Rugby Transfer Rumours
Tipuric to Decide Future Soon
Wales forward Justin Tipuric has confirmed that he will make an announcement on his club future within the near future
Wales back-row Justin Tipuric will confirm where his future lies shortly after being linked with a move to a number of high-profile clubs.
The 30-year-old have been committed to the Ospreys having made over 150 appearances for the Swansea-based side. However, his contract runs out come the end of the current season and there have been many rumours about a move away from Wales.
Speaking on the speculation Tipuric, who also has 73-tests to his name for his country, admitted that he will make an announcement shortly on his future and that even being linked with “big clubs” is an honour.
“A decision will be made in a few weeks or so. There has not been a decision made yet. At the minute I am just happy being back and back with the family after being away for so long. There are a lot of things it comes down to. In the background you have to make sure you are happy and ticking everything off. One thing I have always said is that I want to play rugby with a smile on my face. If I can keep doing that then I will be happy. I hear rumours and stuff. I am not into the social media side of it which is probably a good thing. I have people coming up to me and say I am signing for all sorts of clubs and it’s a bit crazy. To be rumoured with such high [profile] clubs is an honour,” he said.
If he decides to leave, the club that gets him will be taking in a player with a wealth of experience, having been to two Rugby World Cups, two British and Irish Lions tours, as well as his experiences in the Six Nations and at club-level.
The most talked about possibility is a move to English Premiership side the Bristol Bears, with reports claiming he would earn up to £500,000 a year, with the club looking to build something special over the next couple of seasons.
For now the flanker will be hoping to help his current side turn their season around, having struggled so far in his absence. However, he appears set to make his season debut for Ospreys this Saturday in their PRO14 clash with rivals the Cardiff Blues.
Rugby Transfer Rumours
Former England Hooker Heading to Jersey
One of England’s former stars has confirmed that he will be joining the coaching set up of the Jersey Reds at the end of the current campaign
Former England hooker Rob Webber is heading to the Jersey Reds at the end of the current campaign as the side’s forwards coach.
The current Sale Sharks star will take over from Neil Tunnah, who is leaving after three years at the club and he is delighted to be starting a new chapter in the sport.
“I am really excited about moving to Jersey and joining The Reds’ coaching team. It’s a great opportunity for me and my family as I set out on the next phase of my career. It is an exciting squad that Harvey and the guys are putting together and I look forward to contributing to helping the lads push on. I’d like to thank Harvey and (Reds Chairman) Mark Morgan for giving me the opportunity,” he said on the move.
The 16-cap England international will link-up with former team-mate Harvey Biljon, the club’s director of rugby and Biljon welcomed Webber, admitting he stood out among a list of strong candidates.
‘We’ve spoken to some very high-quality individuals about the role, but Rob stood out and I’ve had a lot of positive endorsements from people I respect. He knows the game and is very articulate and I believe his character will really transmit itself to the others he’ll be working with. There’s a lot of excitement about Rob’s arrival and it will be great to have him working in harness with (Assistant Coach) Ed Robinson – two really promising young English coaches,” he said.
The 33-year-old will bring a vast amount of experience to the team after announcing he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season.
During a career spanning 17 years, he has represented Leeds Tykes, Wasps, Bath and Sale as well as England which has seen him compete and be successful in European and domestic competition as well as playing in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Rugby Transfer Rumours
Saracens Facing Fight to Keep Vunipola Brothers
England star duo Mako and Billy Vunipola are looking at their options for next season and considering leaving Saracens according to reports
Saracens could be without both Mako and Billy Vunipola next season as the pair are being chased by a number of Super Rugby franchises according to a report in the NZ Herald.
The report states that the brothers may have already held talks with some of the Super Rugby sides as they consider their options following Saracens relegation to the Championship for a breach of salary cap regulations.
Both are in the final year of their current contract with Sarries and having forged their names at the club they have gone on to become two of England’s key men.
With Mako at 29, and Billy 27, the pair are in their prime and may not like the thought of playing against weaker sides in the English second-tier next season, despite talks of Saracens organising “bigger” matches against teams outside the league, including the possibility of a game with the Springboks to keep their stars at their best.
As well as possibly not being attracted to facing weaker opponents on a weekly basis the brothers will be aware that they will need to put their best foot forward at the highest level next year in order to make it into the British and Irish Lions squad for their tour of South Africa.
They wouldn’t be the first Englishmen to head down south in recent times with fellow England international Joe Marchant on the books at the Blues this year.
It would be a massive coup for the competition if they chose to head to Super Rugby, with fears that interest is lowering lately due to the number of key southern hemisphere players heading elsewhere for more luxurious contracts, but we will have to wait and see what develops over the coming months.
International
Skelton Set for Summer Move from Saracens
Australian second-row ace Will Skelton looks set for a move away from Saracens this summer, but Rugby Australia won’t be happy with his choice of destination according to reports
Rugby Australia appear set to miss out on bringing Will Skelton back to Australia once again with a move to France looking imminent according to reports.
The giant second-row has been a target for Rugby Australia since before last year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, but he decided to remain in England with Saracens ruling him out of contention to feature for the Wallabies due to their overseas laws.
However, they took another shot at getting his signature once Saracens salary cap scandal unfolded, believing it was the perfect opportunity to bring him home.
Talks took place with the 27-year-old but reports in France are now claiming that a deal with French Top 14 side La Rochelle will be confirmed shortly.
It would be another big-money move for the lock, but once more he would be unable to represent his country as he falls well short of the 60-caps needed for an overseas player to be eligible to be called-up.
Failing to tie-down a star name like Skelton again would be a major blow for Rugby Australia and may cause them to consider altering their current rules around the Giteau Law as they are missing out on being able to select some of their best players because of it.