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![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
GO BIG DOG!!
Western Force & Wallabies backrower Ben McCalman finished with a double for Panasonic Wild Knights, as they continued their unbeaten start to the Japanese Top League season.
McCalman came off the bench in the 46th minute and took little time making his impact felt, scoring in the 51st and the 60th minutes for the Wild Knights in their 64-5 win over Honda Heat.
Former Wallaby Berrick Barnes finished with five conversions in just over one half of rugby, coming off in the 46th minute.
Digby Ioane played 52 minutes for Honda in the one-sided match.
Bernard Foley’s Ricoh Black Rams had another loss, going down o the Kubota Spears, 22-31, keeping them in the frame for a relegation play-off.
Mark Gerrard’s Toyota Industries Shuttles had a massive win over the Coca Cola Red Sparks in Japan’s Top League, going home 70-17 winners.
Gerrard booted six conversions and two penalty goals in the drubbing, with the Shuttles running in nine tries overall.
Sam Norton-Knight played at flyhalf in the NEC Green Rockets’ draw with NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes.
TOP 14
Wallabies halfback Will Genia will return to the Stade Francais line-up to face Oyonnax along with Aussies Hugh Pyle and Paul Alo-Emile.
The Paris side will be heavy favourites heading into the match, against the last-placed Oyonnax.
Wallabies back Adam Ashley-Cooper will play at outside centre for Bordeaux, his second match for the French side.
Prop Sekope Kepu will be injected off the bench in the match against Grenoble, featuring capped Wallaby Peter Kimlin.
Former Wallabies captain Ben Mowen will lead the large Aussie contingent in the Montpellier side to face Agen, with capped Wallaby Jesse Mogg at fullback.
Former Wallabies halfback Nic White will come off the bench in the match, against the struggling Agen.
Rounding out the Top 14 matches this weekend is a clash between two of the top three sides, Toulon and Toulouse.
James O’Connor has been elevated into Toulon’s starting side for the game, with Quade Cooper coming off the bench.
A win would give Toulon a buffer in second place of the Top 14, after a slow start to the year.
Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau have not been named for the match.
UK PREMIERSHIP
Capped Wallabies back Peter Betham crossed for Leicester in the Tigers’ 22-10 win over Newcastle.
The winger broke a tackle just two minutes into the second half and crossed in the corner to give the Tigers some critical momentum in the match.
The remainder of the latest premiership round will play out on Sunday night (AEDT), featuring a host of former Wallabies and players eligible for national selection.
Former Wallabies openside flanker, George Smith, will miss Wasps’ match against Saracens, with Tom Youngs playing at seven.
Cooper Vuna will play on the left wing for Worcester Warriors when they face Bath on Sunday night.
James Horwill completes the Wallabies featuring in the Premiership, starting at lock for Harlequins against Gloucester.
PRO12
Former Rebel and Wallabies back luke Burgess will start at halfback for Zebre, in an all-Italian clash against Benetton Treviso.
Zebre is searching for its first PRO12 win since round six, when they beat Cardiff.
Taqele Naiyaravoro will play on the right wing for Glasgow against Edinburgh, in a local derby.
The Boxing Day double-header in Japan (Canon v Yamaha/Suntory v Toshiba) was a 25,164 sellout.
McCalman warming up for Super Rugby with some minnow bashing.
Saracens lead the table in the English Premiership with 7 out of 7; but Kieran hasn't had a game yet. Not sure if he's injured or just out of favour. Would take him back if he got released from his contract.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon
Quick google search:http://www.saracens.com/longbottom-sidelined
Come home to Perth!
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast.
One problem with that announcement, dated Dec 12th 2015:The match before this date was away to Newcastle on Sunday the 6th December. Saracens haven't played Gloucester at home yet this season; they play them on February 20th. Saracens haven't played Gloucester at home since 11th October 2014, which was when Kieran injured his foot. I've no idea why they put the announcement out on 12th December about something that happened a year before."Prop forward Kieran Longbottom sustained a foot injury playing for Saracens in their Premiership fixture at home to Gloucester Rugby on Saturday. Saracens Head of Medicine Joe Collins; “Kieran is due to have surgery and will then commence rehabilitation with the club's medical staff".
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon