Thursday Round-Up

Zane Blow: Leinster head coach Matt O’Connor has confirmed that utility back Zane Kirchner will be sidelined for the coming 3 weeks due to a hamstring injury. Kirchner, who has operated primarily on the wing or at fullback since joining up with the Irish province, was forced from the field during his side’s most recent win over Welsh region the Scarlets over the course of the weekend. Expected to be absent for a minimum of two to three weeks, boss Matt O’Connor believes the Springbok versatile back is lucky not to be missing more rugby. This weekend, Leinster take on fellow Irish outfit Connacht.

Salary Cap Changes: The governing body of English domestic rugby, Premiership Rugby, have today announced significant changes to both the height of the league’s salary cap and incentives to produce home grown players of note. From the 2015-16 season onwards, the base salary cap for any team competing in English rugby’s top flight, will stand at £5.1m with an additional £400,00 set aside for home grown talent development, under the Home Grown Player Credit scheme. Along with those under the salary cap, clubs will also be allowed nominate two excluded players, whose salaries will not come under financial scrutiny. With the proportion of English players in the premiership now tipping 70%, it seems the incentive to produce talent from home is working.

Super Rugby Dates Out: The opening fixtures for next year’s edition of the Super Rugby tournament have been announced, with the reigning champions the Waratahs welcoming the Western Force to Sydney for an All Australian derby game. Elsewhere, the Crusaders welcome the Rebels to AMI Stadium on February 13th, with another Aussie derby taking place in Canberra between the Brumbies and the Rebels later that day. Arguably the clash of the round comes from Loftus Versfeld where the Bulls will host the Stormers in one of two South African derbies.

Ryan Sheady