Thursday Afternoon Round Up

Conor McPhillips to leave Connacht Rugby at end of the season

Connacht Rugby have today confirmed that Backs Coach Conor McPhillips will finish in his role with the club at the end of the current season.

“I’d like to thank Conor for all the work he’s done with Connacht over the last number of years and wish him and his family the very best in their move to England during the summer," commented Connacht CEO Willie Ruane.

“As a club, we hope to be in a position to make some announcements with respect to next season’s backroom team in the coming days.”

The former Connacht back, who played with the province from 2003 – 2008, will take up a role as Assistant Coach with Bristol Rugby.

Saba Meunargia signs for Doncaster Knights

The Knights have announced the arrival of prop forward Saba Meunargia on loan from Connacht Rugby until the end of the season.

The 22-year old made his first team debut in the European Challenge Cup against Bayonne in 2015 and has featured regularly for Connacht Eagles; including versus the Knights in last season's British and Irish Cup.

He comes to Castle Park having enjoyed three successful years in Galway to date. 

Pirates trio extend stay

Cornish Pirates have confirmed that Tom Duncan, Nicolas De Battista, Toby May have all signed contract extensions. Back rower Duncan signed a two-year extension, meanwhile centre De Battista and full-back May signed one-year extensions. 

All three players have made their mark playing for the Cornish Pirates at Championship level and are influential team performers.

Coach Gavin Cattle commented:

"This trio have proved themselves to be gifted and important members of the squad. They each have different strengths to bring to our game, which is good, and their continued presence will undoubtedly aid the development and thus growing strength of our team."

Tony Hewitt to step down as Saints non-executive chairman

Northampton Saints has today announced that Tony Hewitt will be stepping down as the Club’s non-executive chairman at the end of the 2016/17 season.

Hewitt has been a part of the management of the Saints for nearly 30 years, having first become involved in 1988. He joined the board of directors in 1995 when the game went professional, stepping up to be deputy chairman in 2011 and then to be chairman in June 2013 following Leon Barwell’s untimely passing.

“The Saints has been a massive part of my life for the best part of 30 years,” he said.

“At 68 years old, with the recent board appointments, new £1 million investment, and with a new CEO joining the club, I feel the time will be right for me to hand over the chairmanship at the end of the season as we enter another new exciting and challenging era for Northampton Saints.”

The new chairman will be John White, who has been Hewitt’s deputy since 2013.

Chiefs sign new deals with front-row trio

Exeter Chiefs have confirmed that Ben Moon, Carl Rimmer and Shaun Malton have all signed contract extensions at the Premiership side.

Baxter commented on the signings:

“Ben has been a remarkably good and consistent performer for us for a number of years. He’s come up through our academy system, spent all of his career with Exeter and been one of those guys who have been a core part of our time in the Premiership and in Europe." 

"As for Malton, now into his second season with the Chiefs following a move from Nottingham, he is starting to show the qualities that brought him to the attentions of Baxter and made him such a force within the Championship.

“Again, Carl is someone who is seeing plenty of game time, playing well and who we believe is improving all the time. There are things that Carl can do that other props can’t do, but with that he’s also adding real consistency to his

game.

“With all three guys I think they will only get better and that they will also be part of a very bright future for the club."

Smith and Evans sign Cardiff deals

Cardiff Blues have confirmed the contract extensions of Garyn Smith and Jarrod Evans. The two youngester have played together for more than a decade at Cardiff and will be looking forward to further their careers at the club.

Head coach Danny Wilson added: “They are both young and exciting players who have big futures at Cardiff Blues.

“They are both very hard-working, diligent and dedicated players. Jarrod brings an exciting attacking game and good distribution and Garyn is very strong and an effective defender."

Scotland team to face Wales for 6 Nations Round 3

Head Coach Vern Cotter today confirmed back-row John Barclay will captain Scotland against Wales this Saturday in the RBS 6 Nations at BT Murrayfield.

The absence of Laidlaw prompts one of three changes to the side, with Glasgow Warriors’ Ali Price set to make his first start for the national team.

Back-row Ryan Wilson has recovered from the elbow infection and replaces the injured Josh Strauss (kidney), while Harlequins wing Tim Visser gets his first opportunity of the championship as a straight swap for Sean Maitland, who has failed to recover from the rib injury sustained representing Saracens last weekend.

Gordon Reid and John Hardie get their first start of the campaign, trading places with Allan Dell and Hamish Watson, who have been named on the bench after starting the opening two games.

See full team here

France team to face Ireland

Guy Novès has made three changes in the starting XV that will face Ireland.

Virimi Vakatawa will not play against Ireland, the Fijian winger will be replaced by Yoann Huget. Baptiste Serin and Camille Lopez are called in for the third consecutive time. 

See full team here

Ireland team to face France

Joe Schmidt has restored fit-again Johnny Sexton to the Ireland team to face France in Saturday's clash at the Aviva Stadium in one of three team changes.

Sexton has recovered from a calf injury, while captain Rory Best and Jack McGrath come into the front row.

See full team here