Thursday Afternoon Round Up

Calum Clark banned for 3 weeks for elbowing

Northampton Saints' Calum Clark has been suspended for 3 weeks after being cited for dangerous play on Worcester’s Donncha O’Callaghan at the weekend.

The RFU discipline panel said: "The panel found this was not a premeditated act but an intentional strike to the head of an opponent that merited a mid-range entry point of three weeks. The player’s remorse before the panel was genuine and heartfelt."

Clark pleaded guilty and is is free to play again on Tuesday 13th December.

John and Walker ruled out for Ospreys

Centre, Ben John, and wing, Eli Walker, have been ruled out of Friday night’s Guinness PRO12 clash with Glasgow.

Medical Performance Manager, confirmed the news, issuing the following update on their injuries:

“Ben has been sidelined with a groin problem since the Munster game at the start of the month.

“We have consulted with Dr Mark Gillett of the specialist hip and groin service at Spire Little Aston. The preferred course of treatment for Ben at this time is surgery and Mark has referred us to hernia surgeon, Dr Muschaweck.

“Ben will undergo surgery this weekend, after which we will be in a position to review and plan his return to play schedule.

“Eli misses out this week due to a foot injury sustained against Cardiff Blues last week and is currently being monitored on a day to day basis.”

Springbok squad to face Wales

Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Jamba Ulengo and Uzair Cassiem will make their Springbok debuts against Wales in the Principality Stadium on Saturday, while a fourth uncapped player, Jean-Luc du Preez, has been included on the bench for the final match of the 2016 Outgoing Tour.

Cassiem, who didn’t feature against the Baabaas, will also get his Test debut after Willem Alberts was ruled out because of a neck niggle.

See full squad here

England team to face Argentina

Eddie Jones has made four changes to his side to play Argentina in Saturday’s third match of the Old Mutual Wealth Series at Twickenham Stadium.

George Kruis is named at second-row after recovering from an ankle injury and Tom Wood returns at flanker.

In the backline there are also returns for Mike Brown at full back and Jonny May on the right wing while Teimana Harrison is included on a bench that is otherwise unchanged / The bench remains unchanged from last week.

See full squad here

Wales team to face Springboks

Rob Howley has named his team to face South Africa in the final autumn international.

Dan Biggar returns at fly-half and Leigh Halfpenny reverts to full-back with Liam Williams back on the wing.

Wales skipper Sam Warburton is out of Saturday’s match due to injury, with Dan Lydiate starts at blindside, with Taulupe Faletau on the bench.

See full squad here

All Blacks team named for French Test

The All Blacks team has been named to play France in the fourth and final Test of the All Blacks Northern Tour at Stade de France, Paris, on Saturday 26 November.

In the forwards there are just two changes to the XV which started last week's Test against Ireland: Jerome Kaino returns to the six jersey for his sixth Test against France, while Matt Todd is at openside flanker, in for the injured Sam Cane.

In the backs, TJ Perenara has been named in the starting halfback jersey, with Aaron Smith in the replacements, while Ryan Crotty returns from injury and is in the 12 jersey, with Anton Lienert-Brown moving to centre.

See full squad here