Weekly Round Up

Six months out for Sarto

Glasgow and Italy have suffered a blow after wing Leonardo Sarto had to undergo shoulder surgery.

Sarto was injured during his man-of-the-match performance against Leicester Tigers in the European Rugby Champions Cup last month and is expected to be unavailable for up to six months.

Wilhelm van der Sluys joins Warriors on trial

South African lock Wilhelm van der Sluys has joined Warriors on trial.

The 25-year-old, who came through the Western Province youth system and went on to make 25 appearances for the Cape Town-based side, joins up with the team immediately to provide extra competition in the second row.

Head Coach Carl Hogg said: "Wilhelm is a talented lock and we're looking forward to seeing what he has to offer.”

Amos sidelined until 2017

Wales and Dragons' Hallam Amos has been ruled out until next year after suffering a shoulder injury while on the field for Wales.

"Having been reviewed by a specialist he will undergo surgery next week. Amos will then require a period of rehabilitation with an expected return to play in the New Year," said the Dragons in a statement.

The 22-year-old returned to his region after being released from Wales' squad on Tuesday and was replaced by Ospreys wing Keelan Giles.

Brumbies bring in Tom Banks

The Brumbies have boosted their attacking stocks with the signing of former Queensland Reds outside-back, Tom Banks.

“We are delighted to sign a player of the quality of Tom for the 2017 Super Rugby season,” Head Coach Stephen Larkham commented.
 
“Tom has the ideal attributes we look for in a Brumbies player. He is young, strong in defence and attack and hungry to make his mark at the Super Rugby level.
 
“I am sure that the Brumbies fans will enjoy following Tom’s development with interest. He joins a number of players who are ready to impress in 2017.”

Banks was a stand-out member of the Queensland Country side in the 2016 NRC. He made his Super Rugby debut for the Reds against Rebels this year.

Harlequins sign Namibian captain Renaldo Bothma

Harlequins have just confirmed that Namibian captain Renaldo Bothma has signed for the Club and will join from Super Rugby side, the Bulls for the 2017/18 season.

The powerful ball carrying number 8 made his Super Rugby debut for The Sharks and after spending the 2015 off season with Japanese side Toyota Verblitz, he joined the Bulls in 2016.

He was appointed as captain of Namibia in June 2016 and has 13 international caps to his name, scoring 40 points.

Mat Luamanu suspended for five weeks

Harlequins forward Mathew Luamanu has been given a five-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on Exeter’s Will Hooley.

Luamanu received a yellow card in the first half of his team’s win over Exeter in the Anglo-Welsh Cup on Saturday for a tackle on the opposition fly-half Will Hooley.

Chairman of the RFU discipline panel, Sir James Dingemans said: "The panel upheld the citing, concluding that Mathew Luamanu had committed a dangerous tackle because he had made contact with his head, having been reckless within the meaning of RFU Regulation 19.11.8(b) and Appendix 5. The panel imposed a suspension of five weeks."

The 27-year-old is free to play again on 13 December.

O'leary out for 8 weeks

Montpellier have suffered an injury blow as scrum-half Tomás O'Leary has been ruled out for eight weeks with a lateral ligament problem.

O'leary, who arrived at the club last month as a medical joker, suffered the injury while playing in Montpellier's 21-9 defeat against Racing 92 over the weekend.

Chiefs sign up Fijian half back Matawalu

Exeter Chiefs have added Fijian international Niko Matawalu to their backline until the end of the season.

“Initially Niko’s joining until the end of the season,” said Baxter.

“We want to have a good look at him and then we’ll see if there is an opportunity beyond that.

“As a club we’re really looking forward to bringing him here. We had a good look at him previously when he first decided to move on from Glasgow to Bath, but now the opportunity has arisen for us to sign him and it’s come at the right time for us."

Niko will head to Sandy Park from Premiership rivals Bath Rugby and will join up with his new team-mates once the current autumn internationals are concluded.

