Tuesday Afternoon Round Up

Goosen voted best in Top 14

Johan Goosen was named the best player in the Top 14 for the 2015-16 season by his peers on Monday.

"I wasn't expecting it. When I look at the other names… Dan… no need to say anything more," Goosen said.

"And as for Joshua, he had a great season, so I take this award with great humility."

The versatile 24-year-old, who plays for Racing 92, got the award ahead of team-mate and former New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter and the Fijian Joshua Tuisova from Toulon.

Goosen recently made his comeback to international rugby with the Springboks in the Rugby Championship, where he wore the number 15 jersey.

Racing, who won the Top 14 last season, also took the award for best coaching team for Laurent Travers, Laurent Labit and Ronan O'Gara.

Leota cited for dangerous tackle

Sale Sharks centre Johnny Leota will appear before an RFU Disciplinary panel charged with dangerous tackling.

Leota received a yellow card for the dangerous tackle on Bath winger Aled Brew during last weekend’s Premiership match between Sale Sharks and Bath. 

The 32-year-old will appear before a three-person RFU Discipline panel later today (Tuesday).

Harlequins sign Demetri Catrakilis

Harlequins have announced the signing of fly-half Demetri Catrakilis from Top 14 side, Montpellier from the 2017/18 season.

The 27-year-old made his professional debut in 2011 for Western Province where he went on to make 58 appearances and scored 670 points across two stints for the South African club.

He has won two Currie Cup titles with Western Province and a European Challenge Cup with Montpellier, and is also the joint all-time record holder for the most consecutive goal kicks in Super Rugby with 28.

Robbie Abel re-signs with Brumbies

Brumbies hooker Robbie Abel has recommitted to the side by signing an upgraded one-year deal for 2017.

The hooker was signed to an Extended Playing Squad contract for 2016 and made his Super Rugby debut for the Brumbies in Bloemfontein in March, to become Brumby #183. 

Abel also played in all 10 of the UC Vikings matches in 2015, including the grand final loss to Brisbane City.

He will link with the Brumbies on a full playing contract in 2017 following a number of standout performances for the University of Canberra Vikings throughout the 2016 Buildcorp National Rugby Championship (NRC) in which he has scored three tries taking his NRC career points tally to 53.