RECAP: Thursday's Rugby Round-Up - Ruck

RECAP: Thursday’s Rugby Round-Up


Harry Robinson forced to retire at 23
Scarlets winger Harry Robinson has announced that he is to retire from rugby with immediate effect due to injury.

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The three-times capped Scarlets winger has decided to call it a day after a lengthy battle to recover full fitness following major neck surgery.

Robinson, 23, joined the Scarlets in 2014, ahead of the 2014/15 campaign, from Cardiff Blues. He has appeared 30 times for the Scarlets scoring nine tries in his debut season claiming the region’s top try scorer accolade.

In a heartfelt statement which he has posted on social media, he said: “I never thought I would be in this position at the age of 23 – having to call an end on my professional rugby career at such an early age.

Read more: https://www.ruck.co.uk/?p=20190

Saracens great Jacques Burger announces retirement
Saracens’ Jacques Burger has announced he will quit rugby after this weekend.

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The back-row forward is returning to his home country Namibia to become a farmer once Sunday’s home Premiership game against Newcastle is over.

“It is sad that it’s coming to an end but playing rugby is something that I have really loved doing,” he said.

Read more: https://www.ruck.co.uk/?p=20185

Bath first-team coach Neal Hatley to become England scrum coach
Neal Hatley will join the England Rugby coaching team at the end of the season.

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Bath Rugby have confirmed a deal has been done for the scrummaging expert who arrived from London Irish in 2012 and has become a key member of the club’s staff.

“It’s been a real privilege to have been part of Bath Rugby these past four years,” Hatley said.

Read more: https://www.ruck.co.uk/?p=20205

Sale v Gloucester preview: Team news, kick-off time, line-ups and stats for the Aviva Premiership clash
Sale have made one change to their side that will face Gloucester at the AJ Bell Stadium on Friday, with Cameron Neild included on the flank.

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Neild’s inclusion means Mark Easter moves to the bench and TJ Ioane switches to number eight.

Elsewhere, Mark Jennings comes onto the bench to replace Tom Brady.

Meanwhile, Sione Kalamafoni will make his 100th competitive appearance for Gloucester as he starts at number eight.

The Tongan international back-row is in his fourth season at Kingsholm having signed from Nottingham in the summer of 2012, and becomes the club’s latest centurion. He will pack down in an all international back-row alongside Ross Moriarty and Matt Kvesic.

Read more: https://www.ruck.co.uk/?p=20201

Hooker Ben Sowrey signs for Newcastle Falcons
Newcastle Falcons have signed hooker Ben Sowrey from Worcester Warriors for next season.

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Leeds-born Sowrey, who turns 25 next week, has been with the Warriors since the summer of 2014 when he joined them from Rotherham Titans.

The hooker is now relishing a return to his native north of England as Newcastle continue to build for the coming campaign, Sowrey saying: “Newcastle is a major northern club, and that is important to me.

“They represent the north in the Aviva Premiership, that is a big draw and I like what the club stands for. I am after an opportunity, Newcastle is a club which is set up to go places and I just want to be a part of that. It is a huge opportunity.”

Read more: https://www.ruck.co.uk/?p=20180