Rugby Transfers: Latest ‘kilted Kiwi’ on the move, Stormers coach heads north and Fiji Test ace makes France swap
Edinburgh tie down latest ‘kilted Kiwi’ as recruitment drive continues, Leicester Tigers coaching rebuild gets underway and a Fiji international heads to France.
Check out our latest transfer news and rumours update:
Edinburgh sign Scottish-qualified scrum-half
Edinburgh have tempted yet another Scottish-qualified New Zealander to the Capital from next season, with scrum-half Louie Chapman penning a two-year deal.
The 25-year-old will join the club from Super Rugby outfit Crusaders, and follows compatriot and fellow Scottish-qualified back Riley Higgins to Edinburgh.
Elsewhere, Edinburgh have also signed former Scotland U20s man Geordie Gwynn from Ealing Trailfinders for next season.
Commenting on joining the URC side, Chapman said: “I’m so excited to be joining Edinburgh – a club with such a rich history and a real identity.
“I’ve been doing my research and the more I’ve learned about the place, the culture and what the club means to this city, the more I can’t wait to get there and be a part of it.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the boys, getting to know the fans and really throwing myself into everything that comes with playing in Scotland.
“It’s going to be a brilliant experience and I just want to get stuck in and contribute as quickly as I can.”
Edinburgh head coach, Sean Everitt, added: “We’re really excited to welcome Louie to Edinburgh. He has a huge amount of potential, but what stands out when you watch him is the maturity he brings – the control, the decision-making, the way he manages the game with tempo.
“Those aren’t attributes that come by accident, and for a player still on the right side of 26 who has developed in that Crusaders environment, they tell you a great deal about his ceiling.
“He’s Scottish-qualified, which adds another layer to this signing. We want players who see Edinburgh as a place where they can grow and push for the highest level. Louie is someone who fits that profile.
“He will come in and challenge our existing scrum-halves, and that competition will make everyone better. He’s another high-quality addition to a squad we are building with real intent.”
Leicester Tigers coaching changes as Stormers man and ex-Wallabies assistant bolster ranks
Leicester head coach Geoff Parling has bolstered his coaching staff ahead of next season, with Stormers assistant Craig Childs and Connacht coach Rod Seib joining his ranks.
Their moves to Mattioli Woods Welford Road come with Brett Deacon and Peter Hewat heading to pastures new from the start of next season.
Seib, who had been rumoured to be headed to the East Midlands earlier this month, will take over as the club’s attack coach, while Childs will head up the defence.
Commenting on joining Leicester, Childs said: “It feels incredible – the Tigers have such a significant history in the Premiership and in Europe, so to join them is exciting.
“There is a real energy around what Geoff, the staff and the players have created, and I look forward to adding to that next season.
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“Before I make the move to Leicester in the summer, I am fully focused on my work with the DHL Stormers, but I wish the best of luck to the Tigers for the rest of the PREM season.”
Tigers boss Parling added: “After speaking to multiple players and coaches about Craig, and meeting him when we played in Cape Town, I’m sure he’ll have a positive impact at Tigers.
“He comes from a very good DHL Stormers set-up, is hungry to come across and work in the PREM and knows that everyone at Leicester must show a real appetite to defend and get the ball back. Welcome to him, Genevieve and their daughter Olivia.”
Also commenting on his move to the Tigers, Seib said: “I recognise the responsibility of taking on this role with Tigers. They’re a fiercely competitive club and they’re highly regarded within world rugby. I’m hugely looking forward to be able to positively impact the team.
“I’ve known Geoff for a number of years. We coached against each other in Super Rugby and then at one point we were coaching together for an Australian ‘A’ team.”
“The role that Geoff discussed with me was hugely appealing and the opportunity to work with him again, I thought would be a positive move for me.
“I’m looking forward to joining Tigers in the summer, but there’s lots of rugby to be played before then. My full focus is on Connacht where we face a big end to the season, whilst Tigers do in the PREM. I wish them the best of luck for that.”
On Seib’s appointment, Parling added: “We’re excited to welcome Rod to Tigers; he’s an excellent coach who will add real value to what we do.
“I worked with him at Australia ‘A’ where I saw someone who brought detail, innovation and was excellent at improving the individual – all traits that are essential to what we are building at Tigers.
“We look forward to having him and his wife Kylie with us and seeing how he can advance our attack in the future.”
On their joint appointments, the head coach said: “We are an environment that drives players to get better every day, and I have no doubt that Rod and Craig will add to this.”
Fiji international makes France switch
Fiji prop Tim Hoyt will swap CHAMP side Worcester Warriors for the Top 14 next season, signing a deal with Lyon.
The 23-year-old tighthead joined the Warriors this season from Leicester Tigers, and has made 18 times for the club since. His form in the English second tier earned him a call-up to the Fiji Test squad in November, where he made his debut against France. He added a second cap to his tally a week later, starting in their win over Spain.
Hoyt also represented England at U20s level, winning seven caps.
Commenting on the move, Worcester head coach Matt Everard said: “Everyone at Worcester wishes Tim all the best ahead of his move to Lyon next season.
“Tim’s selection for Fiji earlier this season was a proud moment for the group and earning a move to the Top 14 is credit to his hard work this season and our intention to help develop individuals within the programme.”
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