Monday Afternoon Round Up

Tom Farrell heads to Connacht

Bedford Blues centre Tom Farrell has left the club to join Pro 12 side Connacht with immediate effect.

"The timing of Tom's departure isn't great to say the least especially as recently he had started to show glimpses of why we signed him," commented Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer.

"He has been a really valued member of the squad and has worked incredibly hard this season, I guess that's why Connacht came calling. Despite every effort on our part to keep Tom, the chance to go back to Ireland and to his hometown club proved too much of a heartfelt draw for him. We certainly hope it works out for him..."

The 22-year-old Farrell has made 12 appearances for the Goldington Road club since joining in the summer from London Irish with his last being against his former club.

Bristol Rugby set to sign New Zealand scrum-half Alby Mathewson

Former All Blacks scrum-half Alby Mathewson is set to link up with Bristol shortly after signing for the Premiership club.

Mathewson won four caps for New Zealand in 2010, including making his only Test start in a win against England at Twickenham.

Bristol, who lost 32-26 at Northampton on Saturday, face Bath in the European Challenge Cup at Ashton Gate on Friday evening.

Chris Robshaw injury update

Chris Robshaw will undergo surgery on his left shoulder today to repair an injury sustained in the match against Worcester Warriors on New Year’s Day.

He is expected to be out of competitive action for around 12 weeks.
 

Williams to leave Scarlets for Saracens

Scarlets Rugby has today confirmed that fullback Liam Williams will leave the region at the end of the current season.

The 25-year-old joined the Scarlets in 2011 after a blistering season with Llanelli RFC, scoring 40 points in 26 appearances in his debut season.

Jon Daniels, Scarlets General Manager of Rugby, said; “Liam has been an asset to the region and will be missed both on and off the field...We fought hard to retain Liam but having taken everything into consideration including his personal circumstances he has decided to pursues new challenges which we respect totally.

"We wish him well for the future and look forward to seeing him in action at the Parc, in the remaining few months of the season, in what is expected to be an exciting finish to the PRO12 campaign.”

Williams will play the remainder of the season at Parc y Scarlets before moving to Saracens.