Friday Round-Up

50 for Kepu: Wallabies tight head prop Sekope Kepu will take to the field against France tomorrow as he wins his 50th international cap at the Stade de France. Becoming just the sixth prop in Australian rugby history to reach 50 appearances in the famous green and gold jersey, behind the likes of Ben Alexander, Benn Robinson and former head coach Ewen McKenzie, Kepu will join an elite circle of professionals when he packs down alongside Saia Faingaa and James Slipper in Paris. Having made his test debut back in 2008 against Italy, Kepu has enjoyed seven years on the international scene, with Saturday capping off a wonderful year which has already seen him lift the Super Rugby title with club side the New South Wales Waratahs. In other news from Michael Cheika’s Wallaby camp, the former Leinster and Stade Francais head coach has made just a solitary change to his starting XV, with former skipper James Horwill replacing Sam Carter in the second row. 

Puma clash brought forward: In a rather surprising move to the rugby community, Italy’s home clash with Argentina has been brought forward 24 hours, in an effort to avoid imminent bad weather. Originally scheduled for Saturday evening, the Italian Rugby Federation have moved the game to Friday evening, with the time slot representing one of the few opportunities to play 80 minutes of rugby without the obvious threat of a thunderstorm. Following hours of meetings between rugby and safety officials from the ground, the decision was taken to bring the game forward, as they look to avoid the horrific weather which has already claimed the lives of five, as high seas and persistent downfall continue to wreak havoc on the Liguria Region in Northern Italy. Having kicked off their November International series with a confidence boosting win over Samoa, Italy will be no doubt keen to notch up another win as they look towards next year’s showpiece event in England.

Ryan Sheady