Wednesday Afternoon Round Up

Lions lose Smith & Mnisi for rest of the season

Dylan Smith has a shoulder injury (right) and will undergo surgery today (Wednesday). He will be available for Super Rugby.

Howard Mnisi has a grade two injury of his left knee and will be out for 4-6 weeks.

Lourens Erasmus returned to training yesterday following a side strain.

Sam Jones injury update

Following an x-ray, Wasps can confirm that back row forward Sam Jones has suffered a fracture of his right leg during England training. The club is awaiting scan results and Jones will see a specialist on Friday afternoon to determine the extent of the injury.

Hemopo signs new deal with Highlanders

The Highlanders have signed Jackson Hemopo for three more years and will be in the wider training group in 2017 and then the main squad from 2018.

The 22-year-old has played one Super Rugby game which was in 2015, and has been playing for Manawatu in this year's Mitre 10 Cup.

Powell reappointed as Springbok 7s coach

SA Rugby announced have today announced that experienced Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell has been reappointed with the Blitzboks for a fourth season.

The South Africans took overall second place in the 2015/16 series that ended in June, having qualified for all 10 quarterfinals, eight semi-finals and four finals (winning one). They then travelled to the Olympic Games in Rio in August, where they won a bronze medal in Rugby Sevens. 

The team started their preparations for the 2016/17 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Stellenbosch earlier this week.

Saracens lock Alistair Hargreaves retires from rugby

Saracens have confirmed that lock forward Alistair Hargreaves has retired from rugby with immediate effect following a concussion injury.

Speaking about the decision to hang up his boots, 30-year old Hargreaves said: “It’s been a very tough decision to make. I’ve suffered a number of concussions in the last two seasons and, after seeking medical advice, have come to the conclusion that the risk is outweighing the reward. I have a young family, I have to make decisions that are right by them and although this was a hard decision for me personally it’s one that I feel is the right one to make."

Hargreaves made 79 appearances for the Men in Black since arriving at the club from Super Rugby franchise Sharks in 2012. He skippered Saracens to the 2014/15 Premiership title in his first season as Club captain.