Month: March 2019

Matt Toomua will head back to Australia ahead of this year’s Rugby Championship before returning to Leicester for the remainder of the campaign.

Toomua has agreed terms with Rugby Australia and the Melbourne Rebels, making him eligible to play in the 2018 Rugby Championship and next year’s Rugby World Cup.

He will return to Tigers during the Rugby Championship rest periods, which coincide with rounds 1 and 4 of the Premiership.

And, after the conclusion of the Rugby Championship, he will be available for the remainder of the Tigers 2018/19 campaign before returning to Australia at the end of the season.

Toomua, who has made 23 appearances for Tigers since joining in 2016, said the decision was made with a “heavy heart” and that he is fully committed to ending his time at Tigers on a high.

“It has been a tough couple of weeks and one of the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in my career,” Toomua told Leicester’s website.

“I absolutely love the club, have become close friends with all of my team-mates and want to go out in a successful way.

“The option to return to Australia was something that did exist within my contract after the 2019 season. In all honesty I thought my time in Australian rugby was finished, and I was very happy in Leicester and contributing to the club here. However the opportunity to return home to my wife and family after almost three years apart, and potentially play in another World Cup was too hard to ignore.”

“I am still very much a Tigers player and, if anything, being able to have this all sorted is more positive than to have a decision hanging over my head,” he added.

“I absolutely love the club, have become close friends with all of my team-mates and want to go out in a successful way.”

Toomua concluded: “Welford Road is a great place to play rugby. It is easily the best club rugby stadium I have played in and to be able to call it my home ground has been something I’ve been very proud of, especially considering the history the club has.

“There is still plenty of time left before I finish my time here and I am committed to adding to that history.”

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Sale Sharks have announced the arrival of Matty Peet from Super League side Wigan Warriors, who joins them as a High Performance Manager.

A member of the Wigan Warriors’ coaching staff since 2006, Peet has overseen the development of all junior players at the club. During his time at the Warriors, he has also coached England RL Academy as an assistant and has headed up the Reserves, U19s and U18s teams.

“It’s been a privilege to have been part of such a successful period for the club during my time here, and I’ll leave my role with a huge amount of pride, having seen so many of our youngsters develop into top-level rugby league players and quality young men,” he told Sale.

“It’s a decision that took a great deal of consideration, but I feel the development and experiences I have gained during my time here will put me in good stead for my next challenge.”

Wigan’s Executive Director, Kris Radlinski, added: “We’d like to wish Matty well in his new challenge. His work here at Wigan speaks for itself and he can look back on his time with us with a huge amount of pride.”

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Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has won the Laureus Sporting Moment of the Month for July following his landmark leadership of the South African side against England. Kolisi became the Boks’ first black captain.

Ladies and Gentlemen, your #LaureusSportingMoment winner for the month of July, Siya Kolisi! ??????

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— Laureus (@LaureusSport) August 1, 2018

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Argentina have announced that Mario Ledesma will take over in the international hot-seat from Daniel Hourcade, who resigned last month.

After a dismal run, the writing was on the wall for Hourcade, with Ledesma always expected to take over after impressing at the Jaguares.

“This is a huge challenge, but one I will embrace,” said the former hooker following the announcement of his new position on Wednesday.

Argentina are currently preparing for their Rugby Championship opener against South Africa in Durban, which takes place on August 18.

| Conferencia de Prensa | #HeadCoachDeLosPumas

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Ya pueden seguirla en vivo por nuestro Instagram. pic.twitter.com/D3XXtzE9uX

— UnionArgentinaRugby (@unionargentina) August 1, 2018

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Saracens have announced that England international duo Mako and Billy Vunipola have extended their contracts at Allianz Park until 2022.

The duo become the latest squad players to commit their future to the club after Brad Barritt, Juan Figallo, Vincent Koch, George Kruis and Duncan Taylor all penned new deals earlier in the summer.

