Wednesday Evening Round Up

Former Springbok Andries Bekker hangs up his boots

Former Springbok and Stormers lock Andries Bekker has announced his retirement from professional rugby.

Bekker made over 100 Super Rugby appearances for the Stormers and Western Province. Full story

Sage, Gans back for Springbok Sevens trip to Australasia

Dylan Sage and Stedman Gans have been recalled to the Springbok Sevens squad for the next two tournaments in the World Rugby Sevens Series, in Sydney, Australia next weekend and in Hamilton, New Zealand a week later.

Sage missed the tournaments in Dubai and Cape Town due to a back injury. Gans, who last played for the Blitzboks in Singapore last season, was part of the SA Rugby Sevens Academy team that won the Sudamericarugby 7s tournaments in Uruguay and Chile in the last fortnight.

Jacques Brunel names his squad for 2018 6 Nations

Jacques Brunel has named his first squad since taking over the reigns as the France National coach from Guy Noves.

Morgan Parra returns to the national set-up, while 19-year-old Bordeaux Begles flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert gets his maiden call up.

Baptiste Serin and François Trinh-Duc were regulars in the Test squad under Noves last year but the pair have both missed out on selection for the first tests of 2018. 

Turner signs 2-year Glasgow deal

Scotland international hooker George Turner has signed a two-year contract with Glasgow Warriors.

Turner, who has spent this season on loan at Glasgow Warriors from Edinburgh Rugby, has committed to the Warriors until at least May 2020. Full story

Eddie Jones signs contract extension until 2021

The RFU has extended the contract of England Rugby head coach Eddie Jones until August 2021. The contract previously ended after the Rugby World Cup in Japan in 2019

Jones’s contract extension to the end of the 2020/21 season has a performance-based break clause, based on England’s performance at Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan. Full story

Cooper Vuna joins Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby have confirmed the signing of international Cooper Vuna until the end of the season.

 The 30-year-old, who switched from rugby league to union in 2011 and can also play in the midfield, most recently represented Tonga in the Autumn internationals. Full story

Greg Cooper to leave Stade Francais

Stade Francais coach and former All Black Greg Cooper is leaving his post of head coach to be with his sick daughter.

The Paris club issued a statement confirming Cooper will finish following the Top 14 game against Pau on January 27. Full story

All Black 7s squad named for Sydney leg

All Blacks Sevens Coach Clark Laidlaw has named a 13-strong squad for the first tournament of 2018, the Sydney Sevens, to be held next weekend.

The squad’s only debutant, 18-year-old Caleb Clarke, son of former All Black Eroni Clarke, has been named, while Luke Masirewa returns to the national team after last appearing in 2013.

The squad is:

 
Kurt Baker (Manawatu)
Caleb Clarke (Auckland)*
Scott Curry (Bay of Plenty)
Sam Dickson (Canterbury)
Andrew Knewstubb (Tasman)
Vilimoni Koroi (Otago)
Luke Masirewa (Bay of Plenty)
Tim Mikkelson (Waikato)
Sione Molia (Counties Manukau)
Joe Ravouvou (Auckland)
Teddy Stanaway (Bay of Plenty)
Regan Ware (Bay of Plenty)
Joe Webber (Bay of Plenty)