Weekend Round Up

Weekend Round Up

Season over for Highlanders captain James Lentjes

Highlanders will have to be without their captain James Lentjes for the rest of the season after the 29-year-old suffered an ankle injury during the side's 28-22 loss to Melbourne Rebels on Friday. 

In a press release sent out on Monday, the Highlanders confirmed that the captain is expected to undergo surgery within the next seven to 10 days and will be out of action for between six to nine months.

"Positive discussions have taken place with stand-off Finn Russell" - Russell could make Scotland return


Finn Russell will not play for Scotland at this year's Six Nations, but could yet make return to the international stage for the tour of South Africa and New Zealand.


The Racing 92 flyhalf and coach Gregor Townsend are believe to have spoken on the phone several times last week, with conversations between the two described as "positive", but his exile from the squad is set to continue until the end of this current tournament.

He has not been considered for selection following a breach of team protocol back in January, reportedly ordering a third beer at the team hotel, breaching the pre-agreed limit of two. Full story

Fresh injury concerns for Wales as Biggar suffers horrible-looking injury

Welsh flyhalf Dan Biggar had to be helped from the field with a serious-looking knee injury. Biggar was released from the Wales' squad along with a number of his teammates who featured across the Premiership this weekend.

The pivot started Northampton's clash with Saracens on Saturday afternoon but last just under 20 minutes, giving Wales a big injury worry before their Twickenham date next weekend.

He had to be helped from the pitch at Franklin's Gardens after appearing to land awkwardly after taking a high ball. Full story

World Cup Winning Springbok Set To Return To The Bulls

The battered Bulls are yet to win any of their four games so far in Super Rugby 2020 but have received a boost with the confirmation that World Cup-winning star No 8 Duane Vermeulen will be heading back to Pretoria later this year.

The good news for the franchise was announced late on Saturday evening, hours after the Bulls suffered a fourth straight defeat in this year's Super Rugby season, this time a 39-24 home drubbing at the hands of the Jaguares.

Prior to that, the Bulls had lost 23-21 to the Blues and their opening two matches saw 23-15 and 13-0 away defeats to their fellow South African franchises, the Sharks and Stormers, respectively.

Six Nations To Go Behind Sky Paywall - report

The Six Nations could go behind a paywall with Sky Sports set to secure a £300 million deal for the broadcasting rights for the tournament according to a report in the Rugby Paper.

The Tenders for the live rights to the competition of more 100 international matches close before the completion of the tournament of 14 March, despite the postponed games.

According to the report by the Rugby Paper, The BBC and ITV joined forces to outbid Sky Sports when the rights came up for grabs in 2016 but they were told they were unable to join forces this time around with no joint bids allowed. Full story

Waratahs get first win of Super Rugby season, Kellaway inspires Rebels

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