Weekly Round Up

Edinburgh sign Jaguares prop

Edinburgh confirmed the signing of Argentina tighthead-prop Felipe Arregui on a short-term deal.

The 22-year-old joins the Scottish club from the Jaguares, on a deal which will see him remain at Edinburgh until the end of January 2017.

George Kruis injury update

George Kruis has undergone minor surgery on his ankle and is expected to return to action in a number of weeks.

“After consultation with George and England we are in all in agreement that it’s in the best interest of the player to undergo this minor procedure now with the majority of the season still ahead of us," said Mark McCall, Saracens Director of Rugby.

"George is on the road to recovery and we look forward to his return to action sooner rather than later.”

Coleman trades Brumbies for Western Force

The Western Force have signed Brumbies utility back Robbie Coleman for the 2017 and 2018 Super Rugby seasons.

The 26-year-old will leave the Canberra based club with a year left on his contract and head west to continue his rugby career.

After 80 caps with the Brumbies, Coleman says it was time to change and the fact that he’ll now be coached again by Dave Wessels was a huge factor in his decision.

“We’re delighted to sign Robbie,” said head coach Dave Wessels. “We’ve actually been trying to get him for a number of years as I was lucky enough to have coached him at the Brumbies.

“We know he’s a very good player and we know he’s exactly the type of player we want in our group as well, so we’re very pleased to have him come to the west.”

Cardiff Blues release Salesi Ma'afu

Cardiff Blues can confirm tight-head prop Salesi Ma’afu has been released from the remainder of his contract.
 

The former Australia international joined Wales’ Capital Region during the 2015-16 campaign and will now link up with Gloucester in the English Premiership.

The 33-year-old, who has been capped 14 times by his country, began his rugby career as part of the New South Wales Waratahs Academy, before moving to the Brumbies where he first worked with Laurie Fisher, making his Super Rugby debut in 2007.

Ma'afu has trained with his new team mates this week and will be available for selection for this weekend's European Rugby Challenge Cup fixture at home to Benetton Treviso.

Montpellier add O'Leary to Champions Cup squad

Montpellier have added former Ireland scrum-half Tomas O'Leary as an additional player for Round 2 of the Champions Cup. 

The Munster number nine joins the Top 14 outfit as a medical joker on a short-term deal as a replacement for the injured Benoit Paillaugue.

Ludik signs three-year extension

Louis Ludik has agreed a three-year contract extension with Ulster Rugby, which will keep him at Kingspan Stadium until the summer of 2020.
 

Ludik, who recently turned 30, joined Ulster from French side Agen in 2014. The versatile backline star signed a one-year extension earlier this year and he will qualify to play for Ireland next summer.

Ludik is currently out of action due to a fractured cheek bone suffered in the game against Connacht earlier this month and he is likely to return by the end of November.

Lions’ Ferreira joins Springboks

Defense coach and technical analyst at the Golden Lions Rugby Union, JP Ferreira, has been seconded to the Springbok management team for the end of year tour.

“We support SA Rugby’s decision to appoint JP for the end of year tour, as we believe that he can add value. He has been a stalwart for the union for the last nine years through some tough times,” commented Rudolf Straeuli, the CEO of the Golden Lions.

Ferreira will help out with the Springboks for four weeks and will return to the Lions afterwards for the Lions’ 2017 Super Rugby preparations.

Matt Hodgson re-signs with Force

The Western Force have announced the re-signing of club stalwart Matt Hodgson for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

The openside flanker and three-time Nathan Sharpe Medal winner will head into his 12^th season with the club - who along with Pek Cowan - are the last inaugural players of the Western Force.

“I guess you could say this contract is in two parts, one being the playing aspect and the second moving into a coaching position and being part of the club in that way for a long time into the future," said Hodgson.

“It’s something as a club we are looking at; trying to get players more involved in different aspects of rugby as a business and coaching genuinely excites me."

As part of this progression, Hodgson will do hands-on coaching next year and be officially part of the coaching structure from 2018.

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.

Pisi ruled out for up to 12 weeks

Samoan fly-half Tusi Pisi has been ruled out for up to 12 weeks after sustaining a groin injury during the first-half of the Premiership clash against nNewcastle Falcons.

The injury makes him Bristol's 15th injured player.

"Adrian Jarvis is unavailable with a calf injury, joining Gavin Henson (dead leg) in the treatment room," said the team's medical update.

"Callum Sheedy (hamstring) is expected to be sidelined for another six weeks, while Academy centre Nick Carpenter could miss up to twelve weeks following surgery on a shoulder injury.

"Martin Roberts (elbow) is set to miss a further ten weeks, while Ben Mosses (knee), Max Crumpton (knee) and Jamal Ford-Robinson (shoulder) are unavailable for selection.

"Front-row trio Marc Jones (knee), Ryan Bevington (knee) and Alec Clarey (back) are ruled out, and locks Glen Townson (knee), Joe Joyce (foot) and Sam Jeffries (heel) are also among the injured squad members."

Geraghty joins Bristol Rugby

London Irish has agreed to Shane Geraghty’s early release from his playing contract and he has joined Bristol Rugby with immediate effect.

“Whilst looking forward to the opportunity at Bristol, it's sad to be leaving London Irish for the second time after 10 seasons in total,” said the former England international.

Geraghty, 30, who has notched up 610 points in 167 appearances for Irish, will be with Bristol until the end of the season.