Rugby Banter Page weekly round up

Monday 20th April:

Peter Betham’s Move To Leicester Tigers Confirmed:

After weeks of speculation, it has now been confirmed that Waratahs’ New Zealand born Wallaby capped winger Peter Betham will join Aviva Premiership giants Leicester Tigers.

Betham, 26, has played twice for the Wallabies since making his debut in 2013 and Leicester Tigers’ Director of Rugby, Richard Cockerill, is excited to welcome the winger on board for the beginning of next season.

"We have been looking to add to our strength in the back-three positions for next season and Peter is certainly able to do that," said Cockerill

"He is a big man at 6'4", a powerful runner with good pace, and he has been playing some good rugby for the Waratahs as well as reaching test status with Australia."

Injury To End Aaron Cruden’s World Cup Dream:

All Blacks fly half Aaron Cruden will miss this year’s Rugby World Cup after injuring the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during his club, the Chiefs’, Super Rugby win over the Crusaders last weekend.

Limping out of the game in the first half, subsequent scans revealed that Cruden- capped thirty seven times by the Blacks- had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament; an injury that necessitates reconstructive knee surgery and is likely to rule the 26 year old for six months.

Tuesday 21st April:

Chiefs Lock Fitzgerald To Make Switch To Leicester Tigers:

Shortly after confirming their signing of Waratahs winger Peter Betham, Leicester Tigers announced the signing of another Super Rugby player, with Chiefs lock Mike Fitzgerald committing himself to the Welford Road side.

After the retirement of locks Brad Thorn & Louis Deacon, Fitzgerald, 28, will add experience to the Tigers’ engine room and Director of Rugby, Richard Cockerill, has welcomed the move.

"Mike will be a good addition to our group of locks, especially with the retirement of Louis Deacon and Brad Thorn," mused Cockerill . "He has played in very good company at the Chiefs and now wants the experience of playing rugby in Europe."

Speaking on the move, Fitzgerald admitted he was excited by the prospect of playing for the Tigers, despite loving his time playing for the Chiefs.

"I have loved my time playing for the Chiefs and the Turbos in New Zealand but feel it's the right time to make the move with my young family across to the UK. We're excited about linking up with the Tigers and settling into Leicester.

"I like the style of play and type of rugby the Tigers are known for and I am looking forward to testing myself in the Aviva Premiership and in Europe, ‘’ said Fitzgerald.

Concussion Symptoms  May End Mike Brown’s Season:

After suffering a concussion in England’s Six Nations triumph over Italy nine weeks ago, Harlequins full back Mike Brown has yet to return to training with the London side, citing concussion symptoms such as headaches as the reason for his absence.

Harlequins’ Director of Rugby, Conor O’Shea, has ruled Brown out of this weekend’s Aviva Premiership clash with Sale and also admitted that Brown is unlikely to play the following weekend against Bath.

'He has headaches throughout the day,' explained O'Shea. 'He's frustrated because he wants to help his team-mates. What's even more frustrating is he can't contribute in meetings. He can't even be in the room to help people because we're sending him home to get himself right. I want to see Mike Brown right when he is in his 50s, not when he is in his prime.'

Brown, who was knocked out in a collision in the Italian game, played England’s next games against Scotland & France but latterly admitted to not feeling quite right during the said games.

Provided Harlequins don’t reach the Champions Cup playoff, the final day meeting between Harlequins and Newcastle is the likeliest game Brown will return for, but O’Shea remains cautious on his chances.

'You can't rule out the possibility that he might not play again this season . 'Do I think he'll be right for Bath? I don't think so. Do I think we're looking at Newcastle? Yes, but if he's not right then, he's not right,’’ said the former Irish international.

Wednesday 22nd April:

Shortlist for EPCR European Player of the Year 2015 Award Named:

Three finalists in the upcoming European Champions Cup final clash between Toulon and Clermont have been named on the shortlist for the 2015 EPCR European Player of the Year award.

Clermont Auvergne, victorious over Saracens in the Champions Cup Semi Final, supply two players to the shortlist with backrow Fritz Lee and full back Nick Abendanon nominated.

Clermont’s opponents in the final, reigning Champions Toulon, are represented by the winner of the last season’s award, openside Steffon Armitage.

