Wednesday Afternoon Round Up
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John Muldoon signs new deal for 2017/18
Connacht Rugby have announced that John Muldoon has signed a new contract for the 2017/18 season.
Head Coach Pat Lam commented:
“John represents so much of what Connacht Rugby is about. He continues to drive high standards of himself and everyone around him. I have seen how others constantly look to him as an example of what you can achieve with hard work and determination.
“Personally, I’ve enjoyed every minute of working with him over the last four seasons and I’m delighted that he’ll continue to play and lead in the Connacht jersey next season.”
The latest deal will extend Muldoon’s professional career at the province to an impressive 15 seasons.
Toulouse announce signing of Cheslin Kolbe
Toulouse have announced the signing of Stormers utility back Cheslin Kolbe, who will join them for the start of the 2017/18 season.
"I spotted this unusual player in South African rugby at the U20 World Cup held in France and during which Cheslin had blitzed many opponents," said Toulouse sporting director Fabien Pelous.
"Since then, with his experience in Super Rugby, he will be complementing our team as a finisher from deep and out wide.
"Undoubtedly, his qualities of speed, his stepping, his excellent kicking and his ability to contest in the air will be assets in the game of movement that we practice," said Toulouse sporting director Fabien Pelous.
Kolbe was part of the South African Sevens team who won a bronze medal 2016 Rio Olympics.
France announce Six Nations squad
Head coach Guy Noves has included the uncapped Geoffrey Palis, Fabien Sanconnie, Arthur Iturria and Mohamed Boughanmi in his group, along with Toulouse centre Yann David, who earned his most recent cap eight years ago.
France squad for Six Nations:
France: Forwards: Cyril Baille, Eddy Ben Arous, Uini Atonio, Rabah Slimani, Mohamed Boughanmi, Guilhem Guirado, Camille Chat, Clement Maynadier, Julien Le Devedec, Yoann Maestri, Arthur Iturria, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Damien Chouly, Fabien Sanconnie, Loann Goujon, Kevin Gourdon, Louis Picamoles, Raphael Lakafia.
Backs: Baptiste Serin, Maxime Machenaud, Jean-Marc Doussain, Camille Lopez, Gael Fickou, Yann David, Wesley Fofana, Remi Lamerat, Djibril Camara, Yoann Huget, Geoffrey Palis, Noa Nakaitaci, Scott Spedding, Virimi Vakatawa.
The French begin their campaign with a trip to Twickenham on February 4th, while they must also travel to Ireland and Italy either side of home games with Scotland and Wales.
Brad Thyer injury update
Cardiff Blues can confirm Brad Thyer sustained a head injury against Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness PRO12.
The 23-year-old prop displayed delayed concussive symptoms on the Sunday following the encounter on January 7.
Following advice from the region’s medical team, Thyer attended hospital where comprehensive investigations took place.
He was released from University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff last Thursday and continues his progress from home.
Rio Sevens gold coach Ben Ryan joins Welsh Rugby Union
Ben Ryan, who guided Fiji to 2016 Rio Olympic Sevens gold, has joined the Welsh Rugby Union as a consultant.
Ben will work alongside Peter Drewett, who has been appointed as the new WRU performance coach manager, joining Welsh Rugby from a similar position with the Hong Kong Rugby Union on 1st March.
"Ben Ryan's appointment is a real coup for Welsh rugby," said WRU head of rugby performance Geraint John.
"He is a much sought-after high performance coach, who has had significant successes with the Fijian national sevens side.
"We are particularly interested in benefitting from the meticulous attention to detail and major planning experience which Ben showed to maximum effect during the Olympics in Rio."
Connacht Rugby squad update ahead of Toulouse
Ahead of Sunday’s Champions Cup game away to Toulouse, the Connacht Rugby medical team have provided the following update:
Denis Buckley (foot) sustained a foot injury in the Zebre game and will be monitored this week by the medical staff up to the Toulouse game.
Ronan Loughney (knee) has progressed well in his rehabilitation from surgery and will integrate into full training this week with the squad.
Quinn Roux (groin) has recovered from his groin injury and will integrate into full training this week with the squad.
Ultan Dillane (ankle) has progressed very well in his rehabilitation and will integrate into partial training this week with the squad.
Jake Heenan (knee) and Nepia Fox Matamua (chest) have recovered from their recent injuries and will integrate into full training this week with the squad.
Eoghan Masterson (knee) will integrate in to full training this week following his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Jack Carty (knee) will integrate into training this week with the squad following his injury sustained in the PRO12 game away to Ospreys this month.
Both Shane O’Leary (concussion) and Peter Robb (concussion) have successfully completed the return-to-play protocols and will integrate into full training this week.
Josh Rowland (knee) sustained an injury to his knee playing for the Connacht Eagles at the weekend and will be out of action for up to two months.
The team to face Toulouse in the Champions Cup as well as the Connacht Eagles team to face Cornish Pirates in the B&I Cup will be named on Friday
Vern Cotter has announced his Scotland rugby side for the Six Nations
Head Coach Vern Cotter today named a 37-man Scotland squad for the forthcoming RBS 6 Nations Championship.
Among the group is 37-times capped Gloucester centre Matt Scott who – after missing out on selection in the autumn – has earned a recall thanks to a number of impressive performances for the Kingsholm club, scoring 12 tries in 18 games this season.
Cotter has also named uncapped Edinburgh Rugby forwards Simon Berghan (prop) and Cornell Du Preez (back-row).
Scotland Head Coach, Vern Cotter, said: “It’s a well-balanced and exciting group that have played a lot of rugby together, know each other well and are ambitious to do well in a Scotland jersey.
“I think if we get our mind-set right we can be competitive and push for wins in every game in this campaign.”
SCOTLAND 37-MAN SQUAD FOR 2017 RBS 6 NATIONS
FORWARDS
PROP (7)
Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors) – 3 caps
Simon Berghan (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
Allan Dell (Edinburgh Rugby) – 3 caps
Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 4 caps
Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby) – 15 caps
Gordon Reid (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps
Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons) – 11 caps
HOOKER (3)
Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps
Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) – 102 caps
Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – 9 caps
LOCK (5)
Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 28 caps
Richie Gray (Toulouse) – 60 caps
Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 15 caps
Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) – 25 caps
Ben Toolis (Edinburgh Rugby) – 1 cap
BACK-ROW (7)
John Barclay (Scarlets) – 55 caps
Cornell Du Preez (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
John Hardie (Edinburgh Rugby) – 13 caps
Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps
Josh Strauss (Glasgow Warriors) – 9 caps
Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps
Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 23 caps
BACKS
SCRUM-HALF (3)
Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Gloucester) – 56 caps
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap
Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps
STAND-OFF (2)
Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 22 caps
Duncan Weir (Edinburgh Rugby) – 23 caps
CENTRE (5)
Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors) – 17 caps
Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) – 19 caps
Huw Jones (Stormers) – 3 caps
Matt Scott (Gloucester) – 36 caps
Duncan Taylor (Saracens) – 18 caps
BACK-THREE (5)
Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) – 48 caps
Damien Hoyland (Edinburgh Rugby) – 2 caps
Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 26 caps
Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 31 caps
Tim Visser (Harlequins) – 28 caps
Not currently considered through injury: David Denton (hamstring, Bath Rugby), Alasdair Dickinson (foot, Edinburgh Rugby), Pete Horne (ankle, Glasgow Warriors), Rory Hughes (knee, Glasgow Warriors), Rory Sutherland (groin, Edinburgh Rugby).
