Tuesday Afternoon Round Up
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Liam Squire re-signs with Highlanders
Loose forward Liam Squire has re-signed with the Highlanders and New Zealand Rugby for two more years.
The man with the mullet; LIAM SQUIRE has re-signed for TWO MORE years! See him in action in Invers this weekend! pic.twitter.com/NceACrr4oE
— The Highlanders (@Highlanders) April 18, 2017
Nasi Manu leaves Edinburgh Rugby for Treviso
Benetton Rugby confirmed the signing of Edinburgh back-row Nasi Manu for the 2017/18 season.
Benetton Treviso director of rugby Antonio Pavanello said: "It is very important for us to be able to bring in a player like Nasi Manu. I remember three years ago watching the final won by the Highlanders and I saw him play. This year, we can only be glad of his arrival in the Green and whites."
The back-row joined Edinburgh Rugby from Super Rugby side Highlanders ahead of the 2015/16 term, making his debut against Leinster at Meggetland in the season opener.
He has made 16 appearances for PRO12 club.
Nick Evans to retire at the end of the season
Evans has today announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.
“I thought leaving New Zealand was hard, but leaving the game I've played since I was eight years old, and professionally for 17 years, is tough. But when you know, you know," commented the former All Black. Read more here
Thank you Rugby.
— Nick Evans (@nick10evans) April 18, 2017
For everything........ πβ€οΈ pic.twitter.com/h13Bs3UAXC
England’s Joe Launchbury and Jonathan Joseph set to miss out on Lions squad
Warren Gatland is expected to leave out a host of England's Six Nations champions when he announces his British & Irish Lions squad at midday tomorrow, with Joe Launchbry and Jonathan Joseph among the big names to miss out.
Joseph's omission would be a shock to many pundits who have regarded the Bath centre as a shoe-in for the starting 13 jersey.
Launchbury excelled for England throughout the 6 Nations tournament but faces a stiff challenge up against AW Jones, who captained the Lions in the final test in 2013, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Iain Henderson and Donnacha Ryan, as well as the fit-again George Kruis are expected to be the five second rows chosen for selection. Read the full article here
Ealing Trailfinders have confirmed the signings of Mark Tampin and Lewis Robling from Jersey Reds for next season.
Centre Robling spent three years at Jersey Reds, where he has played 60 matches and scored 36 points.
Prop forward Tampin played for Rotherham Titans, Yorkshire Carnegie and Wharfedale before he joined Jersey Reds in 2016, since then the 25-year-old has played 10 times for the club.
Read more here
Brian Alainu'uese signs two-year deal with Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors have secured the services of second rower Brian Alainu'uese for a further two years, subject to visa.
The 23-year-old joined the Warriors from New Zealand Mitre Cup side Waikato last October on a short-term deal until the end of the season and has now signed a deal that will see him stay at the club for a further 2 years. Read more here
Drew Mitchell to retire at the end of the season
Australia and Toulon wing Drew Mitchell has announced that he will be retiring at the end of the season.
The former Wallaby revealed the news through his Twitter account, bringing his illustrious 13-year spell to an end.
He received his first cap for Australia in 2005, Mitchell went on to make 71 appearances for his country, playing in three Rugby World Cups, scoring 34 tries.
Mitchell made the switch to France after the 2013 Super Rugby season, winning two Champions Cup with Toulon in 2014 & 2015 along with a Top 14 title in 2014.
So it's my turn to call time on my rugby career!
— Drew Mitchell (@drew_mitchell) April 17, 2017
I've been very lucky to have had the experiences I've had in our great game.
Thank you
Social Media Round Up
Awesome photo captured after the @THESTORMERS @LionsRugbyUnion @SuperRugby match at Newlands - opponents on the field, friends off it #rugby pic.twitter.com/0y9rbfx6Dh
— MyPlayers (@MyPlayersRugby) April 16, 2017
Harlequins great @nick10evans to retire at the end of the season π
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) April 18, 2017
16 Caps for AB's π³πΏ
206 App's for Quins
π https://t.co/gdu0augY4z pic.twitter.com/8SQbxPkv4z
Drew Mitchell scored 14 Rugby World Cup tries in his career, only Jonah Lomu π³πΏ and Bryan Habana πΏπ¦ (both 15) have scored more. πͺ pic.twitter.com/EC8EpmSOGv
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) April 18, 2017
Drew Mitchell announces retirement after injury problems
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) April 17, 2017
71 apps for π¦πΊ 34 tries π
1x Top 14
2x Champions Cup π
π https://t.co/gh5eSFlRYv pic.twitter.com/8BkpfakIEa
Here are your fixtures for the 3rd and final day of Easter Rugby Festivals! #SJCFest2017 #SBSchoolsFest #SaintsFest2017 #KESFest pic.twitter.com/SVQXRn7lmo
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) April 17, 2017