Reds playmaker Quade Cooper should be fit in time to start in Australia’s Tri Nations opener against South Africa despite missing training on Friday.


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England international James Haskell will bide his time over picking a new club after it was revealed he would be leaving Top 14 side Stade Francais this summer.

Haskell had been warned by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) that his England place was under threat after the governing body announced that it would cease selecting overseas-based players, and after Haskell broke into Martin Johnson’s for the 6 Nations earlier this year, the flanker appears keen to return to the English Premiership.

Now BBC Sport are reporting that the player has received offers from “every major rugby playing country” in the world, and that while Haskell was keen to remain in France despite the ultimatum placed on him by his country, he will consider furthering his career abroad once more.

No decisions have been made as yet," the source close to the player said.

"He's had expressions of interest from clubs from all over the world - Italy, Ireland, Australia - but it was only confirmed he was leaving on Tuesday, until then he was still a Stade Francais player.

"We couldn't really say it came as a shock but it was not an ongoing process James was aware of. Each week they were saying 'we want you to stay' and offering him a contract, so it was all rather confusing, all done in a very Gallic fashion.
"All the players and everyone involved with the club said what a wonderfully committed player he was and that they're all very sad to see him go. But there was the financial impact and they've had to release a lot of players."

Haskell will likely be included in Johnson’s world Cup squad announced later this year, but may find his chances to add to his 33 caps after then limited should he take up any of the overseas offers on the table.

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Danny Cipriani has paid the price of his second indiscretion since joining Rugby 15 side Melbourne Rebels after being dropped from the team to face the Reds this weekend.

The former Wasps man has demonstrated his wide array of attacking talents since moving to the southern hemisphere in an attempt stake a claim for a spot in Martin Johnson’s England squad for the World Cup later this year, but showed just why the former England captain was reluctant to include him after he was punished by his own team mates for breaking an agreement not to go on a night out following the defeat against the Waratahs last week.

Earlier this season Cipriani found himself in hot water for taking a bottle of vodka from a nightclub in Australia. Scrum half Richard Kingi will also miss this weekend’s game for accompanying Cipriani after last week’s defeat.
“We have taken this action due to a breach of team protocol. We are very protective of our standards and we are disappointed that these players have put themselves before the team," club captain Tim Davidson said after the incident.

Rebels CEO Ross Oakley added, "Both players defied a team directive to abstain from staying out late on Saturday night, given the six day break ahead of our next game. The club fully supports the decision of our Player Standards Group."

Cipriani’s agent Emanuele Palladino spoke out on his behalf, insisting that the England international regretted his actions.

“Danny deeply regrets his behaviour and is as disappointed in himself as anyone. These are not the headlines he wants to attract. He wants to draw a line under this now and get on with what he does best, which is playing rugby." He commented.
 

Gavin Henson’s fate at Toulon has yet to be decided, contrary to reports that he had been sacked by the French club earlier this week.

The Welshman has a long history of discipline problems, and found himself in hot water again last week after he was suspended for allegedly brawling with team-mates at a nightclub.

Reports had begun to circulate suggesting that the centre had been dropped by the club having played just twice since his arrival in February.  Club president Mourad Boudjellal added fuel to the fire after he described Henson as “difficult to manage”, and suggested he had hit “rock bottom” but a decision over his future is still pending, according to team manager Tom Whitford.

"We've had a meeting with Gavin and we'll take a bit of time to reflect before making any announcement," he told the BBC.

Henson joined the Top 14 side having been released from a deal with Saracens having appeared just four times for the St. Albans based outfit. The 29-year-old had previously spent 20-months out of the game because of injury and personal problems.

An announcement will be made on Friday, with Toulon expected to cut their ties with the Welsh international, although there is still the possibility to get free bets on Henson staying with the club because of the delaying of the decision.

There is however some light at the end of the tunnel for Henson after his old club the Ospreys suggested they would be interested in taking him back should he become available.

Henson, who missed out on this year’s 6 Nations tournament with a calf injury having only just made his comeback with Saracens, left his old club after revealing that the pressure on his personal life too great, and the club’s managing director Mike Cuddy insisted the door is still open for Henson to return.

I think that's the case with any club or regional side. You never say never," Cuddy told the Daily Telegraph.

