The Free State Cheetahs have confirmed the signings of four more players ahead of the 2019/20 PRO14 season. 

Only last week they announced the signing of veteran scrum-half Ruan Pienaar but he will be joined at the club by Rhyno Smith, Chris Massyn, Chris Smit and Wilmar Arnoldi.

Smith currently plays for the Sharks and is a utility back who was on loan with the Cheetahs last season but has now made his switch permanent with a three-year contract.

Massyn on the other hand is a loose forward most frequently used as a flanker. The 25-year-old led the University of Stellenbosch Maties to the 2019 Varsity Cup and has signed a two-year deal.

Smit also claimed victory in the 2019 Varsity Cup and was named player of the tournament before signing for Griquas. He plays as a centre usually but can also play at fly-half if needed and joins on a two-year contract.

Hooker Arnoldi is also coming in from Griquas on another two-year contract.

All four will join up with the squad after finishing the Currie Cup campaign with their respective provinces, but things are certainly looking on the up heading into the new season for the Cheetahs.

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Worcester Warriors head coach Rory Duncan has been given permission to speak to other clubs according to reports in the Worcester News. 

The news outlet claim that they have been informed by the club that they do not see Duncan as a part of their future plans.

“The club has put in place a strategic plan for the future of Warriors. We do not envisage Rory Duncan being part of those plans and, therefore, we have given Rory permission to seek opportunities elsewhere,” a club spokesperson said

Duncan has impressed with stints at the Cheetahs and the Warriors, and a return to the Cheetahs looked to be on the cards until the club announced Hawies Fourie as their new coach.

However, the Southern Kings are currently looking for a new head coach and Duncan is among a four-man list of coaches being considered for the position, with Steve Jackson, Corniel van Zyl and Pieter de Villiers being the others.

Duncan has experience with the Kings having played two Currie Cup seasons with them before his retirement from playing.

Both the Warriors and the Kings open up their respective campaigns for the 2019/20 season in September and one would imagine they will want a quick resolution if he is to depart for South Africa once again.

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Leinster Rugby have this morning confirmed a first ever double-header in Energia Park on the 17th August 2019 to kick start the Leinster season.

At 3.00pm Leo Cullen’s defending Guinness PRO14 champions will play their first game of the Bank of Ireland Pre-Season Schedule against Coventry, while at 5.30pm Ben Armstrong’s defending Interprovincial Women’s Champions will get the defence of their title underway against Connacht.

At the announcement this morning in Energia Park, were both Head Coaches, Leo Cullen and Ben Armstrong and Leinster Rugby players Ed Byrne and Michelle Claffey.

The Leinster Rugby men’s team finished out their 2018/19 season in dramatic fashion, in the rain in Celtic Park, with a 18-15 win against the Glasgow Warriors in the final of the Guinness PRO14, while the Leinster Rugby women’s team had a nervy end to their own campaign as a 14-14 draw with Munster was just enough to win the title in Energia Park.

August 17th, in Energia Park, will kick off both 2019/20 seasons!

Bank of Ireland Pre-Season Schedule:

17th August 2019, Leinster Rugby v Coventry, Energia Park (KO: 3.00pm)
24th August 2019, Canada v Leinster Rugby, Tim Hortons Field (KO: TBC)
w/c 9th September 2019, 3rd Fixture TBC Later This Week

Irish Rugby Women’s Interprovincial Schedule:

17th August 2019, Leinster Rugby v Connacht Rugby, Energia Park (KO: 5.30pm)
24th August 2019, Ulster Rugby v Leinster Rugby
31st August 2019, Munster Rugby v Leinster Rugby

The post Leinster Rugby Confirm Historic Double Header appeared first on Leinster Rugby.

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