Wednesday Round-Up

Gloucester Front-Row delight: Gloucester fans will welcome today’s news that a trio of prop forwards have agreed terms with the West Country based outfit. With the new schedule due to kick in for the 2015/2016 season as result of the Rugby World Cup, a schedule which will see no breaks once the Aviva Premiership kicks off, the emphasis on strength in depth has continued to rise. Of the three players joining, Paul Doran-Jones is making a comeback to his former side having left in 2011 to further his career with the Northampton Saints first and more recently with Conor O’Shea’s Harlequins. Former Ulster prop Paddy McAllister will once again link up with ex Ulster director of rugby David Humphreys, as the powerful, bleach blonde haired prop returns from a brief stint in France with ProD2 outfit Aurillac. A former Ireland U20 international and Ulster regular on the domestic front, McAllister will be looking to restart his career having suffered with a string of injuries. The final piece of the puzzle is the hugely promising Osprey Nicky Thomas. Thomas, a member of the Wales U20 pack at last summer’s Junior World Championship, has impressed on the domestic scene with the Swansea based outfit and will make the move over the Severn Bridge to Kingsholm.

Saders abandon Fiji plans: Super Rugby outfit the Crusaders have scrapped initial plans to host a competitive match in Fiji, instead opting to move their home fixture to Nelson. Seven time champions the Crusaders will be left homeless for one round of Super Rugby action, with their home venue, AMI Stadium, being utilised for a FIFA U20 World Cup game. Having looked into the possibility of hosting a clash in Fiji’s National Stadium at Suva, the decision has now been taken to turn down such an offer from the Fijian Rugby Union, instead opting to keep the fixture on New Zealand shores. According to the franchise’s Chief Executive Hamish Rach, the option of Nelson was also a distinct possibility, rather than a last minute decision following the rejection of the Suva suitors. Having played a number of fixtures in Nelson previously, the Crusaders know there exists a fan base where ticket sales will be guaranteed.

Ryan Sheady