Tuesday Round-Up

Warburton’s restriction: Wales skipper Sam Warburton will be restricted to just 16 games per season with club side, the Cardiff Blues, under the terms of his new dual contract. The first of a whole host of players to commit to the Welsh Rugby Union, Warburton’s contract will see 60% of his salary paid by the Union, with the Blues then forced to limit the open side’s game time. According to Blues head coach Mark Hammett, the region are in full control of when Warburton can or can’t play, but are limited to selecting the world-class flanker on no more than 16 occasions. After a year of turmoil in Wales, earlier this summer, an agreement was finally reached between the Union and the participating regions, under which additional funding will be provided to the club game.

Return for star duo: Clermont fans will be buoyed by today’s news that star midfield pairing Wesley Fofana and Jonathan Davies look set to be reunited this weekend, with both players nearing a full recovery from respective injuries. French midfield maestro Fofana has been recovering from a troublesome hamstring injury which has seen his participation this season somewhat limited. Davies, arguably Wales’ finest player of the last 3 years, has had an issue with his foot, a problem which forced him out of last weekend’s 43-12 demolition of Lyon at Stade Marcel Michelin. While former All Black Zac Guildford remains unavailable for selection, it is expected both Fofana and Davies will return for this weekend’s away journey to Oyonnax.

Louw under knife: Springbok back rower Francois Louw has undergone surgery to repair damage to his neck, following South Africa’ loss against New Zealand last weekend. Having shipped a blow to his head, the Bath skipper went for scans in the immediate aftermath of the game. Those scans subsequently showed a pinched nerve in his neck, with South African team doctor Craig Roberts delivering the prognosis late on Monday evening. The flanker is expected to be sidelined for 6 weeks, a similar timeframe given for the injury to Ulster scrum half Ruan Pienaar, who picked up a knee injury in the same game.

Ryan Sheady