February 16, 2006

Andy Craig starts for Leeds

Posted by Editor on February 16, 2006 12:53 PM | 11 comments | Print | E-mail author

Andy Craig makes his first start for Leeds
Former Glasgow centre Andy Craig will make his first start for Leeds since moving to the Headingley outfit earlier this month.

Andy appeared as a replacement in last Friday's win over Bristol but is in the starting XV that travel to take on high-flying Sale.

"The dream ticket is to stay up and get a new contract," said Andy, who has joined Leeds on a short-term deal having turned down an offer from Castres Olympique. "I want to stay, definitely. I am basically on trial. I'm going to be unemployed in June so I've got to pull my finger out. I've been very impressed with what I've seen so far.

"Leeds have been making a lot of line-break and I am looking forward to getting on the end of a few of them."

Andy was deemed surplus to requirements at Glasgow and released early from his contract.

"Until I got injured in the autumn, I was starting every game for Glasgow," said the former Wigan, Swinton, Halifax and Widnes rugby league player. "But when I came back, I was on the bench or not even in the 22. They said it was because my contract was up in the summer, and they were not going to renew it – three senior centres were already contracted for next season.

"They said they would not stand in my way, even though I started the last couple of games."

Comments
Posted by vicki on February 16, 2006 07:14 PM | Reply to this comment

Good luck to Craigy - hope he has a great game for Leeds - though it's so sad to see him in non-Glasgow colours...

Posted by duncan on February 16, 2006 08:48 PM | Reply to this comment

I understand that Paul Dearlove is having a run with Pau this weekend. Is this correct, Gordon, do you know?

Posted by Gordon on February 16, 2006 09:31 PM | Reply to this comment

Haven't seen a team list yet, but I'll post it when I do.

Incidently, another name from the past - Tommy Hayes - makes his first start for Bristol at fly-half this weekend.

Posted by vicki on February 16, 2006 10:29 PM | Reply to this comment

Is this only his first start for Bristol? Good grief! Don't they know what they've been missing?

Posted by Gordon on February 17, 2006 11:51 AM | Reply to this comment

Paul Dearlove is in Pau's squad of 24 preparing for the visit of Bayonne on Saturday. Big match for Pau - the're second bottom of the league and need the points.

Also read that Bayonne are taking over 20 supporters buses to the game - not bad.

Posted by McDruid on February 17, 2006 08:24 PM | Reply to this comment

Why was Craig released if Warriors have to sign a new man, Davey - who does not know how the team works - to take Craig's place?

Posted by JimC on February 17, 2006 09:52 PM | Reply to this comment

as reported Andy Craig asked to be released so as to get more game time. Presumably felt - and many would agree) he was behing Henderson and Morrison, and on a par with Barrow; then there's the odd apprentice. No club really wants to keep an unhappy player. davey on the other hand needs any sort of exposure after a long lay-off. he was a very promising player - if he's half as good as the crocked Lamont we rescued I'll be happy!

Posted by McDruid on February 18, 2006 02:10 PM | Reply to this comment

There would have been as much game time available to Craig as there will be for Davey. Craig knew the codes and moves; Davey has to learn them. Craig was qualified for Scotland; Davey is not. Craig had a contract with Glasgow ...

Perhaps Craig was just scunnered with the way Scottish rugby is managed?

Posted by JimC on February 18, 2006 04:32 PM | Reply to this comment

scunnered with the way Scottish rugby is run? Quite possibly. Unhappy with not being first choice? Seems so. Glasgow need players who want to play for them. Davey fits that, Craig apparently didn't.

Posted by McDruid on February 19, 2006 06:11 PM | Reply to this comment

"Unhappy with not being first choice" does not void a contract, otherwise professional sports teams would struggle to retain cover and strength in depth.

And I don't believe that Davey is committed to the Glasgow jersey. He just wants game time for rehabilitation purposes. If Henderson and Morrison or Barrow become the Glasgow centre pairing do we just let Davey go because he's not first choice?

Posted by stones on February 19, 2006 07:28 PM | Reply to this comment

Well that's the whole quandry with the "strength in depth" aim that everyone's always banging on about. How do you keep 3rd or 4th string (or even 2nd) quality players happy enough to stay with you on the off chance that injury or International duty will open a place in the squad for them?

Rotate even though your 1st & 2nd choice are playing well? Release them to their clubs and hope theyre happy with that?

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