Thursday Afternoon Round Up

Aplon re-signs for Grenoble until 2020

South Africa fullback Gio Aplon has committed his future to Grenoble with a new three-year deal.

The 34-year-old, who played 17 times for the Springboks, has been at Grenoble since 2014.

Ned Hanigan recommits to Waratahs for two seasons

The Waratahs have announced the re-signing of NSW country-born lock, Ned Hanigan for the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

The 21-year-old made his debut for the Tahs last season in round 11 against the Cheetahs after being promoted from the extended to the core playing squad due to his impressive work rate during the 2016 pre-season.

He represented the NSW Under 20s again in 2015, before making the cut once more for the Australian Under 20s where he was considered one of the team’s best. 

Gareth Evans signs new contract to remain with Gloucester Rugby

Back row forward Gareth Evans has become the latest member of the current squad to commit his future to Gloucester Rugby with the news that he has signed a new contract with the club.

 
The 25-year-old has spent his entire club career to date with Gloucester, another product of the Gloucester Academy, and has made 65 competitive appearances for the club to date.

Western Force sign Country Eagles star Alex Newsome

The Western Force have added to their backline depth with the signing of NSW Country Eagles outside back Alex Newsome to the club’s wider training squad.

The 21-year-old originally joined the Western Force on trial at the start of pre-season following an outstanding Buildcorp National Rugby Championship campaign with the Eagles and has been rewarded with a contract.

The talented youngster scored three spectacular intercept tries playing on the wing in the 2016 Buildcorp NRC and also has the ability to also play at centre and fullback.

Gloucester Rugby confirm senior deal for Ben Vellacott

A short time after making his first team bow, Gloucester Rugby confirm that Academy scrum-half Ben Vellacott has signed his first senior contract with the club.

 
Vellacott was a first half replacement for club captain Greig Laidlaw in the Aviva Premiership win over Worcester Warriors at the start of the month, and his development has been rewarded with a senior deal.

3-week ban for Hayden Triggs

The Leinster second row has been banned for making contact with the eye area of Montpellier's Nick White last week-end during their Champions Cup match at the RDS.

The Committee deemed that the offence was at the low end of World Rugby's sanctions and selected four weeks as the appropriate entry point.

Taking into account Triggs' guilty plea and his expression of remorse, the Committee reduced the sanction by one week before imposing a three-week suspension.

Ealing Trailfinders sign Rory Jennings on a dual contract from Bath

Ealing Trailfinders have strengthened their backline by signing fly-half Rory Jennings on a dual contract from Bath.

Jennings is a product of the Bath Academy and has featured in the Bath matchday squad six times, as well as for Bath United in the Aviva A-League. 

"I'm really happy to have signed with Ealing Trailfinders,” Jennings said. "I'm looking forward to doing my best to help the team maintain their momentum this season in the league and cup.

"The set-up here is impressive and I hope I can get some game time and use what I have learned at Bath to help the club progress this season.”

The Oxford-born number 10 has won nine caps for England U20s and was first choice fly-half when England reached the 2015 U20 World Championship final.