News in Brief
Former All Blacks to be honoured
Michael Paterson has joined Cardiff Blues
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- Nearly 100 former All Blacks will be honoured in four retrospective capping ceremonies around New Zealand this year.
The special ceremonies will be hosted by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) on the eve of the New Plymouth Test against Ireland on June 12, and Tri-Nations Tests against South Africa in Auckland on July 10, in Wellington on July 17 and against Australia in Christchurch on August 7.
Six ceremonies saw 200 former All Blacks recognised in 2009. The capping of former All Blacks was launched in late 2008 to formally present former players or their families with Test caps earned in the decades following World War II, when the tradition lapsed before being reintroduced in 1997.
Acting NZRU chairman Mike Eagle said: "Anyone who steps out on to the field for the first time as an All Black also steps into a part of our unique All Blacks history. It's important to us that we recognise those who missed out on celebrating part of that history. Sadly some of our former All Blacks have passed away, but we are pleased that many families are embracing the opportunity to receive the caps on their behalf."
- Lancashire scored five tries to none to defeat Gloucestershire 36-6 in a one-sided final of the Bill Beaumont Cup for the second successive season at Twickenham on Sunday.
Bill Beaumont, the former England captain and vice-chairman of the International Rugby Board, was a more than interested spectator as he assisted RFU President John Owen in presenting the trophy to Lancashire captain Matt Riley.
Beaumont's son Sam, 24, was at No.8 - having played in the second row for Lancashire when they defeated Gloucestershire 32-18 in last year's final - and was one of eight players from his father's old club Fylde in the Red Rose county's 22.
- Dorset & Wilts scored five tries to one to win the County Championship Shield 36-26 in an entertaining final against Leicestershire at Twickenham.
It was a unique achievement by the Twin Counties, who attained full county status from the RFU in 1949, as they were making their first senior appearance at the Home of England Rugby. Only Dorset & Wilts' Under-21 and sevens sides had played at the ground before.
- Saracens have completed their 2010/11 squad with the signings of backline player Nils Mordt and loosehead prop Matt Parr. Mordt, who has played for London Irish, Northampton Saints, Harlequins, England Saxons and the England Sevens team, is looking forward to the next chapter of his career at Saracens.
"I believe it might have been said before," said Mordt, nephew of Springbok legend Ray Mordt, "but there is something special happening at Saracens, and I want to be part of it."
Parr joins the club from Nottingham, for whom he has excelled in the Championship.
"Petrus du Plessis moved from Nottingham to Saracens a couple of months ago, and has done really well, so I'm looking forward to following the same path," said Parr. "Anybody who has watched Saracens over the past few months can see there is something happening at the club... and, you know what, it's special.
- Sale Sharks are in talks with Leinster back Kyle Tonetti about a possible switch to Edgeley Park. The Ireland Sevens international had been expected to follow Shane Monahan to Connacht - however the Sharks have now opened negotiations. "We are in currently in talks but nothing has been agreed as of yet," a club spokesman told the Irish Independent.
- Bath fly-half Ryan Davis is set to join Exeter Chiefs next season after agreeing terms with the newly promoted Guinness Premiership outfit.
Davis, 24, is a former England U16s and U18s international who captained his country at U21s level in the 2005 Six Nations. The Bristol-born utility back, who can also operate at centre or full-back, also represented his country at the 2006 IRB Under-21 World Championship in France.
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