...Members of Bective Rangers RFC present a cheque to Fr. Contepomi...

Members of Bective Rangers RFC recently kicked off their 125th Anniversary season with a tour to Argentina.

As part of the tour they presented a cheque for Euro 3,700, raised from a table quiz, to the Buenos Aires Inner City Hospice. The charity was nominated by Fr. Juan Pablo Contepomi, brother of Leinster out-half Felipe.

Despite losing their match against Regatas De Bella Vista the tour party remained in high spirits and it was deemed a great success and a fitting way to kick off the celebrations.

For More on Bective Rangers RFC - click here.

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Dawson On Ulster

...Kieron Dawson...

Ulster's summer signing Kieron Dawson has given an in-depth interview to the Ulster Rugby website.

Dawson is delighted to be back living in Ulster, though he says the house prices gave him "a bit of a shock". He is also delighted to be playing for Ulster:

"I wanted to play for Ulster and was flattered and delighted to be approached about joining the club. The opportunity came up, when it was time for a new challenge and to move on from London Irish. I didn't like the thought of moving to a new club in France, and moving to Ulster has definitely been the best option for me and my family."

On the prospect of facing his former club in the Heineken Cup:

"I am delighted Ulster have drawn London Irish, and I hope that I get the chance to face them. They are a very strong team, but it will be great to get one over on them."

For the full interview click here

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Mallett To Coach The Baa-Baas

...Kevin Maggs of Ulster and Ireland lining out for the Barbarians against Scotland...

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett will take charge of the Barbarians in their game against Australia in November - if the match goes ahead.

Mallet is a former Barbarian, having lined out in the traditional game against Leicester back in 1980. The Baa-Baas won 9-8 at a rain sodden Welford Road.

Mallett says that the opportunities to "coach" the Barbarians are extremely limited. He said: "We meet on the Sunday and play on the Wednesday."

There is still uncertainty about the match. For a start Twickenham looks an unlikely venue. They have internationals there four weeks in a row and the Varsity match is down for the following Tuesday, 5 December

Secondly the release of players is uncertain. Mallett has been over to England and a list of possible players has been drawn up. "It's a wish list really," Mallett says, "as there is the matter of the availability of players.

"New Zealand is already looking to pull its players out of Super 14 and it may well take its players straight home. South Africa may do likewise."

But Mallett sees this as an opportunity to choose a side of young, exciting players and turning them loose to produce some rugby fun.

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Dungannon's First Trust

Dungannon and First Trust Bank officially re-launched their sponsorship programme on September 2.

First Trust have been sponsoring Dungannon since 1991 and this renewal of committment is seen as a real boost for the club as it demonstrates the community involvement of domestic club rugby.

Dungannon President Fred McManus welcomed the renewed sponsorship, saying: "I must thank our main sponsor First Trust Bank and all our other sponsors for their continued support. We really appreciate your patronage without it we could not maintain our high standards"

For more on Dungannon click here.

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Zimbabwe For Belfast

...The Team captains at the 2006 U-19 World Championship in Dubai. The 2007 Championship will take place in Belfast...

Zimbabwe have booked their place for next years U-19 World Championship in Belfast.

Zimbabwe's Under-18 rugby side won through at CAR's Africa Under 18 tournament in Casablanca, Morocco to qualify directly for next year's IRB Under 19 World Championship.

The Zimbabweans overcame host nation Morocco - and a partisan crowd - to triumph 10-3 in a well-contested final on Sunday.

Zimbabwe had earlier overcome Tunisia 41-3 in their semi final, while Morocco beat Namibia 22-5 to make the final match.

South Africa were also competing at the event and topped their Group A pool but are already qualified for the IRB Under-19 event next year so took no part in the knock-out stages in Casablanca. Team Manager Lindsay Mould was, however, impressed by the shift in standard among Africa's developing nations.

"I was in Namibia last year and I have to say that from what i've seen here this year the standard of rugby has improved and has genuinely surprised me," Mould said.

"Yes, we are also here in a developmental role and have done some coaching clinics, but our boys also know that they have been in some tough games of rugby."