Tuesday Afternoon Round Up

Tuesday Afternoon Round Up

Warriors confirm Val Rapava Ruskin departure

Val Rapava Ruskin will leave Warriors at the end of the season to join Gloucester Rugby.

"Val has been an important member of our squad over the last few years and will continue to wear the Warriors shirt with pride and work hard to ensure we reach our targets during the rest of the campaign. We wish him all the best at Gloucester," said Head Coach Carl Hogg.

The prop has made 56 appearances for Warriors since joining the Club in 2014.

Three players added to Connacht Senior Squad


Connacht Rugby has today confirmed that outhalf Steve Crosbie and centre Tom Farrell have been added to the senior squad for the remainder of the 2016/17 season.

Loosehead prop Peter McCabe has also joined the province on a loan deal from Munster Rugby.


Josh McNally trades London Welsh for London Irish

London Irish have bolstered the second-row with the signing of Josh McNally from London Welsh until the end of the season.

“I really enjoyed my time at London Welsh and they gave me the opportunity to cut my teeth in the professional game which I’m hugely grateful for,” McNally commented.

"I’m really happy to be here – the facilities are absolutely amazing here and I’m looking forward to getting involved."

The 26-year-old joins Irish having spent more than two seasons at Old Deer Park including a campaign in the Aviva Premiership.

Head Coach Bryan Redpath leaves Carnegie

Yorkshire Carnegie have confirmed that Head Coach Bryan Redpath will leave the club at the end of the current Greene King IPA Championship season to take up an opportunity outside of rugby.

"Bryan will leave the club this summer stronger than when he arrived," commented Executive President Sir Ian McGeechan.

"An opportunity has arisen for him outside of rugby and we understand his reasons for this next career move. He is committed to the club for the remainder of the season and I know, from speaking to him, that he has a passion to finish off the job here started two years ago."

Yorkshire Carnegie appointed former Gloucester and Sale coach Bryan Redpath in March 2015. In his first full season last year, Redpath led the club to the promotion play offs and the British & Irish Cup Final.

This season, Carnegie are second in the table after just one defeat in thirteen games. Redpath will leave professional rugby this summer to take up an opportunity with AFEX, one of the world's largest non-bank providers of global payment, foreign currency and risk management solutions.

Henry commits to Ulster

Ulster back-row forward, Chris Henry, has signed a new two-year contract that will keep him at Kingspan Stadium until June 2019.

Henry made his Ulster debut in January 2009 in a European Cup match against Harlequins and has represented the Province on 156 occasions, scoring 10 tries.

The 32-year-old has also won 24 caps for Ireland since making his international bow, versus Australia, in 2010.

Vincent Clerc facing 4-5 months on the sidelines

Toulon winger Vincent Clerc is facing up to five months on the sidelines after undergoing another Achilles operation yesterday.

Clerc suffered a complete rupture to his left Achilles during Sunday's 30-6 Top 14 drubbing at Clermont Auvergne.

"I told him there are more serious things in life. He'll bounce back, give him time," commented France head coach Guy Noves.

The 35-year-old, who has 67 caps for France, recently made his comeback for the three-time European champions after recovering from surgery on his right Achilles in September.

 
Canadian international Aaron Carpenter signs for Knights
 

The Knights have announced the signing of Canadian international Aaron Carpenter from Championship rivals London Welsh.

Carpenter made his international debut in 2005 and has featured in three World Cups with the Canucks.

The back-row arrives from the Exiles with a wealth of Championship experience having accrued over 130 appearances in the league during stints with Coventry, Plymouth Albion, Cornish Pirates and London Welsh.

Fraser Balmain to become a Cherry and White

Gloucester Rugby has recruited talented prop Fraser Balmain from Leicester Tigers ahead of next season.

"We are delighted that Fraser has agreed to join Gloucester after a long time with Leicester," said Director of Rugby David Humphreys.

"For a player who is still relatively young for a front row forward, he has gained a lot of Premiership and European experience at Leicester and we are excited to see what he has to offer in a Gloucester shirt..."

Balmain arrived in the East Midlands after starting his career in the Newcastle Falcons Academy and has gone on to make 86 competitive appearances for the Tigers to date, winning an Aviva Premiership title in this time.

Evans commits future to Scarlets

Scarlets have announced that Steffan Evans has committed his future to the region.

“Steff has had a great start to the season and has played a lot of rugby for us," commented Head Coach Wayne Pivac.

“...It’s pleasing to see young local guys like Steff wanting to commit their future to the region and we look forward to see him continue to grow as a player.”

The 22-year-old Evans will make his 50th appearance for the region if he features against reigning European champions Saracens at the Parc on Sundayafternoon.

Connacht squad update ahead of Zebre clash

Ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup game at home to Zebre, the Connacht Rugby medical team have provided the following update.
 
Jack Carty picked up a low grade medial knee ligament sprain against Ospreys. He is unavailable this week and his fitness will be monitored ahead of the round 6 Champions Cup clash.
 
Peter Robb sustained a concussion in the game against Ospreys and will observe the return-to-play protocols.
 
Jake Heenan suffered a minor knee injury against Ospreys. He is unavailable this week and his fitness will be monitored ahead of the round 6 Champions Cup clash.
 
Ultan Dillane will continue rehab on his ankle injury which does not require surgery. He is expected to return in 3 – 4 weeks.
 
Quinn Roux is being treated for a groin injury sustained in training and will continue to be monitored this week.
 
Nepia Fox-Matamua is continuing his rehab for the rib cartilage injury he sustained in the Munster game. He is unavailable this week but his fitness will be monitored by the medical team.
 
John Muldoon will resume squad activity today having recovered from the hamstring injury that ruled him out last week.
 
Craig Ronaldson, Dominic Robertson McCoy and Josh Rowland have all been integrated into team training this week following their respective injuries.

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