England Player of the Year Mako joined Sarries from Bristol in 2011 with Billy following in his brother’s footsteps two years later.

The influential pair have played a major part in the club’s recent success, winning three Premiership titles and back-to-back European Cups since 2014.

With 144 and 85 Men in Black appearances to their name respectively, Mako and Billy are both excited to create more memories in north London.

“It’s pleasing to get the opportunity to play here at a great club where I’ve spent most of my adult years,” Mako said told Saracens’ website.

“We’re very lucky to have a family environment and we take it for granted sometimes. We’re very lucky a lot of us have grown up together and genuinely consider each other family. You can see that on the field but off it we love each other’s company; it’s a bit cringe sometimes but for me that’s what makes this club so strong.”

Billy added: “I’m very happy to be staying here. It was a straightforward decision; it was always about how I enjoyed being around the club and the boys.

“I’m looking forward to growing as a group and growing friendships I already have. A lot of the boys who have been here for a long time have already re-signed like Brad, Kruiso and Duncan – the coaches too. I can’t wait for the group to grow more and it’s something that excites me.”

Saracens Director of Rugby Mark McCall commented: “Mako and Billy have both made outstanding contributions to Saracens over a number of years.

“They’ve played a very significant role in the development of the group both on and off the field and naturally we’re thrilled they’ve committed their future to the club for another four years.”

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Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson has made just one change to his starting XV for Saturday’s Super Rugby final against the Lions in Christchurch.

In the number six jersey, Heiden Bedwell-Curtis will start in place of the injured loose forward Jordan Taufua, who fractured his arm in the semi-final victory over the Hurricanes.

Last weekend’s reserve hooker, Seb Siataga, also fractured his arm in that match and has been replaced by Sam Anderson-Heather as back-up to Codie Taylor.

In total, 19 of the Crusaders’ matchday 23 named for this Saturday, were also involved in last year’s final against the same opposition in Johannesburg.

Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Sam Anderson-Heather, 17 Tim Perry, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Braydon Ennor

Date: Saturday, August 4
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Glen Jackson, Nic Berry
TMO: Shane McDermott

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Chris Ashton has been named in England head coach Eddie Jones’ 44-man pre-season training camp squad, with this the finisher’s first international call-up since 2016.

The 31-year-old, who has scored 19 tries in 39 Tests for England, last played international rugby in 2014.

And Jones says Ashton deserves his recall to the set-up, after returning from France to play his rugby at Sale Sharks.

Wing Ashton, 31, spent a season in Toulon after leaving Saracens, however, having now returned to England he is eligible to play for his country and is named in a pre-season training camp.

A number of players rested for the tour to South Africa were not considered for this camp but will be watched closely in the club season.

“This is a pre-season camp so a lot of our players, particularly the ones who went on the South African tour, have just started training with their clubs so it’s just a chance to get a group of players together to have a chat about the season ahead and look at the important areas in developing the team,” said Jones.

“With just over 12 months until the Rugby World Cup, it is an important time.

“We haven’t selected everyone. There are a number of players we rested from the tour that we have allowed to continue their pre-season with their clubs.

“This camp is all about individual preparation, it’s about looking to see how we can help each of the players improve, how we can help with their selection for the national team, because we have 44 players coming in plus another 15 who are strongly in contention for the Quilter Internationals in November.”

Jones added: “We have one day of training at this camp, a September camp, then a week before the South Africa game so every minute counts. We want to make sure we use every minute as productively as we can so that is the target.”

England will play four matches in the upcoming Quilter Internationals against South Africa (3 November), New Zealand (10 November), Japan (17 November) and Australia (24 November).

England’s 44-man training squad:

Backs: Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Gloucester Rugby), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers), Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Forwards: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Northampton Saints), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joel Kpoku (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Michael Rhodes (Saracens), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors), Will Spencer (Leicester Tigers), Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

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Courtnall Skosan has been promoted to the Lions’ starting XV for the Super Rugby final against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Saturday.

