Rugby Banter Page weekly round up

Monday 15th December:

Steve Hansen Renews NZRU Deal:

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has signed a new three year deal with the NZRU which will see him oversee the Blacks participation in next year's World Cup and the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 2017.

Hartley Rejects French Riches To Re-sign with Northampton:

England hooker Dylan Hartley has rejected a lucrative offer from French Top 14 side Montpellier and signed a new three year deal with his current club, Northampton Saints.

Tuesday 16th December:

Armitage Receives Three Month Ban For Dissent:

Former England full-back Delon Armitage has received a 12-week ban for using foul and abusive language in directing comments at, or making them within earshot of, Leicester supporters after the fiery European Champions Cup contest between the clubs on 7 December. An independent disciplinary tribunal sitting in London found him guilty of misconduct, ruling that his actions may have brought the game into disrepute.

Leicester Front Row Trio Extend Deals:

England internationals Tom Youngs and Dan Cole and Argentina prop Marcos Ayerza have all agreed new long-term contracts with Leicester, the English Premiership club announced on Tuesday.

Young and Cole, who joined the club in 2006 and 2007 respectively, represented the British and Irish Lions last year. Ayerza, who has made close to 200 Leicester appearances, has been capped 57 times by Argentina.

Wednesday 17th December:

James Horwill To Sign For Harlequins:

Queensland Reds captain James Horwill has quit Super Rugby to take up a post World Cup deal with Harlequins, with the former Australia captain signing a three year deal.

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Adam Ashley Cooper Agrees To Bordeaux Move:

Thirty year old Australian utility back Adam Ashley Cooper has agreed to sign for Top 14 side Bordeaux on a two year deal at the end of his involvement with the ARU at the end of next year’s World Cup.

Thursday 18th December:

Carter Signs for Racing Metro:

Legendary New Zealand and Crusaders fly half Dan Carter has announced that he will join high spending Top 14 outfit Racing Metro on a three year deal after next year’s World Cup. Carter, 32, will allegedly earn over a million euro a year and will become the highest paid player in Rugby history.

Salesi Ma'afu To Join Toulon:

Northampton tight-head Salesi Ma'afu has agreed to sign for French giants Toulon at the end of the season. The news will come as a blow to the Saints, who will also lose their American international second row, Samu Manoa to the reigning European Champions.

Friday 19th December:

Stade Francais to compensate Bath for Genia:

Will Genia's long-term future looks set to be in France, despite the Australian scrum-half signing a pre-contract with Bath.

Midi Olympique report that Stade Français are ready to pay the Premiership club to release Genia from his agreement.

The Reds number nine had been linked with a move to The Rec for some time before Stade Français put forward their offer.

According to the report, the relationship between Thomas Savare, the Stade Français owner, and Bath chief Bruce Craig is 'cordial' enough for the deal to go