Rugby New Zealand 2011 have now announced the revised schedule for the 5 pool matches that were due to take place in Christchurch before the earthquake struck in February. Living With The Lions Sports Travel are close to finalising our revised packages for the 2011 Rugby World Cup based upon this new information and will release our updated brochure next week.

The revised games are as follows:

Sat 10 Sep England v Georgia Otago Stadium, Dunedin

Wed 14 Sep Scotland v Georgia Moved from Dunedin to Invercargill

Sun 18 Sep England v Georgia Otago Stadium, Dunedin

Sun 25 Sep Argentina v Scotland Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington

Sat 8 Oct Quarter Final 2 Eden Park, Auckland

Sun 9 Oct Quarter Final 4 Eden Park, Auckland

We are already in contact with those that have already booked regarding the changes resulting from the situation in Christchurch.

The decision was unanimously supported by Tournament owners the International Rugby Board, the New Zealand Government, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) and Tournament organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011).

This follows a detailed review of reports assessing damage to key Tournament facilities and infrastructure caused by the devastating 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the city on February 22 and advice from the stadium operator, Vbase that it could not provide an absolute assurance that all necessary remedial work could be completed in time for RWC 2011.

International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset travelled to Christchurch for today’s announcement.

“Yesterday we were informed by Stadium Christchurch operator Vbase that it could not guarantee that the extensive repairs required for both the stadium structures and the playing surface could be completed in time. That information means that Tournament partners have been left with no choice but to make the difficult decision to reallocate the seven matches due to be played in Christchurch.

“This has been a hard decision for all involved, given the place of Canterbury in New Zealand Rugby and the tremendous enthusiasm and support that the people of Christchurch have displayed for RWC 2011. The thoughts of the global Rugby family continue to be with the people of Christchurch and everyone affected as they focus on the city’s rebuilding process and repair of key public services and facilities.”

Ticket purchasers for all Christchurch matches will be offered the option of a refund or the opportunity to secure tickets to the relevant reallocated matches. RNZ 2011 has confirmed there will be sufficient availability of tickets to rescheduled matches for those wanting to take up that option. Full details will be provided by the end of March.

Vbase has indicated that the repair timeframes are so tight there would be no leeway for work delays or for any risks. This prevents Vbase giving assurances that it can meet its RWC 2011 obligations.

Among the “risks” identified by Vbase:

• Ongoing investigation required that might reveal the need for further work in relation to structures and playing surface
• Complexity of a work programme that includes superficial and structural repairs and full replacement of the playing surface
• Availability of resources (labour, material and equipment) and timeliness of securing consents
• Aftershocks that might impact on the work programme

“We know Cantabrians are passionate about Rugby and we know that many wanted the matches to remain as a way to unite and heal their shattered city,” said RNZ 2011 Chairman Brian Roche.

“However, we needed to weigh up the risks of continuing with matches in Christchurch with just 25 weeks to kick-off to the world’s third largest sporting event. Sadly, we collectively agreed the risks were too great. The timeframes for repairs were too tight, the uncertainty too much.”

NZRU CEO and RNZ 2011 director Steve Tew said: “Our hearts go out to Canterbury fans today given the inevitable disappointment this decision will cause for many.”

“Tournament partners are looking into a number of initiatives that will give Cantabrians a chance to be part of our Stadium of Four Million. We still want them to play a part in hosting a successful Tournament and to share in the excitement of this event.”

Contingency planning is at an advanced stage, but the process of allocation of matches is complex with many factors to consider, including accommodation, transport and broadcast logistics.

Eden Park is confirmed as the venue for the quarter-finals of October 8 and 9 and a decision regarding where the five pool matches will now be played will be taken jointly by the Tournament’s partners as soon as feasibly possible, likely before the end of March.

“Eden Park was the only logical alternative to stage two of the Tournament’s premier matches given the ground capacity and visitor accommodation demands associated with these quarter-final matches,,” said RNZ 2011 CEO Martin Snedden.

“We are working hard to ensure as many pool matches as reasonably possible remain in the South Island. A key consideration in all of this is to reschedule matches in a way that minimises the impact on other matches and therefore causes the least disruption to existing arrangements for teams and travelling.

“We appreciate this is a time of great uncertainty for fans which is why we are trying to resolve all issues as quickly as possible.

“We are enormously grateful for the support of all our partners in New Zealand during this difficult process and in particular the strenuous efforts by Vbase in attempting to meet our requirements.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board today confirmed Pietersen would fly back the UK in the next 24 hours due to the injury which was first discovered during the recent one-day series in Australia.

