Friday Morning Round Up
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Nic White set to leave Exeter Chiefs and chase World Cup dream with Baxter's blessing
Exter Chiefs' scrumhalf Nic White is one step closer to realising his dream of representing the Wallabies at a Rugby World Cup after he was given the green light by Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter.
Baxter admitted that he had no hesitation in coming to a contractual agreement that will pave the way for the scrum-half to be available for the Wallabies.
Beauden Barrett coy on post World Cup plans
Hurricanes captain Beauden Barrett is remaining tight-lipped about his playing future after the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The 27-year-old told reporters in Wellington that his focus at the moment is his side's Super Rugby match with the Melbourne Rebels at Westpac Stadium.
Beauden Barrett coy on his future after the World Cup https://t.co/uuZFZBCGAb
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) May 3, 2019
Glen Jackson considers a career change after World Cup snub
Missing out on a spot among 12 referees at the Rugby World Cup has prompted New Zealand referee Glen Jackson to consider his future.
World Rugby is to release the official list of referees for the World Cup but Jackson revealed to Sport 24 that he was overlooked for the team.
Star Australian Schoolboy Lured Back from Christchurch To Sign With The Brumbies
Former Australian Schoolboy star Nick Frost has penned a deal with the Brumbies and has moved back to Australia having spent a year and half in the Crusaders Development Program.
Frost, a 205cm second rower, has signed for the 2020 and 2021 seasons and has already joined the Brumbies program to further his development throughout the year.
Chiefs secure the long-term future of star outside back
The Chiefs have announced that impressive outside back Shaun Stevenson has re-signed with the side until 2023.
The 22-year-old debuted for the Chiefs in 2016 against the Crusaders, a year after his provincial debut and went on to win the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens in 2017 and was named player of the tournament.
Italy Name 44-man Squad For World Cup Preparations
Italy head coach Conor O'Shea has named a 44-man preliminary squad for the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The squad will meet up in Pergine Valsugana on 2 June.
The likes of Marco Fuser, Renato Giammarioli, Marco Lazzaroni and Giosue Zilocchi have all earned recalls to the test squad and will be able to push their way into contention while Mattia Bellini, Giovanni Licata, Matteo Minozzi Marcello Voili and Alessandro Zanni all return from their respective injuries.
As the Australian & South African conferences are incredibly tight while NZ has two clear standout teams, here's a closer look at how this year’s #SuperRugby tournament is shaping up.https://t.co/Y0asiYd5wD
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) May 2, 2019
Former Springbok lock announces his retirement
Former Springbok second-rower Flip van der Merwe has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season and intends to stay in Clermont.
Van der Merwe enjoyed a long and successful career spanning over 13 years. The 33-year-old attended the famed Grey College before he joined the Free State Cheetahs and made his first-class debut in 2006.
Shaun Edwards' Wales departure confirmed
Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards will leave Welsh Rugby later this year, after the conclusion of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Edwards has been part of the Wales coaching team since 2008.
He has decided not to sign a new deal with the WRU and will continue to be an integral part of Warren Gatland’s coaching team through until the end of the RWC.
