Monday Round-Up

Genia to Paris: Australian scrumhalf Will Genia has reportedly agreed terms on a deal which will see him play his rugby in the French capital with Stade Francais next season. Long since rumoured to be headed for a move to the Northern Hemisphere following the climax of this year’s World Cup, according to reports emanating out of French rugby circles, it is the Parisian outfit who have won the halfback’s signature. Having initially been reported to have signed a pre-contract agreement with Bath a few months back, Genia will now seemingly get out of a move to the English West Country on a technicality, with Stade not liable to pay any fee to terminate the deal. The agreement, signed before the new changes to the marquee player rule in the Aviva Premiership, would have seen Genia as Bath’s second marquee player under the newly imposed salary cap. However, at the time of signing, Bath already employed Sam Burgess as their marquee player and will now potentially lose out on any compensation Stade may have been liable for under the current rules. According to the reports coming out of France, Genia will sign a three year deal with the Parisian outfit.

Saints sign cover: Aviva Premiership outfit the Northampton Saints have announced that Samoan fullback Ahsee Tuala has agreed terms to join the club until the close of the current domestic season. 25 year Tuala, who weighs in at a hefty 100kg, has previously trained with both New Zealand U20s and the New Zealand Sevens squads, before focusing on representing his native country, which he did during the November International series just gone, against Canada. Having featured on over 50 occasions for Counties Manukau in New Zealand’s domestic competition, the iTM Cup, scoring a total of 166 points, Tuala will bring an added dimension to the Saints squad as they look to press on in their pursuit of the Aviva Premiership title. Tuala has been primarily brought in as injury cover for Ben Foden who will miss the coming months.

Ryan Sheady