News that Pietersen’s World Cup was over emerged this morning while the England squad were en route from India to Bangladesh for their next match on Friday.

It had already been confirmed that Pietersen would undergo hernia surgery after the World Cup, but he appeared laboured in the field during yesterday’s six-run win against South Africa.

England’s management have now acted to avoid further aggravation of the problem that has also ruled Pietersen out of the Indian Premier League, which he was due to contest with the Deccan Chargers.

Pietersen, who will be out for around six weeks when he undergoes the surgery, said on his Twitter page this morning: ‘Confirming the BREAKING NEWS … I fly home tonight. Out of the WC & IPL.. Absolutely devastated!

‘Sad to leave India.. Love the people & the hospitality!’

It had been hoped England’s medical staff would be able to nurse Pietersen through the remainder of the World Cup.

Speaking on Saturday, Pietersen said: ‘I’m obviously extremely disappointed to have picked up this hernia injury.

‘It will no doubt impact my preparation but careful management should see me still play a significant role in the team’s campaign.’

But Pietersen complained of soreness after bowling eight overs in the victory against South Africa, while his performance with the bat in Chennai gleaned just two runs.

The ECB have applied to the ICC to call up Eoin Morgan as Pietersen’s replacement.
Morgan was originally named in England’s World Cup squad but missed out after suffering a broken finger in the build-up to the tournament.

Morgan has responded well to treatment, however, and even if he is not deemed fit enough to face Bangladesh later this week, he would be a key addition to the squad for the knockout stage should England qualify.

“There are plenty of things we didn’t do well in this game but we got away with a win,” captain Strauss admitted after a thrilling finish in Chennai.

“Sometimes a win is all you need to really kick-start things.

“We thought the wicket was going to deteriorate but we should have got 230. We’re delighted to win and we move on with high hopes of achieving things.”

Prior to this classic comeback England were involved in a high-scoring tie against India and a shock three-wicket defeat against minnows Ireland. They even stretched their fans’ patience in their opening match against Group B outsiders The Netherlands before settling the matter late in the day.

“We’re definitely doing our bit to advertise the 50-over format but we’d like games to be a little bit less close than they are,” said Strauss.

“We had to respond well after the defeat to Ireland. I thought the guys in the field were outstanding and it puts us back on track in this World Cup and it couldn’t come a day too soon.

“The spinners were outstanding earlier on and then the seamers just banged a length down consistently which is what you need to do on wickets like that.”

Strauss admitted that England had lost the plot badly with the bat after winning a helpful toss.

“To lose three wickets early on a pitch like that was criminal really. Thankfully Jonathan Trott and Ravi Bopara got us back in the hunt,” he said.

“It was a huge game for us and it was a far better performance. You’re not going to defend 170-odd very often, so you need things to go your way. After the Ireland game we needed to show some character.”

Strauss admitted that England need to impress in both of their remaining group games to give them a boost for the latter stages of the tournament.

“We’ve not been consistent enough in this tournament to say we can win one out of two; we’ve got to look to win both games and win them handsomely.

“The key is to focus on the Bangladesh game - which will be a hard game for us, and a must-win game for them.

“But there’s no good winning your group games comfortably, and then at the back end you let yourselves down.

“We’ve been involved in tight games - we’ve won two, tied one, lost one. In that way, it’s encouraging. We certainly don’t want to put ourselves in that position every time.”

Strauss reserved special praise for off-spinner Graeme Swann against South Africa.

“Swanny bowled exceptionally well, while Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad made crucial breakthroughs at the right time when the ball was reversing.”

Bopara, brought back into the side at the expense of Paul Collingwood, responded by hitting 60, his career-best at this level. It was enough to win him the man-of-the-match award, though Broad (4-15) was entitled to feel hard done by.

“I’m very pleased with the result - but the man of the match should have gone to Stuart,” concurred Bopara.

“I know he didn’t bowl his full quota of 10, but when he did bowl he was a massive difference and made it count.

“When me and Trotty got together we realised after about 20 minutes it wasn’t a great wicket and thought 200 would be a good score.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith found himself answering all-too-familiar questions afterwards, principally about his team’s reputation as “chokers” at big tournaments.

They already have two wins on the board, though, and still ought to progress to the last eight with ease.

“It’s obviously disappointing not to get over the line. I felt we had enough to do it at 120-3,” said Smith.

“Losing those two wickets in such a short space of time was a big blow. I think Broad and Jimmy bowled particularly well with the reverse-swinging ball today. It’s always tough to face when they get it to reverse both ways.

“Credit to them for the skill they showed today. They were able to create a lot of pressure on the guys.”

When the partnership was broken with 55 still needed Ireland could have lost their way, especially when O’Brien couldn’t get the strike back. However, after struggling to get the ball away Mooney suddenly started locating the boundary, firstly off the outside edge but then with two nerveless drives through the covers, each coming after England had strung together a few dot balls to build pressure. He was the dominant partner in the seven-wicket stand.

Still, though, there was a final twist when O’Brien was run out in the penultimate over. Trent Johnston, however, drove his first ball, a full toss from Stuart Broad, for four as the equation came down to below a run-a-ball for the first time in the entire chase. The final over started with just three needed and off the second ball Mooney clipped Anderson through midwicket to set off epic celebrations that will take over any available Bangalore bar tonight.

O’Brien’s innings was breathtaking. He entered when Ed Joyce, seemingly Ireland’s last chance of making the chase a contest, was stumped off Graeme Swann to leave their run-chase floundering at 106 for 4, which soon became 111 for 5 when Gary Wilson fell lbw. But O’Brien proceeded to tear the England attack apart. He showed power reminiscent of Kieron Pollard but with a calmer head and better technique, bringing up his hundred off 50 balls with a tuck for two into the leg side to beat Matthew Hayden’s World Cup record of 66 deliveries. It led to a reveal of his the purple head-do as part of Ireland’s charity fundraising campaign.

He showed his intent early when he thumped Swann through the covers second-ball and the tucked into the offspinner’s ninth over with two sixes over midwicket which injected life into Ireland’s innings. O’Brien was on 35 off 22 balls when Ireland took the batting Powerplay and it was during those five overs that the chance of the impossible became possible as 62 runs surged onto the total.

As happened against Ryan ten Doeschate’s onslaught in their opening match against the Netherlands, England’s bowlers started to lose the plot during another wayward, undisciplined display. Michael Yardy went for 16 as did James Anderson whom O’Brien pulled for a huge six to take him to a 30-ball fifty. Anderson’s next over went for 17 including another leg-side pull and in between whiles, even the normally reliable Tim Bresnan was dispatched, including the finest shot of O’Brien’s innings when he drove a six clean over cover.

Really, though, fielding restrictions meant nothing to O’Brien and he continued on his merry way with another huge blow over midwicket to take him into the 90s. Then the whole of Ireland held their breath as O’Brien’s next attempt to clear the rope sent the ball high into the night sky where Andrew Strauss made a lot of ground but then couldn’t hold on.

O’Brien needed support to play his incredible innings and Cusack’s role can’t be understated in the amazing scenes which unfolded. He was almost lost in O’Brien’s slipstream but sensibly rotated the strike until, off his 49th ball, he joined the boundary hitting by launching Collingwood over midwicket then thumped Yardy straight down the ground. Even his dismissal, run-out from backward point, was for the team cause as he ensured O’Brien stayed at the crease. Although he wasn’t quite there at the end he had written himself a permanent place in Irish folklore.

Even more incredibly this wasn’t a run chase built on solid foundations. William Porterfield dragged the first ball of the innings into his stumps and although Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien all played neatly their contributions were seemingly too insignificant in such a huge pursuit. In the final outcome, however, the intent shown by Stirling, in particular, showed Ireland wouldn’t take a backward step.

Tellingly, too, Stirling was given a life when Matt Prior shelled a simple chance which set the tone for another shoddy fielding display. However, it looked like England would comfortably emerge unscathed when Swann removed three middle-order scalps with a teasing spell of drift, flight and turn to leave Ireland 111 for 5. Already, though, O’Brien was at the non-striker’s end and about embark on one of the great match-winning displays.

There are so many areas England will rue, chiefly another below-par display in the field but they will also look back on the closing stages of their seemingly impressive 327. The final five overs only brought 33 runs as Mooney preceded his crucial batting effort with some smart death bowling and a career-best 4 for 63. It meant, like for India three days ago, the 350-plus that was on the cards when Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell were adding 167 for the third wicket didn’t materialise. This tournament is proving that big first-innings scores are no certainty of victory.

It will be largely forgotten because of what followed, but Trott wrote his own place in the record books when he reached 1000 runs in his 21st innings to equal the mark set by Viv Richards and Kevin Pietersen. The latter had set up the innings with a sparkling 59 before throwing away his chance of a hundred with a top-edged reverse sweep. It wasn’t England’s only piece of lazy cricket. Bell’s was a lovely, easy, innings as he moved along with smart placement and deft touches to tick off his fifty from 61 balls.

