Wednesday Afternoon Round Up

Bath appoint Merce as captain

Bath Rugby openside flanker Guy Mercer has today been named club captain ahead of the 2016/17 season, with England international fly-half George Ford appointed as vice-captain.

Todd Blackadder, the Club’s Director of Rugby, said of Mercer’s appointment: “Guy is a terrific player who knows Bath Rugby inside and out, which is an invaluable resource in a captain. He works tremendously hard both on and off the pitch and it’s that work ethic, combined with his personality, which has earned him the respect of his team and the supporters."

The 26-year-old Mercer made the step up to the senior team in 2011 and has since made over 100 Club appearances.

Senatla turns back on the Lions

After reports that the Lions were keen in grabbing Seabelo Senatla before he gets lured away by another union, the South Africa Sevens star's agent has ruled out a move to the club as the Stormers winger weighs up his options.

"Seabelo has not signed a new contract, but he’s definitely not going to the Lions,” said his agent, Stephan Weyers.

Koch to get Springboks start

Springboks have made only one change for their starting line-up to face Argentina on Saturday, replacing injured Julian Redelinghuys with Vincent Koch.

Koch, who has three Test caps to his name, jumps in for Redelinghuys after he was ruled out of action with a hamstring injury sustained in the first Rugby Championship Test on Saturday.

See full Springboks team here: http://bit.ly/2bg9nWy

Giteau faces four months out

After breaking his ankle in last week's defeat to New Zealand, Australia centre Matt Giteau is not expected to return to action for his club, Toulon, until late December.

The 33-year-old will return to France ahead of surgery at the start of next week, Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal confirmed.

Giteau will miss most of the early months of Toulon's Top 14 campaign, as well as a high number of their Champions Cup pool matches.

Shipperley re-commits to Rebels

Melbourne Rebels re-signed winger Dom Shipperley for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Shipperley has three Wallabies caps and 63 Super Rugby appearances, including 18 tries to his name.

After joining the Rebels a year ago, the 25-year-old has put pen to paper on a contract extension which will see him remain with the Rebels until the end of the 2017 Super Rugby season.