Rugby Banter Page weekly round up

Monday 13th April:

Quade Cooper Linked With Toulon Switch:

Wallabies and Queensland Reds fly half Quade Cooper could be the subject of a lucrative offer from French Top 14 Champions Toulon, according to reports in Midi Olympique.

Currently sidelined for eight weeks with a shoulder injury, Cooper has apparently used his time off from training to visit the reigning European and French Champions training ground in an attempt to trash out a deal that will see him compete with the likes of Freddie Michalak and his compatriot Matt Giteau for the Toulon number ten shirt next season.

Newly Promoted Pau Confirm Signing of All Black Colin Slade:

Adding to their signing of Conrad Smith, newly promoted French Top 14 side Pau have confirmed the signing of Crusaders and All Blacks capped fly half, Colin Slade.

Speaking on the move, Slade claims that Pau’s ambition and the carrot of potentially playing in the European Champions Cup swayed him to sign for the South of France club.

“Pau is a club with great ambition that is really keen to establish itself in France, and the chance to play in the Top 14 and potentially European Cup is an exciting new challenge for me. My wife and I are also excited to have the opportunity to live in the South of France and travel around Europe in between rugby commitments, said Slade, a 2011 Rugby World Cup winner with New Zealand.

Tuesday 14th April:

Promising Lock Itoje Renews Saracens Contract:

Promising England Saxons lock Maro Itoje has signed a new long term deal at Saracens, the club has confirmed.

Itoje, 20, captained England to World Cup victory at Under 20 level and has gradually established himself in the Saracens squad, making 24 appearances for the London side and skippering them to LV Cup victory this term.

Itoje, who made his England Saxons debut earlier this year, revealed his is excited to recommit to Saracens.

“First and foremost I'm incredibly excited to commit my future to Saracens.

"Saracens are a great club who have treated me unbelievably well since I joined at the age of 14. The club feels like home, and I'm really excited to have extended my contract, said the six foot five twenty year old.

Billy Vunipola Cleared For Crunch Clermont Clash:

After an investigation from the RFU disciplinary panel, Saracens and England number eight Billy Vunipola has been cleared of headbutting Leicester’s Mathew Tait and will subsequently be available for Saracen’s daunting European Champions Cup semi-final away to Clermont this coming weekend.

Initially, it was feared that Vunipola may miss the Clermont due to suspension, but, after a formal appeal was lodged, the England star has been cleared to play.

Wednesday 15th April:

Kruis Pens Saracens Extension:

England lock George Kruis has followed the lead of his team mate Maro Itoje by signing a new long term deal at European Cup semi-finalists, Saracens.

Kruis highlighted Saracens’ ethos, on and off the pitch, as a key component behind his extension.

“It’s a big moment for me to sign on again. “. “We have a great off-the-field ethos, the club are very interested in player welfare and on the pitch we’re in a great position in the league and in Europe. It was a no-brainer for me to extend my deal”, said the Saracens academy product.

Former Ireland and England Kicking Coach, Tainton, To Join Wasps.

Former Ireland and England kicking coach Mark Tainton has agreed a deal to become Wasps’ kicking coach from next season.

Highly regarded within the game, Tainton spent a decade as Ireland’s kicking coach, after a stint as England’s kicking coach, and last season fulfilled the same role at London Irish.

Tainton highlighted Wasps off-field ambition as a particular attraction to sign for the club.

“Wasps is a massive club which has won a number of European and domestic titles,” said form Bristol fly half Tainton.

“The ambition the club has demonstrated, both in its recruitment policy and through the move to Coventry, shows Wasps’ determination to create that success again’’, said the former Bristol Fly Half.

Thursday 16th April:

Young Prop, Hill, To Join Northampton Saints:

Yorkshire Carnegie’s 20 year old Junior World Cup winning tight head, Paul Hill, has agreed to join Northampton Saints from next season.

Hill made his debut for Carnegie last season, and has appeared sixteen times in the Championship this season, as well as playing all of England’s U20’s games in the U20 Six Nations.

Speaking on his move to Saints, Hill said: "I'm looking forward to challenging myself at one of the top clubs in Europe and learning from experienced international players," he added.

"It's an exciting time for me and I can't wait to work hard and continue developing.

"I would also like to thank everyone at Yorkshire for the help and support they've given me over the years."

All Blacks Barrett & Savea Confirm Olympics Sevens Representation Interest:

Hurricanes duo Beauden Barrett and Julian Savea have confirmed they are interested in representing New Zealand in Sevens Rugby at the 2016 Olympics.

Whilst permission to represent their country at the Olympics will be hard earned, with Kieran Read this week confirming he won’t take part in the event, the duo aren’t perturbed.

"Yep, I've put my hand up, but I'm focusing on fifteens and playing well for the Canes is where my heads at... I've had some discussions with NZ Rugby, but haven't talked to Titch at all," an excited Barrett told stuff.co.nz.

Savea, meanwhile, has echoed Barrett’s claims.

"I've told my agent I'm really keen, but I just have to see what happens next year. I still haven't signed [with NZ Rugby], but if all goes well I'd be really keen to have a crack at it," said the powerhouse All Blacks winger.

Friday 17th April:

Newcastle Falcons Sign Tonga Captain Latu:

The Newcastle Falcons have announced the signing of Tonga captain and back-row Nili Latu.

Latu, 33, has represented the Chiefs and the Hurricanes in the past and Falcons Director of Rugby, Dean Richards has welcomed the experience the 42 times capped Tongan will add to his squad.

"We're thrilled to be able to add an experienced and talented player," said Richards.

"Nili has a great deal of experience of playing at the very top level and is a world-class player with a great deal of rugby ahead of him.

"As the Tongan captain he also brings proven leadership experience on the international stage."

Leicester Tigers Prop Ayerza Ruled Out For Four Weeks:

Leicester Tigers loose-head prop Marcos Ayerza is set to be ruled out of action for three to four weeks with a hamstring injury.

"Marcos has a grade two hamstring strain," said Director of Rugby Richard Cockerill. "When he left the field, we thought it might be more serious.

"But we are hoping to have him back in the next three to four weeks.