News in Brief
Davies leaves Leicester for Ospreys
Scrum.com
March 30, 2010
Leicester Tigers hooker Mefin Davies, Leicester v Clermont Auvergne, Heineken Cup, Welford Road, December 19, 2009
Mefin Davies will return to Wales with the Ospreys © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Dan Bowden | Mefin Davies
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  • The Ospreys have completed the signing of Leicester's veteran hooker Mefin Davies on a two-year deal.

    The 37-year-old, capped 39 times by Wales and a Grand Slam-winner in 2005, will return home after spells in the Guinness Premiership with the Tigers and first Gloucester.

    "I'm coming home to Wales and I'm really looking forward to it," he said. "The possibility of a move to the Ospreys caused long discussions with my family, and we just feel that it's a great opportunity that has come at the right time for me. It's a good move for me rugby-wise, and personally it makes sense. I'm looking forward to working again with the likes of Scott Johnson and Andrew Hore who have been inspirational to me in the past."

    Meanwhile, Leicester have agreed a new contract with their England and British & Irish Lions tight-head Julian White. The 36-year-old has agreed to fight on in the Tigers' front-row while maintaining his farming commitments.

    "He has been a great servant of Tigers over the last six years and is a popular guy with his colleagues and the supporters," head coach Richard Cockerill said. "I'm delighted that he has agreed terms to continue playing for us. Julian combines his rugby with his farming commitments and I'm sure he'd say that balance helps to keep him fresh and enthusiastic about the game."

  • Wasps have released Lee Smith, paving the way for the former rugby league star to return to Leeds to be closer to his family. He has already been linked with a return to his former club after crossing codes prior to the current season. Despite his pedigree Smith has not been able to force his way into the Wasps first team on a regular basis.

    "I would like to thank London Wasps for giving me the opportunity to have a go at playing rugby union," he said. "Unfortunately things have not worked out for me and I am returning home to be closer to my family."

  • London Irish have secured the signature of Crusaders utility back Daniel Bowden, 23, on a two-year contract. Bowden, a former Highlander and New Zealand U21 international, is comfortable at fly-half and inside-centre and will also bring a strong goal-kicking game to the Exiles' backline.

    "We rate Daniel very highly and are confident that he will have an instant impact at the club, his positional versatility is attractive as well as being a renowned goal kicker is an additional bonus," London Irish head coach Toby Booth said. "Everybody associates us with a certain brand of rugby and our recruitment of Daniel is specifically related to our ability to play that brand. Mike Catt is very excited to integrate him into our already potent attack."

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