Rugby Union Today: England appoint John Mitchell
Another busy day in the rugby union game as John Mitchell is appointed England defence coach until the end of Rugby World Cup 2019.
What’s on the site
John Mitchell has been appointed as England’s new defence coach until the end of Rugby World Cup 2019 while Scott Wisemantel will continue his role as attack coach.
SA Rugby Director of Rugby and Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will take charge of the Barbarians for the first time when the famous club returns to action this season.
What’s in the news
Scarlets and Wales flanker James Davies will undergo a scan to ascertain the extent of a knee injury sustained in the 38-29 PRO14 victory over Benetton on Saturday.
Bath centre Jamie Roberts has been ruled out for four to six weeks with a fractured cheekbone sustained in the 37-32 victory over Harlequins on Saturday.
Elsewhere, the Springboks have released eight players from their Rugby Championship squad that returned from New Zealand on Sunday for Currie Cup and provincial duty this weekend.
What’s on social media
In an Instagram post, Samu Kerevi explains the sledge that led to Lukhan Tui becoming involved in an altercation with a Wallaby fan.
“Lukhan came in to help out because that guy was swearing around his family. That altercation only happened because the drunk fan told Lukhan to ‘play with some heart’. The fact he was even on the field speaks volume. For everyone throwing chat at my boy, shut your mouth.”
What’s on TV
With the Rugby Championship taking a week’s break, the big northern hemisphere leagues take centre stage and BT Sport will broadcast Newcastle v Exeter, Sale v Wasps and Saracens v Gloucester this weekend.
On Premier Sports, they are once again showing all seven matches from the PRO14, with Leinster v Edinburgh the standout contest.
Finally, on Sky Sports, the Top 14 is the main attraction with Bordeaux taking on leaders Clermont and Montpellier hosting Toulouse, while they also continue their Currie Cup and Mitre 10 coverage.