Thursday’s rugby news has a possible league convert, Welsh rugby in more trouble, Northampton fined for George North release and Cipriani back in favour.
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Fifita considering code-switch
Cronulla Sharks prop Andrew Fifita has reportedly met with Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie, considering a switch to rugby union. Fifita is off-contract at the end of the year and will be in high demand after making his NSW Origin debut in June and then featuring in the Kangaroos’ successful World Cup campaign.
Fifita has also recently switched management camps and is now working with Sutherland Shire accountant Greg Willett, who also handles McKenzie. Fifita was previously a promising rugby prospect while living in Griffith as a teenager, graduating to the ACT Brumbies junior development squad. [/one_half]
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Northampton fined
The Northampton Saints have been fined STG60,000 ($A110,300) by a Premiership Rugby disciplinary panel after breaching the league’s code of conduct by releasing George North for Wales duty outside the IRB’s autumn window. The Saints allowed North to play in Wales’30-26 loss to Australia on November 30.
Although the Welsh winger may have clauses in his contract which release him for all international duty, this would go against Premiership Rugby regulations. As part of an agreement between Premiership clubs, only England players are allowed to be released by teams to play for their national side outside of the IRB’s international window. [/one_half]
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Welsh rugby plunges deeper
The state of Welsh rugby has further deteriorated as Stuart Gallacher, the head of Regional Rugby Wales, has resigned from the boards of the Pro12 and European Rugby Cup Ltd. Gallacher had represented the four Welsh regions – the Blues, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets – on the boards, and his resignation will increase fears that the regions may not sign a participation agreement with the WRU for their December deadline.
On the plus side, French rugby giants Clermont and Toulon have reportedly backed off in their chase of Leigh Halfpenny and Alun Wyn Jones. Both sides are said to be hesitant to sign the Welsh stars, who come with large price-tags and may be unavailable for much of the build up to the 2015 World-Cup. [/one_half]
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Cipriani back in England mix
The blistering form of Danny Cipriani has led many English critics to call for his return to the national side. This week, ex-Test winger Mark Cueto joined the chorus of supporters for the Sale Sharks five-eighth, saying that Cipriani must feature in England’s Six Nations plans. ‘England have got to pick Danny. If he carries on like he is right now they can’t ignore him,’ Cueto said.
Although England still have a number of options at fly-half, led by Owen Farrell and Toby Flood, Cueto believes that Cipriani’s improved control of the team, combined with his unpredictable flashes of brilliance, warrant selection. [/one_half]
