Wednesday Afternoon Round Up

Higginbotham rejoins the Reds

Former Wallabies number eight Scott Higginbotham has signed a three-year contract to rejoin the Reds at the start of the 2017 Super Rugby season.

New head coach Nick Stiles said: "We have managed to retain the best young talent in Queensland, while also recruiting some of the most experienced players in Australian Rugby. It's an exciting squad with experienced, hardened forwards and skillful backs as well as strong ball runners."

The 32-Test veteran will join the Brisbane-based outfit at the completion of his Japanese contract.

Hogg re-signs for Warriors

Glasgow Warriors have announced that Scotland international full-back Stuart Hogg has signed a new contract with the PRO12 outfit until May 2019.

"I've played for the Warriors for five years and it was an easy decision to sign for another two seasons," said Hogg.

"There is still a lot of rugby to be played this season and then next season I'm looking forward to working with Dave Rennie when he takes over.

"It means a lot to me that the club and Scottish Rugby want me to stay and I'm very happy that I'm going to be continuing my career in Scotland."

The 24-year-old British and Irish Lion, who joined the Scottish Rugby Elite Development Programme at the age of 17, made his debut for Glasgow in 2011 and has gone on to make 87 appearances for the Scotstoun-based side.

Johnny Leota handed 2-week ban

During last weekend’s Premiership match between Sale Sharks and Bath Rugby, Johnny Leota received a yellow card from referee Tom Foley. He was subsequently cited by the citing commissioner for an off-the-ball incident with Aled Brew of Bath.

Leota appeared before an RFU disciplinary panel in Haydock last night and was given a two-week ban and he is free to play again on 25th October.

Connacht sign new back row forward Naulia Dawai

Connacht has announced the signing of Fijian-born back row forward Naulia Dawai on a two year deal.

The 29-year-old, who joins Connacht on the back of three seasons with NPC-side Otago in New Zealand, was capped for Fiji in June 2016, starting three tests against Tonga, Samoa and Georgia.

Jimmy Gopperth re-signs with Wasps

Jimmy Gopperth has joined Dan Robson, Thomas Young and Kearnan Myall in signing a new contract with Wasps.

The 33 year-old, who won back-to-back Premiership Golden Boot awards with Newcastle Falcons in 2010 and 2011, has notched up 33 appearances and 343 points in black and gold since joining from Leinster last season.

Ben Lam signs two-year deal with the Hurricanes

New Zealand sevens star Ben Lam will wear a Hurricanes jersey for the next two years after signing with the Super Rugby champions for 2017 and 2018.

The 25-year-old Aucklander was a member of the Blues 2016 squad before injury struck in the preseason, also ruling him out of the New Zealand Sevens team’s Olympic Games squad.

Crusaders appoint Team Manager 

The 2017 Crusaders team will be managed by Shane Fletcher, current Principal of Southbrook School and former Canterbury Rugby Team Manager.

Fletcher takes up the role that has been held by Angus Gardiner for the last five seasons, with Gardiner moving into the General Manager Professional Rugby position.

Greig Laidlaw to leave Gloucester at the end of the season

Gloucester can today confirm that club captain Greig Laidlaw is to leave Kingsholm at the end of the current season and will join French Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne on a 3-year deal.
 

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at Gloucester. It's a fantastic club which enjoys tremendous support. The squad contains a great group of boys, I love playing at Kingsholm and it's been a genuine honour to captain the side," said Laidlaw.

"At this stage of my career, the offer to test myself and develop my game even further in a different environment was just too good to turn down. It's not been an easy decision to make, but I think it's the right one."

The 31-year-old scrum half who is currently captain of Scotland and with 53 caps for his country, is currently in his third season in the Cherry and White of Gloucester.