Cornish Pirates

Worcester Warriors

The imminent arrival of England fly-half Andy Goode at Sixways has signalled the end of Kiwi Willie Walker’s Worcester career as new head coach Richard Hill has told him to find a new club.

The 32 year-old has been a Warrior for six years but a lack of accuracy with the boot during the crucial end game in the Premiership campaign also seems to have hastened his departure.

Hill has according to the Worcester News been linked with a move to bring former Moseley and Cornish Pirates fly-half Ollie Thomas to the club. Thomas has been at French club Racing Club Chalonnais where he played under Hill.

Full story www.sundaymercury.net

England prop Matt Mullan has spoken out in the face of more open speculation that he is about to leave Worcester in order to keep his international career alive.

Speculation is again rife in the media that Mullan will not be hanging about to play in the Championship but he told The Worcester News: "I'm already looking forward to next season with Warriors and our bid to make an immediate return to the Premiership and really push the club forward.

"There was interest from other clubs regarding my playing future, however I've come through the ranks at Warriors and remain totally committed to continuing that journey and bringing success to Sixways.”

Full story /www.worcesternews.co.uk

Rotherham Titans

John Harlock has been confirmed as the latest arrival at Clifton Lane to link up with new head coach Andre Bester.

The 29 year-old lock has moved from Bedford Blues after struggling to hold down a regular first team place and told Bedford Today: “"One of the main reasons I took up the offer from Rotherham was the chance to work with Andre Beste

"I have heard a lot about him from other players and they all had great things to say.

"He's known for being able to help players be the best they can so I'm looking forward to working with him

"I have a previous connection with Rotherham from when I came down a couple of years ago for pre-season, but the travelling was too much at the time so I didn't stay.”

Story www.bedfordtoday.co.uk

Rotherham have confirmed their squad for the forthcoming season which includes hooker Ilaisa Ma`asi, the brother of former Pirate Vili www.rotherhamrugby.co.uk

Nottingham

Back row Phil Eggleshaw came off the bench to score a try for England Counties in their 46-7 demolition of British Columbia in Vancouver at the weekend.

Story www.thisisnottingham.co.uk

Plymouth Albion

Albion will go into the new season financially secure for now after staving off the threat of administration.

A massive fund-raising effort by the club in conjunction with other stakeholders and interested parties has enabled the club to offset the loss of a major funding stream.

Chairman Dr Graham Stirling said: “Although it has taken longer than we expected, I am pleased to announce that arrangements have now been put in place to release funds to balance the books for last season and to provide the working capital to take us through to the start of the new season.

"On behalf of the board, I would like to thank all those supporters who have rallied round to make this happen.

"The response was outstanding, both in terms of financial support and the offer of other support in many areas.

"We can now focus all our attention on the new campaign.

"Graham Dawe has been busy putting together the squad for next season and working hard to re-sign as many of our key players as possible."

Full story www.thisisdevon.co.uk/rugby

Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs release 8 players

Story www.thisisdevon.co.uk

RFU appoint new Senior Performance Analyst

Duncan Locke has been named as the new Senior Performance Analyst appointed to work with the RFU's Elite Rugby department.

Locke, 28, takes up the role in August after five years at for the English Institute of Sport, initially in a multi-sport role before four years with British Cycling, where his work included supporting gold medal winners Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton in the build-up to the Beijing Olympics.

"We're delighted Duncan is joining us and he adds an extra dimension to our team working with the senior England side," said John Hall, managing director of PGIR Limited, who supply performance analysis for the RFU.

"He's a new breed of performance analyst who can support the integration of a wide range of data sources to provide the broadest possible picture from an analysis perspective to the England coaches and players."

Locke will work with the senior England team management and coaches alongside Senior Performance Analyst Michael Hughes and, together with other PGIR staff, will be responsible for all the performance analysis, analysis research and development, data management and team support for the England team.

Roy Headey, the RFU Head of Sports Science, said: "The margins that determine winning and losing in elite sport are often tiny, so players, coaches and support staff need accurate data to inform their decision making. Duncan's experience with British Cycling will be invaluable in developing our data and analysis service."

Locke added: "I can't wait to get started and it's a very exciting challenge. Rugby's a sport I've followed for a long time and I want to work at the highest elite level. I'm hoping to transfer a number of skills and knowledge from different sports to benefit England Rugby."