Wednesday Morning Round Up

John Plumtree to coach Hurricanes

The Hurricanes and New Zealand Rugby have announced that John Plumtree will take the Head Coach role for the 2019 Super Rugby season.

Plumtree will take over from Chris Boyd after the 2018 season with Jason Holland confirmed as his Assistant Coach with both contracted for three years. Full Story

Eddie Jones in line to replace Michael Cheika

England head coach Eddie Jones remains in Rugby Australia's plans to replace Wallabies coach Michael Chieka despite being contracted with England through 2021.

Michael Cheika has said he will step down as Wallabies coach if he doesn’t win the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan and according to the report, Rugby Australia will start a formal process to search for his successor this year. Full story

Edinburgh sign David Cherry

Edinburgh Rugby has confirmed the signing of former Scotland U20 star David Cherry.

The 27-year-old hooker – who currently plays for French Fédérale 2 side Stade Niçois, as part of Scottish Rugby's partnership with the Nice-based team – has signed a one-year-deal and will join the club in the summer. Full story

Solomons confirms Worcester coaching set-up for 2018/19 season

Super Rugby Lineups

Highlanders v Stormers

The Highlanders have named powerful Fijian wing Tevita Nabura in one of four changes to the side that faced the Blues. With Shannon Frizzel and Tevita Nabura set to make their debuts. Ash Dixon will miss the game with a back injury and will be replaced by Greg Pleasants-Tate, while Josh Renton comes on to the bench.

Lock Salmaan Moerat is set to make his Stormers debut off the replacements bench against the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday. 

The Stormers have made five changes to their starting XV with Damian Willemse replacing the Seabelo Senatla, with Dillyn Leyds shifting back to the wing.

Up front Kobus van Dyk will start at blindside flank in the absence of Cobus Wiese, who is nursing a shoulder injury.

There is an all-new lock pairing in Jan de Klerk and Chris van Zyl, while Steven Kitshoff starts.

Rebels v Brumbies 

Wallabies front rower Scott Sio returns to the starting line up for the Brumbies while Lolo Fakaosilea, who enjoyed a lively cameo off the bench in Brisbane, is included from the start as Tom Cusack is named as a replacement.

England confirm 27 man squad to face France

England head coach Eddie Jones has retained 27 players as England continue their preparations ahead of their next 6 Nations match against France in Paris.

Backs
 
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)
Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)

Forwards

Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)  
Jamie George (Saracens)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)