Wednesday Afternoon Round Up

Warriors sign Scotland prop Ryan Grant

Warriors have announced the signing of Scotland international Ryan Grant, who has joined the Club with immediate effect.

The loosehead prop has made 25 appearances for his country and was also part of the British & Irish Lions squad which defeated Australia in 2013.

Warriors appoint Gary Gold as Director of Rugby

Warriors can today confirm that Gary Gold will join the Club as Director of Rugby on Monday 30 January.  

The 49-year-old will take on the role initially until the end of the season.

Gold began his coaching career in 2001 as Forwards Coach at London Irish before stepping up to Head Coach in 2003 for two years.

He joined the South Africa international set-up as Assistant Coach in 2008 before joining Bath Rugby as Director of Rugby in May 2012 and taking up the same role at Durban-based Super Rugby side the Sharks in 2014.

Harlequins bring in tighthead prop Tyler Gendall

Harlequins can confirm today that tighthead prop Tyler Gendall has signed for the Club with immediate effect for the rest of the season from Cornish Pirates.

Confirming the news, Director of Rugby, John Kingston said: “With the long term injury to Will Collier, and as Kyle Sinckler will be absent from the squad due to his international commitments, we require extra cover at prop.

“I am really pleased to be able to bring in someone with Tyler’s ability at such short notice and I’m looking forward to seeing his impact in the coming months.”

The 22 year-old former Exeter Chiefs Academy member joined Cornish Pirates in July 2014 and has made over 50 appearances for the Greene King IPA Championship side.

England Rugby 6 Nations squad update

Jack Clifford (Harlequins) and James Haskell (Wasps) will arrive in Vilamoura, Portugal this evening (Wednesday 25 January) to join-up with England's RBS 6 Nations training squad.

London Welsh fixtures will be expunged

All fixtures and results concerning London Welsh this season will be expunged, meaning The Greene King IPA Championship will be further contested by the remaining 11 teams.

There will be no relegation at the end of the 2016/17 season.

Nick Phipps commits to the Waratahs until end 2019

The Waratahs have announced the re-signing of experienced international scrumhalf, Nick Phipps until the end of 2019.

Phipps is the second player in as many weeks to commit to the team for a further two seasons, joining lock Ned Hanigan.

The 28-year-old first joined the Tahs at the start of 2014, returning to his home state of NSW after his first three years in professional rugby with the Melbourne Rebels.

Milner-Skudder re-signs until 2019

Nehe Milner-Skudder has extended his contract with the Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby for the next three years.

"Being part of the Hurricanes for the past three years has been an awesome experience and though I wasn't able to play a big part on the field last year, winning the Investec Super Rugby trophy for the first time only reinforced my view that the club is building something special," commented the 26-year-old. 

My partner and I really enjoy living in Wellington and with the British and Irish Lions on the horizon, 2017 shapes as a huge year."

Milner-Skudder's new contract will take him through to the end of the 2019 season.

Tom Franklin returns home to play for the Bay

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union is pleased to announce Maori All Blacks and Highlanders lock Tom Franklin will return home to play for the Bay of Plenty Steamers in the up coming Mitre 10 Cup.

 
Franklin was part of the Junior World Championship-winning New Zealand Under 20 side in 2010. The 26 year old lock has been impressive for the Highlanders and the Maori All Blacks.

“I always thought one day I would love to play for Bay of Plenty and this opportunity came up and seemed like the time is right. It is an awesome opportunity and something I am really looking forward to,” said Franklin. 

 Dragons re-sign Nic Cudd

Newport Gwent Dragons flanker Nic Cudd has committed his future to the Men of Gwent and will remain at the Region until 2019 at least.

Since his Dragons debut against his old team Scarlets, 28-year-old Cudd has made over 100 appearances for the Men of Gwent. He is known for his robustness in the number seven shirt and is one of the most effective and respected breakdown operators in the Guinness PRO12.