Wednesday Round-Up

Leicester retain forward contingent: Aviva Premiership outfit Leicester Tigers have today confirmed that the club have agreed contract extensions with a trio of integral front row forwards, in the shape of Tom Youngs, Marcos Ayerza and Dan Cole. Approaching his 200th appearance for the club, Ayerza represents the longest standing member of the Tigers’ setup having linked up with the club back in 2006 after moving from amateur rugby in Argentina. While Ayerza came from the Argentinean club game, both Youngs and Cole are products of the Leicester academy, with the former originally beginning his professional career as a centre. However, a shortage of hookers and some stern advice from Heyneke Meyer, saw Youngs develop into a world class hooker who has gone on to represent the British and Irish Lions alongside his brother Ben and fellow Tigers front row, Dan Cole. All three have committed themselves to the Welford Road club on long term deals.

Genia change: According to reports emanating out of French rugby circles, Australian scrum half Will Genia is on the verge of completing a move to Top 14 giants Stade Francais. Having originally been linked with English outfit Bath, with rumours suggesting a deal was all but confirmed, it now emerges that Genia has turned down the West Country side, with a preference for France’s Top 14. The former Australian captain had reportedly signed a pre-contract agreement with Bath, meaning the player and or Stade Francais may be asked to pay a hefty sum of compensation to the Premiership side. Among those other clubs interested in Genia is Lyon, although it now appears Stade have won the race for the scurmhalf’s signature after the World Cup.

Ryan Sheady