Tuesday Morning Round Up

Matfield bows out on a high note

The curtain came down on legendary Springbok lock Victor Matfield’s rugby career this past weekend.

Matfield played his final game for English club, Northampton Saints, who beat Gloucester 28-20 at the Kingsholm Stadium to finish their season on a high.

“I had a chat with Victor at the end,” director of rugby, Jim Mallinder commented. “He has been fantastic for us. He did not come here to play 80 minutes 32 times but be a part of the squad. He has played a massive part for us.” 

Over the course of his career, Matfield has won the Currie Cup final three times (2002, 2004 & 2009), the Super 14 title in 2007, 2009 and 2010, the Tri-Nations in 2004 and 2009 and the Rugby World Cup in 2007. 

He played a record 127 Tests for the Springboks between 2001 and 2015. His retirement comes just short of his 39th birthday (May 11th).

The Warriors have brought in Rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Graham Henry to provide support for Andrew McFadden and his squad over the next month.

The club said in a statement that Henry, who led the All Blacks to victory at the 2011 World Cup, agreed to take up the short-term role several weeks ago and had his first day on the job on Monday.

"I've had an association with McFadden on a social level for quite a while now. I've got a lot of time for him as a coach and I also really enjoy his company," said Henry.

"We've had some healthy discussions about coaching previously and I'm thrilled to have the chance to be able to work with him, to observe the organisation and to provide feedback."

McFadden said Henry's arrival was the result of discussions he had with Warriors boss Jim Doyle last year about engaging a mentor.

"Jim and I have considered a number of options but it was important to take time to find the person who best fitted the position and was available to help," said the coach.

The curious case of Armitage

Steffon Armitage has been offered a potential route back for England, with Wasps rumoured to be interested in signing the Toulon flanker. 

Reports claim the Premiership club had made contact with the Top 14 side to bring afloat the possibility of recruiting Armitage as a replacement for George Smith.

The 30-year-old won the last of his five caps in 2011 before departing London Irish for France, where the Rugby Football Union’s policy is that he is not available for England except in “exceptional circumstances”.