Friday Round-Up

Gits staying put: Toulon fans will be breathing a massive sigh of relief this morning, as news filters through that star back line member Matt Giteau has opted to remain at the European and domestic champions. After much speculation in recent months, the former Wallaby star centre has put paid to the rumours by signing a two year extension to his current contract with the club. The 31 year old had supposedly been the subject of much interest from various clubs, with Racing Metro leading the charge to acquire his signature in a deal rumoured to be worth an estimated €1 Million a year. Having joined Toulon since being excluded from the Wallabies’ 2011 World Cup squad, Giteau has gone on to become an integral member of Mourad Boudjellal’s assembled squad. The news comes after hooker Jean Charles Orioli also agreed terms on a new deal with the club, signing on until June 2016.

Eligibility made clear: The International Rugby Board have released a detailed document enlisting the necessary requirements for a player to switch nationalities. Players who are wishing to line out for a second country, will now have to partake in four legs of the Sevens World Series for their nationality conversion to be approved. Along with that, players will also be required to play in the Sevens’ showpiece event at the Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro in 2 years time. A number of quality players from around the game have expressed an interest in attempting to represent a second country, most notably former England flanker Steffon Armitage. Armitage, who has been shunned from the England international setup since linking up with European champions Toulon, is the current European Player of the Year and yet still looks unlikely to be named in Stuart Lancaster’s party for the 2015 World Cup.

Ryan Sheady