Thursday Afternoon Round Up

Thursday Afternoon Round Up

Matt Todd re-signs with Crusaders and New Zealand Rugby

New Zealand Rugby and the Crusaders have secured the services of loose forward Matt Todd for another year, re-signing him to the end of the 2018 season.

“I was born and raised here in Christchurch, and now I am bringing up my own young family here'" commented Tood.

"I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to live here and play for the teams I love, so it was a pretty easy decision to re-sign with NZ Rugby and the Crusaders for 2018.”

28-year-old Todd has been a consistent performer for the Crusaders and All Blacks since making his Super Rugby debut in 2011 and Test debut in 2013.


He has played eight Tests to date and is only a few games off reaching his 100th cap for the Crusaders.


Stuart Hogg voted 6 Nations Player of the Championship for the second year running

Scotland full-back Stuart Hogg has been voted 6 Nations Player of the Championship for the second year running, securing the backing of 29,734 fans - almost one quarter of the public vote.

Marcell Coetzee sidelined for the remainder of the season

Ulster have confirmed that Springbok flanker Marcell Coetzee has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2016/17 season. 

Francois Venter and Sergeal Petersen return for Cheetahs

Francois Venter will be making is return after an ankle injury kept him sidelined for the first four games of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

The Cheetahs also welcomed the return of Ox Nche, Justin Basson, Raymond Rhule, Nico Lee and Sergeal Petersen from injuries.

“I’m excited to be back in the team.  It was frustrating to be on the side-line, but I’m very proud of the team’s performance so far and I think that they’ve had a great start to the season.  I now have the responsibility to be as competitive as my teammates were from the start of the season,” said Francois Venter.

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Mark Jennings signs a two-year contract with Sale Sharks

Sale Sharks have confirmed that 24-year-old centre Mark Jennings has signed a new two-year deal with the club.

Jennings came through Sale's Academy and at the age of 16 - he was the youngest player to sign a professional deal with the club.

He has represented England at youth level and has made 6 appearances in the Premiership this season.

"He has stayed loyal to the club since joining and he will play a big part in what we are building at the club," Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond said.

Morgan Eames signs for Doncaster Knights

The Knights have announced the first new signing ahead of the 2017/18 season in the form of second-row Morgan Eames from Nottingham Rugby.

Eames made his debut for Nottingham at just 19-years-old in December 2013 and had developed into a regular starter by the close of the 2015/16 season. 

He has continued to be a key feature for the Green and Whites this campaign and is someone Director of Rugby Clive Griffiths is excited to see develop at Castle Park.

"Morgan is a hungry, young player full of potential and I have been very impressed by his attitude and willingness to learn."

The 22-year-old will now finish the season at Lady Bay before a summer move to South Yorkshire - a prospect he claims to relish.

"I am excited to be joining Doncaster Knights next season and to be making Castle Park my new home with its fantastic facilities."

Newcastle Falcons sign Sami Mavinga and Gary Graham

Newcastle Falcons have confirmed the signing of Lyon prop Sami Mavinga and Jersey Reds flanker Gary Graham, while new contracts have been confirmed for prop Jon Welsh and centre Chris Harris.

Mavinga, 23, scored against the Falcons while playing for Lyon during December’s European Challenge Cup encounter over in France, the 115kg forward has featured nine times in the competition for Lyon, for whom he has made five top-flight league starts this season after coming through the club’s academy system.

Graham, 24, joins the club with which his father George won the 1997-8 Premiership title. He has featured predominantly at open-side flanker for Jersey Reds in this season’s Championship and has been discribed by Dean Richards as a “Gary is a tenacious forward whose physicality has impressed us"

Jon Welsh heads the first wave of contract renewals as Newcastle make good on their desire for a stable summer on the retention front, the 11-times-capped Welsh tight-head has made 29 appearances for the club since joining from Glasgow Warriors.
 
Harris, meanwhile, renews terms with the Falcons after making 45 first team appearances, the academy graduate has scored two tries in six appearances during the 2017 season.

Nigel Carolan and Jimmy Duffy join Connacht's new coaching team

Connacht Rugby and the IRFU have confirmed the appointment of Nigel Carolan and Jimmy Duffy to Kieran Keane’s new coaching team ahead of the start of next season.

Commenting on the coaching announcements, Connacht Rugby CEO Willie Ruane said:

“We are delighted that both Nigel and Jimmy will be part of the new-look coaching team under Kieran Keane. The fact that both are local coaches who have come through the Connacht system is a massive positive for the club and further illustrates our vision of Grassroots to Green Shirts.

“Jimmy is well established within the backroom team after two seasons as Forwards Coach and Nigel brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game from his time as Connacht Academy Manager and Ireland U20’s head coach.

“We are currently in the process of finalising the full makeup of the backroom team and we hope to have further news in the coming weeks.”

Carolan has held the role of Connacht Rugby Academy Manager since 2004 and has played a pivotal role in the identification and development of young talent across the province in that time.

Carolan also worked as an assistant coach with the Ireland under-20’s from 2008 to 2010 before being appointed head coach of the side in 2015, subsequently leading the team to its first ever World Rugby U20 Championship final in June 2016.

Nick Johnston to leave Worcester Warriors

A club statement from Worcester Warriors states that Nick Johnston has opted not to renew his contract with Worcester Warriors.


It goes on to say that Johnston will therefore leave the club from 1 April 2017. 



"We would like to thank Nick for his hard work at the Club and wish him well for the future." Worcester Warriors.

Super Rugby Round 5 team sheets

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