This is a map of various news stories from the Preston and surrounding area.
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Wednesday 27 February 2008
Friday 22 February 2008
Could defeat for England cost Ashton his job?
The eve of another crucial match for England, and yet again the debate over Brian Ashton's position rumbles on.
After taking a beleaguered England team to the brink of World Cup glory, Ashton has seen his side collapse in both their opening Six Nations matches, and were fortunate to escape from Rome with a victory.
This has led to the latest round of media specualtion regarding Ashton's future, and in particular, whether he should be relieved of his duties this weekend should England stutter in Paris.
What should also be taken into consideration is whether England have just not been playing to their full potential in recent weeks. We are all aware of just how far this England team can go when they put their minds to it, and Phil Vickery has today called for England to show some responsibility if they are to improve.
One thing is for certain, England will have a tough job over-hauling a French side who have not lost to England at the Stade de France in the Six Nations for eight years. Indeed France have enjoyed something of a renaissance of their own since losing to England in last year's World Cup Semi-final.
A victory for England may buy Ashton a few more weeks, but the question to be asked is whether it would simply just prolong the inevitable?
After taking a beleaguered England team to the brink of World Cup glory, Ashton has seen his side collapse in both their opening Six Nations matches, and were fortunate to escape from Rome with a victory.
This has led to the latest round of media specualtion regarding Ashton's future, and in particular, whether he should be relieved of his duties this weekend should England stutter in Paris.
What should also be taken into consideration is whether England have just not been playing to their full potential in recent weeks. We are all aware of just how far this England team can go when they put their minds to it, and Phil Vickery has today called for England to show some responsibility if they are to improve.
One thing is for certain, England will have a tough job over-hauling a French side who have not lost to England at the Stade de France in the Six Nations for eight years. Indeed France have enjoyed something of a renaissance of their own since losing to England in last year's World Cup Semi-final.
A victory for England may buy Ashton a few more weeks, but the question to be asked is whether it would simply just prolong the inevitable?
Wednesday 13 February 2008
Can Wales win the Six Nations?
Well a lot of people think they can.
These are sportsmen who for too long have lived in the shadows of their British and French neighbours, but now this rejuventated side has achieved back-to-back Six Nations victories and produced some scintilating rugby along the way. Those who felt the victory over England was a flash-in-the-pan were treated to a display of talent and belief against the Scots which proved that this year Wales are a force to be reckoned with.
Any coach who is willing to shuffle six members of his pack must be very confident in his squad's abilities. Indeed Warren Gatland has gone as far as comparing his side to the famous All Blacks. Some feel that Gatland is simply experimenting against the Italians. However, the Welsh coach hit back in today's (13/02/08) Independent with: "I don't think when you see the likes of Gethin, Dwayne, Stephen and Mark (Jones) coming in you can say we're experimenting."
Forget the images of a Welsh side that had quietly slipped into mediocrity, with Warren Gatland at the helm it appears that Welsh Rugby is ready to rise again.
These are sportsmen who for too long have lived in the shadows of their British and French neighbours, but now this rejuventated side has achieved back-to-back Six Nations victories and produced some scintilating rugby along the way. Those who felt the victory over England was a flash-in-the-pan were treated to a display of talent and belief against the Scots which proved that this year Wales are a force to be reckoned with.
Any coach who is willing to shuffle six members of his pack must be very confident in his squad's abilities. Indeed Warren Gatland has gone as far as comparing his side to the famous All Blacks. Some feel that Gatland is simply experimenting against the Italians. However, the Welsh coach hit back in today's (13/02/08) Independent with: "I don't think when you see the likes of Gethin, Dwayne, Stephen and Mark (Jones) coming in you can say we're experimenting."
Forget the images of a Welsh side that had quietly slipped into mediocrity, with Warren Gatland at the helm it appears that Welsh Rugby is ready to rise again.
Monday 11 February 2008
Nike win England kit deal
Nike have once again beaten German rivals Adidas to sponsor and supply England Rugby Union shirts in a four-and-a-half year deal.
Other companies including the Manchester based KooGa had also been hopeful of securing the lucrative contract. Nike, however, continue to dominate the sports manufacuring market after recently buying the England Football team shirts suppliers Umbro for £285,000,000.
Other companies including the Manchester based KooGa had also been hopeful of securing the lucrative contract. Nike, however, continue to dominate the sports manufacuring market after recently buying the England Football team shirts suppliers Umbro for £285,000,000.
Wednesday 6 February 2008
Can England recover from home humiliation?
England's wounded soldiers head to Italy this weekend hoping to put Saturday's nightmare start to the Six Nations behind them.
Ashton has made a number of enforced changes to his pack, including bringing in Michael Lipman to start at open-side flanker in place of Lewis Moody, with Tim Payne also being brought into the match-day 22 due to an injury to the influential Andrew Sheridan. Despite suffering significant criticism for his performance against Wales, Jonny Wilkinson will keep his place at fly-half ahead of the young Danny Cipriani.
After the over-achievements in last year's World Cup, English fans' expectations of hammering our Welsh neighbours were sent crashing back to earth after enduring a dismal second half collapse at Twickenham.
Heart and desire were sadly two of the qualities that deserted England during a disappointing second half of madness. A far cry from England's heroic World Cup victory against Australia, the English lions were made to look like lambs.
New Wales Coach Warren Gatland deserves a great deal of credit for his team's monumental triumph in the face of adversity. With England leading 19-6, only the most optimistic of Welsh travelling support would have predicted anything other than a crushing English victory. However, Wales displayed the courage to fight back and record their first victory at Twickenham for 20 years.
England Coach Brian Ashton will be afforded one loss during this Six Nations Tournament, but anything other than any emphatic English victory on Sunday will surely lead to his position becoming increasingly untennable.
Ashton has made a number of enforced changes to his pack, including bringing in Michael Lipman to start at open-side flanker in place of Lewis Moody, with Tim Payne also being brought into the match-day 22 due to an injury to the influential Andrew Sheridan. Despite suffering significant criticism for his performance against Wales, Jonny Wilkinson will keep his place at fly-half ahead of the young Danny Cipriani.
After the over-achievements in last year's World Cup, English fans' expectations of hammering our Welsh neighbours were sent crashing back to earth after enduring a dismal second half collapse at Twickenham.
Heart and desire were sadly two of the qualities that deserted England during a disappointing second half of madness. A far cry from England's heroic World Cup victory against Australia, the English lions were made to look like lambs.
New Wales Coach Warren Gatland deserves a great deal of credit for his team's monumental triumph in the face of adversity. With England leading 19-6, only the most optimistic of Welsh travelling support would have predicted anything other than a crushing English victory. However, Wales displayed the courage to fight back and record their first victory at Twickenham for 20 years.
England Coach Brian Ashton will be afforded one loss during this Six Nations Tournament, but anything other than any emphatic English victory on Sunday will surely lead to his position becoming increasingly untennable.
Starting Off
Hello, I'm Paul from Kettering in Northamptonshire.
This is my first official blog, and from here on I will be blogging about all things Rugby. This will include everything from the Six Nations Tournament to the Guinness Premiership. All comments on my posts are welcome!
next post coming soon!
This is my first official blog, and from here on I will be blogging about all things Rugby. This will include everything from the Six Nations Tournament to the Guinness Premiership. All comments on my posts are welcome!
next post coming soon!
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