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Exeter Chiefs sign Falcons hooker on loan
By Online Editors
Exeter Chiefs have moved to strengthen their options at hooker by agreeing a loan move for Newcastle Falcons forward Kyle Cooper.
With club captain Jack Yeandle sidelined with a broken arm, plus fellow No.2 Jack Innard also out following shoulder surgery, Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, has wasted little time in addressing the issue by bringing in the 30-year-old South African until the end of March.
Signed in the summer of 2016 from Super Rugby side the Sharks, Cooper’s arrival will also help supplement any potential call-ups or rest period for England international Luke Cowan-Dickie.
“People will be aware Jack Yeandle has picked up a pretty significant arm injury with the break in his fore-arm,” said Baxter. “Jack Innard is also going to be out for around 12 weeks following a shoulder operation, plus Luke Cowan-Dickie will have to have an EPS rest in the next three weeks.
“At the same time, we’re not too far away from the start of the Six Nations and we have to anticipate that Luke will more than like be involved with that too, so when you look at all those factors, we’re starting to thin out a little.
“Obviously, Elvis Taione has stepped in and been a proven performer for us in the past. Jordon Poole has come in and looks like he will be a decent option too, but at the same time we can’t leave ourselves short in that scenario. We therefore looked around and it soon became apparent Kyle could be made available on a three to four-month loan period from Newcastle.
“I spoke with Dean Richards [Newcastle’s Director of Rugby] and between us we agreed the loan period, subject to Newcastle not having any major injury issues of their own. We know Kyle is a proven Premiership performer, having seen him in the past, plus also when he’s played against us previously. As I said, we think this is the right thing to do to keep us at the strength levels we need for the challenges ahead over next few months.”
Richards, meanwhile, added: “This is a great opportunity for Kyle to play Premiership rugby, and we look forward to his return later in the season.
"We are in the fortunate position of having a number of options at hooker at the present time, including Kyle. Jamie Blamire is an outstanding academy product who has really stepped up and made a big impact on the first-team stage, George McGuigan is a proven performer who is one of our co-captains and Charlie Maddison has shown up well since arriving from Jersey.
"We wish Kyle all the best for his time down at Exeter, where I'm sure he will give a good account of himself."
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Latest Comments
SCW really dislikes Eddie, doesn't he?
His words in 2019 before the RWC final that he now says should have resulted in Eddie's firing:
"Was Saturday’s sensational World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand England’s greatest ever performance? Yes, unquestionably, would be my answer."
So let's fire the coach one game later? Duh!
Go to commentsIreland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
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