Flutey targets England recall

Riki Flutey has targeted a return to the England side after making his first start since October during Wasps’ 33-16 victory over Newcastle last weekend. Flutey has endured a tough year with injury, missing most of last season with a shoulder injury after moving to France with Brive.

Those often placing a rugby bet note that his disappointing spell away from England prompted a return to Wasps only for his injuries to continue to plague him. A torn calf followed before a severe case...

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Ireland hit by Flannery blow

2009 Grand Slam winners Ireland have been dealt a blow ahead of next month's tournament, with hooker Jerry Flannery likely to miss the opening two matches. The Munster man has struggled throughout the beginning of the season with a right calf problem, only to tear his left calf in his first appearance since October.

The injury occurred in Munster's Magners League win over Ulster last weekend after the 32-year-old came off the bench at half-time. A scan confirmed the worst and Flannery...

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RFU look to future with latest reforms

After a four-month long review of English rugby new RFU chief John Steele has pledged to undertake “significant changes” to the structure of the body.

Those looking at the Livescores note that the main focus seems to be at management level, meaning England coach Martin Johnson would be largely unaffected Rob Andrew’s role as elite rugby director looks set to be “redefined.”

Former Northampton player and coach Steele succeeded Francis Baron in June. Baron spent 12 years...

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Injury forces Dafydd Jones to retire

Dafydd Jones, the Welsh international back row, has been forced to retire because of a shoulder injury. The 31 year old has struggled to overcome the injury he sustained in Wales’ defeat to New Zealand over a year ago.

Jones was forced into a decision after Christmas when a medical consultation suggested the two surgical procedures he had undergone did not repair the nerve damage he sustained sufficiently.

A product of the Aberaeron youth system, Jones made his debut...

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Are Jonny’s England days numbered?

The RFU’s tough stance on foreign based England players after next year’s World Cup is to be sorely tested after Jonny Wilkinson decided to pen a new deal at French side Toulon.

England rugby’s governing body were insistent that they wanted all England players to be based domestically after the 2011 tournament in New Zealand in order to maximise preparations ahead of the 2015 tournament which is to be held on home soil.

But their apparent tough stance was shown to have...

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