Wednesday Round-Up

Bath duo sign on: Aviva Premiership outfit Bath have confirmed that two of their hooking contingent, Ross Batty and Rob Webber have signed extensions to their current contracts at the Rec. Having made the move to Bath from London Wasps back in 2012, Webber has gone on to represent England on multiple occasions and will surely be in the reckoning for a slot in Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup squad in 11 months time. Batty, who has been at the club for slightly over five years now, has improved year on year and says he relishes the competition between himself, Webber and other hooker in the Bath squad, Tom Dunn. 28 year old Webber remains the club’s no.1, with head coach Mike Ford delighted to have been able tie both players down to contracts beyond this season.

Loamanu back: Leicester Tigers backline member Christian Loamanu has had his lifetime ban lifted by the Japan Rugby Football Union. After testing positive for cannabis following a domestic Top League game in Japan back in 2009, Loamanu was handed an indefinite ban by the powers that be in Japanese Rugby circles. The harsh suspension came just four years after Loamanu received an initial ban from the JRFU, following a serious altercation with a female wrestler, on which occasion he received a one year ban. With the World Cup looming large and Eddie Jones’ side looking to make a real impact, the return of Loamanu will undoubtedly aid their cause as the Brave Blossoms seek to cause an upset.

Ryan Sheady