Tuesday Afternoon Round Up

Italy duo ruled out of Bok Test

Italy will be without the services of hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini (toe injury) and prop Andrea Lovotti (rib injury) when they face the Springboks in Florence on Saturday.

“Ghiraldini was diagnosed with an injury to his big toe and Lovotti suffered a knock to the cartilage in his ribcage,” said Italy team manager Luigi Troiani in a statement.

“These injuries have ruled them out of further participation in the November tests.”

Italy head coach Conor O’Shea has called up Treviso prop Nicola Quaglio as Lovotti’s replacement while Zebre hooker Tommaso D’Apice comes in for Ghiraldini.

Warriors sign full-back Slowik

Warriors have signed Bristol Rugby full-back Auguy Slowik till the end of the season.

The 22-year-old signed his first professional contract with Bristol in the summer of 2013 after impressing for their Academy. 

The paceman went on to score an impressive 19 tries in just 28 appearances for his side before spending time on loan at Yorkshire Carnegie in 2015. 

Maori All Blacks team to face Harlequins

Head Coach Colin Cooper has made three changes to his Maori All Blacks run-on side for their tour-closing match against the Harlequins on Wednesday.

Whetu Douglas will start no.6, Sean Wainui gets a run on the wing, moving James Lowe to fullback.

The team is looking to end their tour on a high note after their 14-27 loss to Munster in front of a sold-out Limerick crowd.

See full team here

Baker signs new deal with Ospreys

Ospreys Rugby have announced that Dan Baker has signed a new contract with his home region that sees him staying at the Liberty Stadium until the summer of 2019.

Baker came through the regional development pathway, with Ystradgynlais, his home club, from where he entered the Ospreys age-grade system, going on to play almost 50 times for Swansea.

The ball carrying number eight follows fellow back rower, Justin Tipuric, in committing his future to the Ospreys, the open side signing a long-term deal last week.

Western Force sign Australian U20’s Shambeckler Vui

The Western Force has boosted their frontrow with the signing of Australian U20’s representative and Future Force Foundation product, Shambeckler Vui for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

After joining the Future Force Foundation in February Vui starred for UWA in the Pindan Premier Grade collecting the Most Outstanding Colt Award and was a key member of the Perth Spirit’s title winning side playing all nine matches including five run-on starts.