Rumour Mill http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/ The latest speculation and rumour from the world of rugby en Copyright 2013 Thu, 23 May 2013 11:11:45 +0000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Gareth Delve to Japan? Gareth Delve will continue his career in Japan when he leaves the Melbourne Rebels at the end of the season. The Rebels confirmed on Wednesday that when Delve's contract comes to an end at the end of the current Super Rugby campaign, he will depart to pastures new. There were some suggestions Delve would move back to Wales, but the Herald Sun claims Japan is likely to be his next port of call. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/05/gareth_delve_to_japan.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/05/gareth_delve_to_japan.php Super Rugby Thu, 23 May 2013 11:11:45 +0000 Worcester turn to Carl Hogg? Worcester Warriors boss Dean Ryan will appoint Gloucester's Carl Hogg as his new forwards coach. Ryan worked with Hogg while he was at the Cherry and Whites and according to Worcester News, the Warriors have made contact with Gloucester. If Hogg agrees to a switch to Sixways, then he will link up with Worcester's new attack coach Shane Howarth. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/05/worcester_turn_to_carl_hogg.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/05/worcester_turn_to_carl_hogg.php Aviva Premiership Tue, 14 May 2013 13:38:57 +0000 Exeter Chiefs tee up Fetu'u Vainikolo Exeter Chiefs are on the verge of signing Connacht flyer Fetu'u Vainikolo according to reports in the Rugby Paper. The winger, according to the newspaper, recently turned down London Irish's advances and seems set for Sandy Park. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/05/exeter_chiefs_tee_up_fetuu_vai.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/05/exeter_chiefs_tee_up_fetuu_vai.php Aviva Premiership Tue, 07 May 2013 11:50:26 +0000 Grenoble close in on Olly Barkley Grenoble are close to securing the signing of former Bath back Olly Barkley from Racing Metro. The 23-cap England international joined Metro earlier this season as a medical joker and ESPNscrum understands he is set to prolong his stay in France with Grenoble his expected destination. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/05/grenoble_close_in_on_olly_bark.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/05/grenoble_close_in_on_olly_bark.php Top 14 Orange Sat, 04 May 2013 12:24:25 +0000 Kelly Brook gives Danny Cipriani ultimatum
© PA
Reports in the weekend press say that Kelly Brook has told boyfriend Danny Cipriani to sort his life out or they`re finished. The news comes days after Cipriani was hit by a bus while crossing road in Leeds after a pub crawl with team-mates. A close friend of Brook said: “Kelly has told Danny that he needs to sort himself out if their relationship is going to work. Kelly feels quite protective over him and is always wanting to look after him. But her friends are warning her she could get hurt.” Perhaps more surprisingly give his track record, a friend of Cipriani was quoted as saying: “He hates drinking and hates the big rugby nights out. He only went because if he’s not there then he gets slammed for not being a team player. The whole drinking culture is not him and that is why the incident on Wednesday is so frustrating.” ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/kelly_brook_gives_danny_cipria.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/kelly_brook_gives_danny_cipria.php Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:16:06 +0000 Clermont eye Halfpenny Clermont Auvergne have reportedly set their sights on signing Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny. The Rugby Paper claims the French giants will make a move for the 24-year-old at the end of the next season when his current contract with PRO12 side Cardiff Blues expires. The newspaper suggests that Clermont see Halfpenny as the perfect replacement for current fullback - and another Wales international - Lee Byrne whose contract runs until next season.]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/clermont_eye_halfpenny.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/clermont_eye_halfpenny.php Top 14 Orange Sun, 28 Apr 2013 07:54:33 +0000 Jonathan Thomas' Ospreys days numbered? Ospreys back-rower Jonathan Thomas is reportedly wanted by clubs both in the Top 14 and the Aviva Premiership. Thomas has a year left on his current deal but according to reports in the South Wales Evening Post, both Stade Francais and Bayonne are keen on the flanker's services and the Ospreys could let him leave. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/jonathan_thomas_ospreys_days_n.