Wednesday Afternoon Round Up

Rhys Priestland ruled out 8-12 weeks

Wales and Bath fly-half Rhys Priestland has been ruled out for between eight and 12 weeks with a leg injury.

The 29-year-old limped off during the first half of Friday's Premiership win over local rivals Bristol.

"It is not looking really good. He is going to be out for a chunk of the winter," head coach Tabai Matson commented.

"For us, it is a big loss and a big blow for the squad."

Priestland currenty has 48 international caps for Wales.

Richard Hibbard signs new Gloucester deal

Gloucester have confirmed that hooker Richard Hibbard has agreed a new contract to remain at Kingsholm.
 

Director of Rugby David Humphreys said: "Richard is another key signing for us. We knew we were bringing in an international calibre hooker when he signed, and he's been a very big part of our forward effort ever since he arrived."

Capped 38 times by Wales, and also a British and Irish Lion, Hibbard brings a wealth of experience to the position and quickly won over the home crowd with his all-action committed displays.
 

The popular hooker is in his third season with the Cherry and Whites having moved from Welsh region the Ospreys in the summer of 2014.

Sharks confirm coaching team for 2017

Sharks Head Coach, Robert du Preez, has announced his coaching team for the 2017 Super Rugby campaign.

 
Assistant coaches, Sean Everitt (backline and attack) and Ryan Strudwick (defence), who did duty with du Preez in this year’s Super Rugby tournament, will once again form part of the coaching structure together with Jaco Pienaar, the former UP-Tuks and Blue Bulls U/19 coach, who joins the Sharks on a two-year contract as forwards coach. 
 

Commenting on his coaching team du Preez said:  “A lot of work has been done to strategize the way forward and we have assembled a skilled group of coaches, who bring continuity as well as great commitment to put in the hard yards to achieve the goals we have set-out for ourselves.

 
“The majority of our coaching team have lived and played in KZN for many years, understand our unique culture and have worked with the young players in our team.  We are four weeks into our pre-season programme and there is great energy and positivity amongst everyone.”

Brown steps down, Snyman to take over as Springbok Sevens captain

Kyle Brown has stepped down as Springbok Sevens captain, with Philip Snyman appointed as the Blitzboks’ new captain.

Brown, who has played in 56 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments to date, said: “The time has come where it feels right for me to step aside as captain of the team.

“It is has been an immense privilege that I have had for the better part of five years and we are in a great position to bring some new, fresh ideas into the role.

“I discussed the move with the Coach shortly after our return from the Olympics and we made the decision in the last week."

The Springbok Sevens team for Dubai, the opening tournament of the 2016/17 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, will be named on Friday.

Sam Cane free to play

New Zealand flank forward Sam Cane appeared before an independent Disciplinary Committee having been cited for allegedly tackling an opponent dangerously in the Autumn International match between Ireland and New Zealand on Saturday.

The Disciplinary Committee reviewed all of the other evidence and concluded that Mr Cane's actions had been accidental and that he had not committed an act of foul play. The citing complaint was not upheld and Mr Cane is therefore free to resume playing immediately.