Wednesday Afternoon Round Up
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Dane Coles suffering from concussion symptoms
Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has revealed that Dane Coles is suffering exercise-induced headaches and it's those, as much as the calf problem, are keeping him from returning to the Hurricanes line-up.
"Colesy's situation is complicated by the fact that... subsequent to his knee injury, he not only developed a calf strain but also some headaches," Boyd said
"We genuinely don't know where he got those symptoms from, but those symptoms were not apparent to us until post his return-to-train from his knee injury. So he had no symptoms post that game, if in fact he incurred the injury in the game," Boyd said.
7 Players commit to Bayonne for 2017/18 season
Bayonne have confirmed the signing of 3 players and have extended the contracts of 4 others.
Australian front-rower Dayna Edwards who has signed a new two-year deal for the club, having been a solid pillar in the Bayonne scrum since 2010.
Locks Steven Setephano and Mickaël Capelli have both signed two-year extensions will the French side.
Centre Nigel Hunt, on the other hand, has signed a one-year deal, with the option of a further year.
François Uys will be joining from Super Rugby side the Cheetahs, while the other new recruits include Tongan Edgar Tuinukuafe and Toulon winger Teiva Jacquelin.
Willemse undergoes emergency surgery on his appendix
Southern Kings hooker Michael Willemse is set to miss the side's next three matches following an emergency operation on Tuesday night.
The 24-year-old was rushed to hospital in George late on Tuesday for an emergency operation to have his appendix removed.
Click HERE for more Southern Kings injury news
Nigel Owens to referee Champions Cup Final
Nigel Owens has been confirmed as the referee for the Champions Cup final between Saracens and Clermont in BT Murrayfield next weekend.
The fixture will be Owens' 100th tournament match when he takes charge.
John Hardie signs a contract extension at Edinburgh
The back-row joined the capital club in 2015 and has since made 19 appearances.
Hardie, 28, joined Edinburgh from Super Rugby side Highlanders and made his debut in the European Cup win over Grenoble at inNovember 2015.
He debuted for Scotland against Italy in Turin in August 2015 and was subsequently selected in the Rugby World Cup and has since been capped by Scotland on 15 occasions.
More details here
WillGriff John joins Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks have confirmed the signing of Doncaster Knights prop WillGriff John.
Ulster Rugby injury update
Chris Henry is progressing well following a recent calf muscle tear and it is hoped that he'll be available for the clash at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.
Ruan Pienaar (back spasm), Charles Piutau (elbow hyperextension) and Stuart McCloskey(left thigh haematoma) suffered injuries against Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.
All three players are undergoing treatment and it's hoped that they will be available for selection versus Leinster.
Stuart Olding sustained a significant left ankle injury (versus Ospreys) and he will see an ankle specialist today (Wednesday) to decide on further management.
Click HERE for the full injury report
James Hall takes a break from rugby
James Hall will take a break from professional rugby as he will undergo knee surgery and will remain involved with rugby during his break.
The prop arrived at Bristol in 2013 and has made 44 appearances since.
I’ve had a few injuries to my knee and, while it’s been managed well until the end of the season, it’s got to the point where I need an operation to correct the issue and be able to continue playing in future,” Hall said.
“I’m going to take a break from professional rugby, but I want to be as pro-active as possible and continue developing, even if I’m not on the field. I’ve completed my RFU Level Three coaching badge this season, as well as working with the Academy and UWE rugby set-up. Coaching is something that I really enjoy and I have been fortunate enough to coach Broad Plain – a great local club – too.
Gloucester have confirmed that prop Gareth Denman will join the club in the summer from Premiership rivals Northampton Saints.
"We're delighted to be bringing someone of Gareth's experience and quality into our squad for next season," said Director of Rugby David Humphreys.
"We already have a talented pool of props in the squad, and with Gareth's addition, plus the arrivals of Fraser Balmain and Val Rapava Ruskin this summer, we've ensured that we have some real strength in depth going forward."
Jersey Reds add four more for 2017-18 season
Apakuki Ma'afu, Mark Best, Rory Bartle and Matt Rogerson all signed contracts with Jersey Reds for the 2017/18 season.
Click HERE for the full story
Ewan McQuillin extends London Scottish stay
The tight-head prop played a major part in the 16/17 season, with his strong scrummaging.
McQuillin joined initially on trial and made his debut against Saracens in the pre-season friendly and went on to make 16 appearances throughout the season scoring two tries in the process.
Read the full article here
Click HERE for our Aviva Premiership Weekend Round-Up
SA U20s team to represent South Africa at World Rugby u20 Championships
Junior Springbok coach Chean Roux has named his team to compete at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia, with Ernst van Rhyn as captain, and eight players amongst the chosen 28 have played in the same tournament last year.
See the Full squad HERE