Thursday Afternoon Round Up

Bristol Rugby sign Jack Cosgrove and Sione Faletau ahead of 2017/18 season

Bristol Rugby have confirmed the signing of 130kg Tongan international Sione Faletau and English Qualified Edinburgh prop Jack Cosgrove ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

Tighthead prop Faletau – who has three caps for Tonga - makes the switch from Yorkshire Carnegie having previously represented Canterbury and Counties Manukau in the ITM Cup.

Former Scotland U20 prop Cosgrove arrives from Edinburgh in the PRO12. The 22 year-old has made nine appearances for Scotland U20s, including the RBS Six Nations and Junior World Championship.

“We’re pleased to be able to bring two really talented props into our environment next season,” Head Coach Mark Tainton said.

“Sione is a powerful front-rower who has made a significant impact with Yorkshire Carnegie this season. Jack is a young loosehead who has cut his teeth in the PRO12 and we’re excited about his quality.

“Both players were impressed that there’s a clear understanding about what we want to achieve and they’re eager to be a part of that.”

 

 

Munster trio extend deals as Jean Deysel signs short term

With Jean Kleyn already ruled out due to a neck injury, Munster Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has called on the services of Sharks lock Jean Deysel on a three-month loan. 

The 32-year-old, who has made seven appearances for South Africa and over 70 Super Rugby appearances, will join the province later this month, subject to being granted a valid work permit.

In addition, the club can also confirm two-year contract extensions for back row Jack O’Donoghue and wingers Ronan O’Mahony and Alex Wootton until at least June 2019.

O’Donoghue has won over 50 caps for his native province in just his second season with the senior squad, reaching the half century milestone in January’s win over Connacht at the Sportsground.

O’Mahony leads the way as Munster’s leading try scorer this season, crossing the whitewash on no less than nine occasions in twenty appearances.

Progressing from the academy ranks last summer, Wootton has made six competitive appearances to date, including his first start against Zebre in October and his first try against Treviso in November.

 

Frank Halai to join Top 14 side Pau next season

Frank Halai will join the Top 14 side in the summer following two seasons in the black & gold.

Halai, who was capped by the All Blacks in 2013 and previously represented New Zealand 7s, joined Wasps from the Auckland Blues ahead of the 2015/16 season.

Halai made a big impact during his first season in England, scoring 12 tries in 25 appearances. He has added two tries in his 16 appearances this season.

Wasps’ Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “We will all wish Frank and his family the best when he moves to France next season and I’m sure he will do a really good job for Pau.

 

Exeter sign Australian scrum-half Nic White & James Freeman

Exeter Chiefs Head coach Rob Baxter has today confirmed the signing of experienced Australian international scrum-half Nic White and back-row forward James Freeman on two-year deals.

White, who has won 22 caps for the Wallabies, will move to the Sandy Park outfit from French Top 14 club Montpellier and play in the Premiership next season.

Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter said: 'I just think when a player of Nic's quality becomes available - and he shows an interest in coming to the club - you have to act quickly...

''He will add a real sense of direction and game understanding to us, which I know is going to be important moving forward.''

 

Reflecting on signing Freeman, Baxter added: ''A bit like Nic, James ticks a lot of boxes for us. 

 

''We keep a very close eye on the Championship. I have watched a lot of James' games in detail, and again even before we met him, we saw that he had a lot of the qualities and the potential we think to do well in the Premiership.''

 

Freeman, who having started out in Worcester’s Academy arrives in the Westcountry having enjoyed playing stints with Loughborough University and, more recently, Jersey.

 

 

 Neil Jenkins & Graham Rowntree join British & Irish Lions coaching staff

Confirming the news, Rowntree said: “I am honoured to be asked to tour with the British and Irish Lions again and I really am thankful to Harlequins, John Kingston and David Ellis for allowing me to go.

Wales' Jenkins will, along with fellow coaches Steve Borthwick, Graham Rowntree, Andy Farrell and Rob Howley, complete the team headed by Warren Gatland.

Jenkins said: "It is a huge honour to be asked to be part of the 2017 British & Irish Lions Tour. The Lions is a special and unique side and I am fortunate to be heading on my fifth Tour.

"I am excited to be joining up with a very experienced, successful coaching team for what is going to be a huge challenge against the World Champions.

Geduld ruled out of remainder of World Series

Springbok Sevens playmaker Justin Geduld has been ruled out of the remaining four tournaments of the World Rugby Sevens, after picking up a foot injury at the Las Vegas Sevens earlier this month.

Geduld underwent surgery on Wednesday and will be out of action for at least six months, according to Springbok Sevens team doctor, Leigh Gordon.

The squad will assemble again on Wednesday, 22 March, to start their preparations for the Hong Kong tournament from 7 to 9 April, which will be followed by the Singapore Sevens on 15 and 16 April.

 

Ireland team to face England

Joe Schmidt has named three changes to his team to face England in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Conor Murray is ruled out with injury, with Kieran Marmion starting at scrum-half, while Jared Payne starts at fullback in the absence of Rob Kearney.

The other change to the starting 15 sees Iain Henderson start, with Devin Toner dropping to the bench.

Scotland name their side to face Italy

 

Head Coach Vern Cotter has named one change to the starting Scotland side to face Italy in this Saturday’s final RBS 6 Nations match at BT Murrayfield.

Scotland cap centurion Ross Ford will start his first match of the championship in place of hooker Fraser Brown, who moves to the bench.

At lock Jonny Gray will partner brother Richie, with Glasgow Warriors duo Zander Fagerson and Gordon Reid packing down in the front-row with Ford.

Half-backs Ali Price and Finn Russell join centres Alex Dunbar and Huw Jones in the starting line-up for the third test in a row.

England name squad for final match against Ireland

 

Eddie Jones has named his side for England’s final match of the RBS 6 Nations against Ireland at Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

There are two changes to the starting XV that beat Scotland in last weekend’s Calcutta Cup as England retained the RBS 6 Nations and maintained their unbeaten run in the Championship.

Billy Vunipola starts at number 8 having come off the bench against Scotland and in the back line Anthony Watson is named on the right wing.

Jack Nowell and Nathan Hughes are the only changes to the bench.

France name team to face Wales

 

French coach Guy Novès has made only one change to face Wales on Saturday in the closing of the Six Nations Tournament, with the return of Sébastien Vahaamahina in place of Julien Le Devedec.

Vahaamahina has recovered from his back injury that prevented him from making an appearance in Rome against Italy.