Wednesday Evening Round Up

January 31, 2018
2655
Ultimate Rugby

Six Nations: Scotland announce team to face Wales

Glasgow Warriors full-back Stuart Hogg – a late withdrawal from November’s win over the Wallabies – and Newcastle Falcons centre Chris Harris are the two changes to the back division (the latter making his first start), while Gordon Reid, Jon Welsh, Ben Toolis and Cornell du Preez come into the starting pack.

Props Welsh and Reid last featured for Scotland in 2015 and last year’s summer tour respectively, while du Preez and Toolis have been elevated from their replacement status in the Wallabies win.

Ratuniyarawa extends Saints stay

Northampton Saints have confirmed that Fijian second-row Api Ratuniyarawa has signed a two-year contract extension to remain at Franklin’s Gardens.

The 31-year-old lock has broken into the starting XV in recent weeks with a string of superb performances and has now been rewarded with a deal to keep him at the Club until 2020. Full story

Bath sign Great Britain 7s star

Bath have announced that Olympic medallist Ruaridh McConnochie will join the club next season.

The England 7s star, who won a silver Olympic medal with Team GB at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, will make the switch to the fifteen-man game after two seasons on the Sevens circuit.

James Haskell to leave Wasps at the end of the season

Wasps today confirm that former captain James Haskell will leave the club when his current deal expires at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old international made 75 appearances for England as well as playing for the British Lions is currently considering his future options prior to announcing his next career move.

Tolofua ruled out of 6 Nations

Saracens hooker Christopher Tolofua has been ruled out of France’s Six Nations campaign with a neck injury.

The 7-Test cap hooker is the second back-up to captain Guilhem Guirado to withdraw from the squad after Camille Chat pulled out with a bout of flu. Full story

Atkins commits to Bath

Bath Rugby has confirmed that Darren Atkins has signed a new contract with the Club.

The Bath Rugby Academy product will graduate into the senior squad ahead of the 2018/19 season. Atkins has made seven senior appearances for the Club, most recently in the 21-8 victory against Newcastle Falcons on Saturday.

Tim Visser extends Harlequins stay

Harlequins have announced that Scotland international Tim Visser has committed his future to The Stoop, after signing a two-year contract renewal.

Visser joined Harlequins ahead of the 2015/16 season from Edinburgh Rugby, scoring ten tries in his debut season with Quins. Before his six-year spell in the Scottish capital, Visser played for Newcastle Falcons after being discovered playing sevens in the Netherlands; the country of his birth.

Your England U20 team to face Italy U20 in Gorizia this Friday