Weekly Round Up

Richie Mo’unga commits future to Crusaders

Richie Mo’unga has committed to furthering his career in red and black, having re-signed with the Crusaders through to the end of the 2019 Super Rugby season.

The young first five-eighth had a standout debut season in 2016, playing in every game for the Crusaders and ending the year as the competition’s fourth highest points scorer.

Lopeti Timani signs through to the end of 2019

Wallabies backrower Lopeti Timani has re-committed to Australian Rugby after signing a two-year extension with the ARU and the Melbourne Rebels.

The 26 year-old made his Qantas Wallabies debut last year against Argentina in Perth, before going on to play six Tests in a breakout season where he imposed himself as a formidable backrow force.

Having already signed until the end of the 2017 season, Timani’s extension sees him through to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Brumbies sign Hawera

Brumbies have announced the completion of the signing of fly-half Wharenui Hawera from Southland.

“We are delighted that Wharenui has signed on for the 2017 Super Rugby season,” Head Coach Stephen Larkham commented.
 
“He has a tremendous skill-set and excellent pace and will provide plenty of competition for the number ten jersey alongside our other options in that position. His attitude in training has been superb and he is settling well into the environment.”

New Zealand born pivot Hawera joins the club fresh off a tremendous season with the Stags in the Mitre 10 Cup where he contributed 64 points.

Sam Underhill set to join Bath

Sam Underhill is set to leave Ospreys at the end of this season to join Aviva Premiership outfit Bath until 2018.

Underhill captained England at U18s level and was on the books of Gloucester as a teenager, making his debut for the Cherry & Whites at 17.

He has made 24 appearances for the Ospreys and will move to Bath this summer.

Owen Williams to join Gloucester Rugby from 2017/18

Gloucester Rugby have confirmed yet another signing, with the recruitment of fly-half Owen Williams for next season.

"I'm delighted that Owen will be joining Gloucester at the end of the season and I'm sure the supporters will look forward to his competition with Billy Burns for the fly-half starting spot," said Director of Rugby David Humphreys.

"Top teams throughout Europe have two quality no 10's and Owen's experience with Leicester in both the Premiership and Europe will add some real quality and depth to a key position in our playing squad."

Williams will join the Cherry and Whites from Leicester Tigers, the club who he joined from the Scarlets in 2012.  He has made 81 appearances to date for the Tigers, scoring 574 points in his time so far in the East Midlands.

Disciplinary Hearing: Aaron Penberthy

Aaron Penberthy of Ealing Trailfinders was charged for a tip tackle during the Greene King IPA Championship match between Jersey RFC and Ealing Trailfinders on 1 January 2017.

The player pleaded guilty at a disciplinary hearing to the charge and is banned from 3 January – 23 January 2017.

Tim Swinson signs new Glasgow deal

Scotland second-row Tim Swinson has signed a new three-year contract with the club keeping him at Scotstoun until May 2020.

“I’ve signed for three years because it’s a great club to be at and there is a good buzz around the place," commented Tim on the new deal.

The 29-year-old has 25 Scotland caps and has forged a strong second-row partnership alongside Glasgow co-captain Jonny Gray, scoring two tries in 12 outings this season.

Joe Marler injury update

Harlequins can confirm today that Joe Marler has suffered a fracture to his lower left leg and is set to miss the start of the Six Nations in February.

He will undergo a period of rehabilitation and is expected to be fit to play again in four to five weeks.

Rugby League's Semi Radradra to join Toulon

The Parramatta Eels Rugby League Club have announced that Semi has accepted an offer to play rugby union for the Toulon Rugby Club for the 2017/2018 European rugby season, with an option for a second year being the 2018/2019 season.

"In early December 2016 the Parramatta Eels indicated our wish to keep Semi at our Club by making a very attractive offer to Semi for the 2017 (upgrade of existing contract), 2018 & 2019 NRL seasons," said the club in a statement on their website.

"The offer from Toulon was substantially higher than our Club’s offer. We look forward to Semi being a most productive member of the 2017 Parramatta Eels playing squad and then we wish Semi well in his rugby union venture with Toulon."

Radradra, who has been training with the Eels this week, has scored 60 tries from 68 matches since making his debut for the Eels in 2013. He represented Australia last year.

Warriors confirm Val Rapava Ruskin departure

Val Rapava Ruskin will leave Warriors at the end of the season to join Gloucester Rugby.

"Val has been an important member of our squad over the last few years and will continue to wear the Warriors shirt with pride and work hard to ensure we reach our targets during the rest of the campaign. We wish him all the best at Gloucester," said Head Coach Carl Hogg.

The prop has made 56 appearances for Warriors since joining the Club in 2014.

Three players added to Connacht Senior Squad

Connacht Rugby has today confirmed that outhalf Steve Crosbie and centre Tom Farrell have been added to the senior squad for the remainder of the 2016/17 season.

Loosehead prop Peter McCabe has also joined the province on a loan deal from Munster Rugby.

Tom Farrell heads to Connacht

Bedford Blues centre Tom Farrell has left the club to join Pro 12 side Connacht with immediate effect.

"The timing of Tom's departure isn't great to say the least especially as recently he had started to show glimpses of why we signed him," commented Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer.

"He has been a really valued member of the squad and has worked incredibly hard this season, I guess that's why Connacht came calling. Despite every effort on our part to keep Tom, the chance to go back to Ireland and to his hometown club proved too much of a heartfelt draw for him. We certainly hope it works out for him..."

The 22-year-old Farrell has made 12 appearances for the Goldington Road club since joining in the summer from London Irish with his last being against his former club.

Bristol Rugby set to sign New Zealand scrum-half Alby Mathewson

Former All Blacks scrum-half Alby Mathewson is set to link up with Bristol shortly after signing for the Premiership club.

Mathewson won four caps for New Zealand in 2010, including making his only Test start in a win against England at Twickenham.

Bristol, who lost 32-26 at Northampton on Saturday, face Bath in the European Challenge Cup at Ashton Gate on Friday evening.

 

Chris Robshaw injury update

Chris Robshaw will undergo surgery on his left shoulder today to repair an injury sustained in the match against Worcester Warriors on New Year’s Day.

He is expected to be out of competitive action for around 12 weeks.
 

Williams to leave Scarlets for Saracens

Scarlets Rugby has today confirmed that fullback Liam Williams will leave the region at the end of the current season.

The 25-year-old joined the Scarlets in 2011 after a blistering season with Llanelli RFC, scoring 40 points in 26 appearances in his debut season.

Jon Daniels, Scarlets General Manager of Rugby, said; “Liam has been an asset to the region and will be missed both on and off the field...We fought hard to retain Liam but having taken everything into consideration including his personal circumstances he has decided to pursues new challenges which we respect totally.

"We wish him well for the future and look forward to seeing him in action at the Parc, in the remaining few months of the season, in what is expected to be an exciting finish to the PRO12 campaign.”

Williams will play the remainder of the season at Parc y Scarlets before moving to Saracens.