Having split their squad in preparation for their June Test matches and the upcoming Rugby Championship, Argentina are without several leading stars including Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, Juan Imhoff, Juan Martín Hernández and Patricio Albacete.

In total, 21 of Argentina’s leading players have been rested from facing England and Georgia. It is a testament to their growing depth that despite the number of absentees, the side put out in Salta is a very competitive one.

Centered around the experience of the illustrious Felipe Contepomi – who will retire from the game following this month’s Tests – there are exciting young talents such Manuel Montero and Mártin Landajo.

The pack however is well-worn and full of experience. Pablo Henn and Maximiliano Bustos are problematic to contain, while Julio Farias Cabello was one of the stars of last year’s Rugby Championship before joining London Welsh in the Aviva Premiership.

Add in the expertise of Gonzalo Tiesi, Benjamin Urdapilleta and Tomas Leonardi – Argentina have a strong core from which to work around and control the tempo of the match if England struggle to maintain possession.

Tom Wood captains an England squad for this tour featuring a mix of youth and experience, with several players missing due to their participation in the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia.

Click Here – Images of the Argentina team training ahead of the test matches against England.

The Wales hooker, Capped over 20 times for his country, has enjoyed an outstanding campaign and has been deservedly rewarded with a place in the Lions squad to face the Wallabies. ‘Hibbz’ will make his Lions bow in the first tour game against the Barbarians on Saturday 1st June.

Follow Richard Hibbard on Twitter: @RichardHibbard2

British and Irish Lions Team to face the Barbarians: 15-Stuart Hogg (Scotland), 14-Alex Cuthbert (Wales) 13-Jonathan Davies (Wales), 12-Jamie Roberts (Wales), 11-Sean Maitland (Scotland), 10-Owen Farrell (England), 9-Mike Phillips (Wales), 8-Toby Faletau (Wales), 7-Justin Tipuric (Wales), 6-Dan Lydiate (Wales), 5-Paul O’Connell (Ireland, captain), 4-Richie Gray (Scotland), 3-Adam Jones (Wales), 2-Richard Hibbard (Wales), 1-Mako Vunipola (England).

Replacements: 16-Tom Youngs (England), 17-Cian Healy (Ireland), 18-Matt Stevens (England), 19-Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales), 20-Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), 21-Conor Murray (Ireland), 22-Jonny Sexton (Ireland), 23-George North (Wales).

Barbarians team to face the Lions:
15-Jared Payne (Ulster), 14-Joe Rokocoko (Bayonne and New Zealand), 13-Elliot Daly (London Wasps), 12-Casey Laulala (Munster and New Zealand), 11-Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz and U.S.), 10-Nick Evans (Harlequins and New Zealand), 9-Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz and France), *8-Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais and Italy), 7-Sam Jones (London Wasps), 6-Samu Manoa (Northampton and U.S.), 5-Dean Mumm (Exeter Chiefs and Australia), 4-Marco Wentzel (London Wasps and South Africa), 3-Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester and Italy), 2-Schalk Brits (Saracens and South Africa), 1-Paul James (Bath and Wales).

Replacements: Duncan Jones (Ospreys and Wales), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso and Italy), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester and Scotland), Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz and France), Andrea Lo Cicero (Racing Metro and Italy), Kahn Fotuali’i (Ospreys and Samoa), James Hook (Perpignan and Wales), Mike Tindall (Gloucester and England).

Gilbert will continue exclusively supplying match balls for all USA Rugby events, including International home tests and National Championship Series matches. They will also continue exclusively supplying training equipment such as tackle bags and hit shields to all USA National teams. It further strengthens Gilbert’s links in the US, with USA Eagles ‘Captain America’ Todd Clever already a key Ambassador for the Brand.

In addition to their support of the USA Rugby National Teams and National Championship Series events, Gilbert continues to be the Official Ball Supplier to all USA Rugby Collegiate competitions, including an expanded commitment to Women’s Collegiate Rugby specifically. Additionally, Gilbert is now the Official Supplier to the new Elite Cup competition in spring, which has taken the place of the men’s Super League competition.

“We are thrilled to continue on with such an advanced and world-renowned rugby ball and equipment supplier. Gilbert is a fantastic fan of USA Rugby and they are excited to help grow the American game alongside USA Rugby,” said Nigel Melville, President and CEO of USA Rugby.

