Wednesday Morning Round Up
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Will Spencer suspended for 4 weeks:
Leicester Tigers forward Will Spencer has suspended banned for four weeks after appearing before an independent disciplinary panel on Tuesday.
He was shown a red card in the 40th minute of the match against Wasps for a dangerous tackle on Tommy Taylor. Full story
Whetu Douglas injury update:
Canterbury No. 8 and Co-Captain Whetukamokamo
He will unfortunately be unavailable for the remainder of the Mitre 10 Cup. Mitchell Drummond will resume the captaincy for the rest of the season.
Mitchell officially appointed England defence Coach:
John Mitchell has officially been appointed defence coach of England after the RFU and Blue Bulls reached a settlement agreement.
Mitchell, who was until recently head coach of the Bulls, has a contract until the end of the 2019 RWC.
See John Mitchell's Coaching Career History here
Sonny Bill Williams returns to the boxing ring:
All Black & Blues centre Sonny Bill Williams has announced that he will return to boxing and take on Bachelorette TV series winner Stu Laundy in an exhibition fight after his end-of-year tour in December.
The pair will fight on December 1 in a charity event called 'Banger in the Hanger' to fundraise for youth homelessness and the Auckland City Mission. Full story
8 Springboks released for Currie Cup duty:
The Springboks have released eight players from their Rugby Championship squad that returned from New Zealand on Sunday for Currie Cup and provincial duty this weekend.
In addition to the group of local players released to their provinces, two overseas-based players will also return to their clubs and are available for selection for this weekend’ matches. They are fullback Willie le Roux and loose forward Francois Louw. Full story
James O’Connor reveals desire to play for Wallabies at the 2019 RWC:
Former Wallabies back James O'Connor has revealed plans to fight his way back into the Wallabies squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The 28-year-old, who's currently signed with Sale Sharks until 2020, spent time at a meditation and sensory-deprivation retreat in Iceland, a process he says helped him face his "darkness". Read more
Mark Bennett to miss part of the season with hamstring injury:
Edinburgh Head Coach Richard Cockerill has confirmed that centre Mark Bennett is set to miss part of the season after picking up a hamstring injury in last weekend’s PRO14 match against Ulster.
The 22-times capped Scotland international was stretchered off in the 19th minute of the 30-29 defeat to the Irish province at the Kingspan Stadium. Full story
Greene King IPA Championship - Stats Watch:
With 3 rounds of the Championship complete, we take a look at who is starting to set themselves clear of the rest.
Cornish Pirates are the only unbeaten side and they sit on top of the table with Bedford Blues just 4 points behind them. Jersey Reds and London Scottish are the only 2 sides in the competition that are yet to register a win. Full story
Colombia win inaugural Americas Rugby Challenge:
