Thursday Round-Up

Beale in hot water: Wallabies playmaker Kurtley Beale is once more in hot water, as fresh allegations of inappropriate behaviour emerge. The latest news is seemingly concerned with Beale sending deeply offensive texts about a member of the Australian Rugby Union staff contingent. The fresh allegations come just a week after Beale was involved in a heated altercation on board a flight, as the Wallabies travelled to take on Argentina. It has now been revealed that Beale is suspected of distributing highly offensive images and text messages, referencing a specific member of the Union’s staff. Both incidents will be treated in conjunction with each other and head coach Ewen McKenzie will be unable to select Beale until the Waratahs midfield man goes before the Code of Conduct Tribunal reaches a conclusion. The Wallabies are due to take on the All Blacks in the final episode of this year’s Bledisloe Cup in just over a weeks time.

Cover for Irish: London Irish have confirmed the short-term signing of second row forward Alex Toolis from Edinburgh, as the look to cope with a mounting list of injuries in the pack. Irish head coach Brian Smith has previously turned to Toolis, as recent as last season when he took the player on loan during another injury crisis. On that occasion, Toolis lined out for the Exiles in the LV=Cup against Northampton and sufficiently impressed to be looked at once more this season. With the likes of Seasn Cox and Nic Rouse out with troublesome hamstring and shoulder injuries respectively, Toolis arrives at the Madejski Stadium at a crucial time, with little or no depth in the second row.

Ryan Sheady