Monday Morning Round Up

 Mike Catt to join Ireland's coach staff under Andy Farrell

Current Italy assistant coach Mike Catt will join the Ireland coaching team following the completion of this year’s Rugby World Cup and ahead of the 2020 Six Nations Championship.

Attack coach with Conor O’Shea’s Italy since March 2016, Catt previously held a similar role with England between 2012 and 2015. Prior to that he was a player-coach and attack coach at London Irish for four years.

Chris Ashton withdraws from England squad

Chris Ashton has withdrawn from England’s training squad for family reasons.

The 32-year-old winger will not be replaced in the squad that assembles at Pennyhill Park Hotel on Sunday. Full story

Rassie Erasmus rewards European form in his latest alignment camp squad

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has rewarded for in his latest alignment camp ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Japan with uncapped Toulouse flanker Rynhardt Elstadt included in the squad along with the likes of Northampton Saints scrumhalf Cobus Reinach.

Ulster flanker Marcel Coetzee has also received a recall for the first time since joining the Irish Province and is joined by World Cup-winning utility back Frans Steyn. Full story

Brumbies Name Semi-Final Touring Squad

The Brumbies have named a 27-player touring squad for their Super Rugby Semi-Final match against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires next week.
 

The tour party includes uncapped prop Angus Wagner, whilst there are potential Brumbies cap milestones for Christian Lealiifano (150 matches), Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin (50 matches) and Blake Enever (50 matches) should they feature in the knockout clash. Full story

Ten years on, where are the 2009 Emerging Springboks now?

On the 23rd of June 2009, the Emerging Springboks piled the pressure on the British and Irish Lions, after the tourist lost the opening test to the Springboks, as they picked up 13 all draw.