Wednesday Afternoon Round Up

London Welsh set to go out of business

London Welsh are set to go out of business next week after the club’s management told its players to seek alternative employment.

According to reports, the 145-year-old club were given until December 12 to pay £250,000 to England’s Revenues & Customs but they have already conceded defeat.

“London Welsh are one of the most important clubs in the world. In a Lions year when we are going to New Zealand, it would be such a crying shame if we lost London Welsh. It has got to survive,” commented chairman Gareth Hawkins.

The squad of 35 players have not received last month’s salaries and at a meeting yesterday were told to seek alternative employment.

McBryde to coach Wales

Robin McBryde will coach Wales on their summer tour of the Pacific Islands.

The forwards coach assumes head coach responsibilities for the third time after leading Wales on tours in 2009 and 2013.

Boshoff & Ronaldson ruled out for Wasps clash

Connacht will be without Marnitz Boshoff and Craig Ronaldson for Sunday’s Champions Cup Pool 2 clash with Wasps on Sunday.

South African out-half Boshoff sustained a shoulder injury in the win over Treviso, while centre Ronaldson, who suffered a thigh injury against Cardiff, has been ruled out until mid-January.

Herbst pens new deal

Ulster Rugby have confirmed that Wiehahn Herbst has signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at Kingspan Stadium until at least the summer of 2019.

"This deal is a great boost for myself and my family. My wife and I are well settled here in Belfast and our son was born here, so it is a special place for us," commented Herbst.

"I truly believe that the squad is really starting to develop, with improving depth across most positions. I'm looking forward to competing with the guys for the starting number 3 jersey over the next few years.”

The 28-year-old tighthead prop joined Ulster in 2014 from Super Rugby franchise The Sharks and he has since made 42 appearances for the Province.

Scotland's Peter Horne set to miss Six Nations with injury

Glasgow and Scotland back Peter Horne is set to miss the Six Nations after being ruled out for up to four months with knee and ankle injuries.

A Warriors statement read: "Stand-off Horne sustained knee and ankle injuries and his ankle requires surgical repair at BMI Ross Hall Hospital. He is expected to be out of action for up to 16 weeks."

Horne was among the replacements for two of Scotland's three autumn Tests.

British & Irish Lions 2017 Coaching Team

Warren Gatland has named Steve Borthwick, Andy Farrell and Rob Howley as his assistants for the Lions tour of New Zealand.

Farrell and Howley redeem the roles they filled on the successful 2013 tour of Australia under Gatland, while forwards coach Borthwick joining the staff after helping England rack up 14 straight Test wins.

Gatland said: "I am excited about this coaching team. I said from the outset it was important to have continuity because we need to hit the ground running, given the limited preparation time.

"In Rob and Andy we have guys who understand the Lions concept, have worked together and know how to coach a winning Lions team. 

"It's also important to have some new input. Steve has done a great job in shaping the England pack and played a major role in their recent run of success, so I'm looking forward to working with him.

"We may look to bring in a specialist coach but, fundamentally, this is the core coaching team we believe can help a talented group of players win a Test series in New Zealand."

All three assistants will dedicate themselves to the Lions once next year's Six Nations tournament ends, with a squad announement due on April 19.

The Lions are scheduled to play 10 matches between June 3 and July 8, when they take on the world champions in the final game of a three-Test series.

Craig Joubert announces retirement from Test refereeing

Referee Craig Joubert on Wednesday announced his retirement from 15-a-side refereeing to develop elite young match officials.

“This was not a decision I took lightly given the obvious lure of possibly refereeing the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand next year as well as the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019,” said Joubert.

“However, the opportunity to make a difference in other peoples’ careers and lives is something which I’m excited about...

“This position gives me the opportunity to play a more formal role in sharing my experiences and developing referees and to have a positive influence on the lives and careers of other young referees.

“I am also thrilled that I will continue to referee on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series as we build our team of referees towards the Tokyo Olympics in 2020."

Joubert refereed the 2011 Rugby World Cup final as well as more than a century of Super Rugby matches and 80 Currie Cup matches.  He has also refereed 25 World Sevens series tournaments including 11 finals and the 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens final. 

He will take up his new position immediately in the New Year.