Wednesday Afternoon Round Up

March 15, 2017
3498
Ultimate Rugby

Kerr-Barlow signs for La Rochelle

Chiefs half-back Tawera Kerr-Barlow will leave New Zealand at the end of 2017 to join French club La Rochelle.

The 25-test cap All Black signed a three-year deal with Top 14 leaders La Rochelle, where he will link up with former All Blacks Victor Vito and Jason Eaton.

Kerr-Barlow has made 70 appearances for the Chiefs in Super Rugby since debuting against the Brumbies in 2011.

Vern Cotter announced as Barbarians Coach for upcoming Tour

It has been announced that Vern Cotter will coach the Barbarians for the upcoming tour against Ulster Rugby at Kingspan Stadium on Thursday 1st June.

"It will be a tremendous honour for me to guide the Barbarians into this series," commented Cotter.

"The history of the team speaks for itself and I'm sure we'll have another two excellent games in store both in London and Belfast.

"We have already started putting together a world-class selection of players for the tour that will no doubt attract huge crowds for both games. As the club season comes towards its conclusion we will begin to release the names of those involved.”

The 55-year-old New Zealander is currently head coach of the Scottish national team, where he has overseen Six Nations championship wins over Ireland and Wales in recent weeks.

The Baabaas will also play England at Twickenham on Sunday 28th May.

Nathan Charles signs for Bath

Bath Rugby announced the signing of Australian hooker Nathan Charles until the end of the season.

Charles has played four international caps for the Wallabies and joins the Club following a spell with French Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne.

The 28-year-old has spent most of his career with Western Force, but has experience playing in the UK after spending a six-week stint with Bath’s rivals Gloucester Rugby in 2011.

Ulster squad update

Tommy Bowe sustained a left ankle fracture in the Ireland game versus Wales on Friday night. He underwent surgery on Tuesday to stabilise the fracture and is expected to be sidelined for 8-12 weeks.

Marcell Coetzee sustained a significant left knee injury in the game against Zebre on Saturday evening. He will undergo exploratory surgery next week to fully ascertain the extent of the injury.

Conor Joyce (right knee), Jonny Murphy (left shoulder) and Ross Kane (right thumb) sustained injuries in the Ulster A game against Munster A on Sunday afternoon.

Andrew Trimble has had surgery for a left hand fracture sustained in the game against Treviso at the start of the month. He is expected return to action in approximately four weeks.

These players join Jonny Simpson (neck), Callum Patterson (ankle), Lorcan Dow (ankle), Louis Ludik (concussion), Kyle McCall (hamstring), Stuart McCloskey (calf), Johnny McPhillips (groin), Stephen Mulholland (shoulder) and Rob Lyttle (shoulder) on the current injury list.

Waratahs & Brumbies to Play for the new Dan Vickerman Cup

Saturday’s clash between the Waratahs and Brumbies will carry added significance this year, with the introduction of the Dan Vickerman Cup.

A well respected and much loved player of both the Waratahs and the Brumbies, the clubs wanted to honour him as part of the annual grudge match.

Waratahs Rugby CEO, Andrew Hore, said the Dan Vickerman Cup will add further weight to what is already expected to be a tough battle between the sides.

“Dan was one of those team mates who was admired by all that knew him and I know both sides will be wanting to take home the Dan Vickerman Cup. It is another way for the rugby community to recognise Dan’s contribution to rugby,” said Hore.

“The clash between the Tahs and Brumbies is always a feature on the Super Rugby calendar and we are looking forward to hosting them on our turf in what we expect to be a very physical match up,” he said.

Brumbies CEO Michael Thomson commented: “The Brumbies against the Waratahs is always one of the highlights of the season and the conception of the Dan Vickerman Cup will only add to the spectacle.

“There have been several epic clashes between the clubs down the years and the rivalry has built into a healthy respect. Dan was an instrumental figure at both teams and the introduction of this trophy is a fine way to honour his memory.”

Crusaders Injury Update

Israel Dagg has had an MRI scan which has confirmed a PCL and lateral meniscal injury. He has seen a specialist who has recommended a small operation to assist his recovery. He is expected to return to play in approximately 6 weeks.

Seta Tamanivalu is progressing well after sustaining a right upper hamstring injury last weekend against the Reds. His return to play is expected to be about 4 weeks.

Digby Ioane has also been ruled out with injury this week, after sustaining a minor hand injury. The injury will be assessed early next week before a decision will be made about his availability for the following weekend's game against the Force.

England retain 25 for Ireland clash

England coach Eddie Jones has retained 25 players to prepare for Saturday’s 6 Nations game against Ireland at Aviva Stadium.

Elliot Daly continues to progress through his graduated return-to-play protocol.

Forwards (14)

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

Jamie George (Saracens)

Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)

James Haskell (Wasps)

Nathan Hughes (Wasps)

Maro Itoje (Saracens)

Joe Launchbury (Wasps)

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

Joe Marler (Harlequins)

Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)

Tommy Taylor (Wasps)

Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

Mako Vunipola (Saracens)

Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Backs (11)

Mike Brown (Harlequins)

Danny Care (Harlequins)

Elliot Daly (Wasps)

Owen Farrell (Saracens)

George Ford (Bath Rugby)

Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)

Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)

Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)

Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Wales U20 team to face France U20

Wales U20 have made four changes for Friday night's U20 Six Nations match against France in Stade Sapiac in Montauban (20:05 GMT).

Two of the changes are in the backs, with scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams and centre Ioan Nicholas both returning to stake their claim. In the forwards, tighthead Steff Thomas gets his first start in the front row, whilst James Botham will pack down on the openside.

England Women match-day 23 for Women’s Six Nations finale against Ireland

England Women have named their side for the Women’s Six Nations finale against Ireland.

Following a record-breaking seven tries in England’s 64-0 win over Scotland last weekend, Kay Wilson will start the match as the tournament’s top points’ scorer with 40 points.

Bristol wing Amy Wilson Hardy is the only change to the starting 15, with Laura Keates hoping to gain her 60^thEngland cap off the bench in place of Sarah Bern. Lydia Thompson, who scored a hat-trick in England’s 0-63 win over Wales, moves to the bench.

Ireland Women's team to face England

Head Coach Tom Tierney has confirmed the Ireland Women's side to take on England in Donnybrook this Friday night.

The side for the Championship decider shows one change to the team that defeated Wales 12-7 last weekend, as scrum-half Larissa Muldoon moves from the replacements into the starting fifteen.

The remainder of the line-up is unchanged as props Lindsay Peat and Ailis Egan join Leah Lyons in the front row for the fifth successive game.

Wales name unchanged side for France

Ken Owens will win his 50th cap as Wales name an unchanged matchday squad to take on France in Paris on Saturday.

Owens, who made his international debut at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, lines up alongside Rob Evans and Tomas Francis in the front-row.

Captain Alun Wyn Jones and Jake Ball are named in the second-row with Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau completing the forward pack.