Another week of off-field has action has gone by and incase you missed any of it Robert Rees has compiled all the major contract news from the rugby union universe into one handy article.
Tom O’Flaherty
The 25-year-old winger has re-signed a deal with Exeter that’ll likely see him add to his 15 tries in just 39 appearances. The former Ospreys man signed in the summer of 2017 and has shone since, winning the Anglo Welsh Cup with them in 2017-18.
“Since I have been here, the club have been extremely competitive in Premiership and this year we topped our group in Europe. Of course it’s easier to play at a winning side, but on the other hand, it’s also a lot harder because you are expected to maintain those high levels every time you play or you train.”
Sharks bag major international
Sale Sharks signed England’s World Cup winning captain Katy Daley-Mclean in a player-coach role for the 2020-21 season.
Katy, who has amassed 114 caps for England to date and was awarded an MBE in the 2014 New Year’s honours list for services to rugby after captaining the national side to victory during 2014 Rugby World Cup, brings a wealth of experience to the Sharks whilst still at the very top of her game.
Dragons bag coaching duo
The Dragons have penned deals with former England rugby union international forward Luke Narraway and former Edinburgh captain Simon Cross have been appointed to the Dragons coaching team on a permanent basis, after successfully working with the region on a consultancy basis this season.
The appointment of Defence Coach Cross follows his time as a consultant with the region, which he combined with a role as head of rugby at Royal Grammar School Worcester, a post he has now left.
Forwards Coach Narraway, who headed up the Dragons coaching set-up for the Celtic Cup campaign, has also joined Dean Ryan’s first team backroom staff full-time.
Saints signing on
Northampton Saints starlets Ollie Sleightholme and Connor Tupai are the latest duo to commit their futures to Northampton after both signing new deals to remain at the Club.
The pair of Academy graduates have both impressed in the first team so far this season, having followed their fathers’ footsteps to run out at Franklin’s Gardens wearing Black, Green and Gold.
Meanwhile scrum-half Tupai, 20, made his first-team debut in last season’s Premiership Rugby Cup, but has really made his breakthrough this campaign.
Director of Rugby Chris Boyd has entrusted the Rotorua-born No.9 in several key Saints clashes this term – including Gallagher Premiership victories over Worcester Warriors and Harlequins, as well as both Champions Cup ties against Leinster.
“Obviously I’m thrilled to be staying with Saints and to be given the opportunity to continue to develop myself as a player,” said Tupai, whose father Paul played three seasons in Northampton’s back row between 2005 and 2008.
Tigers confirm coaching roles
Borthwick moved into coaching full-time when he retired in 2014 following a decorated playing career including more than 50 appearances for England, who he captained for two seasons, and 265 Premiership appearances.