Crossword

ACROSS

1. Romania’s 1999 World Cup scrum-half who also captained the Oaks (4) 3. Montpellier’s Syrian billionaire chairman eyeing Gloucester investment (6) 7. Ex-South African flanker appointed Munster Director of Rugby in 2016 (7) 8. Wing occupying 3rd place in the list of Wales’ all-time try-scorers (5) 9. ___ Park, home ground of 16 Across (5) 11. Ricoh ___ Rams, Japan Top League side from Tokyo (5) 13. Stade Aimé ___, home ground of USA Perpignan (5) 15. Scottish-born former Emerging Ireland back row who left Munster for Pau in 2015 (7) 16. Aviva Premiership side coached by Tavistockborn Rob Baxter (6) 17. One-time Saints and England hooker who joined Harlequins in 2010 (4)

DOWN

1. 64-Test former England hooker recovering from a heart attack (5) 2. 2005-10 All Blacks prop most recently in France with Bayonne and Toulouse (7) 4. Term used to describe transfers arranged for set temporary periods (5) 5. Nickname by which England’s William Henry Hare was known (5) 6. Wing who returned to Chiefs action in January after a toe injury (4) 10. 1980s Wales and Lions lock who served as Cardiff CEO, 2001 to 2011 (7) 11. Nickname of Bedford and England skipper, Derek Prior Rogers (5) 12. Coach selected to replace Bristol-bound Pat Lam at Connacht (5) 13. Scottish Borders club from Netherdale sports complex (4) 14. Leinster Academy graduate flanker given a 2016 Ireland debut v Canada (5)