Rugby Banter Page weekly round up

Monday 26th January:

McKibbin To Join London Irish:

Waratahs scrum-half Brendan McKibbin will join London-Irish on a two-year deal from next season.

Born in Scotland, McKibbin is the latest Australian to confirm a lucrative European move, following the lead of Adam Ashley-Cooper, James Horwill, Nic White and Sekope Kepu.

McKibbin said he was excited by the chance to join a club that was "going places".

"I am delighted to be joining the club. I spoke at length with Bob [Casey] and I am looking forward to be a part of the set up. The facilities are hugely impressive and I'm really excited by the direction the club is looking to go in."

Jerome Kaino Mulls Over European Switch:

Jerome Kaino is weighing up his post Rugby World Cup future.

The All Blacks flanker has confirmed he's had numerous offers from overseas, including a lucrative one from French club Toulouse.

However he says his favoured option is to stay in New Zealand Rugby and he's in discussions with bosses here.

He says he wants to have his 2016 plans confirmed by the start of Super Rugby next month.

Tuesday 27th January:

Rennie Sign Chiefs Contract Extension:

Two-time Super Rugby title-winning coach Dave Rennie has signed a two year extension to his contract with the Chiefs and will lead them until the 2017 season.

Rennie, 51, extended his tenure to six seasons in charge after replacing Ian Foster in 2012.

The former Wellington, Manawatu and New Zealand under-20 coach immediately guided the Chiefs to their maiden title and repeated the dose in 2013.

Wednesday 28th January:

Rob Horne Commits To The Waratahs:

NSW Waratah and Qantas Wallaby Rob Horne has ended speculation about his playing future; announcing he has committed to the NSW Waratahs for another two years.  The deal will see Horne remain with Australian rugby until the end of 2017.

Horne, who has earned seventy three caps for the Waratahs’ since his 2008 debut, was previously linked with a move to Irish province Munster.

Sean McMahon Commits To The Rebels For A Further Two Seasons:

Melbourne Rebels back-row Sean McMahon has signed with the Super Rugby Franchise for a further two years, it has been announced.

McMahon is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in Australian rugby and could have had his pick of Super Rugby clubs after a breakout 2014 but chose to stick with the Rebels.

In his first year in the competition the 20-year-old made his Wallabies debut on the 2014 spring tour, playing three Tests. He was also named the Australian Super Rugby rookie of the year.

Thursday 29th January:

Nicky Robinson To Decamp To France From Bristol:

Nicky Robinson will join French Top 14 club Oyonnax from Bristol Rugby this summer.

Bristol confirmed yesterday that the 33-year-old fly-half would leave the club at the end of the season, two years into a three-year deal.

Armitage Quizzed By Police Over Assault Allegations:

Steffon Armitage has courted controversy after being questioned at a police station in Toulon on Wednesday night over an alleged assault.

The 29-year-old European Player of the Year was held in custody for several hours – along with team-mate Xavier Chiocci – in connection with an incident on December 13, after a Champions Cup match against Leicester. 

Several Toulon players were celebrating their victory at a Mourillon beach-side bar-restaurant and eye-witnesses have alleged that Armitage and Chiocci were involved in a fight with another customer. 

Friday 30th January:

Prop Lahiff Signs For Bath:

Twenty five year old Melbourne Rebels prop Max Lahiff has agreed to join Bath.

Lahiff, who has significant experience in the Aviva Premiership after making over sixty appearances for London Irish, is excited by the prospect of playing for Bath.

"I'm really excited to be joining Bath," Lahiff said. "They're a hugely talented, ambitious club, and I know that it is a great opportunity for me to keep developing as a player. I'm looking forward to working with Neal Hatley and the rest of the forwards and pushing for a place in an exceptionally talented pack.”