Hughes signs for Bristol as Wasps go south

BRISTOL have confirmed the signing of No.8 Nathan Hughes from Wasps. The England international has signed a three-year contract to join Pat Lam at Ashton Gate this summer.

Siale Piutau has signed a one-year extendion with the Bears, prolonging his playing time with brother Charles at Ashton Gate.

Hughes’ departure comes as a double blow to

Wasps who announced Springbok full-back Willie le Roux will also head for the exit when his contract expires in June.

Director of rugby Dai Young commented: “There’s just been a massive focus on us over the last six to eight weeks. Now it’s also starting to come out from other clubs that they can’t fit certain players in under the salary cap.”

Young has moved to soften the blow of losing two key members of their squad with the signings of World Cup-winning All Blacks centre Malakai Fekitoa from Toulon and tighthead prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen from the Hurricanes. Newcastle Falcons have been boosted by the signing of wing Sinoti Sinoti to a contract extension despite being embroiled in a relegation fight.

Bottom of the Premiership, the explosive side-stepper has scored 16 tries in 72 matches for Falcons in the top tier.

Ian Keatley is set to leave Thomond Park come the end of the season after penning a deal to join PRO14 play-off hopefuls Benetton.

The 32-year-old has been cast into the shadow of Joey Carbery at Munster since the Ireland international’s arrival at the Irish province from Leinster at the start of the season. Northampton Saints began the week by revealing back rower Teimana Harrison had agreed a deal which will see him stay at Franklin’s Gardens until 2022. Capped five times by England, the New Zealandborn forward is “over the moon” to remain a Saint.

Saints have also signed centre Reuben Bird-Tulloch to the senior academy. He will be making the switch from Saracens, where he has been part of the academy set-up since aged 13.