"As far as Gavin is concerned, if he wants to pick up the phone and speak to me or run a few things by me, he can. He knows that. We have never lost touch. Gavin is a complex boy, but a fantastic player with a great deal to offer. It's a crying shame that things happen. I really feel for him.”

"I only hope that the latest setback has not ruined his chance of playing at the World Cup." He added.

Henson spent a 6 year spell with the club between 2003 and 2009, and could use the move as chance to prove his credentials ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand later this year.
 

The RFU have denied that there is any truth in the rumours the former England head coach Clive Woodward is set to re-join the national side as Performance Director.

Woodward took charge of the national side for seven years between 1997 and 2004, culminating in success at the 2003 World Cup in Australia. His former captain Martin Johnson is now England head coach, and would have to report directly to Woodward if he was appointed to the position.

The position was created as part of a reshuffle by the RFU with the target of streamlining their operations with an eye victory in the 2015 World Cup.

But Woodward, who is currently the British Olympic Association’s director of elite performance, will not be leaving his role ahead of the 2012 Olympics, according to BOA chairman Colin Moynihan, who described reports linking him with the post as “purely speculative”.

The RFU have now also spoken out on the position and released a statement insisting Woodward is not in line for a return to rugby.

“These (reports) are incorrect and are based on rumour and speculation, not fact." It read.

We continue to run the same open recruitment process for this role as we have for all the other senior roles at the RFU and candidates were invited to apply,"

"We are pleased to say they did so and we have a strong shortlist who will go forward to the next stage but we will not comment on any individual people who may or may not have applied for the role as it remains a confidential process.”

"We can say, as we recently confirmed, that we would expect to make an announcement by the end of May at the latest.” the statement added.

It is believed that Woodward, who has been working with the BOA since 2006, is interested in the role however and is the favourite to fill the position, but has yet to submit an application.

Former Australia coach Eddie Jones, ex-South Africa coach Jake White, current Northampton boss Jim Mallinder, Italy's Nick Mallett and USA Rugby president Nigel Melville have all been mentioned as possible candidates for the job.

Elsewhere in England World Cup News, Rob Andrew’s position as Director of Elite Rugby was made redundant as part of the changes, with the former Newcastle coach now occupying the role of Director of Rugby operations, while Steve Grainger is named development director.

Further afield, in Rugby League, Manu Vatuvei boots, known for their bright colours, will not feature in the upcoming Anzac test on May 6th after picking up a disclocated shoulder last week.

He was diagnosed with medial cruciate ligament damage in his right knee and is expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks. more...

The RFU have denied that there is any truth in the rumours the former England head coach Clive Woodward is set to re-join the national side as Performance Director.

Woodward took charge of the national side for seven years between 1997 and 2004, culminating in success at the 2003 World Cup in Australia. His former captain Martin Johnson is now England head coach, and would have to report directly to Woodward if he was appointed to the position.

The position was created as part of a reshuffle by the RFU with the target of streamlining their operations with an eye victory in the 2015 World Cup.

But Woodward, who is currently the British Olympic Association’s director of elite performance, will not be leaving his role ahead of the 2012 Olympics, according to BOA chairman Colin Moynihan, who described reports linking him with the post as “purely speculative”.

The RFU have now also spoken out on the position and released a statement insisting Woodward is not in line for a return to rugby.

“These (reports) are incorrect and are based on rumour and speculation, not fact." It read.

We continue to run the same open recruitment process for this role as we have for all the other senior roles at the RFU and candidates were invited to apply,"

"We are pleased to say they did so and we have a strong shortlist who will go forward to the next stage but we will not comment on any individual people who may or may not have applied for the role as it remains a confidential process.”

"We can say, as we recently confirmed, that we would expect to make an announcement by the end of May at the latest.” the statement added.

It is believed that Woodward, who has been working with the BOA since 2006, is interested in the role however and is the favourite to fill the position, but has yet to submit an application.

Former Australia coach Eddie Jones, ex-South Africa coach Jake White, current Northampton boss Jim Mallinder, Italy's Nick Mallett and USA Rugby president Nigel Melville have all been mentioned as possible candidates for the job.

Elsewhere in England World Cup News, Rob Andrew’s position as Director of Elite Rugby was made redundant as part of the changes, with the former Newcastle coach now occupying the role of Director of Rugby operations, while Steve Grainger is named development director. more...