Thursday Afternoon Round Up

Newcastle Falcons sign Opeti Fonua

Newcastle Falcons have completed the signing of Tonga and Leicester Tigers back-row forward Opeti Fonua.

Director of rugby Dean Richards saying: “Opeti is a big physical specimen who will cause a lot of trouble for defences.

“He strung together a good series of appearances for Leicester at the end of last season as well as featuring strongly for Tonga during their summer international programme, and he is already up here training with us."

Making his international debut in 2009, the back-row man played for Tonga during Rugby World Cup 2015 and was involved in this year’s June internationals, scoring in his last two tests against Georgia and Samoa.

Worcester's Chris Pennell to miss start of Premiership season

Worcester and England full-back Chris Pennell will miss the start of the Premiership season due to a neck injury.

The 29-year-old has not travelled to the Warriors' pre-season training camp in France, and has already been ruled out of the September 3 opener against Saracens.

Lienert-Brown replaces Sonny Bill Williams in All Blacks

New Zealand have called up uncapped Chiefs centre Anton Lienert-Brown to their squad for the Rugby Championship in place of the injured Sonny Bill Williams.

21-year-old Lienert-Brown was brought into the All Blacks camp last week to train with the squad.

Brad Thorn comes out of retirement

Former All Black lock Brad Thorn is coming out of retirement to play for Queensland Country in this month’s National Rugby Championship.

"I didn't retire because of my body," he said.

"I retired because it seemed like I should — I turned 40. If you had of put the number 32 next to my name I would have signed another two-year contract."

The 41-year-old retired from professional rugby in 2015 after 460 matches in rugby and league in a career spanning over 20 years.