Tuesday Round-Up

Phipps signs on: Reports emerging out of Australian rugby circles today are suggesting that scrumhalf Nick Phipps has put pen to paper on a contract extension, in a deal which will see him remain on Australian soil until the end of the 2017 season. 25 year old Phipps has originally been linked with a big money move away from Super Rugby, with many a Top 14 club linked with his signature. However, having become a key member of Michael Cheika’s Wallaby squad, playing in all 14 Test matches during the 2014 International calendar, Phipps has opted to remain at home in anticipation of becoming Australia’s no.1 halfback. Having began his professional career with the Melbourne Rebels, Phipps returned to his home state of New South Wales in 2013 and helped the Waratahs to their first Super Rugby title earlier this year. With stiff competition from the likes of Will Genia and Nic White, Phipps will need a big Super Rugby campaign if he is to nail down a starting slot in Cheika’s XV come World Cup time.

Au Revoir Fabien: According to multiple reports emanating out of French rugby, Montpellier’s agreement with head coach Fabien Galthie has come to an end. Former French international Galthie had been under considerable pressure for a sustained period of time now, with the club undergoing one of their worst run of games in history. After Sunday’s loss to bottom of the table Castres, it is believed Galthie had his contract terminated by the powers that be at the club. With World Cup winning coach Jake White due to arrive later this week, the dismissal of Galthie had a certain air of inevitability surrounding it, with the weekend’s loss representing the final nail in the coffin for the former French captain. Ahead of the club’s impending visit to take on reigning European and domestic champions Toulon, the trio of White, Shaun Sowerby and Stephane Glas will take charge of the squad.

Ryan Sheady