Tuesday Afternoon Round Up

Nick De Luca extends Wasps contract until end of season

Scotland international centre Nick De Luca has extended his contract with Wasps until the end of the season, at which stage he will retire from professional rugby to take up a post as Director of Rugby at Uppingham School.

De Luca has impressed since joining Wasps on a short-term contract at the beginning of the 2016/17 season, securing a contract extension until the end of the campaign.

Wasps’ director of rugby Dai Young said: “We are pleased Nick will be staying with us for the rest of the season. He is a model professional who has done really well each time he has pulled on the Wasps’ shirt. He has a great attitude and adds a lot to the squad through his international experience. Frustratingly for him, he hasn’t been able to make as many appearances as he would’ve liked due to injury, but it’s great to have him back fit now and I’m sure we will see more from him over the remainder of the season, before he starts a new chapter.”

After more than a decade playing at the highest level, including 43 caps for Scotland, the 32-year-old has decided the time will be right to hang up his boots and embark on a new career in June.

Warriors sign Northampton Saints' Ethan Waller

Warriors have announced the signing of Northampton Saints prop Ethan Waller.

Waller has played 85 times for Northampton, racking up 46 Aviva Premiership and 20 European Champions Cup appearances during his time at Franklin's Gardens.

The 24-year-old will move to Sixways ahead of the 2017/18 season.

Dan Jones signs long-term deal with Scarlets

Scarlets can today confirm that fly-half prospect Dan Jones has signed a long-term deal with the region.

Carmarthen-born and raised Jones has scored 28 points in the region’s last two games, helping the side secure a victory over Ulster in the PRO12 and a draw against European champions Saracens on Sunday.

Jones has made 28 appearances for the region to date, scoring 133 points including 17 points in Sunday’s European Champions Cup clash against current champions Saracens.

Anson joins Warriors as Head of Strength & Conditioning

Warriors can today announce that Paddy Anson has joined the Club as Head of Strength & Conditioning.

Anson has a wealth of experience in Aviva Premiership Rugby, having overseen the Exeter Chiefs Strength & Conditioning department for six seasons before spending four seasons in the same role at Gloucester. 

He has also spent the last six months working with GB Hockey and the EIS at the National High Performance Centre, Bisham Abbey, where he has further developed his expertise as a Strength & Conditioning practitioner.

He will begin his new role at Sixways at the start of next month after leaving Gloucester Rugby last summer. 

Calum Clark signs for Saracens

Saracens have announced that flanker Calum Clark will join the club after putting pen to paper on a three-year deal.

“I feel very privileged to have been given an opportunity at Saracens. They are always a difficult side to play against and I’m looking forward to taking on a new environment and getting a fresh start in the summer," commented Clark on his signing.

The 27-year old back rower has carved out a reputation as one of the league’s finest back row forwards since making his Premiership debut for Leeds in 2007 as an 18-year old.

He moved to Northampton Saints in 2010 and has gone on to represent England Saxons and England during his time at Franklin’s Gardens.

He will move to Allianz Park from Aviva Premiership rivals Northampton Saints from the beginning of next season. 

Alun Wyn Jones to captain Wales in the 6 Nations

Wales have named seven uncapped players for their 2017 Six Nations squad.

Five of the seven uncapped players, Olly Cracknell (Ospreys), Thomas Young (Wasps), Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers), Ashton Hewitt (Newport Gwent Dragons) and Steffan Evans (Scarlets), feature in a Wales senior squad for the first time.

Jones, who became Wales' 127th captain when he first took on the duties back in 2009 (against Italy in Rome, Wales' first opponents in this year's competition) and has led Wales on a total of five previous occasions, is joined by Jake Ball, Luke Charteris, Cory Hill and Thornton.

"I believe we have named an exciting and experienced squad for what is going to be a thrilling RBS 6 Nations Championship,” said Wales Head Coach Rob Howley.

"It's an honour to select Alun Wyn as captain.  His vast experience, as a player and a leader will help drive this squad forward and I believe he will flourish in the role.

"Sam (Warburton) has led Wales more times than any other captain and had great success in the role, however we want him to concentrate on his game and to be the best player he can be.  We had conversations during and since the autumn with Sam, no player is guaranteed their place in an international team and we want Sam to be playing his very best rugby and he agrees this is the best way forward."

Forwards:

Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues) (13 Caps), Nicky Smith (Ospreys) (7 Caps), Rob Evans (Scarlets) (12 Caps), Rhodri Jones (Ospreys) (14 Caps), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) (17 Caps), Samson Lee (Scarlets) (29 Caps), Kristian Dacey (Cardiff Blues) (3 Caps), Ken Owens (Scarlets) (45 Caps), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys (28 Caps), Jake Ball (Scarlets) (21 Caps) Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) (105 Caps) Rory Thornton (Ospreys) (Uncapped) Luke Charteris (Bath Rugby) (71 Caps) Cory Hill (Newport Gwent Dragons) (3 Caps) James King (Ospreys) (10 Caps) Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) (46 Caps) Olly Cracknell (Ospreys) (Uncapped) Ross Moriarty (Gloucester Rugby) (12 Caps) Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby) (62 Caps) * Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues) (69 Caps) Thomas Young (Wasps) (Uncapped)

Backs:

Gareth Davies (Scarlets) (21 Caps) Rhys Webb (Ospreys) (23 Caps) Aled Davies (Scarlets) (Uncapped) Dan Biggar (Ospreys) (51 Caps) Sam Davies (Ospreys) (3 Caps)Owen Williams (Leicester Tigers) (Uncapped) Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) (86 Caps) * Jonathan Davies (Scarlets) (59 Caps) Scott Williams (Scarlets) (41 Caps) Ashton Hewitt (Newport Gwent Dragons) (Uncapped) Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) (44 Caps) Steffan Evans (Scarlets) (Uncapped) George North (Northampton Saints) (65 Caps) * Liam Williams (Scarlets) (38 Caps) Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon) (66 Caps)