Friday 15 September 2000
 |
| 09:00-10:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
|
|
| 14:00-15:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
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Saturday 16 September 2000
|
| 14:00-16:30 |
| Ford Rugby Union: Zurich Premiership - Harlequins Vs Bristol- Live |
|
 |
| 22:00-23:30 |
| Rugby Union Update: Zurich Premiership Harlequins Vs Bristol |
|
|
| 02:00-03:30 |
| Rugby Union Update: Zurich Premiership - Harlequins Vs Bristol Highlights |
|
Sunday 17 September 2000
 |
| 10:30-12:00 |
| Rugby Union Update: Zurich Premiership Harlequins Vs Bristol |
|
Thursday 21 September 2000
|
| 18:00-19:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
|
|
| 23:00-00:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
|
Friday 22 September 2000
|
| 09:00-10:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
|
|
| 13:00-14:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
|
|
| 16:00-17:00 |
| The Rugby Club |
|
|
 |
|
Mike Umaga
|
Rotherham:
Director
of rugby: Steve Cousins
Coach: Mike Umaga
Captain: Mike Schmid
Ground: Clifton Lane
Last season: Premiership Two champions
|
|
In:
|
Andy
Northey (Northampton), Chris Johnson (Northampton), Issac Feaunati (London
Irish), Jim Naylor (Halifax RL), Michael Wood (Newcastle), Adrian Olver
(Bedford), Charlie Harrison (Bedford), Chris Murphy (Sale), Leon Griff
(Natal), Russell Earnshaw (Bath), Nigel Simpson (Bath), Stuart Dixon
(Wakefield), Rod Latham (Wakefield) |
|
Out:
|
Alan Buzza |
 |
|
Mike
Schmid
|
Rotherham deservedly
take their place among English rugby's elite after winning the second division
title and then beating Bedford in a play-off last season, but it could be
a long season for the hard-working Yorkshire outfit.
Captain Mike
Schmid is a full Canadian international and a powerful no.8, and heads up
a robust squad featuring some old hands and exciting new talent. Nine of
the PRA's Allied Dunbar Two Dream XV came from Rotherham last year, and
they only lost two league games all season.
Director of
Rugby Steve Cousins has made some good signings to add to his close-knit
squad. Russell Earnshaw from Bath is a quality backrower, as is Issac Feau'nati
from London Irish. Wings Jim Naylor joins from Newcastle as does Nigel Simpson
from Bath. Both will provide pace and power out wide. Mike Umaga, brother
of All Black Tana, stays on as player coach and with 30-odd caps for Samoa
has been around the block a few times, he provides stability and experience
behind the scrum and will be looking to bring the younger players in the
squad on.
Home advantage
will be crucial with few clubs relishing the trip to South Yorkshire, where
Rotherham will undoubtedly claim some prized scalps. But they might not
win a game away from home, such is the huge leap in standards awaiting them,
and this could be their downfall. The neutrals would love Rotherham to survive,
but they will struggle with the extra size and pace of most Premiership
clubs.
Other Zurich
Premiership teams:
Bath
• Bristol
• Gloucester
• Harlequins
• Leicester
• London
Irish • Newcastle
• Northampton
• Sale
• Saracens
• Wasps
|
