Rugby Union news from the Liverpool Daily Post

Will Skinner landed with two week ban Dec 23 2011

HARLEQUINS flanker Will Skinner has been handed a two-week ban after he was sent off during last weekend’s Heineken Cup victory over Toulouse in France.Read

Gavin Henson set for Cardiff Blues debut Dec 23 2011

GAVIN HENSON will make his Cardiff Blues debut in tonight’s RaboDirect Pro12 clash against Newport Gwent Dragons.Read

It’s time to start rebuilding for next World Cup, says Shontayne Hape Dec 23 2011

SHONTAYNE HAPE accepts his England career has run its course as new interim head coach Stuart Lancaster plans a Six Nations overhaul.Read

Scots legend Chris Paterson can kick back and relax at last Dec 22 2011

CHRIS PATERSON will now reflect on a record-filled Scotland career after announcing his retirement from international rugby.Read

Rugby union clubs gets Christmas wish from England coach Dec 22 2011

AVIVA Premiership clubs will have all their England stars available for the festive league programme after national coach Stuart Lancaster waived his right to demand they be rested.Read

Liverpool St Helens RUFC can look back at 2011 with some satisfaction Dec 21 2011

LAST Saturday’s postponement against Rochdale brought Liverpool St Helens’ 2011 to an end, leaving them in third place in North One West.Read

New Brighton RUFC remain on the promotion trail Dec 21 2011

NEW BRIGHTON regained winning form in South Lancashire/Cheshire One League at the weekend to move into third place in the table.Read

Birkenhead Park RUFC keen to keep in shape over the festive break Dec 21 2011

BIRKENHEAD PARK’S National Three North derby against Chester was a casualty of the weather with a waterlogged pitch causing a postponement on Saturday morning.Read

Break has come at the right time for Chester RUFC Dec 21 2011

CHESTER are keen to renew their promotion challenge in National Three North League in 2012 after a somewhat disappointing last few weeks of the current year.Read

Calls for Quins captain to win England recall Dec 21 2011

HARLEQUINS captain Chris Robshaw may have sulked and turned to junk food for comfort after being omitted from England’s World Cup squad – but his response could not have been more emphatic.Read

Harlequins victory like winning Heineken Cup, says O’Shea Dec 20 2011

HARLEQUINS director of rugby Conor O’Shea claimed that beating Toulouse on their own turf felt like winning the Heineken Cup final.Read

14-man Widnes hold on to move up to second in North One West with win over Broughton Park Dec 19 2011

WITH several games falling casualty to the bad weather, Widnes took full advantage to move up into second place in North One West, and allowing themselves a quick opportunity to look back on a job well done so far.Read

Waterloo end year in style with big win over Penrith Dec 19 2011

WATERLOO cemented their mid-table position with a 24-3 win at home to Penrith and can now go into the Christmas break confident of further progress in the new year.Read

Local rugby union round-up: New Brighton bounce back to see off Hartsfield Dec 19 2011

THERE were plenty of weather casualties on a bleak December afternoon but a number of games did survive the elements, writes Andrew Stratton.Read

Caldy slip to third defeat on the trot Dec 19 2011

CALDY slipped to their third successive defeat with an 18-14 loss away to Stockport despite an excellent second half performance that arguably warranted more than they got.Read

West Park made to suffer by Sale Dec 19 2011

UNBEATEN Sale proved far too strong for West Park as they took another step towards the South Lancashire/Cheshire One League title with a runaway victory, writes Andrew Stratton.Read

Rugby Union has a bright future says new RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie Dec 15 2011

FROM new balls to new broom, Ian Ritchie has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Rugby Football Union after six years in charge of the All England Club.Read

LSH want to sign off with festive cracker Dec 14 2011

LIVERPOOL ST HELENS approach the Christmas break in North One West looking for a big sign off against Rochdale this Saturday.Read

Mistakes prove costly for Chester Dec 14 2011

UNFORCED errors proved costly for Chester as they went down 17-26 at home to a solid Bradford and Bingley outfit last Saturday.Read

Birkenhead Park hit impressive form Dec 14 2011

BIRKENHEAD Park started the second half of their National 3 North campaign the same way they started the first by outplaying Cheshire rivals Lymm.Read