Tuesday Round-Up

Larkham no-go: Reports emerging out of Australia this morning have suggested that an approach by the Australian Rugby Union to Stephen Larkham, has come to no fruition, with the former Wallaby turning down the Union’s suitors. Larkham, currently head coach at Super Rugby franchise the Brumbies, was said to have been offered the opportunity to tour with the Wallabies in an assistant coaching role, for the duration of their impending November Tour of Europe. However, the former fyhalf opted to remain in Australia, stating that he did not feel it was right to take 5 weeks out of his preparation time ahead of the Super Rugby campaign with the Brumbies at the turn of the new year. Since joining the Brumbies setup as backs coach back in 2011, Larkham has been credited by many as the man behind the progression of the likes of Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua and Nic White, all of whom have broken into the Wallabies setup on a permanent basis now. Larkham took on the Brumbies’ head coaching role in 2013, alongside Laurie Fisher who acts as Director of Rugby. Over the course of a distinguished playing career with both club and country, Larkham represented Australia on 102 occasions, winning a World Cup along the way.

Baker relief: Ospreys fans and coaching staff alike will be breathing a sigh of relief today, as news emerges that back rower Dan Baker suffered no serious injury during last Sunday’s European Champions Cup win over Italian outfit Treviso. Number eight Baker was stretchered off towards the close of the encounter after taking a heavy blow to the head and was taken straight to the Morriston Hospital in Swansea for further tests, having originally complained of neck pain to the club’s medical staff. However, after undergoing further examination by the hospital staff, Baker was discharged late on Sunday night, with no more than some soft tissue damage. Baker will begin his rehabilitation period at Llandarcy this week but will definitely sit out this weekend’s Champions Cup encounter with English outfit the Northampton Saints.

Ryan Sheady