Thursday Round-Up

Thursday Round-Up
Pienaar would consider new deal

South African scrum-half Ruan Pienaar says he would consider staying on at Ulster after his current deal runs out in 2017.

Pienaar, 31, signed a new contract with the Irish province in 2013 after turning down the chance to join European champions Toulon.

"If Ulster thought I was still good enough and wanted to extend my contract I would consider it," said Pienaar.

"I would need to feel I was still playing well and adding value."


Pienaar said he had enjoyed his five years in Belfast and that he and his family were happy in Northern Ireland.

"I do not regret turning down Toulon. Staying with Ulster was a decision I made with my heart," he added.

"I didn't want to break something that was special to me.

"It might have been nice playing with some of the world's best players at Toulon but Ulster was somewhere I felt I really needed to be at this stage of my career."


Launchbury ideal England captain - Young

Wasps lock Joe Launchbury would be an ideal England captain under new coach Eddie Jones, says Dai Young.

Australian Jones, 55, who has signed a four-year deal to be England's first foreign coach, wants to name a skipper to take the team to the 2019 World Cup.

"It's a role Joe would grow into and get better at all the time until he's a natural," Young said. "He's somebody the players would get right behind.

"I think he would be a great choice and would make a great England captain."

Jones criticised current skipper Chris Robshaw during the World Cup but is planning talks with the 29-year-old, who was made captain by Lancaster in 2012.


Former Cardiff and Wales captain Young was coaching Cardiff Blues when Warren Gatland installed Sam Warburton as Wales captain in 2011 and he sees similarities between the Welsh talisman and Launchbury.

"Both are very sensible, don't go chasing the limelight, don't do things that will draw attention: Joe leads from the front, and doesn't speak for the sake of it," said Wasps director of rugby Young.

"One of the greatest England captains, Martin Johnson, didn't speak for the sake of it. When he spoke people listened. I think Joe would be very similar."

Dan Hayes


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