Welwyn RFC are proud to be a Saracens Partner Club.

Club Update 03/03/06

NEXT HOME GAME…

Saracens vs Worcester Warriors

Sunday 26th March -Kick Off 15:00

‘The Alternative Mothering Sunday’

HEADLINES…

Diprose to start for Saracens XV...

Saracens have announced the first Saracens XV player that has agreed to accept an invitation from Richard Hill to play against the World XV at Vicarage Road Stadium on Sunday 21st May 2006.

Saracens legend Tony Diprose, who has been plying his trade with rivals Harlequins since leaving the club, will make his first appearance in a Saracens jersey for over 5 years when he runs onto the pitch in May, something that is sure to whet the appetite of Saracens fans everywhere.

“I’m obviously looking forward to the game,” explained Tony, “and it’s part of Hilly’s big year and since he’s been supportive of my career over the years it’s a chance for me to give a little back.”

Tony last pulled on a Saracens jersey at Vicarage Road in his final premiership game for the club back in April of 2001 against Newcastle. Before moving to Harlequins Tony made a record number of consecutive premiership appearances while at Saracens and was of course captain of the Tetley’s Bitter Cup winning side in 1998.

“It will be a little strange running out at Vicarage Road again in a Saracens shirt but I played a lot of games at the ground for the club with many happy memories, and a few bad ones. My time at the club was fantastic
and putting on the shirt again will be very memorable.

“I’ve obviously played at the ground for Harlequins since leaving and that’s been fun although I’ve never managed to win there, just a draw.

“It’s going to be a great day and hopefully we’ll be able to get a good crowd in for Hilly.”

Diprose will line up against World XV players Justin Marshall, Matt Burke and Carlos Spencer and more members of the Saracens XV are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Tickets for the game are on sale now and can be bought online via www.saracens.com

PLAYER NEWS…

Ford admits - We're in a dogfight...

Saracens were beaten 19-13 by Bristol at Vicarage Road on Sunday to now leave the Men In Black four points clear of bottom-placed Leeds Tykes.

A second half try from Ben T Russell meant Saracens picked up a bonus point from the defeat, but speaking after the game Head Coach Mike Ford knew this was a game the side should have won.

He said: “We’ve now got six games to go. We’re four points in front of Leeds and most of the teams around us have won this weekend. So if we weren’t clear about our situation before the game, we now know that we are in a dogfight.

“The disappointing thing was that we didn’t seem to realise until half time that we were in a relegation battle. All week we’ve been preparing for the fact that Bristol have been fighting for their lives all season and have been in this mode since September. We haven’t and it wasn’t until the break that we seemed to have a reality check.

“The players showed more desire after the break and rolled their sleeves up – especially in the lineout and the scrum. And going into the final 10 minutes, I thought if any team was going to score it would be us, but we left too much to be done from the first half.

“The young players are probably those we will have to look to more now. Adam Powell did very well when he came on and both Tom Ryder and Steffon Armitage in recent weeks have shown they have a lot of hunger. Since our performance last week at Northampton, we’ve made a step forward but we should be winning games like that at home. So from that point of view, we are bitterly disappointed

“Training this week has left nobody with any excuses. No-one in the squad can come back and blame anything. All week, the philosophy has been that we are in a dogfight and to play as a team. The first four penalties we gave away were by senior players which is inexcusable. Everyone has to be accountable. Unless people put their hands up then we can’t move forward and that’s the reaction we need on Monday.”

Castaignede delivers for France...

Saracens' Thomas Castaignede helped France to victory over Italy in Paris as the home side ran out 37-12 winners.

They didn't have it all their own way as the visitors led for most of the first period but crucially it was Castaignede inspired try that turned the tide after the full back went on a searing run to set up Nyanga for France's second try and from then on they never looked back.

Thomas' performance is sure to put him in contention to face England when the sides meet in the next round of games.

Three named in Sevens squad…

Three Saracens players have been named in the England Sevens squad for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne next month.

Richard Haughton, Ben T Russell and David Seymour have all been named in the 15-man squad for the games and they leave for Australia on Sunday.

The 15 players will be reduced to the 12-man playing squad prior to the tournament, which begins in Melbourne on Thursday 16th March.

England Sevens Mike Friday said of the Saracens trio: "Richard is a proven finisher and a great addition to any squad. Although he hasn't been involved with the England Sevens team to date this season, he has worked very hard away from the squad to ensure he is able to take the opportunity offered to him."

"I was very impressed with Dave in Wellington and Los Angeles. He has a great work rate both on and off the ball and is a very capable passer and Ben has really developed well this season. He has given some powerful performances with the England Sevens team which he has successfully transferred into his premiership game with Saracens."

COMMUNITY NEWS…

Saracens Foundation- Tag Festivals under starters orders…

In recent weeks the Saracens Foundation in partnership with the RFU have been delivering Tag Rugby INSET in response to over 260 teachers requesting training. Everyone has had the opportunity to attend an INSET which have been delivered throughout Hertfordshire.

Since the INSET has been delivered teachers have been leading Tag Rugby sessions to their year 4 and 5 pupils and soon they will have their chance to demonstrate their new skills in a competitive environment. Next week we will see the start of numerous Saracens TAG Rugby Festivals throughout the county. With over 150 Schools expected to attend the festivals next week kicks of the TAG fun with festivals being held at Letchworth RFC (North Herts) and Durrants RFC (Three Rivers). For details and results from all our TAG Festivals keep an eye out the website.

If you have any queries regarding the TAG Festivals please call 01923 204 602 or email richardgregg@saracens.net

Player Visit Update

In recent weeks clubs such as Harrow, Royston, Bletchley and Watford have all received player visits.

Don Barrell paid Harrow a visit and helped their U13-15’s with some coaching and hopefully this will help with their game this weekend.

Dave Symour was at Bletchley for their Festival and helped with the prize giving, meanwhile on the same day Ben Broster and Dan Harris were out and about at Watford RFC coaching the seniors as they looked to finish their season with further wins.

March is once again a busy month for our players. With big games coming up against Sale and Worcester the players will still find time to visit our partner clubs. With players such as Simon Raiwalui, Alan Dickens, Kevin Yates, Kris Chesney, Taine Randell and Adam Powell all out and about, more clubs can look forward to further developing their rugby.

If you wish for further details regarding your clubs player visits please email davehesketh@saracens.net

Don’t forget your toothbrush…

Whilst many of us in England will enjoy a happy mother’s day, things are often very different out in Romania.  Statistics from UNICEF released at the beginning of this year show that 4000 newborns are abandoned every year in maternity wards while 5000 are abandoned in paediatric hospitals in Romania.

Romania Relief is a Romanian charity set up by 19 year old Sarah Wade. Wade originally went out to Romania for 6 weeks, however 4 years later she could not leave without doing something about the appalling conditions.

This Mothers day, Saracens are trying to help bring a little happiness to thousands of forgotten orphaned children and babies. Hannah Pirnie one of our Foundation staff is due to go out later in the year, to help set up an outdoor play ground for some of the orphans that Wade works with.

These children have nothing, not even milk formula. Many are tied to their beds because overworked doctors and nurses don’t have the time to spend with the young children.

You can help by bringing along baby products to the Worcester game.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Baby Lotion

Plasters

Disposable Nappies

Vitamins for children

Cough medicine/ Calpol

Baby Wipes

Cotton Wool

Baby Soap

Shampoo

Bottles

Baby Cups

Dummies

New Baby grows

Children’s pyjamas

Cot Mobiles

 

For more information please contact Hannah Pirnie: hannahpirnie@saracens.net

Any comments, additions, errors or omissions send an email here.