)

Saturday September 5th

Scarlets vs Leinster

Sunday September 6th

Dragons vs Ulster

Guinness Premiership

Friday September 4th

Sale vs Leicester Tigers

Saturday September 5th (Both Matches At Twickenham)

Saracens vs London Irish

London Wasps vs Harlequins (not televised in the States. Man I hope I can find a stream online. COME ON WASPS. More on them later.)

Sunday September 6th

Northampton vs Worcester

Leeds vs Newcastle

Gloucester vs Bath

USA Rugby: WPL Kicks Off This Weekend

USA Rugby Press Release

BOULDER, Colo. – Newly introduced for the 2009 club rugby season, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is poised for its nationwide kick off on Sunday, Sept. 6. The WPL pits the top senior women’s clubs across the U.S. against each other in an elite six-match competition culminating in a National Championship in November.

“I am excited and hopeful about the kickoff of the WPL season.  From a National Teams perspective I look forward to our players having the type of consistent challenge on a weekly basis that will further their development in this year before the 2010 World Cup,” Women’s National Team Head Coach Kathy Flores said. “When the WNT tours we see a huge growth spurt in our players’ performance due to working together but mostly from the constant competition.”

USA’s Chris Wyles To Start For Saracens

Chris Wyles will kick off his second season with Saracens as a starter.  Wyles, who plays internationally for the USA Eagles, normally plays full back but on Saturday he’ll wear the #11 out on the wing. He’s played wing before, so this is nothing new.

Wyles impressed Saracens management during his first season with the club.  He played over 900 minutes and scored 3 tries, including the fastest try of the season (26 seconds into the match). I’ve followed Chris for a few years now and have witnessed his growth. I’m so proud of him.  Saracens take on London Irish at Twickenham Saturday as part of a rugby double header, which also features London Wasps vs Harlequins (more on that one later).

USA’s Hayden Smith is also on the Saracens roster but will not suit up tomorrow.

Rugby League Coming To Spike TV

I’m not a big fan of Rugby League. I prefer the Union code and no amount of exposure will change that. However, you have to be impressed with what Spike TV has planned over the next few weeks.

Australia’s  National Rugby League playoffs is coming to Spike TV. Not Setanta Sports, not some regional sports network…Spike TV. That’s absolutely huge.

Rugby League is huge in Australia and the “Grand Final” often draws over 80,000 fans.  Spike TV will offer same day coverage of the playoffs & Grand Final starting Friday September 11th.

National Rugby League COO Graham Annesly had this to say:

Given the entire population of Australia is only 21 million people, having our playoffs aired in almost 100 million homes on Spike TV is a very exciting opportunity for our game

I’ll watch. I won’t fall in love with it, but I’ll watch. I  followed Rugby League a bit when Setanta use carry it, mainly to kill boredom. I won’t be converted,  but I’ll be interested. Perhaps this could open the door for Rugby Union to receive similar treatment prior or during the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup.  Spike TV reaches over 98 million homes in the United States. How’s that for exposure?

NRL Playoffs On Spike TV

Friday September 11th- 11 pm Eastern

Friday September 18th- 11 pm Eastern

Friday September 25th- 11 pm Eastern

NRL Grand Final

Saturday October 2nd- 11 am Eastern

English & Celtic Rugby Returns To Setanta

Early September is my favorite time of year. The Barclays Premier League’s early season is heating up, NCAA & NFL football kicks off  & of course, the return of the Magners League & Guinness Premiership. Since this is RUGGERBLOG.com, guess what we’re going to focus on right now?

Tomorrow I will post the complete opening weekend fixtures for both leagues, but today we’ll focus on the TV listings on Setanta Sports.  It begins with Munster as they travel to Glasgow on Friday with hopes of defending their Magners League title this season. It will end on Sunday with two live Guinness Premiership battles. Throw in some Currie Cup, Air New Zealand Cup & another Tri-Nations battle between Australia & South Africa…you have the makings of a great rugby weekend.

I’m gonna hook you up with the TV listings through Labor Day as there will be some delayed coverage on the holiday.

TV Schedule: September 4th-7h (Times Listed As Eastern U.S.)

Friday

2:30 pm: Glasgow vs Munster (Magners League)- Live

5:30 pm: Cardiff vs Edinburgh (Magners League)- Delayed

Saturday

1:25 am: Bay of Plenty vs Canterbury (Air New Zealand)-Live

3:30 am: Waikato vs Hawkes Bay (Air New Zealand)- Live

5:55 am: Australia vs South Africa (Tri-Nations)- Live

8:55 am: Cheetahs vs Lions (Currie Cup)- Live

11:00 am: Western Province vs Blue Bulls (Currie Cup)- Live

11:00 pm: Scarlets vs Leinster (Magners League)- Delayed

Sunday

8:10 am: Northampton vs Worcester (Guinness Prem)- Live

10:25 am: Gloucester vs Bath (Guinness Prem)- Live

Monday (Labor Day)

2:45 pm: Dragons vs Ulster (Magners League)- Delayed

Blood Gate: ERC Puts The Blame On Richards

Today the ERC heaped all the “Blood Gate” blame on former Harlequins Director of Rugby, Dean Richards. Bad Deano, bad..bad..bad…boy. Nice of the ERC to come out with something most people with half a brain already knew.

Richards encouraged winger Tom Williams to pop blood capsule into his mouth and fake an injury so Quins could use a “blood replacement” in their Heineken Cup Quarterfinal match versus Leinster last season.  The scheme was busted thanks to a Sky Sports camera which caught Williams reaching into his sock and popping the capsule.

The ERC Appeals Committee put out the following statement earlier today:

Mr Richards was the directing mind and had central control over everything that happened in relation to the fabrication of the blood injury on the pitch, and the cover-up in the days after the match. The only aspect of the matter in which the appeal committee determined he did not have direct involvement was the alleged cutting of Mr Williams’ lip by Dr (Wendy) Chapman. It was Mr Richards who had instigated and directed arrangements which enabled the fabrication of blood injuries as and when that was convenient and would assist the club during matches.

Richards has received a 3 year ban from the ERC for his involvement, but it may as well be longer as I doubt he’ll find a job with a major club any time soon.

As I’ve stated before, I hope we get all this Blood Gate bullshit out of the way prior to the start of the season. I seriously doubt that will happen but I can assure you, unless there’s another major development, I’m fucking done reporting on it. Let’s just play rugby.