Weekly Round Up

Payne and O'Brien injury doubts

 

Sean O’Brien and Jared Payne were both rested from the Captain’s Run at the Aviva Stadium on Friday to rest “niggles” to their lower limbs and will be assessed in the morning before a decision is made on whether they are fit enough for tomorrow’s match against Australia.

"A couple of guys have a couple of niggles. A Captain’s Run is just a light run-out so we made a decision to rest Sean O’Brien and Jared Payne and assess them for another 24 hours. We’ll have a discussion in the morning,” commented head coach Andy Farrell.

Rory Scannell is providing cover for Payne while should O’Brien not come through in time, Peter O’Mahony who was sent back to Munster earlier this week is on standby.

Sexton and Henshaw to miss Australia game

Ireland pair Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw have been ruled out of Saturday's game against Australia in Dublin because of injury.

Fly-half Sexton picked up a 'minor' hamstring injury in the bruising weekend defeat by New Zealand while centre Henshaw suffered concussion.

Eben Etzebeth to return home

Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth will miss for the Outgoing Test against Wales on Saturday after suffering a concussion against England two weeks ago.

Etzebeth had to leave the field in the first half at Twickenham after he clashed with an English opponent, and he did not play against Italy in Florence as part of the return to play protocol.

“We won’t call up a replacement because we currently have sufficient cover in that position with Pieter-Steph du Toit, Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert,” explained Springbok coach Allister Coetzee.

“There are also some utility forwards who can provide extra cover if needed.”

The Springbok team to face Wales on Saturday will be named on Thursday.

Launchbury out for 2 weeks

England lock, Joe Launchbury has been ruled out of the matches against Argentina and Australia after being banned for two weeks for a ‘reckless’ kick to the head of Fiji centre Asaeli Tikoirotuma in last Saturday’s game at Twickenham. 

The Wasps second row pleaded guilty and was suspended from playing rugby for a total of two weeks, up to and including Sunday 4 December 2016.

Liam Williams signs for Saracens

Liam Williams has signed for English club Saracens after turning down lucrative offer from the Wales Rugby Union.

The 25-year-old full-back is believed to have signed a two-year deal with the Premiership side and will join them for next season.

Liam won his 37th Wales cap last weekend during the 33-30 victory over Japan in Cardiff.

 

Sharks confirm coaching team for 2017

 

Sharks Head Coach, Robert du Preez, has announced his coaching team for the 2017 Super Rugby campaign.

 
Assistant coaches, Sean Everitt (backline and attack) and Ryan Strudwick (defence), who did duty with du Preez in this year’s Super Rugby tournament, will once again form part of the coaching structure together with Jaco Pienaar, the former UP-Tuks and Blue Bulls U/19 coach, who joins the Sharks on a two-year contract as forwards coach. 
 

Commenting on his coaching team du Preez said:  “A lot of work has been done to strategize the way forward and we have assembled a skilled group of coaches, who bring continuity as well as great commitment to put in the hard yards to achieve the goals we have set-out for ourselves.

 
“The majority of our coaching team have lived and played in KZN for many years, understand our unique culture and have worked with the young players in our team.  We are four weeks into our pre-season programme and there is great energy and positivity amongst everyone.”

Brown steps down, Snyman to take over as Springbok Sevens captain

Kyle Brown has stepped down as Springbok Sevens captain, with Philip Snyman appointed as the Blitzboks’ new captain.

Brown, who has played in 56 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series tournaments to date, said: “The time has come where it feels right for me to step aside as captain of the team.

 

“It is has been an immense privilege that I have had for the better part of five years and we are in a great position to bring some new, fresh ideas into the role.

 

“I discussed the move with the Coach shortly after our return from the Olympics and we made the decision in the last week."

 

The Springbok Sevens team for Dubai, the opening tournament of the 2016/17 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, will be named on Friday.

 

Rhys Priestland ruled out 8-12 weeks

 

Wales and Bath fly-half Rhys Priestland has been ruled out for between eight and 12 weeks with a leg injury.

The 29-year-old limped off during the first half of Friday's Premiership win over local rivals Bristol.

"It is not looking really good. He is going to be out for a chunk of the winter," head coach Tabai Matson commented.

"For us, it is a big loss and a big blow for the squad."

Priestland currenty has 48 international caps for Wales.

Calum Clark banned for 3 weeks for elbowing

Northampton Saints' Calum Clark has been suspended for 3 weeks after being cited for dangerous play on Worcester’s Donncha O’Callaghan at the weekend.

The RFU discipline panel said: "The panel found this was not a premeditated act but an intentional strike to the head of an opponent that merited a mid-range entry point of three weeks. The player’s remorse before the panel was genuine and heartfelt."

Clark pleaded guilty and is is free to play again on Tuesday 13th December.

John and Walker ruled out for Ospreys

Centre, Ben John, and wing, Eli Walker, have been ruled out of Friday night’s Guinness PRO12 clash with Glasgow.

Medical Performance Manager, confirmed the news, issuing the following update on their injuries:

“Ben has been sidelined with a groin problem since the Munster game at the start of the month.

 

“We have consulted with Dr Mark Gillett of the specialist hip and groin service at Spire Little Aston. The preferred course of treatment for Ben at this time is surgery and Mark has referred us to hernia surgeon, Dr Muschaweck.

 

“Ben will undergo surgery this weekend, after which we will be in a position to review and plan his return to play schedule.

 

“Eli misses out this week due to a foot injury sustained against Cardiff Blues last week and is currently being monitored on a day to day basis.”

Springbok squad to face Wales

Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Jamba Ulengo and Uzair Cassiem will make their Springbok debuts against Wales in the Principality Stadium on Saturday, while a fourth uncapped player, Jean-Luc du Preez, has been included on the bench for the final match of the 2016 Outgoing Tour.

Cassiem, who didn’t feature against the Baabaas, will also get his Test debut after Willem Alberts was ruled out because of a neck niggle.

See full squad here

England team to face Argentina

Eddie Jones has made four changes to his side to play Argentina in Saturday’s third match of the Old Mutual Wealth Series at Twickenham Stadium.

George Kruis is named at second-row after recovering from an ankle injury and Tom Wood returns at flanker.

In the backline there are also returns for Mike Brown at full back and Jonny May on the right wing while Teimana Harrison is included on a bench that is otherwise unchanged / The bench remains unchanged from last week.

See full squad here

Wales team to face Springboks

Rob Howley has named his team to face South Africa in the final autumn international.

Dan Biggar returns at fly-half and Leigh Halfpenny reverts to full-back with Liam Williams back on the wing.

Wales skipper Sam Warburton is out of Saturday’s match due to injury, with Dan Lydiate starts at blindside, with Taulupe Faletau on the bench.

See full squad here

All Blacks team named for French Test

The All Blacks team has been named to play France in the fourth and final Test of the All Blacks Northern Tour at Stade de France, Paris, on Saturday 26 November.

In the forwards there are just two changes to the XV which started last week's Test against Ireland: Jerome Kaino returns to the six jersey for his sixth Test against France, while Matt Todd is at openside flanker, in for the injured Sam Cane.

In the backs, TJ Perenara has been named in the starting halfback jersey, with Aaron Smith in the replacements, while Ryan Crotty returns from injury and is in the 12 jersey, with Anton Lienert-Brown moving to centre.

See full squad here