Skosan came on at half-time for Aphiwe Dyantyi in last weekend’s 44-26 semi-final win against the Waratahs and this time will start ahead of Dyantyi, who has been battling a hamstring niggle in the build-up to the game.

In the only other change to the starting side, Cyle Brink replaces Lourens Erasmus at openside flanker.

Lions coach Swys de Bruin said it was an “honour” to play the Crusaders in the final.

“They’re a very good team and they deserve to be in first place,” he told reporters in Christchurch.

“We’ll have to bring our A-game and more. Apart from that we have a huge respect for them and what they stand for and how they play. It will be an honour for us to play against them.”

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (c), 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Kwagga Smith, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Marvin Orie, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Jacques van Rooyen
Replacements: 16 Corne Fourie, 17 Dylan Smith, 18 Johannes Jonker, 19 Lourens Erasmus, 20 Marnus Schoeman, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 23 Howard Mnisi

Date: Saturday, August 4
Venue: AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Kick-off: 19:35 local (08:35 BST, 07:35 GMT)
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: Glen Jackson, Nic Berry
TMO: Shane McDermott

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Michael Cheika has named Reece Hodge at outside centre and Hamish Stewart at fly-half for Friday’s Bledisloe Cup trial at Leichhardt Oval in Sydney.

The Wallabies coach will use an extended squad to fine tune their match preparations ahead of the Bledisloe opener in Sydney on August 18 at ANZ Stadium.

Rolling substitutions will be permitted for Friday’s trial with the broader squad to each receive substantial playing minutes.

David Pocock will captain the side in the absence of Michael Hooper as he overcomes a hamstring strain.

Hodge will start at outside centre after injuries grounded Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani while young Queenslander Stewart will steer the ship from fly-half.

Jed Holloway and Jake Gordon have both been rewarded for their fine Super Rugby form while some members of the Waratahs were not considered for selection after bowing out of the finals last weekend.

Australia: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Marika Koroibete, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Jack Maddocks, 10 Hamish Stewart, 9 Will Genia, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Adam Korczyk, 5 Rory Arnold, 4 Adam Coleman, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Folau Faingaa, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Tetera Faulkner, 17 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Harry Hockings, 21 Lukhan Tui, 22 Liam Wright, 23 Isi Naisarani, 24 Joe Powell, 27 Jed Holloway, 28 Jordan Petaia, 29 Sefa Naivalu, 30 Jake Gordon

Date: Friday, August 3
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Kick-off: 18:45 local (09:45 BST, 08:45 GMT)
Referee: TBC
Assistant referees: TBC

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England head coach Eddie Jones has called Chris Ashton an “exceptional player” after including him in his squad for a pre-season training camp.

Ashton, 31, who has returned to the Premiership from Toulon to play for Sale Sharks this season, was named in Jones’ squad on Thursday.

The 44-man squad will convene at the Lensbury Hotel from Saturday, August 5 until Monday, August 6 with the free-scoring finisher in the mix.

“Chris is an exceptional player, I think we have seen with his form at Saracens, then at Toulon he has played exceedingly well,” Jones told England Rugby.

“He’s come back to England because he wants to play for England so he has got the right desire, the right attitude so it will be good to work with him.”

Three players from England’s World Rugby U20 Championship squad are also named with Jones looking for the stars of the future.

Harlequins wing Gabriel Ibitoye, Leicester Tigers back Jordan Olowofela and Saracens lock Joel Kpoku are all included, having featured for the U20s in the summer.

“It is an opportunity for them to show us what they have got,” said Jones. “We have identified those guys who can potentially play for England in the future so this is a great opportunity for them.”

Jones added of the camp: “This camp is all about individual preparation, it’s about looking to see how we can help each of the players improve, how we can help with their selection for the national team, because we have 44 players coming in plus another 15 who are strongly in contention for the Quilter Internationals in November.”

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