Rugby Here and There | Sep 4, 2007

Jonny Wilkson to Miss US Game (American Rugby News)

England head coach Brian Ashton today announced the team that will play USA in their Rugby World Cup 2007 opener at Stade Felix-Bollaert, Lens on Saturday September 8. The English will be without their star flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson.

Said Ashton, “We’ve picked a XV that we think will do a job against the USA.

“Jonny Wilkinson twisted his ankle in training this morning and is not available for selection. He is going for a scan this afternoon to determine the nature and the extent of the injury and until tomorrow there will be no further medical update.”

USA Eagles Arrive in France (American Rugby News)

The US Rugby World Cup squad jets out for France Saturday evening en route to a first up date with England next week to kick off their Cup campaign.

The 30-man squad has spent the past week at a training camp in Muscatine, Iowa, following their send-off match against Munster in Chicago last weekend. The camp also served as another opportunity for so-called ‘shadow’ coaches to get a close up look at how things are done at the top level.

Having shadow coaches attend Eagle camps is a trend that started in earnest during last year’s NA4 series.

Paris will be the first stop for the American squad as they continue to prepare for the England game in Lens on September 8th. The Eagle lineup is expected to be announced on Thursday, there will be a captains run on Friday, and then it’ll be gloves off as the United States tackles the reigning world champions in an evening game at Felix Bollaert.

England has blown out a little bit amongst odds makers behind a less than impressive run through their RWC warm-up games and the defending champs are at odds of 25/1 to retain their crown. The US, meanwhile, is about the same as it was last month at 5000/1, although one bookmaker has them at 999/1.

All Star 7s Women’s Results (Women Eagles.com)

8.27.07 – The National All-Star (NASC) 7’s Championships finished up yesterday with defending champs, NRU women, taking the title after going 5-0 for the weekend. They overcame last year’s runners-up Midwest in the final, 7-5. NRU’s Alison Price was named tournament MVP.

The US Women’s National 7s Team coach, Julie McCoy was on hand to observe the top talent in the US as she prepares for selections to the US 7s National Camp in January and ultimately the squad that will play in the first ever 7s World Cup in 2008.

Pictures from the most recent 7’s Foot Work Camp in Arkansas

Pictures were taken by Michelle Posey a sports photographer in Arkansas.

(womeneagles.com) 8.16.07 – The first US Footwork Camp leading into the 2008 International 7s season was held in Little Rock, Arkansas on August 11-12. The temperature reached 105 degrees, yet all the campers (and staff) persevered! Saturday morning began with fitness testing, then several hours with the US Women’s 7s Strength and Conditioning Coach Sean Ross. Saturday afternoon the campers and staff concentrated on offensive skills. Sunday morning, Lisa Rowe, former national 15s and 7s scrumhalf, with the help of Sue Parker, current Navy Women’s Head Coach, held a scrumhalf and technical passing module which was the “hit” of the camp. Sunday afternoon was spent on the defensive pattern and skill set.

Head Coach Julie McCoy said, “I was generally pleased with the speed of this camp, though the endurance was somewhat hindered by the overwhelming heat. The greater than 100 degree tempertures proved a good test of both mental toughness and focus. Overall, I can tell that the players are taking a run at the 2009 World Cup team very seriously which will make International selection to San Diego, Hong Kong and Amsterdam very difficult”.

Here are the players who were invited to this elite camp:

1. Tasha Mannino (South)
2. Annie Antar (South)
3. Lindsay Stephenson (South)
4. Melissa McKibben (West)
5. Heidi Whitman (West)
6. Teena Maestrangelo (Midwest)
7. Pam Kosanke (Midwest)
8. Jen Sinkler (Midwest)
9. Tania Carlson (Midwest)
10. Daniela Mogro (Northeast)
11. Liz Dilley (Mid Atlantic)
12. Lo Stender (Southern Calif.)

US Footwork Camp Coaching Staff:

1. Julie McCoy
2. Chris Ryan
3. Mark Santiago
4. Sue Parker (U23 Assistant Coach)
5. Nancy Fitz (MARFU Territorial Union Coach)
6. Lisa Rowe (Guest Coach for scrumhalf skills module)
7. Manager: Sadeana Green
8. Physio: Dr Rose Livingston

This US Footwork Camp is the first of 3 important camps this fall building to the National Camp in January.

Coach Julie McCoy says, “players should be on alert that there is 1.5 years to the World Cup for 7s, which means that after this cycle of camps, the US 7s Pool should be nearly complete. What does this mean? It means that the level of work for all of us (Coaches, staff and players) has increased significantly.”

Coaching Tip of the Day from U19 Women’s Rugby Blog