News in Brief
Care cited for tackle
Scrum.com
December 11, 2009
Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care is held back by Seru Rabeni, Leeds v Harlequins, Guinness Premiership, Headingley, December 4, 2009
Danny Care has been cited for a tackle on Rhys Oakley during Harlequins' win over Leeds © Getty Images
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  • Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care has been cited for an alleged dangerous tackle during his side's Guinness Premiership clash against Leeds Carnegie last weekend.

    The England international, who has won 14 caps, will appear before a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel in London next Tuesday. The 22-year-old was yesterday banned by Quins for one match, ruling him out of Sunday's Heineken Cup encounter against Sale Sharks.

    Care collected a yellow card for an illegal tackle on Leeds forward Rhys Oakley during Quins' 30-27 victory in Yorkshire last Friday night. The RFU panel is likely to take Quins' disciplinary action into consideration when it discusses Care's citing.

  • Springbok winger Bryan Habana has topped a poll as the most popular sports star in South Africa for the second successive year, beating off competition from leading lights from the football and cricket worlds.

    The former IRB World Player of the year has had a special year, playing a crucial role in the Bulls' Super 14 win, his country's victory over the Lions and the Tri-Nations success. He capped a fine year with a hat-trick of tries against New Zealand at Twickenham last weekend. The next most popular rugby player was South Africa captain John Smit in eighth, with Morne Steyn in 16th place in his debut year for the 'Boks.

    Rugby union was voted the third most popular sport in South Africa behind football and cricket in the BMI Adult SportTrack Report, now in it's 21st year.

  • Clint Eastwood's eagerly anticipated film Invictus went on general release in the USA today and will also premiere in South Africa. The story of the Springboks' historic World Cup win in 1995 stars Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar. The film is based on John Carlin's book; Playing the Enemy, and rugby enthusiasts in the States are hoping the movie can give the sport a huge boost in the country.

  • Berrick Barnes has been voted Player of the Year by the Australian Rugby Union Players' Association.

    The Wallabies' vice captain received the award despite being ruled out of their Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland with an ankle injury picked up in the Bledisloe Cup defeat to New Zealand in Tokyo. Queensland prop Laurie Weeks won the RUPA newcomer of the year award, which Barnes took out in 2006.

    "Being named as vice-captain of the Wallabies is a reflection of the high esteem Berrick is held in by both his peers and the ARU coaching staff," outgoing RUPA chief executive Tony Dempsey said in a statement. "It was unfortunate he was injured and unable to tour with the Wallabies, however I'm sure he will have an even better 2010."

  • Leicester duo Sam Vesty and Billy Twelvetrees will go straight into the Nottingham side for their clash with Moseley on Sunday. England international Vesty has joined in an effort to return to full fitness, while Twelvetrees - man of the match for the Tigers' against the Ospreys earlier in the season - is dual registered.

  • Experienced Irish referee Alain Rolland will take charge of England's Six Nations opener against Wales in February. Rolland will be assisted at Twickenham by his fellow Irishmen George Clancy and Simon McDowell.

    Leading English referee Wayne Barnes, meanwhile, has been awarded two Six Nations Tests this season - France versus Ireland and Wales versus Italy.

    Six Nations appointments: February 6 - Ireland v Italy (Romain Poite, France); England v Wales (Alain Rolland, Ireland)

    February 7 - Scotland v France (Nigel Owens, Wales)

    February 13 - Wales v Scotland (George Clancy, Ireland); France v Ireland (Wayne Barnes, England)

    February 14 - Italy v England (Christophe Berdos, France)

    February 26 - Wales v France (Jonathan Kaplan, South Africa)

    February 27 - Italy v Scotland (Dave Pearson, England); England v Ireland (Mark Lawrence, South Africa)

    March 13 - Ireland v Wales (Craig Joubert, South Africa); Scotland v England (Marius Jonker, South Africa)

    March 14 - France v Italy (Alan Lewis, Ireland)

    March 20 - Wales v Italy (Wayne Barnes, England); Ireland v Scotland (Jonathan Kaplan, South Africa); France v England (Bryce Lawrence, New Zealand)

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