Cornish Pirates

Coventry

Coventry have signed 21 year-old centre James Lewis from Newport Gwent Dragons on a 2 year deal.

Welshman Lewis has represented his country from Under-16 through to Under-20 level and has also made 18 appearances for Wales at sevens level.

The Butts Park Arena club have also announced that the majority of next season`s home games, including the match against the Cornish Pirates on December 18th *, will kick-off on Friday evenings at 7.45pm.

Chairman Andrew Green said, "The change opens the game to a whole new fan base; people often have many commitments on Saturday afternoons and it's great that they are no longer so restricted. We are also thrilled that we can make the games more of an evening event and our stadium is a great venue for this".

(*tbc)

Rotherham

Rotherham Titans have agreed one-year contract extensions with Anton O`Donnell and Ryan Burrows

Nottingham

Nottingham Rugby has today announced on their website that Sam McDonald has signed a one-year contract with the club.

The statement reads, "McDonald did not play a huge part in the 2008/09 campaign but is hoping to make an impact in the newly formed Championship in a different position.

The former second row will be making the switch to prop ahead of the coming season.

He said:
“I had a conversation with Glenn (Delaney Director of Rugby) towards the end of the season and it looked like the front row would suit my game.

“We looked at the way my body shape was changing and decided that at 21 if I was going to take the step into it then it was better now than never.

McDonald is currently learning his new craft at Linwood in Christchurch where Delaney has also played.

He has been training on a one-to-one basis with players from the Super 14 side Canterbury Crusaders and New Zealand All Black scrummaging coach Mike Cron.

McDonald said:
“These guys have been really helping me, also I’m playing week in week out and there’s nothing better than game time to gain experience.

“I’m sure the development process will continue and there is no better place to do that than at Nottingham.

“I will be really keen to get back into the squad and push for that match day place especially with the new Championship games making our season even more challenging and exciting.”

Delaney believes that the move will suit the big 21-year-old, he said:

“We felt that converting to the front row would be good as he has certainly got the physique for it and his all round rugby skills are great.

“It is just a case of matching our aspirations with his and we thought that would be best.”