Rugby Banter Page weekly round up

Monday 23rd March:

Ugo Monye To Retire at the end of the season:

Harlequins’ British and Irish Lions and England winger Ugo Monye has announced that he will retire from Rugby at the end of the season.

"It is a decision that I have been thinking about for a long time, and one that I haven't taken lightly," said Monye, who has spent his entire playing career at Quins, making 237 appearances, the 31 year old told Harlequins’ official website.

"I have had an unbelievable 13 years at Quins, and look back on my career with no regrets."

Monye won fourteen English caps in an international career that lasted from 2008 to 2012 and also started two of the Lions’ test during their 2009 tour of South Africa.

Oyonnax Sign Prop Roux:

After an injury to their prop Antoine Guillamon, French Top 14 club Oyonnax have announced the signing of experienced South African prop Jacobus Roux.

Roux, 33,- whose last professional club was the Lions during last season’s Super Rugby competition- has also played for Benneton Treviso and Clermont Auvergne in the past.

Tuesday 24th March:

RFU Chief Wants Talks Over Expanding The Aviva Premiership:

RFU Chief Ian Ritchie says that proposed talks over the expansion of the Aviva Premiership must be dealt with as a matter of priority.

Ritchie’s assertion came after the Chief Executive of Premiership Rugby, Mark McCafferty, confirmed that the temporary suspension of relegation from England’s top flight, as well as promotion from the Championship, came with a view to adding two additional teams to the competition.

The issue must be resolved before the beginning of the 2015/2016 season, with the prospective changes proposed to take place for the 2016/2017 season.

"It's not as simple as saying 'let's go from 12 to 14'," mused Ritchie.

"We've not had or seen a formal proposition about this. I don't think anybody's suggesting it's a fait accompli.

"We have not had a formal sit-down conversation with PRL (Premiership Rugby Ltd). I'm happy to sit down and do that.

"We all appreciate the urgency of it. We know it would be more than a little helpful to get this done in the next few months and I think there's a willingness to do that.

London Irish Lock, Low, to join Glasgow Warriors:

Glasgow Warriors have announced the signing of London Irish’s 24 year old Scottish international lock, Kieran Low.

Low, whose last Scotland cap was against Tonga in November, hopes his move north of the border will increase his chances of winning regular caps for Scotland.

“I’d love to play for Scotland again and playing with the Warriors will hopefully help. I’ve spent my whole career at London Irish and I’ll be sad to leave, but this is an exciting opportunity, said Low

Wednesday 25th March:

Connacht Sign Auckland Flanker Fox-Matamua:

Connacht have announced the signing of twenty three year old Auckland backrow Nepia Fox Matamua on a two year deal.

After losing Willie Faloon  to Ulster, Connacht moved quickly to tie up Fox Matamua, with coach Pat Lam utilizing his connections in New Zealand rugby to seal his signature.

"With Willie (Faloon) returning to Ulster, another quality openside flanker was needed for next season's squad," Lam, a former Auckland and Blues coach now in charge of Connacht, said Lam of his newest recruit.

Lam highlighted Fox-Matamua’s leadership qualities as one of the main reasons that he pushed for the twenty year old’s signing

"I have worked with Nepia at Auckland. He is a great team man and having captained different sides in his young career, he also possesses excellent leadership qualities.

"Technically he is an out-and-out number seven with natural ball skills that have seen him excel in sevens rugby as well. I know that he is the type of player and person that will fit in very well to the Connacht community, said Lam, the fomer coach of the Auckland Blues.

Toby Faletau Linked With Move To Bath:

High spending Bath are looking to tie up the signature of another big name player, as they prepare to make an offer to the Dragons’ Welsh and British and Irish Lion capped number eight, Toby Faletau.

Faletau, who has a full season to run on his contract with the Dragons which will require Bath to pay a transfer fee to acquire his services is receptive to a move to the Recreation Ground, according to The Daily Mail.

After failing in an attempt to lure South African number eight Duane Vermuelen to the Premiership, Bath, backed by the money of Bruce Craig, have set their sights on Faletau, whose absence from the list of signatures on the WRU’s new dual contract initiative have fueled rumours of his departure.

Thursday 26th March:

Brad Thorn Rumoured To Be Close To Deal with Queensland Reds:

According to Brisbane’s Courier Mail, legendary All Black lock Brad Thorn may be enticed to sign for Queensland Reds next season with the offer of a player-coaching role.

Currently of Leicester Tigers in the Aviva Premiership, 40 year old Thorn has enjoyed copious amounts of success in both Rugby League and Union, winning the Rugby World Cup with New Zealand in 2011, and the Reds’ see his experience as crucial as they look forward to next season, after enduring a difficult start to this seasons’ Super Rugby competition, winning only one of their five games to date.

Thorn has previously lived in Brisbane, when he represented the Brisbane Bronco’s NRL Franchise.

Adam Jones to join Harlequins:

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions prop Adam Jones has agreed to join Premiership side Harlequins from next season after his contract at the Cardiff Blues expired.

Speaking on the move, Conor O’Shea, Harlequins’ Director of Rugby, highlighted Jones’ experience as vital in the progression of Quins’ young forwards.  

"He is a world-class prop and we cannot wait to get him involved,"  O'Shea.

"Not only is it apparent that Adam wants to keep going for some time to come, but the work he will do in supporting and pushing our young tight-heads Kyle Sinckler, Will Collier and Matt Shields will benefit us for years to come."

Friday 27th March:

Cardiff Blues Prepare Huge Offer to Repatriate Jamie Roberts:

According to Walesonline, Cardiff Blues are in the process of preparing a lucrative offer to entice their former centre and current Racing Metro player Jamie Roberts back to Welsh Rugby.

Although Roberts may not be available until the end of the year, Cardiff haven’t been perturbed in their pursuit of Roberts, 28, despite facing competition for his signature from Premiership duo, London Irish and Harlequins.

Due to injuries and poor form, Roberts has only made 26 appearances for Racing Metro since joining the club in 2013