Rugby Banter Page weekly round up

Monday 16th March:

Dean Richards Sings New Deal At Newcastle Falcons:

Former England international Dean Richards has signed a new deal which will see him remain at Newcastle Falcons for the next three seasons.

Richards, who joined the club in 2012, oversaw the Falcons’ ascension back to England’s top flight and, despite languishing in eleventh place in this season’s Premiership Table, Richards alluded to what he sees as the clubs bright future as the reason he has extended his stay

"I’m delighted to have agreed this extension at the club," Richards said in a statement.

"We are building a strong and sustainable club here at Newcastle and I'm particularly pleased at how the players, coaching staff and off-field staff have bought into our vision. “

"We have come a fair way over the past three years but there is still a great deal of work to do before we start to realise our potential. “

"However, I am confident that the club is in good shape and we will really start to see the benefits of a lot of good work over the next few seasons. “

Australia Plummet to Lowest Ever World Ranking:

Since the inception of World rankings in 2003, Australia this week have fallen to their lowest ever ranking ebb, sixth.

World Rugby released its updated rankings on Monday, with the only change in the top 10 being Wales rising above the Wallabies to number five.

Despite the Wallabies winning the last 10 matches against Wales, their Six Nations victory over Ireland last Saturday in Cardiff helped Warren Gatland's team edge ahead.

Mainly, Australia’s ranking slide was thanks to their abysmal 2014, a year which saw just two wins in the Rugby Championship - including losing to Argentina in Mendoza - followed by a Northern Hemisphere tour when Bernard Foley's late drop goal in their triumph over Wales in November preceded defeats to France, Ireland and England.

Tuesday 17th March:

Leicester Tigers Signs Chiefs Duo:

Leicester Tigers have furthered strengthened their squad ahead of next season with the signing of two forwards, from the Chiefs of Waikato and Exeter.

Firstly, from New Zealand, the Tigers have added Mike Fitzgerald as a direct replacement for the retired Louis Deacon. Fitzgerald, 28, can also play at number six and will move at the culmination of the Super Rugby season where he will look to aid his side in their pursuit of a third Super Rugby title since 2012/2013.

Meanwhile, the Tigers have replenished their options at hooker with the signing of Exeter hooker Greg Bateman. Bateman, 26, is a product of the Harlequins academy signed for the Chiefs at the beginning of the 2013/2014 season and will be well known to Leicester after scoring the winning try in Exeter’s LV Cup Semi Final victory at Welford Road last weekend.

2023 World Cup Could Be Expanded To Include More Teams:

World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper has hinted that the 2023 Rugby World Cup could potentially to be expanded to include more teams, as the sport continues to grow around the world

He did, however, stress the mooted move would not lead to the tournament losing its competitiveness, but would "promote the sport in their (other) countries".

England host this year's fast-approaching tournament before Japan will be the setting for the 2019 event, with 20 teams involved in both of the spectacles.

"As the sport grows and we conquer new markets the discussion is about looking towards expanding, rather than contracting," Gosper told a Sport Industry Group Breakfast Club gathering in London on Tuesday.

Gosper profiled Germany as being one country that could benefit from the expansion, which of course would bring greater financial gains through television deals and sponsorship. Gosper continued on to say that he was encouraged with the progress being made in USA, India, China and Mexico.

"Rugby is the fastest growing team sport in the USA," he said.

"We are in very good shape, in all formats, around the world."

Wednesday 18th March:

La Rochelle Announce Deal to Sign Rickie Januarie:

South African scrumhalf Enrico Januarie will play for Top 14 side La Rochelle next season, after signing a two-year contract.

The former Osprey, 33, capped 47 times and a member of the 2007 World Cup-winning squad, will join from rivals Lyon.

Both sides are battling against relegation with Lyon second from bottom, six points adrift of La Rochelle, six matches from the end of the league season.

Tim Visser In Line For Harlequins Switch, According To Reports:

Edinburgh winger Tim Visser is in line for an end of season switch to Harlequins, according to reports in the Daily Mail.

The naturalized Dutch born Scottish international is reportedly being targeted by a number of Premiership clubs and Harlequins want to make their move early to secure his hotly contested signature.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh may look to replace Visser with Waratah’s cross code winger Taqele Naiyaravoro. Naiyaravoro, who switched to Union from Rugby League last season, has scored twice already in this year’s Super Rugby competition and could potentially represent Scotland, if he spends the requisite three years within the nation.

Thursday 19th March:

Bulk of Gloucester’s Recruitment Completed, According to David Humphreys:

Gloucester have completed the major pieces of their summer recruitment drive but David Humphreys maintains that his side may still "tinker" in the market.

The Kingsholm side have made a host of big signings ahead of next season including a trio of New Zealanders – All Blacks second-row Jeremy Thrush, Chiefs utility back Tom Marshall and Crusaders scrum-half Willi Heinz.

They have also added a three props in Paul Doran Jones, Paddy McAlister and Nicky Thomas, and Wasps hooker Tom Lindsay.

Humphreys admits the majority of business for next season is done, although he is always alert to possibilities and loan-signing Brendan Macken is playing for a long-term contract.

The main part of our recruitment is done, the players we wanted to keep, with the exception of Dan Robson, we have managed to do so.

"We have replaced Dan with Willi Heinz and anyone who has played with, against or trained with him speaks incredibly highly of him as a player, character and leader, which is something we wanted to address.

"We're always looking to see what is available, we're always looking to see who can add quality to our team and we will never say we are completely finished.

"With the way the season is, injury dispensation and other things you might look to strengthen certain areas. We might look to tinker a little bit with the squad., said the former Ulster fly half"

Wallaby Betham To Join Leicester Tigers:

Australia and New South Wales Waratah’s winger Peter Betham is close to signing a deal to join Leicester Tigers.

The 26-year-old has played two Tests for Australia, and would have won several more if it wasn’t for a spate of injuries that robbed him of more caps in 2013 and 2014.

Friday 20th March:

Adam Jones Linked With Move To Harlequins:

With his short term deal at Cardiff Blues coming to an end, Adam Jones has been linked with a move to Aviva Premiership side Harlequins.

The 100 test capped former Ospreys has seen his name mentioned as a potential replacement for Wales’ incumbent and injured tight-head Samson Lee, but Welsh coach Warren Gatland has dismissed the suggestion.

According to the South Wales Evening Post, Harlequins have made a concerted effort to sign Jones and the three time Grand Slam winner is receptive to a move to Conor O’Shea’s side.