Rugby Banter Page weekly round up

Monday 19th January:

Jerome Kaino In The Sights Of European Trio:

All Blacks back-rower Jerome Kaino could be the next big name to take up a European contract with as many as three clubs reportedly keen on the 51-Test star.

Toulouse, Bath and Leicester are all interested in Kaino according to French newspaper Midi Olympique; the blindside breakaway the latest high-profile international to attract the attention of Europe's top clubs as they continue their push for players coming off contract after this year's World Cup.

Dragons Sign New Zealand Back-Row:

Newport Gwent Dragons have become the latest European outfit to land the signature of a high-profile New Zealand player.

They have secured New Zealander Nick Crosswell on a long-term deal.
 
The versatile back row currently serves as skipper for New Zealand province the Manawatu Turbos and is due to join the Welsh region in February.
 
Crosswell represented the Maori All Blacks during their European tour in 2012 and has also been involved with New Zealand schools, Under-19 and Under-21.

Tuesday 20th January:

Connacht Props Extend Their Sportsground Stay:

Connacht Rugby and the IRFU have announced new two-year deals for props Nathan White, Ronan Loughney and Finlay Bealham.

In his third season with Connacht, tighthead prop Nathan White has agreed terms on a new two-year deal that will see him play at the Sportsground until at least the summer of 2017.

Galway-born Ronan Loughney  also put pen to paper this week on a new deal with his native province.

The 30-year-old has focused his attention on the loosehead position this season and has featured in 11 out of 18 games for the westerners.

Australian-born prop Finlay Bealham, whose grandmother is from Enniskillen, spent two years in the Connacht Academy before graduating to the senior squad last year.

All Black Stalwart Franks Pledges to London Irish:

All Blacks prop Ben Franks is the latest in a steady flow of Southern Hemisphere players agreeing to the move to the Northern Hemisphere after confirming a move to London Irish after this year's Rugby World Cup.

The 30-year-old Franks, who has 41 caps and was part of New Zealand's 2011 World Cup-winning squad, has agreed to a three-year deal.

Wednesday 21st January:

Tameifuna rumored to join compatriot Carter at Racing Metro:

Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna is tipped to join All Blacks veteran Dan Carter at Racing Metro next season.

French media reports suggest the front-rower is set to sign a three-year deal with the Paris club, who secured Carter late last year.

The deal would effectively end Tameifuna's hopes of an All Blacks call-up but he could still appear at Rugby World Cup 2015 with Tonga.

Pat Lam Signs Extended Three Year Deal At Connacht:

Pat Lam has signed a new three-year deal with Connacht and the Irish Football Union to remain in the position of head coach until at least 2018.

Lam - who previously coached Auckland, the Blues, in Scotland and Samoa - also played one Test for the All Blacks.

Jamie Gibson To Join Northampton Saints:

Northampton Saints revealed that Leicester back-row Jamie Gibson will be joining the club ahead of the 2015/16 season.

Gibson moved to Leicester in 2013, where he became a fixture in the side almost immediately, winning plenty of praise for a string of standout performances.

Thursday 22nd January:

Alex Cuthbert Contract Embargo Described As Bold:

Wing Alex Cuthbert has made a bold decision in turning down a national dual contract, former Wales and Lions centre Dafydd James says.

National coach Warren Gatland announced on Tuesday the Blues player had declined a contract offer.

James believes the 24-year-old British and Irish Lion is preparing a move to a club outside Wales.

"I think it's a gutsy move by Alex Cuthbert to be quite honest with you," James told BBC Radio Wales Sport.

Irael Folau Eyeing Positional Change:

Israel Folau has confirmed his intention to switch from his full back position and into the centres, in an interview with Australian Media.

"It's something I see as a little bit similar in attack to what I played as a centre in league - running lines and getting in amongst it, the ball in hand, close to the action - that's something that really excites me," Folau said

Friday 23rd January:

Injury Rules Cooper Out For Approximately Ten Weeks:

Quade Cooper will be out of action for three months after fracturing a collarbone during training.

The 26-year-old fly-half, who will now miss the start of the Super Rugby season with Queensland Reds, is to have surgery on Tuesday.

Reds coach Richard Graham said: "It's disappointing to lose Quade to such an innocuous collision during a training session but this is the nature of contact sport.

"Fortunately, we've recruited well in the off-season and we're comfortable we have a number of options available to us."