News

All the news from the Guinness Premiership teams here.

And if you don't know the teams they are:
- Bath
- Bristol
- Gloucester
- Harlequins
- Leeds Carnegie
- Leicester Tigers
- London Irish
- London Wasps
- Newcastle Falcons
- Sale Sharks
- Saracens
- Worcester Warriors

Leicester sign veteran scrum-half

Leicester have signed former France international Christophe Laussucq from Castres to boost their options at scrum-half. The 34-year-old, who won three Test caps, came off the bench for Leicester in last Saturday's 59-5 friendly victory against Nottingham. The Tigers have been short of cover at scrum-half following long-term injuries to Harry Ellis and Scott Bemand.

Laussucq won two French Championship titles with Stade Francais.

"It is no secret that we have been looking for some experienced competition for the scrum-half spot with Harry and Scott sidelined by injury for a decent length of time," said Leicester's acting head coach Richard Cockerill. "Christophe certainly has the experience gained at the top level in France. "He did a decent job on Saturday after coming in at short notice, and now we are looking for him to join the pre-season work, settle in quickly and join Frank Murphy and Ben Youngs in the frame for that number nine shirt."


Source - BBC Sport

Cohen walks out after Saints snub


England World Cup winner Ben Cohen has walked out on Northampton after being overlooked for the club captaincy.
The 28-year-old winger has not attended training since losing out to Bruce Reihana for the role last Wednesday.
"Ben came to see me and said he was unhappy about not being appointed captain. He said 'that's it, I'm off'," said Saints chairman Keith Barwell.
Cohen's spokesman said: "Ben hoped their differences could be dealt with amicably and privately."
Barwell said he was "bitterly disappointed" with Cohen, adding: "He has been a brilliant servant to the club for more than 11 years but no man is bigger than the club."
Cohen has previously been linked with a move to Leicester, but Northampton insist they will not terminate his contract, which still has one season left.
"Ben's contract with the club runs until the end of the coming season and he is not able to play for any other club in the meantime," said Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder.
Barwell has given his full backing to Mallinder's decision to stick with New Zealander Reihana, who led the side last year, as captain.
"It is the director of rugby's responsibility to appoint the captain and I support Jim's choice of Bruce Reihana wholeheartedly - his decision must be final," said Barwell.
Cohen, who made his Saints debut in 1996 and won the Heineken Cup with them in 2000, has met with Barwell and Mallinder in recent days and both requested he return to training. But the 2003 World Cup winner was conspicuous by his absence from the Northampton squad that faced Samoa in a friendly last Sunday and has not been seen this week.
His spokesman said: "Given the Saints' relegation to Division One, Ben was to keen to take on more responsibility and saw the challenge of the captaincy as one he would have relished for the club he has played for his whole career and cares for deeply."
Cohen, who is currently in the middle of a testimonial year, joined Northampton when he was 17.
He has made 270 appearances for the Saints since his debut in 1996 and won 57 caps for England, scoring 31 tries.
The powerful 6ft 4in winger withdrew from England's World Cup training squad in May in order to spend more time with his wife, Abby, who is expecting twins.



Source - BBC Sport

Hill & De Kock take Sarries roles
De Kock and Hill will both take on leadership roles at Vicarage Road

Saracens have named scrum-half Neil de Kock as team captain for the new season, while former England flanker Richard Hill will become club captain.
Former Springbok De Kock replaces Simon Raiwalui, who has left the club to move to France, as skipper on the field.
"Neil's not someone who will scream and shout, but he's an outstanding player who leads by example," said Saracens director of rugby Alan Gaffney.
Meanwhile, Hill steps into the shoes of Hugh Vyvyan as club captain.
The 34-year-old is starting his 14th season with Saracens, and has nearly 300 appearances for the club under his belt.
"It's important to make sure there is a clear pathway between the players and the management and it's a role that Hugh performed very well last year - I have to continue what he started," said Hill.

I will be a very proud man leading the team out each week

Neil de Kock
De Kock, who will be captain on the field of play even if Hill is also playing, said he was excited about the prospects of building on Saracens' encouraging displays of last season.
"It's a massive honour and a challenge that I intend to tackle head on," said the 28-year-old.
"I couldn't have asked more from my first season with Saracens and I've been fortunate with the way things have turned out. It did come as a bit of a surprise when Alan asked me to take on the role, but I can't wait for the season to begin.
"Saracens brought me to England over a year ago and now they have entrusted me to captain the team so I owe them a great deal which I will be looking to repay over the coming seasons.
"Simon Raiwalui did an outstanding job last season and I have a massive task to fill his boots, but it's one I am looking forward to and I will be a very proud man leading the team out each week."