Meanwhile, the Champions Cups defeated semi finalists, Leinster & Saracens, have seen their respective number eights, Jamie Heaslip & Billy Vunipola, nominated.

Australia Relax Wallaby Eligibility Rules To Include Foreign Based Players:

The Australian Rugby Union, ARU, has announced its decision to relax its eligibility rules which now means overseas based Wallbies, previously ineligible for selection for the Australian National Team, can now be considered for selection, provided they have won over sixty  Australian caps and have held a contract with the ARU for a period of seven years or more.

Under the new rules, several high profile former Wallabies, including Toulon pair Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau and Japanese based openside George Smith, will be considered for selection for the World Cup.

Speaking on the rule change, ARU Chief Bill Pulver admitted that his organization needed to adapt to the ever changing landscape of professional Rugby.

“It’s a decision that recognises the changing dynamics of a global Rugby market for professional players,” said Pulver.

“Combined with our other recruitment and retention strategies, we feel this decision allows the ARU to assert more influence over player movement and contracting in Australia and abroad.

“Those players who satisfy the 60-game and seven-year threshold have already invested heavily and contributed considerably to Australian rugby over a long period of time.

“The policy also encourages those players who have not yet reached that point to commit exclusively to Australian Rugby in the prime of their career. In this way, we believe the policy supports Super Rugby by encouraging our top players to remain in Australia for longer.

Thursday 23rd April:

Former Welsh Full Back Lee Byrne Forced To Retire:

After failing to recover from a shoulder injury, Dragons’ former Wales full back has announced his retirement from professional Rugby.

Byrne, who won 46 caps since his 2005 Welsh debut, was named captain of Dragons after signing for the Newport club last summer after a stint in France with Clermont.

However, the 2009 Lions tourist failed the recover from the shoulder injury which necessitated surgery in November and has been forced to announce his retirement.

"This is a disappointing time for me but I'm looking forward to the future," said Byrne.

"I'm not sure what the next chapter holds or even what I want to do, but I am planning on taking some down time over the next few weeks to look at my opportunities, whether that's in rugby or a new career,’’ said Byrne.

Harlequins Confirm Signing Of Highlanders Centre Winston Stanley:

Harlequins have confirmed the signing of The Highlanders’ Samoan International centre Winston Stanley.

Born in Australia, Stanley- the brother of Clermont’s thrice All Black capped centre, Benson- has represented Samoa at Test level and will arrive at Harlequins for the beginning of next season.

Harlequins’ Director of Rugby, Conor O’Shea, hailed Stanley, 26, and his versatility, with the Highlander capable of playing in both the inside and outside centre berths.

"Winston is a classic case of a player who does the simple things well,"

"With the amount we play with ball in hand, having players in our squad that have Winston's ability ensures we will be better placed to compete on all fronts, ‘’ said O’Shea of the former Western Force and Auckland Blues back.

Friday 24th April:

Quade Cooper Officially Signs For Toulon:

After months of speculation, French powerhouses Toulon have announced, on their official website, that they have signed Reds and Australia fly half Quade Cooper on a two year deal.

Capped 52 times by his country, Cooper, who is currently ruled out of action for two months with a shoulder injury, will join his new club and team-mates in the summer in preparation for the 2015/2016 season.

Racing Metro Coaching Pair Reject French National Team Job Speculation:

After weeks of intense speculation in the French media, Racing Metro coaching duo, Laurent Labit and Laurent Travers, have denied speculation that they could replace incumbent French National Team coach Philippe Saint-André after the World Cup.

Earlier this month, the French Federation threw down the gauntlet to prospective coaches by encouraging coaches to apply for the French Head Coach job, which will be vacated after this year’s World Cup

However, Labit and Travers who are highly regarded within French Rugby, after taking Castres to the 2013 Top 14 title and subsequently moving to big spending Racing Metro, this week reiterated their desire to see out their contract with the Parisian club, which lasts until 2017.

"We are committed with the president Jacky Lorenzetti on a long-term project," Labit told Rugbyrama.

"That goes from the training to the professional team and also means the arrival of our new stadium: Arena 92.

"We don't see ourselves jumping ship before the completion of these projects, and especially at the beginning of our stint here at Racing-Metro.

"We are men of our word,

"There is a commitment for four years, maybe it will be more, and we wish to remain faithful to the colours of Racing ".