Hidalgo-Clyne is Italy-bound
Much-travelled Scotland scrum half Sam Hidalgo-Clyne will add another club to his CV when he joins Benetton in the summer. The 27-year-old, who has 14 international caps to his name, has agreed a three-year deal to join the Italian outfit. He has spent the past two seasons at Exeter Chiefs, and featured in the squad that recorded a Gallagher Premiership/Heineken Cup double. Since leaving Edinburgh in 2018, he has played for Scarlets, Harlequins, Racing 92 and Lyon before joining Chiefs.
Grandparents key to Mc Clintock selection
The inclusion of Robin Mc Clintock in the Scotland Under-20 squad for the Six Nations caused some head scratching among those wondering about the background of the versatile back with the powerful boot. The name is clearly evidence of a Scottish heritage, but the highly rated player is French. He currently plays academy rugby at Montpellier, having joined from Bayonne last summer. His father, Richard, was also born in France to a French mother and Scottish father. He spent a decade as coach of the Belgian national side, and became a Belgian Officer Order of the Crown for his role in steering the team from 57th in the world rankings to 21st place, before leaving that post to follow the progress of his son.
A Cool Interlude for Jamaican winger
The 1993 film, Cool Runnings, tells the story of the Jamaican bobsleigh team that competes in the 1988 Winter Olympics. A sprinter, who fails to qualify for the summer games, sets up the team that eventually contests the bobsleigh event. The recent Winter Olympics in Beijing had a strong similarity with the script of that film, with Jamaican rugby international winger, Matthew Wekpe, featuring in the bobsleigh quartet. The 32-year-old and his team mates finished the event last of the 28 teams. Wekpe, who is known in rugby circles as Matthew Wilson – his mother’s maiden name – will now turn his attention to representing Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later this year.
Garioch clinch promotion to Premiership with pulsating win over Stewartry Sirens
10 takeaways from round three of the Six Nations
U20s 6N: France see red twice but still too strong for Scotland
Harlequins secure long-term Care
With the game becoming increasingly attritional, careers in professional rugby are often shorter than in another sports. That makes it particularly impressive that Danny Care has signed a contract extension with Harlequins, extending his 16-year spell at the club. The latest deal is an indication of the longevity of the 35-year-old, who has made more than 300 appearances since joining in 2006 from Leeds Tykes, and has also earned 84 England caps.
Georgia held by improving Portuguese
Portugal pulled off a significant result in the opening round of the Rugby Europe Championship – the second tier Six Nations – with a 25-25 draw against Georgia in Tbilisi. The Georgians, who have dominated the competition in recent years and are frequently touted for a place in the Six Nations, had won their previous 20 matches in the tournament. They bounced back in the second round of fixtures with a comfortable win over the Netherlands, while Portugal lost to Romania. Meanwhile, the match between Georgia and Russia scheduled to take place in Tbilisi was cancelled given events in the area.
Wallabies relax selection rules
Rugby Australia has amended its selection policy to allow more overseas-based players to represent the Wallabies. Up to three players who ply their trade in other countries can now be selected for any tournament provided they have at least 30 caps or have served Australian rugby for five years. Others will also be eligible if they have signed a contract to return from overseas the following season.
Biarritz fined for extra ball incident
The French League (LNR) imposed a hefty fine on Biarritz Olympique following a bizarre incident in the closing minutes of the Top 14 match at home to La Rochelle. The visitors led 24-20 as the clock ticked into injury time. A second ball was thrown onto the pitch at a line-out and La Rochelle, who were defending close to their line, looked to clear it to safety and end the match. However, Biarritz had control of the match ball. The referee ordered a scrum and the hosts claimed the winning try in the 84th minute. The league’s disciplinary committee fined Biarritz €20,000, half of it suspended, after blaming the club for the incident.
LA Kit Clip is Comic Cut
American Major League champions LA Giltinis added a splash of colour to the unveiling of their new kit with a cheesy film. The franchise’s current squad includes former Glasgow Warriors players Adam Ashe, DTH van Der Merwe and Djustice Sears-Duru, although all three managed to avoid being involved.
We think all kit reveals should be in dramatic fashion 🎊🎭
#Giltinis #Rugby #MLR2022 pic.twitter.com/VJGMZqilI2
— LA Giltinis (@Giltinis) February 26, 2022
10 takeaways from round three of the Six Nations