Loffreda and Tigers close to settlement

News in Brief

Scrum.com

June 18, 2009

Former Leicester Tigers coach Marcelo Loffreda believes he is close to a settlement with the club following his dismissal from Welford Road 12 months ago. The Argentine was only in charge of the Tigers for seven months after leading his country to a third-place finish at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

The 50-year-old admitted that he was 'considerably shocked' when he heard the news from the board last year. "It is a matter which I view with great sadness and regret," he told the Leicester Mercury.

Negotiations between the two parties are now drawing to a close and Loffreda admits he has remained on good terms with club since returning to Argentina. "I am trying to finish with the Leicester issue. We are on good terms. They have behaved quite well in this part of the negotiations," he said.

Ospreys have completed the signing of former Scarlets fullback Barry Davies from French Top 14 side Brive. Davies will join the Ospreys on a two-year deal.

"I'm really excited about coming back to Wales and playing for the Ospreys after two years away," said Davies. "I spoke to Andrew Hore and Scott Johnson after they expressed an interest and they really sold the region and their vision to me. It's a fantastic set-up at the Ospreys, and they have real ambitions to be the best so it was an easy decision to make."

Communications company Telecom has signed on as a major sponsor of the All Blacks for the next four years, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has announced.

"We are very proud to have Telecom as our partner with the experience and technology they can provide and their tremendous passion for the All Blacks," NZRU chief executive Steve Tew said.

Gloucester have added experience to their front-row for next season with the signing of prop Pierre Capdevielle from Brive. Capdevielle, 35, has signed a two-year deal.

London Welsh have signed former Worcester Warriors centre Simon Whatling from Championship rivals Cornish Pirates.

Whatling will be joined by hooker Chris Whitehead who will be on loan from Wasps. The 23-year-old signed a one-year-contract with Wasps after leaving Coventry.

Newcastle Falcons have signed utility back Chris Micklewood from Brive on a two-year-deal. The 22-year-old former South Africa Under-18 international - who is English qualified - provides another goal-kicking option for the club. Director of rugby, Steve Bates, said: "He is a player we have been aware of for some time, he has great versatility and will add to our back-line depth as well as our goal-kicking options."

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