Wednesday Afternoon Round Up

Reds coaching team finalised for 2017

The Queensland Rugby Union has finalised the St.George Queensland Reds coaching staff for the 2017 season, backing its own pathway to provide the support for head coach Nick Stiles.

 
Joining Stiles in the coaching ranks will be 2016 Queensland Under 20s head coach Jason Gilmore (assistant coach – defence) and McInnes Wilson Lawyers Brisbane City assistant Shane Arnold (assistant coach – attack).

Former Rugby World Cup-winning All Black Brad Thorn will take over as Queensland Under 20s head coach in 2017, while also supporting the Reds as a contact coach.

National Skills Coach Mick Byrne will also have an involvement with the team and a strong support role with the coaching team.

The Reds begin pre-season training on Monday 21 November, in preparation for their opening Super Rugby match against the Sharks at Suncorp Stadium on Friday 24 February 2017.

Shillcock commits future to Warriors

Warriors Academy youngster Jamie Shillcock has committed his future to the Club by signing a new deal with the first-team.

The versatile back, who can play at scrum-half, fly-half or full-back, was handed his first start for the Club in September against Bath Rugby where he impressed with two assists and two try-saving tackles.

His recent form has also seen him recalled to the England Under 20 squad alongside five of his fellow Warriors teammates.

Toomua faces 6 months out with knee injury

Leicester centre Matt Toomua faces six months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

The 26-year-old needs surgery after suffering posterior cruciate ligament damage during Sunday's 27-17 European Champions Cup win over Racing 92.

"Not having Matt and Manu is clearly disappointing but we have good young players," said boss Richard Cockerill after also losing Manu Tuilagi.

"We know the quality of Matt and Manu. But Manu is making good progress and we will hopefully have him back on the field soon."

The Australia international joined the club from Super Rugby side Brumbies before the start of the season.

Keith Earls suspended for two weeks

Munster Rugby's Keith Earls has been suspended for two weeks following an independent Disciplinary Hearing in London today (Wednesday) after the European Rugby Champions Cup, Round 2 match between Munster Rugby and Glasgow Warriors.
 
Earls was sent off by referee for a dangerous tackle on the Glasgow Warriors hooker, Fraser Brown, in the 19th minute of the match at Thomond Park in contravention of Law 10.4 (j):

He will be free to play on Monday, 7 November. Both the player and EPCR have the right to appeal the decision.

Dunn signs long-term contract extension

Tom Dunn has signed a new, long-term contract extension with Bath Rugby, the Club has confirmed.

The 23-year-old hooker has made the transition from Academy to Senior Squad in 2015 after starting his career with the Club as a University Scholar whilst studying at the University of Bath.

Dunn  made his starting debut later that season against Bucharest, scoring a try in the process.

Hudson forced to retire from professional rugby

Gloucester Rugby can confirm today that second row James Hudson has retired from professional rugby with immediate effect having failed to overcome a serious knee injury.
 
The 34-year-old , who joined the club from Newcastle Falcons ahead of the 2013-14 season, injured his knee when he appeared as a replacement in Gloucester's first preseason friendly in September 2015, away at Exeter Chiefs.

Hudson made over 250 appearances in a career, which included representing Bath Rugby, London Irish and Newcastle Falcons as well as Gloucester in the Premiership.
 
However, having also played for England against the Barbarians and on two Churchill Cup tours, he will remain with the Cherry and Whites in the role of Performance Nutritionist.

England 33-man squad for Wealth Series

Eddie Jones has announced his 33-man squad for the Old Mutual Wealth Series against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia.

With 10 players unavailable through injury, Jones has named six uncapped players in the squad. Tight-head prop Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins) joins back-row forward Nathan Hughes (Wasps) and second-row Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby) in the forwards. Wing Mike Haley (Sale Sharks), fly–half Alex Lozowski (Saracens) and centre Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors) are included in the backs. 

After recovering from a lengthy injury, wing Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby) returns to the England set-up, as do back-row forwards Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints) and second-row Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby).

See full squad here

Force sign Michael Ruru

The Western Force have added another Perth-based product to their senior list, with Nedlands scrumhalf Michael Ruru signing with the club for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

The half back had a standout year taking out the PG Hampshire award in the Pindan Premier Grade, winning tournament MVP at the World Club 10s in Mauritius and played a third consecutive year in the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship for the Perth Spirit.

Jenkins withdraws from Australia Men's 7s captaincy

Australian Men’s Sevens team will have a changing of the guard for its 2016/17 World Rugby Sevens Series campaign with Ed Jenkins electing to step down from his role as Captain.

Jenkins informed teammates of his decision over the weekend and said it was a move he had always planned to make post the Rio Olympic Games.

Lewis Holland has been appointed Club Captain for the Aussie Men’s Sevens program, although the playmaker will miss the entire 2016/17 World Series campaign after suffering a ruptured achilles during a pre-season training session.