Rugby Union: Joe Still Keen on Saints
South African Joe van Niekerk has agreed to join Northampton despite their relegation.
Joe van Niekerk, the South African loose forward, yesterday agreed to join Northampton despite the club's relegation from the Guinness Premiership. The 27-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the East Midlands club.
The exact date of Van Niekerk's arrival will be decided after the announcement of South Africa's squad for the World Cup which will be made on July 23, but the 27-year-old said of the Saints yesterday: "I could not believe the supporters when I came to watch a game, they were very passionate. I'm looking forward to it immensely."
Van Niekerk initially had reservations about moving to Northampton due to their demotion and the club's new director of rugby, Jim Mallinder, said: "Joe's contract is a big commitment, not only by him but for the club. In signing him for three years we are taking a longer-term view on the contribution he will bring to Franklin's Gardens and are delighted that he will be joining us."
Worcester have completed the signing of the New Zealand winger Rico Gear on a three-year contract. The All Black, who has scored 10 tries in 18 international appearances, said: "I know this is the right club for me and my family at the right time in my career. Worcester have shown their burning desire to move forward in recent months by signing a number of world-class players. I'm looking forward to coming over with them and making a real impact at Sixways."
The Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has named two uncapped players - the Parma flanker Paul Derbyshire and the Treviso centre Alberto Sgarbi - in a 40-man training squad ahead of the World Cup in France later this year.
Italy training squad Forwards Aguero, Barbieri, Mauro Bergamasco, Bernabo, Bortolami, Castrogiovanni, Del Fava, Dellape, Derbyshire, Festuccia, Ghiraldini, Lo Cicero, Nieto, Ongaro, Orlando, Parisse, Perugini, Sole, Staibano, Zaffiri, Zanni
Backs Mirco Bergamasco, Bortolussi, Burton, Canale, Canavosio, De Marigny, Galante, Galon, Griffen, Masi, Nitoglia, Orquera, Patrizio, Pez, Pratichetti, Robertson, Sgarbi, Stanojevic, Troncon.
The exact date of Van Niekerk's arrival will be decided after the announcement of South Africa's squad for the World Cup which will be made on July 23, but the 27-year-old said of the Saints yesterday: "I could not believe the supporters when I came to watch a game, they were very passionate. I'm looking forward to it immensely."
Van Niekerk initially had reservations about moving to Northampton due to their demotion and the club's new director of rugby, Jim Mallinder, said: "Joe's contract is a big commitment, not only by him but for the club. In signing him for three years we are taking a longer-term view on the contribution he will bring to Franklin's Gardens and are delighted that he will be joining us."
Worcester have completed the signing of the New Zealand winger Rico Gear on a three-year contract. The All Black, who has scored 10 tries in 18 international appearances, said: "I know this is the right club for me and my family at the right time in my career. Worcester have shown their burning desire to move forward in recent months by signing a number of world-class players. I'm looking forward to coming over with them and making a real impact at Sixways."
The Italy coach Pierre Berbizier has named two uncapped players - the Parma flanker Paul Derbyshire and the Treviso centre Alberto Sgarbi - in a 40-man training squad ahead of the World Cup in France later this year.
Italy training squad Forwards Aguero, Barbieri, Mauro Bergamasco, Bernabo, Bortolami, Castrogiovanni, Del Fava, Dellape, Derbyshire, Festuccia, Ghiraldini, Lo Cicero, Nieto, Ongaro, Orlando, Parisse, Perugini, Sole, Staibano, Zaffiri, Zanni
Backs Mirco Bergamasco, Bortolussi, Burton, Canale, Canavosio, De Marigny, Galante, Galon, Griffen, Masi, Nitoglia, Orquera, Patrizio, Pez, Pratichetti, Robertson, Sgarbi, Stanojevic, Troncon.
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