Rebels (Melbourne) to play Leinster etc.

peterako

Apologies if this has been posted already:

Flying start on Rebels' agenda - Hearald Sun

"DANNY Cipriani and captain Stirling Mortlock will headline a near full-strength Melbourne Rebels squad leaving next weekend for a three-match tour of England.

New Rebels coach Damien Hill is set to take a squad of 30 including Cooper Vuna, Jarrod Saffy, Ged Robinson and as many as nine new faces, with a couple of backline spots yet to be determined.

Cipriani will return home after an up-and-down first season with Melbourne, while it will be the final outings in professional rugby for retiring prop Greg Somerville and halfback Sam Cordingley.

While many senior members of the squad will travel, Hill said playing three games in seven days meant many of the younger players and those under-used during the Super Rugby season would play most.

"It's definitely a development tour. We're using it to view performances of new players for this year and following years," Hill said yesterday.

"It's the first time the club has toured together overseas, and against very good competition.

"We've got to be very conscious of the time between games and our focus is those developing players and guys who didn't get much time for us, like Jimmy Hilgendorf and Richard Kingi will get some more time.

"And it's a chance for me to have my first games as head coach. There will be a few differences, but we're heading in the same direction as the previous coaching panel.

"We can't get preoccupied with winning.

"This is a very competitive team but there are new things we are trying in terms of our structures and nine new faces, which is nearly a third of the squad, so we need to make sure we improve on those things first then results will take care of themselves."

There could also be at least three Victorians in the touring party, including halfback Dave Hardisty who has come through the Rebels Rising program this year.

The group, to be finalised on Monday, will fly out on Saturday week for the matches against Bath, Worcester and Leinster."

Peter

mikedragon32

Three match tour of England.

Yes. We're English now. Hurrah! It seems Aussie journalism has become as bad as Irish. I mean English. Eh...

What's the odds Cipriani will have another moan about the playing surface?

RMD

Christ almighty, the thought of the Herald and the Sun joining to form 1 newspaper scares the shít out of me.

On a more Leinster related note I'm looking forward to this, Donnybrook I assume?

peterako

Yep, I think Donnybrook was mentioned in the page that refered the article.

Should be interesting

justsomebloke

ye Donnybrook on the 19th of August 7pm KO.

I'll be having my 'non-stag' stag (don't ask) at this so may be slightly drunk come the end

Dave_The_Sheep

Joe the Santa wrote: »

ye Donnybrook on the 19th of August 7pm KO.

I'll be having my 'non-stag' stag (don't ask) at this so may be slightly drunk come the end

Does the season ticket cover this one, does anyone know?

justsomebloke

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Does the season ticket cover this one, does anyone know?

nope afraid not, but tickets are €10 each for the terrace or season ticket hoders can get 4 for 3 so €7.50 each or €8.50 with booking fee

Dave_The_Sheep

Joe the Santa wrote: »

nope afraid not, but tickets are €10 each for the terrace or season ticket hoders can get 4 for 3 so €7.50 each or €8.50 with booking fee

Ta. Can't really go wrong with those prices.

Theta

I take it its not televised?