Catching up with Saracens ...

With the rugby world still realing from Stades defeat in the Boxing Day Sevens we caught up with the new Saracens coach, Shaun McTague on his thoughts about all things PEWCUP:

How do you feel following the latest victory?
Well, sevens aint the League, its a fun game designed to test the backs and some of the niftier forwards, pack strength will count for most of the coming PEWCCUP games, the win is always a confidence booster, and a stinging loss (for Stade -ed) can't be much fun to take home, it was a close game 'til the end.... 3 tries and a penalty tho, cant be bad can it!!!

So, are your looking forward to the new Challenge Cup?
Indeed, who wouldn't want to step up and take the glory, I am surprised more teams aren't getting in on the action, especially when ya can get to play on an international level.... lets hope the ref's are upto it, these friendlies have been clean enough, but when push comes to shove, thats when we must keep our cool and realise that 'eye in the sky' will show the truth...

And the what do you make of allegations of team buying on the internet...?
Well, if its true then I'll take 2..... thats enough guys, let the players do the talking.

So another coach who seems content with letting his players do the talking on the pitch. It will be another week (8th Jan 2008) until the next competitive event sees these teams come together. Again it is a one day Sevens tournament organised by the North London boys ... how much can we tell from these games? We asked around our rugby pundits at Horizon Sports and the consensus of opinion seemed to be ... not a lot, pride is at stake but come the real game we all know it will be a different game altogether. However we may be able to get a glimpse at the new Sharks kit by then!

The Sharks bite back ...

Sale Sharks were the only team not to take part in the Boxing Day Sevens. Ian Dawes, the new coach was more concerned with preparing his team mentally and physically for the task ahead. We caught up with him on a cold northern morning outside the Shark's training ground. After firing most of the 'old' coaching staff he gave us this insight as to where he thought the sharks were swimming ...

Mornin' gentleman , Sale Sharks are currently in fine form, Charlie Hodgson has been deadly in front of goal, pre break away league , Luke McCallister is looking to add to his player of the month trophy ,and Chabal is in no mood for niceties after the world cup dissapointment. Added to this an all new kit deal will help us on to greater achievements than ever , watch out every one else!

When quizzed more about the new kit they will be sporting for the PEWC CUP Dawes remained tight lipped.

LIVE RESULTS ... Enfield Sevens

In a Boxing Day mini sevens tournament Stade were sent home to Paris with their tails between their legs after suffering defeats to Saracens and then being shut out by London Wasps 13-0. The Stade coach was not happy with his players or the referees at the tournament. Interviewed on Horizon sports he said,
"The better team lost today, when you come to North London you expect dodgy referee decisions but this guy must have been blind ..."

We will have to wait and see what effect this has on Stade's preparations for the PEWC CUP ... The Wasps coach was last seen leaving the stadium uttering the words,
"Bring it OOOOonnnnnnnn."

We will sting Stade ... Fase replies to Jones

Interviewed after the 'friendly' Sevens tournament in North London over Boxing day Stephen Fase, the new Wasps coach had this to say ...

Float like a butterfly………….sting like a WASP!!

Maybe we just saw pink. Red mist was simply not needed for a comprehensive shutout against the flower power that we encountered.

Dallaglio dominated the centre play whilst Sackey continued to prove that his mere presence as a winger is often too much for the opposition to cope with.
A decent result overall and were happy to push on from here.

After making a lot of noise Stade seem to have run out of steam. I don’t think that anyone would rule them out yet but I don’t think anyone would want to be in their shoes, or shirts, right now!

NEWS FLASH - Stade coach comes out with fighting words!

After a disappointing start to the Top 14 in France Stade parted company with their coach and appointed the World Cup winner Rich Jones to try and turn their season around. A quick decision to join the break away PEWC Challenge organisation might be the turning point for the team. We caught up with the coach to ask a few basic questions, it appears that the pre competition sledging match has begun:

How would you rate the teams involved in PEWCUP?
Well we were hoping it would attract the strong teams to make it a real competition … unfortunately so far it only seems like Stade is in this category. Having got to know a lot of the coaches over the recent World Cup campaign I can safely say I think Stade have nothing to fear.
How will your game plan change from the type of play we saw you using with NZ in the World Cup?
Basically it will stay the same, to be honest these teams that rely on underhand, dirty play should have no role to play in the modern game. Good honest driving forward play coupled with magic hands from the backs will be the key to win any game.
Who will be the star in the Stade team this competition?
Obviously we will be looking at Hernandez to control the game from fly-half and wait for the chance to feed Dominici on the wing, frankly considering the opposition I think these two alone will be able to win most of our games.

It will be interesting to see what response this press release will get from the other coaches in the competition!

STOP PRESS ...

Four teams have already confirmed they will be playing in the break away PEWC Challenge cup ...
Sale Sharks
London Wasps
Saracens
Stade Francais

Other teams are being negotiated with over the Christmas break ...

Welcome to the PEWC Challenge Cup

Breaking News ...
Over the Christmas break all the coaches are getting their teams in order and will soon be posting their pre cup press statements ...