Northampton lure playmaker Francis back from Auckland
NORTHAMPTON Saints have signed Auckland Blues’ highly-rated playmaker Piers
Francis for next season.
Francis, 26, originally from Gravesend in Kent, moved to New Zealand in 2015 after a spell with Edinburgh, and has been excelling for Tana Umaga’s team at fly-half and inside centre.
Saints rugby director Jim Mallinder said: “Piers is a player who has been very impressive over the past couple of years.
“He is a very good playmaker who is comfortable with ball in hand but who can also control a match with his kicking game.
“He has all the talent and temperament that it takes to be a success in the Premiership.”
Bristol continued their shopping spree this week with the capture of Wallaby Luke Morahan.
The utility back, who scored a memorable try against the Lions in 2013 when he was playing for the Reds, has three caps for the Wallabies.
He said: “I’m excited about the opportunity to play in England, but also to be a part of the ambitious journey that Bristol is on.
“The club’s management sold me the vision and how much rugby means to the people of the city.”
Hooker Marc Jones and scrum-half Will
Cliff will both be leaving Bristol and returning to Sale Sharks on two-year deals.
They will link up at the AJ Bell with Mark
Jennings and George Nott who have both penned contract extensions.
Rugby director Steve Diamond said: “It’s great news for the club and the supporters that both Marc and Will have decided to return to the club.”
Newcastle have strengthened their forward pack for next season with the signings of Lyon prop
Sami Mavinga and Jersey Reds flanker
Gary Graham, while new contracts have been confirmed for prop Jon Welsh and centre Chris Harris.
Worcester Warriors have completed the permanent signings of English-qualified Australian scrum-half
Michael Dowsett and talented USA international hooker Joe Taufete’e.
Bath have brought in Rotherham hooker
Joe Graham until the end of the season as injury cover while Harlequins academy players Sam Aspland Robinson and Calum Waters have committed their futures to the club. Ealing Trailfinders have handed Alun Walker, Matt Cornish, Aled Jenkins and Lewis Jones new contracts but Alex
Penny is set to move on from the club at the end of the season and join Championship rivals Bedford Blues.
Doncaster have announced their first new signing ahead of next season in the form of second-row
Morgan Eames from Nottingham.
The Ospreys have appointed Allen
Clarke as their forwards coach for next season.
The 49-year-old former Ireland hooker had been on Ulster’s coaching staff.