Monday Afternoon Round Up

Monday Afternoon Round Up

Ulster lose Marcell Coetzee through injury

Ulster have lost South African flanker Marcell Coetzee through injury following their 62-21 victory over Zebre.

It is unclear how long the flanker will be side-lined for but Ulster will it will be a short stint on the side-lines as the flanker has made a huge impact following his debut last month.

Further scans will be done on Monday, to confirm the extent of the injury.

Coetzee currently has 28 caps for the Boks, but given SA Rugby's new policy regarding overseas based players, he would have to play in all three Tests against France in June to be considered for Bok selection beyond that series and up until 2019. 


Racing 92 and Stade Français Paris merge


Racing 92 and Stade Français Paris have confimed that they will merge together to form one club. 

This merger will come into effect from next season with a new club being formed that will preserve the roots of Racing 92 and those of the Stade Français Paris, while increasing the means of both clubs.

The merger will only affect the senior side and will not impact the amateur sectors, like schools rugby.

Quintin Geldenhuys leave Zebre

Quintin Geldenhuys contract at Zebre has been cancelled by mutual consent, as the he returns to South Africa for family reasons.

Geldenhuys spent 5 seasons with Zebre winning an Italian Cup and one Italian Super Cup.

He made 78 appearances for Zebre including 19 as captain, as well as 50 European Cup appearances.

He also made 67 appearances for the Italy nation side.

Raphael Ibanez to leave Bordeaux

Raphael Ibanez will leave Bordeaux at the conclusion of the current season, following some poor results.

"It is understandable that after five years at the head of the team I notice a shortness in transmission to the players. It is said that "love lasts three years", for me it will have lasted five years with this team! I am proud to have contributed to the development of this club which I hope will grow in the years to come, "he said in a statement.

Ibanez has been at Bordeaux since 2012 and will complete the season at Bordeaux before departing.

Ian McKinley extends with Treviso

Ian McKinley was forced to retire from professional rugby in 2011 after losing the sight in his left eye following a training-ground accident.

McKinley subsequently made a return to playing in Italy, wearing specially-designed rugby goggles to protect his working eye.

Having impressed over the course of 21 appearances this season, including eight starts in the Pro12, Treviso have now opted to extend McKinley’s contract into the 2017/18 season.

Exeter Chiefs duo sign new deals

Back-row forward Don Armand, together with lock Jonny Hill, have both been handed new two-year contracts by Exeter Chiefs that will extend their stay in Devon until at least the summer of 2019.

“Don has been with us a while now, and is an exceptional back-row or back-five forward,” said Rob Baxter of the former Stormers forward who joined the Chiefs in 2013.

“He has been in exceptional form for us over the last two or three seasons in the Premiership, and he is a key leader and key member of our squad, so we are really pleased he is going to extend his stay with us over a lengthy time..."

“Jonny is a young man who has now broken through into the frontline first-team squad,” said Baxter on Jonny Hill.

“You can see him becoming a very important member of the back five of the scrum for us.

Ireland Squad Update

Tommy Bowe has suffered a suspected fracture and will see a specialist regarding the injury.

Sexton passed HIA and concussion ruled out. Conor Murray endured a stinger in Cardiff on Friday but is responding well and is available for selection.

Fergus Mc Fadden has been called in to replace the injured Tommy Bowe in the Ireland squad.

Scotland Squad update

The Scotland medical team provided a squad update after Saturday's defeat to England in the 6 Nations at Twickenham.



Replacement back Mark Bennett – who replaced injured full-back Stuart Hogg in the 18th minute – left the field after four minutes with a knee and arm injury.


He will subject to further care and assessment however it is expected that he will take no further part in the current RBS 6 Nations Championship.



Three players are being treated for concussion (Hogg, Tommy Seymour and Ryan Wilson) and are now subject to the completion of the HIA protocol.



Finn Russell, Huw Jones (both knee) and Richie Gray (hamstring) will also have precautionary scans at Spire Murrayfield Hospital early in the week following musculoskeletal complaints the morning after the match.

France 6 Nations Squad Update

France back-row Damien Chouly has returned to the France squad ahead of the final Six Nations game against Wales.

