Wednesday Afternoon Round Up

Paddy Jackson commits to Ulster

Ulster Rugby have announced that Paddy Jackson has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him at Kingspan Stadium until at least the summer of 2019.

"To have Paddy commit to Ulster for a further two seasons is a huge boost," said Director of Rugby, Les Kiss.

"His form over the past few years has been widely acknowledged and it was no surprise that there was a lot of interest in him from other big European clubs..."

Jackson made his Ulster debut back in February 2011 against Scarlets and has gone on to amass 831 points in 118 matches.

He has played a total of 22 times for Ireland since his debut against Scotland in 2013.

Italy suffer Tommaso Allan injury blow

Italy are set to be without fly-half Tommaso Allan for the rest of the Six Nations after he suffered a dislocated shoulder against England.

A medical update from the team says Allan faces 30 days out with the injury.

The Italians have now named uncapped fly-half Matteo Minozzi in their squad that is preparing to face France.

Italy squad

Forwards: Pietro Ceccarelli, Dario Chistolini, Lorenzo Cittadini, Andrea Lovotti, Sami Panico, Tommaso D’Apice, Ornel Gega, Leonardo Ghiraldini, George Fabio Biagi, Marco Fuser, Federico Ruzza, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Simone Favaro, Maxime Mata Mbanda’, Francesco Minto, Sergio Parisse (c), Abraham Jurgens Steyn

Backs: Giorgio Bronzini, Edoardo Gori, Marcello Violi, Carlo Canna, Matteo Minozzi, Tommaso Benvenuti, Tommaso Boni, Michele Campagnaro, Luke McLean, Giulio Bisegni, Angelo Esposito, Giovambattista Venditti, Edoardo Padovani, Luca Sperandio

Wales squad update

Wales have released the following players back to the Ospreys to prepare for their Friday night fixture against Edinburgh (March 3).
 
Nicky Smith
Rhodri Jones
Rory Thornton
Olly Cracknell
James King
Sam Davies
 
They will meet back up with the national squad on Sunday morning (March 5) to continue preparations for Wales v Ireland (Friday March 10).

Cheetahs Injury Update

The Cheetahs have confirmed that winger Sergeal Petersen will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a knee injury he picked up against the Lions in the opening round of Super Rugby last weekend.

Petersen addeds to backline injuries with regular captain Francois Venter still out for another two weeks with an ankle injury. 

William Small Smith will go for X-rays this Friday to see the extent of his injury having broken a bone in his hand)

Scrumhalf Shaun Venter is sidelined for two weeks as he recovers from his hamstring injury, while prop Luan de Bruin has another 3-4 months on the sidelines.

Michael van der Sput has concussion and will undergo tests again on Wednesday.

Matt Cox signs new Worcester Warriors deal

Worcester Warriors have confirmed that back rower Matt Cox has signed a new contract to remain at Sixways.

Cox is a Warriors Academy graduate and has been in fine form this season, having made the most carries of any player in the European Challenge Cup after amassing 100 in just 6 games.

Cox's form has also seen him pick up back-to-back Player of the Month awards in December and January.