Monday Afternoon Round Up

Daniel appointed Sharks captain for Currie Cup

Sharks coach Robert du Preez has announced his squad for the tournament, with back-row Keegan Daniel as captain for the campaign.

"Keegan is someone who leads by example and sets the pace not on the playing field, but at training and also on the field," commented du Preez on his decision to appoint Daniel.

"We have a young and enthusiastic squad and his experiece and strong leadership will certainly provide the necessary mentorship."

John Dalziel joins London Scottish as Forwards Coach

Scottish Rugby have announced that Scotland under-20 and Melrose Head Coach John Dalziel has been appointed as forwards coach for the 2016/17 season.

Dalziel represented Scottish from 1997 to 1998 and won three BT Premiership titles and the BT Scottish Cup as a coach, and guided the age-grade side to impressive wins in the recent Six Nations against England and Italy before securing a joint best-ever finish in the 2016 World Rugby under-20 Championship (8th), including a first ever win over Australia.

Prop Dan Murphy leaves Gloucester Rugby

Gloucester Rugby can confirm that loosehead prop Dan Murphy has left the club.

Murphy was a regular in the matchday squad in his first two seasons in particular, when he made 22 and 32 competitive appearances respectively.

"I am disappointed to be moving on after five years with Gloucester, but such is the nature of professional sport.  I'll especially miss running out at Kingsholm and playing in front of the incredible Gloucester supporters," said Murphy.

Lions touring squad to New Zealand for Super Rugby final

The Lions have named their touring squad for the Super Rugby final against the Hurricanes this coming Saturday.

Touring Squad

Dylan Smith

Malcolm Marx

Julian Redelinghuys

Andries Ferreira

Franco Mostert

Jaco Kriel

See complete squad here: http://bit.ly/2atNUt5

All Blacks name squad for Rugby Championship

The All Blacks selectors, Steve Hansen, Ian Foster and Grant Fox, have selected their squad for the 2016 Rugby Championship.

Hurricanes outside back Nehe Milner-Skudder and Chiefs midfielder Charlie Ngatai weren't considered for selection due to injury.

The squad is as follows: (with province, Super Rugby team and Test caps in brackets)

Forwards:

Hookers

Dane Coles (Wellington / Hurricanes, 39)
Codie Taylor (Canterbury / Crusaders, 5)
Nathan Harris (Bay of Plenty / Chiefs, 4)

Full squad: http://bit.ly/2ao7c2d

Western Province coaching staff announced

The coaching staff for Western Province, Western Province U21 and Western Province U19 have been confirmed, with Jerome Paarwater taking over as Western Province U21 coach.

Western Province coach John Dobson will be assisted in the Currie Cup Premier Division campaign, which starts with a trip to Loftus Versfeld to face the Blue Bulls on Friday August 5, by Backs Coach Dawie Snyman, Head Defence Coach Paul Treu, Assistant Defence Coach Norman Laker and Forwards Coach Russell Winter.

Paarwater will be assisted by Forwards Coach Hanyani Shimange, Backs Coach Chris Rossouw, Defence Coach Anton Moolman and Fitness and Conditioning Coach Riefaat Jappie, as Western Province U21 look to retain the title they won last year under Robbie Fleck.

Vermeulen named Toulon captain

New head coach Diego Dominguez named South African number eight Duane Vermeulen as the new Toulon captain.

Vermeulen takes over from France captain Guilhem Guirado in just his second season with the Top 14 club, with Guirado sidelined with a knee injury.