After their problems against India, England actually used the batting Powerplay reasonably well to collect 45 runs and even though the middle order failed to fire once again it appeared fairly insignificant when Ireland’s top order was whittled away. One man, though, stood in their way and the rest, as they say, is history.

As Ireland went fronm strength to strength England seemed to lose heart. Man of the match, Kevin O’Brien, confessed after Ireland’s win that he was speechless. Admitting that he played the best he ever has in his cricket career, he said that he kept the faith and it had paid off. O’Brien plays for Railway Union club in Dublin. He will no doubt be their star player from now on.

Ireland broke two world records during today’s play. O’Brien broke the record for the fastest time to reach a century. Ireland also secured the record for the tournament’s highest ever run-chase.

In the end Ireland beat the England team by a narrow margin. Securing a 3 wicket win may not sound like a thrashing but it was just that. As Ireland had to claw their way to success from behind, and England was in theory a mighty opponent, Ireland’s success is astounding but also very deserved.

Toby Flood kicked England into a 9-3 lead but Dimitri Yachvili’s boot made it 9-9 at the break.

Ben Foden’s try saw England go back in front before Jonny Wilkinson resumed his position as the leading Test points scorer with a penalty.

After three games England are now the only team with a 100% record.

Victory at home to Scotland on 12 March would send them to Dublin for their final game, in pursuit of a first Grand Slam since 2003.

France claimed their own Grand Slam last year with a nervy victory at home to England and it was another gripping encounter at Twickenham, where heavy pre-match rain led to greasy conditions and made handling difficult throughout.

England started well before letting the French back into the game but, once they sorted out their problems at the breakdown and cut out the unforced errors, the hosts looked increasingly assured.

Martin Johnson’s men managed to steal the first French line-out and then got a big drive on at the first scrum to earn the opening penalty of the match, which Flood duly drilled between the sticks from wide on the left.

France’s narrow win over England in Paris last year had been based on their advantage at the scrum and it was a big statement from the English eight that things would be different this time, but the hosts immediately squandered their advantage from the restart.

They secured the kick-off comfortably but shovelled the ball down the line and Shontayne Hape was buried by the French defence in front of his posts.

The Bath centre was inevitably penalised for holding on and recalled scrum-half Yacvhili, who kicked France to victory in 2005 when they last won at Twickenham, levelled the scores.

A second penalty at the scrum in England’s favour was soon followed by two French off-sides in five minutes and Flood kicked the hosts into a 9-3 lead with just over quarter-of-an-hour played.

Despite the slippery ball England were putting together some flowing attacks but once again silly play immediately handed France the chance to cut the gap.

Talismanic France number eight Sebastien Chabal was hammered back in a double tackle by Nick Easter and Dan Cole but, when the ball popped loose, Easter could not resist illegally using his hand in the ensuing ruck to push the ball back.

It was right in front of referee George Clancy and Yachvili trimmed the gap to three points.

Two minutes later France got the better of England at a scrum for the first time and the resulting penalty saw Yachvili level the scores.

It was a bad moment for Johnson’s men because they also lost loose-head prop Andrew Sheridan, making his comeback after the back problem that kept him out of the Italy game, to a calf injury sustained in the scrum.

After England’s early dominance France had come roaring back into the game, helped by a lack of composure from the hosts, and the travelling fans responded with a rousing chorus of La Marseillaise.

Les Bleus were also beginning to get the upper hand at the breakdown as England’s reluctance to commit sufficient numbers began to cost them.

On the stroke of half-time Yachvili missed a long-range penalty that would have given the visitors the lead for the first time, but after England’s problems in the first half, it was France’s turn to struggle at the re-start at the beginning of the second half.

Tom Palmer - who went on to take man-of-the-match honours - charged down Yachvili’s clearance to kick to set up a threatening position and although Mark Cueto was held just short of the line, when England swept the ball to the left, Foden showed pace and power to finish well.

Flood could not convert from the touchline but he nearly set up a second try almost immediately.

The England number 10 appeared to combine sweetly with Ben Youngs before the scrum-half sent Chris Ashton cruising over for what would have been his seventh try of the championship, but Flood’s return pass to his Leicester team-mate was ruled to be forward, making Ashton’s trademark swallow-dive superfluous.

Just as in the first quarter of the match, England were back in control, aided by committing more men to the breakdown.

They saw Flood limp off but Wilkinson came on to retake the Test points scoring record from New Zealand’s Dan Carter, lifting his total to 1190 and giving England an eight-point lead with 30 minutes to play.

Once again indiscipline at the re-start from England gave France a shot at goal but Yachvili could only hit the woodwork.