Toulon forwards coach steps down from position

Toulon's forwards coach Jacques Delmas has decided to step back from his position in the club. He still remains employee of Toulon Rugby Club until further notice.

Roelof Smit ruled out of Springbok tour

Blue Bulls flanker Roelof Smit will miss the remainder of the Springboks’ Outgoing Tour after he sustained a torn pectoral muscle at training on Monday.

The uncapped Smit played for the Springboks on Saturday against the Barbarians at Wembley.

He will be replaced by Free State Cheetahs loose forward Uzair Cassiem, who impressed during his two weeks with the Springboks in England.

Tipuric signs until 2020

Ospreys Rugby have announced that Justin Tipuric has signed a new long-term deal, committing himself to his home region until the summer of 2020.

The 27-year old flanker, hailed today as “one of the best sevens around” had 18 months still to run on his existing contract but the Ospreys have moved swiftly to secure his future for a further two years.

“It’s a good place to be at. It was an easy decision” said Tipuric.

“We are going in the right direction and I’m happy to sign for the team I support."

Tipuric became the 26^th Ospreys centurion when, again as captain, he helped the team to a 26-12 win over Munster at the Liberty Stadium in March 2015.

Karpik and Tiatia commit to the Steamers until 2018

The Bay of Plenty Rugby Union have announced that loose forward Mitchel Karpik and full back Chase Tiatia have committed with the Union through to the end of the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup, following their naming in the 2017 Chiefs squad.

21-year-old Karpik had an outstanding 2015 season and was named in the 2016 Chiefs Squad. However, he suffered a knee injury during a Chiefs pre-season match against the Waratas in Rotorua ruling him out for the season. Karpik will be hoping to stamp his mark in his Super Rugby competition and debut for the Chiefs and later the Bay of Plenty Steamers.

Full back Chase Tiatia was an impact player for the Bay of Plenty Steamers this season. The 21 year old stamped his mark in his Provincial Rugby debut last year, securing himself a contract with the franchise and has been renewed for 2017. He has played 14 games for the Bay, and will be returning from injury after suffering a broken ankle in the Mitre 10 Cup Semi Final.

Andy Robinson sacked by Bristol

After news that he was suspended 4 days ago, Andy Robinson has now been sacked by Bristol Rugby after the board "lost confidence" that he would be able to retain the club's Premiership position.

 

Robinson joined the club in March 2013, helping Bristol win the Championship and earn promotion to the Premiership in May 2016.

But the club have lost their opening seven top-flight games and sit bottom of the table.

Club chairman Chris Booy said: “We thank Andy for his contribution to the overall coaching set up at the Club. Unfortunately, the board lost confidence that Andy would retain the Club’s Premiership position, bearing in mind the results to date.
 
"Andy departs with the knowledge that he made a significant contribution in helping Bristol return to the Premiership this season. Andy leaves with the Club’s very best wishes and we all wish him every success in the next chapter of his career.”

Western Force sign Polatu-Nau

The Western Force have signed 68-Test Wallaby hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau for the 2017 Super Rugby season.

Polota-Nau left the Waratahs after 11 seasons and was heading overseas to Bristol, but the move faltered when he needed surgery after breaking his right forearm twice this season.

  

The 31-year-old will visit Perth in coming weeks and join Force training in the new year after finishing rehab on the surgery he had three weeks ago.

 

Moala to miss rest of All Blacks tour

Midfielder George Moala will fly back to New Zealand after being ruled out of the remainder of the end of year tour due to elbow injury.

The Aucklander was forced out of Sunday's game against Ireland in the first half, with further testing revealing torn ligaments and tendons off the elbow.

His fellow centre Ryan Crotty will stay with the team and undergo further assessment after straining a hamstring in the 29-40 loss to Ireland in Chicago.

The All Blacks have said Seta Tamanivalu, who is fresh from the Barbarians' 31-31 draw against South Africa, will join the squad as cover.