Friday Round-Up

Stern no from Horne: According to reports emerging today, New South Wales Waratah Rob Horne has turned down a lucrative, two year deal to join Irish provincial side Munster, instead option to remain in Sydney to achieve further success with the Michael Cheika coached side. An outside centre or winger by trade, Horne had a stellar season as the Waratahs were crowned Super Rugby champions last year, grabbing the attention of a multitude of clubs across European rugby. Having been approached by Munster for a two year, £415,000 offer, Horne instead opted to re-sign with the Tahs, this time committing his long term future to the club, having previously taken short-term deals which were on offer. According to Horne himself, the desire to retain the Waratahs’ first Super Rugby title, along with a general want to achieve further success in the years to come, represented the primary reasons behind his rejection of Munster’s approaches. The role of head coach Michael Cheika may also have been a selling point for remaining in Sydney, with the former Leinster coach in charge of both the Tahs and the Wallabies for the next 12 months as we build into a World Cup.

Treviso pen farce: A member of the Treviso back room coaching staff has been banned after making contact with or close to the eye of an Edinburgh player with a writing pen. Giorgio Intoppa, the club’s strength and conditioning coach, has been charged with misconduct by the disciplinary officer of the Guinness Pro12, arising out of a match back in December between Edinburgh and Treviso. The incident occurred during a mass brawl which spilled off the field and into the onlooking crowd at Murrayfield. The committee found that Mr.Intoppa had entered the brawl from the sideline with a pen in his hand and should have been more aware that it was capable of doing damage to another person. Mr.Intoppa has been banned from match day events until Sunday March 15th, but may still appeal the decision.

Ryan Sheady