Richard Gray, Sales and Marketing Director Of Gilbert Rugby remarked that “Gilbert has been proud to support the growth of rugby in America since its very beginning. This new, revitalized long-term partnership with USA Rugby for the exclusive supply of balls and rugby equipment is an indication of how much we have valued the relationship to date and of our expectation for the future growth of the game in the USA. Not only will we be supporting the USA Eagles National team by supplying the most technically advanced products available, but we will also continue to support rugby in America at all competitions and all levels through to Rookie Rugby.”

About USA Rugby

Established in 1975, USA Rugby is the governing body for the sport of rugby in America and a Full Sport Member of the United States Olympic Committee. Currently headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, USA Rugby is charged with developing the game on all levels and has over 115,000 active members. USA Rugby oversees four national teams, multiple collegiate and high school All-American sides, and an emerging Olympic development pathway for elite athletes. It also hosts over 30 national playoff and championship events every year as a service to its members. In October 2009, the International Olympic Committee announced that Rugby Sevens (the seven-a-side version of the game) will appear in the 2016 Olympic Games to be held in Rio de Janeiro. Visit www.usarugby.org for more information.

About Gilbert Rugby
In 1823, in the town of Rugby, England, a Gilbert ball was used in a game that came to be known as Rugby Football. 190 years later, Gilbert are still producing the rugby ball and training equipment of choice for rugby players. We are the Official suppliers of Rugby balls to RWC 7’s 2013, RWC 2015, IRB 7’s series and just about every country and major tournament the world over.

Visit www.gilbertrugby.com for further information or contact Andrew Challis, Gilbert Brand Manager Worldwide +44 (0)1580 880357, andrew@gilbertrugby.com

Warwick overturned the form book in toppling previously unbeaten Bromsgrove 17-16 in another tense and hard-fought semi-final clash at Broadstreet.

Some seven months ago, Warwick lost 59-5 in a regular season game, but they have developed rapidly since then to now end Bromsgrove’s 18-match unbeaten run.

Warwick used the wet and windy conditions far better to run out winners by three tries to two. Victory also made up for a narrow loss last weekend in the under-18 Cup semi-finals when losing 13-10 to Northampton School for Boys.

The Full list of Semi-Final Results are:

Under-18 Cup: Dulwich 11 Hampton 5 Warwick 10 Northampton School for Boys 13

Under-18 Vase:Felsted 31 St Ambrose 27 Plymouth 5 Yarm 8

Under-15 Cup: Warwick 17 Bromsgrove 16 QEGS Wakefield 7 Bishop Heber 5

Under-15 Vase: Felsted 17 Emanuel 12 Royal Latin 8 Kirkham GS 5

TWICKENHAM FINALS DAY TIMETABLE

Saturday, March 23:

U15 Vase: Felsted v Royal Latin (11am)

U15 Cup: Warwick v QEGS Wakefield (12.30pm)

U18 Vase: Felsted v Yarm (2pm)

U18 Cup: Dulwich v Northampton School for Boys (3.40pm)

All matches to be streamed live on www.dailymailsport.co.uk

Gilbert’s Sales and Marketing Director, Richard Gray said it was an honour for Gilbert to have been appointed by ARU to provide the Official Match Ball of The British & Irish Lions Tour to Australia.

“We were very happy to work with ARU to create a unique new design that we hope will become synonymous with some great matches this June and July”, Mr Gray said.

Gilbert Australia Brand Manager, Jon Clarke said the new ball is a powerful addition to Gilbert’s established range of high performance balls used around the globe at the elite level.

“With the extensive media coverage the Tour will generate, we are confident that the new design will also be a hit with fans from both teams, Mr Clarke said.

“Gilbert Replica and Supporter balls celebrating the Qantas Wallabies season will be widely available in leading stockists throughout Australia.”

Watch Jon Clarke and Gilbert Brand Ambassador and Qantas Wallabies flanker, Liam Gill, launch the new ball here.

“We are thrilled to have Hugh on board as a brand ambassador for GILBERT. Hugh has proven himself to be a dynamic and uncompromising player on the field for the Rebels over the past two seasons and we look forward to seeing Hugh’s career progress in what will be a huge year for rugby.” said Jon Clarke, GILBERT Brand Manager.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to work with a brand such as GILBERT which is synonymous with Rugby around the world.” said Hugh.

