Thursday Round-Up

Time up for Rennie: Former Scotland international back row forward Ross Rennie has been forced to call time on his career at the age of just 28, as a direct result of persistent injury. Rennie, who earned himself 20 caps in the blue jersey of Scotland, including appearances at the 2011 edition of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, leaves the game prematurely after an impressive career to date. Having begun his time in the professional game with Edinburgh, Rennie went on to amass almost 100 appearances for the club, before making the switch to English Championship outfit Bristol in early 2014. However, despite making 13 appearances for the club and bagging himself seven tries in the process, Rennie’s time at the club has been perpetuated by a string of injuries and has not played for the club since October 2014. Arguably one of the Northern Hemisphere’s finest exponents over the ball at the peak of his powers, Rennie will be sorely missed by both Scotland and more notably Bristol.

Ma’afu banned: Northampton Saints prop forward Salesi Ma’afu has been handed a one week suspension by a Rugby Football Union disciplinary panel. Ma’afu, the former Australian international, will sit out this weekend’s European Champions Cup round of action, having fallen foul of the totting up process this season. To date, Ma’afu has found himself involved in three foul play yellow cards or Level 1 citings, which under the RFU disciplinary system warrants a one week ban from the game. With Ma’afu free to play again on the 20th of January, it means he will miss this weekend’s clash with the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium.

Ryan Sheady