Tuesday Afternoon Round Up

February 14, 2017
6225
Ultimate Rugby

Glasgow trio to leave at the end of the season

Glasgow Warriors can confirm that Gordon Reid, Josh Strauss and Mark Bennett will leave the club at the end of the season.

"Although there is a lot of rugby still to be played this season, I’d like to acknowledge and thank Gordy, Josh and Mark’s invaluable contributions since they joined the club.," commented head coach Gregor Townsend.

"We look forward to them ending their time at the Warriors with the same commitment and skill they have shown already this season and wish them well in the next stages of their careers.”

Loose-head prop Reid joined on a full-time basis ahead of the 2011/12 season, after representing Ayr in the BT Premiership. The 29-year-old Scotland international has gone on to make 109 appearances for the club.

Back-rower Strauss joined the Warriors in September 2012 from South African Super Rugby side, the Lions.

While Bennett, who will join Edinburgh Rugby, made his Glasgow Warriors debut against Leinster in May 2011, before the centre re-joined the Warriors in 2012 after a short spell with French side Clermont Auvergne.

Jamie Heaslip signs new IRFU contract

The IRFU and Leinster have announced that Jamie Heaslip has signed a new IRFU contract which will see him play his rugby in Ireland until the end of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

"Jamie has been a crucial part of Leinster and Irish Rugby for the last decade and I am delighted that he has committed his long term future to the club," Leinster CEO Mick Dawson.

"As a captain, as a vice-captain, as a player, he sets the standard for others to follow and he is an inspiration to the younger players coming through the Sub-Academy and Academy at Leinster."

Jamie made his Ireland debut in the 61-17 win over the Pacific Islands in November 2006. The 33 year old has won 93 caps for Ireland scoring 13 tries and has started 36 of Ireland's last 41 Test matches.

His most recent appearance for Ireland was in Saturday's 63-10 victory over Italy in the 2017 RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Rob Kearney set for spell on the sidelines

Rob Kearney's arm injury looks set to rule him out of the rest of Ireland's 6 Nations campaign, the Leinster full-back requiring surgery on a damaged bicep.

Kearney was forced off in the second half in Rome following Ireland's 63-10 victory over Italy.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was confident that the 30-year-old would not be ruled out of action for long.

"Rob got a bruise on his bicep, just with awkward contact," "A couple of days should see him right."

According to the Irish Independent, the injury is worse than feared, and Kearney is set for a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Freddie Burns to join Bath as George Ford leaves at the end of the season

Bath have announced the return of Freddie Burns as George Ford is set to leave the club at the end of the season.

“We are really excited to be working with Freddie next season," said Bath’s Director of Rugby, Todd Blackadder.

''He is a fantastic player, who has really developed into an all-encompassing fly-half in the last couple of years and I’m looking forward to seeing that fit into our game here. We’ve now got two international fly-halves signed for next season in Freddie and Rhys Priestland, and I’ve no doubt that both will play a key role for us going forward.”

Since his arrival in 2014, Burns has played over 60 times for Tigers scoring over 1 000 Premiership points. He has earned 5 England Test caps scoring 57 points.

The club also confirms the departure of England fly-half George Ford who will leave to join Premiership side Leicester Tigers at the end of the season.

“We are of course sorry to lose George and wish him well, but we have been in discussions about his future for some time and are glad we have now been able to conclude this matter positively," said Tarquin McDonald, Managing Director at Bath.

"The agreement with Leicester suits all sides, with Bath securing not just appropriate compensation, but most importantly an excellent new player.“

Ford has over 80 caps for Bath scoring over 920 points, as well as 32 Test caps for England scoring more than 150 points.

Bristol confirm signing of Steven Luatua

Bristol Rugby have confirmed that All Black back rower Steven Luatua has agreed terms with the club.

“The signing of Steven – beating off competition from a number of high profile clubs – underlines the ambition of Bristol Rugby as well as Stephen Lansdown and the board’s desire to drive us forward,” Head Coach Mark Tainton said.

“He’s a hungry, ambitious 25-year old and a standout performer at the very highest level – we’re delighted to welcome him to Bristol Rugby and it’s a massive acquisition for us.”

Luatua, who can also play in the second row, has made over sixty Super Rugby appearances for the Blues, and 15 Test appearances for the All Blacks between 2013 and 2016.

Martin Roberts joins Chiefs on loan

The Exeter Chiefs confirmed the loan signing of Welsh international scrum-half Martin Roberts.

Chiefs Head Coach Rob Baxter welcomed Roberts and said:

“People are aware where we stand at the moment because of significant injuries to both Will Chudley and Dave Lewis – and don’t get me wrong I think the young lads [Jack Maunder & Stuart Townsend] are doing very well – but we thought we were leaving ourselves a little bit short on numbers and we have to make sure we are able to put quality options onto the field, particularly if we pick up another injury.

“Obviously, we have been having a look around for a little bit and Martin has become available. He’s the ideal candidate we were looking for, just because he’s had good experience of the Premiership before, likes to play at a high tempo, and someone who we hope to get up to speed very quickly.

“He fits the bill perfectly for us and he’s going to be here until the end of the season where hopefully we can give him some opportunities to get some practice minutes under his belt pretty quickly.

“As I said, it’s not that we are not pleased with the people we have here currently, but we need to be able to cover ourselves. In a lot of ways Martin can be a very good influence on the team and the other scrum-halves that he is working with.

“I am really pleased to get someone in of such a good calibre so quickly and hopefully he can have a really good influence between now and the end of the season.”

Anthony Watson included in England 25 man training squad

England have announce a 25 man training squad that sees the return of Anthony Watson to the squad having been unavailable for eight months due to injury.

Ellis Genge and Paul Hill are included to provide competition for Dan Cole, Joe Marler and Kyle Sinckeler. While Mako Vunipola was not included and will need to prove his fitness, after recovering from a knee injury.

25 players assembled at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington this evening for a training week lasting until Friday 17 February.

Forwards (14)
Jack Clifford (Harlequins)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Paul Hill (Northampton Saints)
Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

Backs (11)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)