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/jonathan_thomas_ospreys_days_n.php RaboDirect PRO12 Tue, 23 Apr 2013 08:30:44 +0000 Falcons circling Fraser McKenzie? Rugby Paper claim the Newcastle Falcons are keen on recruiting Sale's Fraser McKenzie ahead of next season. Falcons boss Dean Richards has already bolstered his squad with the likes of Mike Blair, Rory Clegg and Adam Powell ahead of next season and could add the 25-year-old Scotsman to his ranks. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/falcons_circling_fraser_mckenz_2.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/falcons_circling_fraser_mckenz_2.php RFU Championship Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:36:07 +0000 Bristol close in on Sean Holley Bristol's director of rugby Andy Robinson has chosen Sean Holley to be his new head coach, according to the Rugby Paper. Ex-Ospreys coach Holley has been working as a television pundit since leaving the region 14 months ago and spurned advances from Conancht and Worcester to take the post at Bristol, according to the newspaper. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/bristol_close_in_on_sean_holle.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/bristol_close_in_on_sean_holle.php RFU Championship Sun, 21 Apr 2013 08:19:39 +0000 Union clubs targeting league's Ryan Atkins Gloucester and London Irish are keen on recruiting rugby league star Ryan Atkins, according to reports in The Sun. Atkins has excelled for Warrington this term and has scored 124 tries in 202 Super League appearances. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/union_clubs_targeting_leagues.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/union_clubs_targeting_leagues.php Aviva Premiership Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:43:15 +0000 Scarlets close in on John Barclay Scarlets are keen on recruiting Glasgow Warriors flanker John Barclay ahead of next season. If the move goes through, Barclay will bring a wealth of experience to their back-row. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/scarlets_close_in_on_john_barc.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/scarlets_close_in_on_john_barc.php RaboDirect PRO12 Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:38:49 +0000 Sale Sharks circling Dan Bowden? Rugby Paper claim that Sale are interested in recruiting Dan Bowden from the Leicester Tigers. Bowden has made just seven appearances for the Tigers in the Aviva Premiership, after joining them from London Irish pre-season, and he could be open to a move north. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/sale_sharks_circling_dan_bowde.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/sale_sharks_circling_dan_bowde.php Aviva Premiership Mon, 15 Apr 2013 15:10:45 +0000 Smit lined up as Sharks chief? John Smit has been tipped to become the new chief executive of the Super Rugby franchise. Smit, who also led South Africa to the 2007 Rugby World Cup crown, is currently playing with English Premiership side Saracens with earlier reports having linked him with a move to French club Toulon next season. But The Mercury newspaper reports that the Sharks have negotiated his release from an agreement with Toulon so that he can take over from the current chief executive Brian van Zyl who is due to retire in February. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/smit_lined_up_as_sharks_chief.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/smit_lined_up_as_sharks_chief.php Super Rugby Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:42:17 +0000 Edwards in line to replace Kidney Shaun Edwards is reportedly a strong contender to take over from Declan Kidney as the Ireland head coach. The Mail on Sunday reports that the former rugby league player feels he is under-paid and not been properly rewarded for his part in Wales’ success in recent years. He is also said to be upset that he was not included as part of Warren Gatland’s coaching team for this year’s Lions tour. Edwards has been with Wales since 2008 and helped them to Six Nations grand slams in 2008 and 2012. He was part of the Lions coaching team on the 2009 tour to South Africa and was assistant coach when London Wasps won the Heineken Cup in 2004 and 2007. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/edwards_inline_to_replace_kidn_1.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/edwards_inline_to_replace_kidn_1.php Wales Rugby Sun, 07 Apr 2013 10:29:39 +0000 Saints close in on pair of Kiwis Northampton Saints have signed Otago duo Glenn Dickson and Rob Verbakel ahead of next season, according to reports in New Zealand. Dickson can play across the back line and is also an accurate goal kicker - he has reportedly penned a two-year contract with the Saints. He is set to be joined at the Aviva Premiership club by second-row Verbakel who has previously played for the Glasgow Warriors. ]]> http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/saints_close_in_on_pair_of_kiw.php http://blogs.espnscrum.com/Rumour-Mill/archives/2013/04/saints_close_in_on_pair_of_kiw.php Aviva Premiership Wed, 03 Apr 2013 09:23:39 +0000