Thursday Afternoon Round Up

6-week ban for Robson

Former England Saxons second-rower George Robson has received a ban for six weeks for grabbing Yorkshire Carnegie player Ollie Stedman by the testicles during a clash between the two sides, according to Sky Sports.

The RFU released a statement after the judicial hearing stating that Robson pleaded guilty to the charge.

“The charge against George Robson of London Irish for acts contrary to good sportsmanship, contrary to Law 10.4(m), was heard at the Twickenham Stoop this evening.

“Robson pleaded guilty and was given a six-week suspension. He is free to play again on Wednesday 28 December 2016.”

Willi Heinz agrees new deal with Gloucester

Following in the footsteps of fellow backs Billy Burns and Henry Purdy, scrum half Willi Heinz has signed a new contract with Gloucester Rugby.

Arriving at the club at the beginning of last season from the Crusaders, the Christchurch born player has become a regular in the first team squad, displaying great leadership skills when captaining the team on a number of occasions.

"Willi has been a really important part of the squad since his arrival," commented Director of Rugby David Humphrey.

"He was one of the first players that we signed at the club, and I'm excited to see what more he has to give in Cherry and White.

"What Willi brings to the squad both on matchday and during the week is hugely valuable, with his input, his leadership and his knowledge of the game, as well as his calmness on it."

Australia squad to face France

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made twelve changes to his starting side for the Test against France at Stade de France in Paris.

Will Genia, Henry Speight and Tevita Kuridrani retain their starting spots while David Pocock shifts to the number seven jersey and will captain the side with Stephen Moore named amongst the reserves.

Pocock will skipper the side for the first time since August 2012, when he led the Wallabies in a 27-18 Bledisloe Cup defeat in Sydney.

It will be a long awaited debut for Kyle Godwin as he becomes Wallaby number 903, two years on from initally joining the Wallabies train-on squad for the 2014 Spring Tour.

Full squad here

Kellaway & Robertson named as two of five finalists for Newcomer of the Year

Waratahs, Andrew Kellaway and Tom Robertson are two of the five players named as finalists for the 2016 RUPA Newcomer of the Year, in possibly the strongest field in the award’s decade-long history.

Kellaway and Robertson join Australian Sevens breakout, Henry Hutchison, Brumby, Joe Powell and Melbourne Rebels Wallaby, who is also a former Manly Marlins representative, Reece Hodge on the five-player shortlist, to be voted on by Australia’s professional players and announced at the annual Volvo-RUPA Awards Lunch next month.

Clark Laidlaw to become New Zealand 7s Head Coach

Experienced sevens and rugby coach Clark Laidlaw has been appointed the new Head Coach of the All Blacks Sevens.

Laidlaw, who joined the Exiles ahead of the 2015/16 season, will take up his new role from 1 June 2017.