Thursday Round Up
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Tom Lawday signs for Harlequins
Harlequins can confirm that Tom Lawday will join the Club for the 2019/20 season.
The powerful Number eight, who is currently with Exeter Chiefs, is a former BUCS player of the season and has represented England Students.
Rob Miller signs new Wasps deal
Wasps have revealed that versatile back Rob Miller has signed a new deal, becoming the tenth first-team player to commit to the Club in recent months.
The all-round clubman has put pen to paper on his fourth Wasps contract, as he prepares to become a Club centurion in the coming weeks, having amassed 98 appearances which have included 19 tries.
Five England stars return for Tigers
Leicester Tigers welcome back five of their England internationals for Friday’s home game against derby rivals Northampton Saints in Round 17 of the Premiership season.
Manu Tuilagi, making his first appearance since agreeing a new contract at the club, is joined in the starting line-up by England colleagues Jonny May, George Ford, Ellis Genge and Dan Cole on their return from Six Nations duties.
Mulvihill turns to Six Nations stars for Six Nations showdown
John Mulvihill has called upon his entire Wales contingent for Friday’s Guinness PRO14 derby between Cardiff Blues and Scarlets.
Following their Grand Slam heroics Josh Navidi and Gareth Anscombe go straight into the starting line-up, with Dillon Lewis named on the bench.
Fellow Six Nations squad members Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull, Tomos Williams and Jarrod Evans are also all included in the match-day 23 for the Cardiff Arms Park encounter. Read more
James Davies returns for Scarlets' Arms Park clash
James Davies makes his return from injury as the Scarlets resume their hunt for a Guinness PRO14 play-off spot against Cardiff Blues at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday evening (7.35pm).
The Wales international flanker has been sidelined with a foot issue since the defeat to the Blues at Parc y Scarlets at the end of December.
He is named as one of five changes to the Scarlets’ side that claimed a hard-earned 10-6 win against Munster last time out.
Biggar and Reinach among eight Saints changes for derby day
Saints Director of rugby Chris Boyd has made eight changes to his Northampton Saints side ahead of the East Midlands derby on Friday evening against Leicester Tigers.
Wales’ Grand Slam winner Dan Biggar makes his return to the No.10 jersey for the visit to Welford Road (kick-off 7.45pm, live on BT Sport), with Club top-scorer Cobus Reinach also recalled as Saints try to avenge October’s Gallagher Premiership defeat at Twickenham.
Connacht boosted by return of internationals
Connacht have been boosted by the return of Jack Carty, Kieran Marmion and Ultan Dillane for the Guinness PRO14 clash with Benetton at the Sportsground on Friday night (Kick Off 7:35pm). The return of the trio is a welcome boost to Connacht’s match day squad as they face an in-form Benetton side who have already registered ten wins this season and sit in 2nd place in Conference B of the PRO14.
Carty and Marmion will start on the bench, as Caolin Blade and Kyle Godwin are named as the starting half-back partnership.
Simon Kerrod signs for Harlequins
Simon Kerrod will join Harlequins from Worcester Warriors for the start of the 2019/20 season, the Club is excited to confirm.
The Tighthead prop joined Worcester from Jersey Reds at the start of the 2017/18 season having previously represented Sharks and Eastern Province Kings in South Africa.
Kerrod, 26, was born in Johannesburg and has previously been selected in a South Africans Barbarian team, but is English-qualified.
Warren Gatland Linked With Another Tier One Role
Warren Gatland has been linked with another top test job after the World Cup with France emerging as the latest Six Nations country to reportedly seek the Kiwi coach's expertise after his 12-year tenure with Wales ends later this year.
Ospreys have announced that centre, Cory Allen, is the second player to commit to the region is as many days. Allen, 26-years old, has been in impressive form this season, his second with the Ospreys, scoring five tries in 19 games so far this campaign.
The positive news comes following Luke Morgan also confirmed a new deal to stay at the Liberty Stadium next year and beyond.
Barrett axis starts against Stormers
Hurricanes centurion Beauden Barrett will take over the captaincy for Saturday's Super Rugby match against the Stormers at Westpac Stadium.
Barrett made 116 appearances for the Hurricanes and scored more than 1150 points, will have younger brother Jordie immediately outside him after the latter was named to start in the No 12 jersey.
Sefa Naivalu's French Switch Confirmed
Wallabies winger Sefa Naivalu is heading for Paris on a three-year deal Stade Francais announcing the deal on Wednesday.
The ten-Test winger has played for the Rebels and Reds in Super Rugby and will arrive in the Paris capital after this year's World Cup, planning to stay there through to 2022.
