The Rugby Download 🏉
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This Week In Rugby 🏉
🔄 Switching Allegiances? World Rugby has announced a sensational change of rules allowing players to switch national teams. From January 2022 a player will be able to represent another country if they have not played at test level for three years. Players will only be allowed to switch allegiance once and it has to be to a nation of their, their parents’ or grandparents’ birth. Examples of players this could affect are All Black capped Charles Piatau who has already expressed his intent to play for Tonga, and England capped Alex Lozowski who is now eligible to represent Italy.
💧 Sorry The Hardest Word? South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has apologised and withdrawn his appeal against his World Rugby Suspension. An apology to match officials was a required part of World Rugby’s sanctions.
🍖 Hamstrung? England and Sale Centre Many Tuilagi will be out for at least six weeks, following the hamstring injury that forced him from the field early in last week’s South Africa clash.
✋ Getting Defensive? Bath are set to hire a dedicated defence coach in response to their recent poor form. It is one of a set of recommendations from former Saracens CEO Ed Griffiths who was brought in as a short-term consultant.
🎵 Jukebox Still Playing? Ireland and Lions Prop Tadhg Furlong, the self appointed “Jukebox”, has signed a three year extension to his IRFU contract.
📱 Tweet And Sour? Bath and England Wing Anthony Watson has been handed a one-week suspended ban for criticising referee Ian Tempest on Twitter, after he sent off teammate Mike Williams. As Watson is out with a long-term knee injury the ban is suspended until the 22-23 season, he will also have to design and deliver a presentation to his Bath teammates.
⬆️ Moving North? After his try-scoring antics for Scotland, 21 year old Hooker Ewan Ashman has joined Glasgow from Sale on loan until the end of the season.
☘️ Calling Time? Ireland great Rob Kearney will hang up his boots after he runs out for the Barbarians on Saturday. The Full-Back’s glittering career included four Six Nations titles two of which were Grand Slams with Ireland, four European Cups and six league titles with Leinster, and two Lions tours.
What’s On? 📺
Internationals
Barbarians vs Samoa - Sat 2:30pm, BBC1
Gallagher Premiership
Bath vs Exeter - Fri 7:45pm, BT Sport 1
Harlequins vs London Irish - Sat 3pm, BT Sport 2
Saracens vs Sale - Sun 3pm, BT Sport 1
United Rugby Championship
Connacht vs Ospreys - Fri 7:35pm, BBC1 Wales & Premier Sports 1
Treviso vs Glasgow - Sat 1pm, Premier Sports 1
Stormers vs Zebre - Sat 1pm, FreeSports & Premier Sports 1
Sharks vs Scarlets - Sat 3:30pm, Premier Sports 1 & S4C
Dragons vs Edinburgh - Sat 5:15pm, Premier Sports 2
Bulls vs Munster - Sat 5:45pm, Premier Sports 1
Leinster vs Ulster - Sat 8pm, Premier Sports 1
Lions vs Cardiff - Sun 2pm, Premier Sports 1 & S4C
Top 14
Racing vs Bordeaux - Sun 8:05pm, Premier Sports 2
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Have a Ruck & Roll Weekend 🏉