Just before the hour mark the otherwise impressive Aurelien Rougerie knocked on as he tried to dot down a Francois Trinh-Duc grubber kick over the English line.

If either chance had gone France’s way they could have been right back in the game but the luck was on England’s side and the longer the game went on the more secure they looked.

Ashton butchered a chance with a wild pass after a typical break through the middle from a Wilkinson inside pass and Tindall had a late try disallowed for a double movement after a surging attack by the hosts.

But despite their inability to add to their total they kept France scoreless in the second half as Johnson’s England moved within two victories of a Grand Slam.

Lewis Moody is expected to be left out on Thursday when England announce their side to face France in Saturday’s key Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

The flanker, 32, was expected to captain the side after returning from a five-week knee injury, playing 23 minutes for Bath last weekend.

But reports suggest he suffered a recurrence of the injury in training.

The Rugby Football Union refused to confirm those reports, with the team due to be announced at 1200 GMT.

Centre Mike Tindall has captained England in Moody’s absence, steering the team to wins over Wales and Italy.

England boss Martin Johnson said earlier this week that Moody’s return would be a bonus but added the flanker would only feature against France if he was ready.

“We would love him to be fit and fully raring to go for a Test match,” Johnson stated.

“There’s probably a little bit of a difference between playing 20 minutes in the Premiership and playing against France.

“He will know if he is right or if he is not right - and he’ll be honest with us and the team.

“It would be great if he is fit to go but if not the other guys have been playing very well.”

England and France are both unbeaten after two rounds of Six Nations action.

England began with a 26-19 win in Wales before crushing Italy 59-13 at Twickenham, while defending champions France defeated Scotland 34-21 in Paris before edging past Ireland 25-22 in Dublin.

Jonny Wilkinson kicked 22 of the points for Toulon who are guaranteed to finish top of a hotly contested Pool Three.

Tongan-born Japanese international Christian Loamanu and England’s Paul Sackey scored the home side’s tries.

David Wallace scored the only try for Munster who had Donncha O’Callaghan and Ronan O’Gara sin-binned.

Munster had gone into the game lying two points behind Toulon and knowing a win was necessary.

They got off to a good start when veteran Irish fly-half O’Gara sent over a penalty but Wilkinson replied with three successful kicks for Toulon.

The French side had Munster penned back and scored the opening try on 24 minutes as Pierre Mignoni chipped over the top and winger Loamanu jumped to gather the ball and score in the left corner.

Wilkinson’s conversion left Munster trailing 16-3.

O’Gara soon cut the deficit with a penalty but then came O’Callaghan’s yellow card for needlessly pulling back a Toulon player as he chased a kick through.

Toulon made the advantage count with Mignoni getting into the 22 before play was swept out to the right where Sackey touched down after some poor tackling from Keith Earls and Johne Murphy.

O’Gara replied with a penalty but Munster were still 17 points behind at half-time.

Wilkinson put Toulon 29-9 ahead with a penalty shortly after the restart.

Tony McGahan’s men suffered a further setback when O’Gara was sin-binned after tangling off the ball with Mignoni.

Wilkinson then extended Toulon’s lead before home prop Davit Kubriashvili was yellow-carded in the final quarter.

Flanker Wallace scored a consolation try with three minutes remaining, but Munster’s proud record of making the knock-out stages in every season since 1998/99 was over.

Fortunately all our passengers managed to get away yesterday and we are still working closely with those affected by Monday’s cancellations.

As of 0900 hrs Wednesday the Qantas flight at 1230 hrs has been cancelled and we are working closely with those affected to get them away as soon as we can.

The MH1 to Kuala Lumpur at 2200 hrs is due to depart on schedule tonight as is the CX256 to Hong Kong. All passengers on these flights should travel to Heathrow as normal.

If you are travelling tomorrow (23 Dec) on the TG911 please assume that the flight will be going ahead and continue with your plans to travel to the airport. We will be liaising with the airline throughout the day and will contact you directly should we hear anything to the contrary.

Up to date information can be obtained through the following LINK

Due to the intermittent nature of flight departures it is difficult to ascertain in advance which flights are operating. Until advised otherwise if you are due to travel out of Heathrow this week we must assume that flights are departing unless advised otherwise. On Monday we had some clients fly, others were rebooked to fly out later & others put into airport hotels overnight.

TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY departures
If you are due to travel to Australia please continue with plans to travel to the airport and we will contact you by telephone with updates should the situation change. Please call us on 020 7223 6650 with a mobile number that you will have at the airport so that we can remain in contact with you.

For Heathrow departures this is a very usefull link to see which flights are operating.
LINK