Rugby union weekly contract round-up

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.

rugby union
Katy Daley-Mclean in action. Credit Prem Rugby.

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

Leicester Tigers can confirm that Steve Borthwick will join the club on July 1, 2020 in the role of Head Coach with Geordan Murphy moving into the role of Director of Rugby.

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.
He was a consultant coach with Japan in 2012, before taking on the role full-time in 2014 under Eddie Jones and had a brief stint with Bristol ahead of taking over the role of forwards coach with England in 2015, reaching the Rugby World Cup Final in 2019.
Tigers confirmed the appointment of Borthwick in January this year and, ahead of the move, the current international coach spoke of his delight at taking the reins in Leicester.
“I am delighted to be joining Leicester Tigers as head coach,” he said. “To get Leicester Tigers back to the top is a great challenge and one I am very excited about.”

Indigo Group Premiership

You can also find our exclusive transfer article with 11 transfer going on in the Welsh Premiership here.

For more rugby union updates keep up to date on Twitter @Rreesrugby and @LWOSRugby and on our website.
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