Hugh joins current GILBERT ambassadors Berrick Barnes, Liam Gill, Pek Cowan, Nathan Charles, Thierry Dusautoir, Todd Clever and Tom Palmer.

Hugh Pyle
DOB: 21/09/1988
Country: Australia
Height: 201cm
Weight: 117kg
Position: Lock
Super Rugby Caps: 28

For further information please contact Jon Clarke, GILBERT Brand Manager jonclarke@gnsports.com

“We are thrilled to be partnering with GILBERT. This agreement will ensure that players of all ages across the Hawkes Bay region will be fortunate enough to play their rugby with GILBERT balls” said HBRU CEO, Mike Bishop.

Jon Clarke, GILBERT Brand Manager, responded by saying. “We are looking forward to working with the Hawkes Bay Rugby Union across all levels of rugby in the region to ensure the players are using GILBERT balls which are globally recognised as the best quality rugby ball available”.

This partnership, in conjunction with GILBERT’s agreements with Rugby World Cup 2015, Super Rugby, Auckland Rugby Union, Canterbury Rugby Union and the Waikato Rugby Union further confirms GILBERT’s position as the brand of choice in the world of Rugby Union.

For further information please contact Jon Clarke, GILBERT Brand Manager
jonclarke@gnsports.com

Thierry is part of the current France 2013 RBS 6 Nations squad and will Captain the side against Wales in the 2nd Round fixture on Saturday.

“We are naturally delighted that Thierry has chosen to extend his relationship with Gilbert. Having tested our body armour and head guards to the full over the past few years it speaks volumes for our product that a player such as Thierry had no hesitation in continuing to wear them – we wish Thierry, Toulouse and France well for the rest of the season” said Andrew Challis, Gilbert Brand Manager Worldwide.

Of the new deal, Thierry said, “I am delighted to have signed a new deal with Gilbert Rugby to wear Gilbert Body Armour and Headguards. This new deal coincides with my return to fitness for Toulouse and France. After a week of intense training, we will play our second match against the Welsh at the Stade de France on Saturday. This match also marks my return to as Captain of the France team. I thank you for your support during my injury and for giving me the energy to return to Team France. Now, the most important thing for me and the hardest thing is to remain fit and stay in the French squad.”

Thierry endorses the Virtuo 12 Body Armour and Virtuo Headguard and joins current Gilbert ambassadors Berrick Barnes, Richard hibbard, Aaron Shingler, Tom Palmer, Todd Clever and Liam Gill.

Thierry Dusautoir
DOB: 18/11/1981
Country: Côte d’Ivoire (Represents France)
Height: 188cm
Weight: 100kg
Position: Flanker
France Caps: 55

For further information please contact Andrew Challis, Gilbert Brand Manager Worldwide Andrew@gilbertrugby.com

The new agreement will see Gilbert become the official and exclusive ball and equipment supplier across all representative levels of RugbyWA for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

“Gilbert is synonymous with rugby and widely recognised as the number one football brand in the code,” he said.

“We’ve set high standards as a team and one element essential to attaining those standards is ensuring we create the right type of training environment. We see Gilbert equipment as an integral part of any high performance program.”

“We’re pleased that all representative players throughout Western Australia will have access to Gilbert balls and equipment throughout the year which are important tools in their development as rugby players.”

Gilbert Brand Manager Jon Clarke said Gilbert is looking forward to being a part of the next chapter for the Emirates Western Force.

“We’re delighted to extend our partnership with RugbyWA and the Emirates Western Force,” he said. “With a new coaching staff and playing group in 2013, we’re confident that the Emirates Western Force is entering a strong period for the club and to be associated with that is really exciting.

“The fact that RugbyWA has chosen Gilbert as their exclusive equipment supplier is a testament to the performance of this new range of products, including tackle bags, hit shields and post pads.

“We can’t wait to see the Force training with Gilbert equipment this season and we’re looking forward to it playing a part in their success in 2013 and beyond.”

Gilbert’s partnerships with Rugby World Cup 2015, the Australian Rugby Union and SANZAR confirms Gilbert’s position as the brand of choice in the world of rugby union.

Attached Images: Emirates Western Force players and Gilbert ambassadors, Pek Cowan and Nathan Charles testing out the new range of Gilbert Tackle Equipment.

]]> http://www.gilbertrugbyblog.com/force-kicks-off-new-deal-with-gilbert/feed/ 0