Thursday Afternoon Round Up

Edwards agrees Toulon one-day-a-week deal

Former rugby league legend Shaun Edwards has been given permission by Wales coach Warren Gatland and the Wales Rugby Union to give his services to Toulon one day a week.

According to WalesOnline.co.uk, Edwards is due to report for duty next Tuesday with Toulon.

He will also be available for all of Wales’ training sessions, squad camps, autumn internationals, Six Nations fixtures and end-of-season tours as he is contracted until the end of the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Barritt appointed Saracens captain

Brad Barritt has been appointed as the new Saracens captain, succeeding Alistair Hargreaves, in skippering the reigning Premiership and European champions.

Six players sign new contracts with Saints

Newly-appointed club captain Tom Wood, Teimana Harrison, Paul Hill, Jamie Gibson, Ben Nutley and Adam Parkins have all signed new contracts with Northampton Saints ahead of the 2016/17 season.

Thomas Davies signs for Newport Gwent Dragons

The former Cardiff Blues prop has signed a one-year deal with the Men of Gwent.

Davies, who has made 50 appearances for the Cardiff Blues, has already made the move to the Dragons and is currently undertaking pre-season with the squad at the training ground in Ystrad Mynach.

Macilai re-signs with Crusaders

Crusaders confirm that speedy winger Jone Macilai will return to red and black in 2017, recommitting for two years.

Whiteley to start for Lions

Warren Whiteley has been cleared to play and will regain the captaincy this weekend against the Crusaders.

Du Preez returns for Stormers

Flyhalf Robert du Preez will make his return for the Stormers in their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Chiefs at Newlands on Saturday.

Du Preez injured his knee against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in Round two after starting the first two games of the season