Thursday Round-Up

Thursday Round-Up
Hartley to miss World Cup opener: It's bad news for Hartley's world cup hopes as he has been banned for four weeks after a Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing. Hartley, who pleaded guilty to striking an opponent with his head, contrary to Law 10.4(a), during the Premiership semi-final match between Northampton Saints and Saracens at the weekend, is free to play again on September 21, 2015. Hartley will miss England's opener against Fiji and this news puts his World Cup spot in serious doubt following another ban. When the suspension is completed, Hartley will have racked up 54 weeks in suspensions in his career.

Cooper returns: Good news for Reds fans as out-half Quade Cooper has recovered from a shoulder injury and will start against Western Force this weekend. Toulon bound Cooper will make his return from a two-month injury layoff. His inclusion is one of two changes to the starting side as Lachie Turner also returns from injury to take his place on the wing, with Chris Kuridrani ruled out with a calf strain. “Quade was given the all clear 10 days ago but we wanted to keep working on his strength and bulk just to ensure we didn't compromise his return, he has been training with the squad now for about three weeks and will have no problems returning to play at this level.  " said Reds head coach Richard Graham.

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