Chouly, 31, has been sidelined with an ankle injury since France’s win over Scotland back at the beginning of February.

The Clermont forward replaces Charles Ollivon, who has also suffered an ankle injury.

Antoine Dupont, who won his first cap on Saturday in Rome in the win over Italy, is retained in the squad in place of the injured Maxime Machenaud.

France squad to face Wales

Forwards: Uini Atonio, Cyril Baille, Eddy Ben Arous, Mohamed Boughanmi, Camille Chat, Damien Chouly, Kévin Gourdon, Guilhem Guirado, Paul Jedrasiak, Julien le Devedec, Bernard le Roux, Yoann Maestri, Louis Picamoles, Fabien Sanconnie, Rabah Slimani, Christopher Tolofua, Sébastian Vahaamahina

Backs: Djibirl Camara, Henry Chavancy, Jonathan Danty, Brice Dulin, Antoine Dupont, Gaël Fickou, Yoann Huget, Rémi Lamerat, Camille Lopez, Noa Nakaitaci, Baptiste Serin, Scott Spedding, François Trinh-Duc, Virimi Vakatawa

Six Nations: Team of the Weekend

Round 4 of the 6 Nations took place over the weekend. Another highly entertaining round of action took place. England notched their 2nd successive 6 Nations title and travel to Dublin in the final round to claim a potential World record for consecutive Test match victories, having equalled New Zealand's record of 18.

1. Rob Evans

A strong performance from the loosehead against an Irish scrum that had got the upper hand on all of its opponents. Evans pitched in with 10 carries, albeit with little success, but that took a toll on the tiring Ireland defence. 

 

Evans coped well with the highly regarded Tadhg Furlong, while contributing significantly in the loose.

 

 

2. Ken Owens

 

Owens was immaculate with his lineout throwing and put in an impressive 14 tackles in a bruising encounter. The hooker has been brilliant for the Scarlets this season. 

 

The Welsh hooker has a massive engine and the complete skill set. All nine of his throws hit the target, with both of North's tries coming from line-out moves.

 

 

3. Rabah Slimani

 

After displacing Uini Atonio, the Clermont tight-head delivered a much better performance.

 

Slimani worked hard in the loose, making 8/9 tackles & 3 carries for 13 metres for his side, delivering a clean line break.

 

 

4. Courtney Lawes

 

Lawes is enjoying a new lease of life under Eddie Jones. He has excelled on his return to the Test fold. 

 

A safe pair of hands in the lineout laying the ball perfectly to Youngs that led to two of England's first half tries.

 

Lawes imposed himself around the frings & at the breakdown. He was their top forward carrier, with 11.

 

 

5. Joe Launchbury

 

A leading contender for player of the tournament. The Wasps second-row got through a barrage of work for his side, that allowed England thrive on the ball.

 

He continues to lead England's defensive effort, making 22 tackles for his side that stemmed the Scotland attack & enjoyed some success with ball in hand.

 

 

6. Sam Warburton

 

A brilliant performance in defence by Warburton set the tone for the Welsh physical dominance over Ireland. 

 

Making more tackles than anyone else on the pitch (21), is thriving under his new role without the arm band.

 

Warburton highlighted his leadership in the win & has put his hand up to lead the Lions in the summer after this display.

 

 

7. Justin Tipuric

 

On the occasion of his 50th cap for his country, Tipuric once again displayed his talents.

 

Tipuric claimed 9 out of the 11 lineout throws for Wales. Has formed a world class partnership with Warburton.

 

 

8. Louis Picamoles

 

A monster effort from the No. 8. Picamoles carried 16 times & made 15 tackles.

 

Picamoles picked up a try for his outstanding efforts in Rome. Picking up 67m for Les Blues in an open encounter.

 

6 offloads and 7 defenders beaten on the day for the French powerhouse.

 

 

9. Rhys Webb

 

A strong performance from Webb saw him create the first try for North with a smart supporting run to take an offload from S. Williams & released a wide pass to Halfpenny.

 

Webb was physical in defence and got the better of Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray in their battle for the Lions No. 9 shirt.

 

 

10. Camille Lopez

 

The French out-half brought his three-quarters into the game with devastating results.

