Wednesday Afternoon Round Up

Tigers confirm the signing of France international centre Maxime Mermoz

Tigers agreed terms with the 30-year-old Mermoz after losing both Matt Toomua and Manu Tuilagi to long-term injury this season and have now received official clearance from the French Rugby Federation for his move to Welford Road.

"We are missing two big players in our midfield and we're very happy to be able to bring in a player of Maxime's style, quality and experience there," commented Tigers head coach Aaron Mauger.

"He has played at the highest level in France, in Europe and internationally, and we look forward to bringing him into the squad here."

Mermoz has previously played at Welford Road in the European Cup with both Perpignan and Toulon, scoring a solo try for Perpignan in a 38-27 defeat by Tigers during the 2008/09 season.

O'Shea makes 5 changes to Italy for opener against Wales

Italy coach Conor O'Shea has made five changes from the team that beat South Africa in November for its Six Nations opener against Wales on Sunday.

Maxime Mbanda, who is making his debut in the tournament, and Abraham Steyn will flank long-standing captain Sergio Parisse in the back row. Parisse will extend his record to 122 appearances for the Azzurri  (74 as captain) in his 14th Six Nations.

Edoardo Gori, who didn't start any of the November tests, has been given the nod ahead of Giorgio Bronzini and Carlo Canna.

Italy: Edoardo Padovani, Giulio Bisegni, Tommaso Benvenuti, Luke McLean, Giovanbattista Venditti, Carlo Canna, Edoardo Gori; Sergio Parisse (captain), Maxime Mbanda, Abraham Steyn, George Biagi, Marco Fuser, Lorenzo Cittadini, Ornel Gega, Andrea Lovotti. Reserves: Leonardo Ghiraldini, Sami Panico, Pietro Ceccarelli, Joshua Furno, Francesco Minto, Giorgio Bronzini, Tommaso Allan, Michele Campagnaro.

Paul John to leave Cardiff for Hong Kong

Cardiff Blues have confirmed that skills coach Paul John will be leaving Cardiff to take on the role of Hong Kong Sevens coach.

Billy Millard, rugby general manager, wished Paul well by saying:

“Paul has been a brilliant servant to both Cardiff Blues and the wider region over an extended period of time.

“He leaves with our full blessing and thanks for all the work he has done here. Sevens is a big passion for Paul and he has real expertise in the game.

John is replacing Gareth Baber in Hong Kong after more than four years in Cardiff.

Adam Warren extends Dragons contract

Adam Warren is the latest Dragons player to extend his stay, he follows Hallam Amos, Brok Harris, Nic Cudd, Rynard Landman, Ed Jackson and skipper Lewis Evans who all signed extensions recently.

Warren made his debut in 2015 against Connacht and recently made his 50th appearance for the Dragons.

His new contract sees him stay in Newport until 2019. 

Carter and Lealiifano to lead Brumbies

Brumbies coach, Stephen Larkham, has decided to go with Sam Carter and Christian Lealiifano as co-captains heading into Super Rugby 2017.

Carter will be performing the on-field duties, while Lealiifano recovers from a bone-marrow transplant that was performed late last year, after being diagnosed with leukaemia last August.

The Brumbies continue their pre-season preparations this weekend when they travel to Mudgee to take on the Waratahs in a trial match at Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium, before their opening match Super Rugby match against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Lou Reed leaves Sale Sharks

Lou Reed has left Sale Sharks with immediate effect and by mutual consent.

Reed said: "I would like to thank everyone involved at Sale Sharks for their help and support during my time there. I look forward to returning to Wales with my family and embarking on the next challenge in my career. I wish Sale all the very best for the remainder of the season"

Ireland Women name their side to face Scotland

Ireland women's coach Tom Tierney named his squad to face Scotland in their opening Six Nations fixture against Scotland, on Friday.

Ailsa Hughes wil be making her debut at scrum half, while Paula Fitzpatrick will captian the side in the absence of regular skipper Niamh Briggs, who is injured.

There are other possible debuts from the bench for Ilse Van Staden, Ciara O'Connor, Jennie Finlay and Eimear Considine.

Ireland women's team: M Coyne (Connacht); N Kavanagh (Munster), J Murphy (Leinster), S Naoupa (Aylesford Bulls), A Miller (Connacht); N Stapleton (Leinster), A Hughes (Leinster); L Peat (Leinster), L Lyons (Munster), A Egan (Belvedere); O Fitzsimons (Leinster), ML Reilly (Leinster); C Griffin (Munster), C Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), P Fitzpatrick (Leinster) capt.

Replacements: J Finlay (Leinster), I Van Staden (Ulster), C O'Connor (Connacht), E Anthony (Munster), N Fryday (Connacht), M Healy (Connacht), C McLaughlin (Ulster), E Considine (Munster)