 

Lopez scored 20 points & completed 14 tackles. Completing all of his kicks from the tee.

 

Lopez is forming an exciting partnership with scrum-half Baptiste Serin.

 

 

 

11. Virimi Vakatawa

 

A fine week for the French wing as he scored a try that put Italy out of the game and racked up some impressive numbers.

 

Vakatawa made an average of more than 10m per break. Beating 8 defenders and making 4 clean breaks.

 

Proved how dangerous an open field runner he could be as he consistently broke the Italian defensive line.

 

 

12. Gael Fickou

 

After a quiet display in Dublin, Fickou was back to his best against Italy. His early try paved the way for an emphatic French victory.

 

Fickou gained 82m from 6 runs, beating 5 defenders & making 3 clean breaks. Completing 11 of his 12 tackles in the process.

 

 

13. Jonathan Joseph

 

A quite special performance from the returning Bath centre. Three tries, each of differing styles paved the way for a record equalling win for England at Twickenham.

 

The first try saw Joseph display his pace and power, the second one came from dazzling footwork and the third saw him cut a lovely inside line to break cleanly from short range.

 

Joseph made 120m from 9 runs, beating 5 defenders, 4 clean breaks, 1 offload and 1 try assist. Outstanding performance from the nailed on Lions 13.

 

 

14. George North

 

North was back to his devastating best with two tries against Ireland in Cardiff.

 

His first was a brutal display of power as he carried both Simon Zebo and Keith Earls over the try line to score, while his second was the result of a great drive from the Welsh pack.

 

A mazy run towards the end of the victory over Ireland triggered one last attack as his side searched in vain for the bonus point.

 

 

15. Brice Dulin

 

Dulin rounded off his efforts with the bonus point try as he showed his blistering pace racing over to score following an offload from Nakaitaci.

The France full back ran 10 times for a gain of 126m beating 6 defenders, 2 clean breaks & 2 offloads - scoring a well deserved try along the way.

Top Super Rugby performers of the Weekend

Quade Cooper

Cooper had an outstanding game for the Reds against the Crusaders on Saturday, but his efforts were all in vein as Mitchell Hunt converted a late penalty to give the Crusaders the victory.

Cooper had a good game from the boot as he scored 10 points converting all but 1 of his kicks at goal, while his tactical kicking meant that the Crusader spent a lot of the match in their own half.

He also picked up a try assist as he handed the ball to Samu Kerevi who bulldozed his way over the line.

 

 Sam Carter 

The Brumbies made history as they become the first Australian side to win 8 consecutive Australian derbies, as they won their first match of their campaign beating the Western Force 25-17.

The Brumbies captain Sam Carter made another strong appearance for his side making 10 tackles, taking his season total to 45. 

The Brumbies domanited the set pieces throughout the match as Carter took 7 line-outs, providing a great attacking platform for his side.

Curwin Bosch

Bosch was an early replacement for the injured Sharks captain, Pat Lambie.

The youngster took his opportunity with both hands beating 8 defenders and scoring 27 points for the Durban-based side.

Bosch finished the match with 100% from the tee and scored a try of his own as the Sharks breezed past the Waratahs 37-14.

Kenki Fukuoka

The Sunwolves came out firing against the Cheetahs on Saturday as they crossed try-line from the kick-off.

Fukuoka was one of the Sunwolves top performers as he scored 2 of his sides 4 tries. He also beat 5 defenders and picked up 3 clean breaks from his 5 carries.

The Sunwolves could not close the match out as the Cheetahs fought back to win 38-31.

Pablo Matera 

The Jaguares picked up their first victory of the season against the Lions on Saturday and Pablo Matera played a major role in his victory.

Matera carried the ball on 17 occasions, offloading the ball 3 times making 62 metres. 

The flanker had an all-round good game as he made 10 tackles and made 2 turnovers.

Luke Whitelock

The Highlanders no.8 had a huge match against the Blues as he made 11 tackles and won 2 turnovers.

Whitelock carried the ball on 9 occasions beating 2 defenders, as the Highlanders grinded out a 12-16 victory over the Blues.

Whitelock provided a stable base for the Highlanders backs to attack from and was the go to ball carrier.

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