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Springboks' Nyakane heads list of 10 additional European players
By Liam Heagney
Springboks prop Trevor Nyakane heads the list of the ten additional players registered by clubs ahead of this weekend’s round three Champions and Challenge Cup matches, the South African checking in at Racing 92 ahead of their game away to the Ospreys in Wales on Saturday.
The 32-year-old front-rower made his last appearance for the Bulls in a Rainbow Cup match versus the Sharks last June and he went on to become a pivotal part in his country’s hectic Test schedule which featured the Lions series, the Rugby Championship and then the Autumn Nations Series which culminated in a last-minute defeat to England at Twickenham.
It was December 1 when the Bulls announced the departure of the popular Nyakane, their boss Jake White stating about the Springboks player: “Trevor has been a colossal figure, both on and off the field, for the Bulls in the years of great service he has spent with us. He has been an influential member of our squad, contributing both as a leader and imparting his vast knowledge on our younger players.
“He now has an opportunity to continue being a great ambassador for the game of rugby in his new, exciting chapter at Racing 92. We wish him the very best for this next phase of his illustrious career. Au revoir, Trevor!”
Racing welcomed Nyakane to their training ground this week by posting a glitzy video on social media showing the South African in the colours of his new club ahead of his potential debut in Swansea in round three of the tournament the French are intent on finally winning.
The following players have been nominated by their clubs as Additional Players for Round 3 of the Heineken Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup tournaments. The players replaced in the squads have been de-registered. Nyakane was one of four players registered by clubs for Champions Cup action. Bath added Valery Morozov to their European roster, Leicester have included Tomiwa Agbongbon and Scarlets have Lewis Morgan.
Six Challenge Cup teams have also made alterations to their squads, the most notable names being ex-Wales hooker Richard Hibbard and former England winger Chris Ashton who have respectively been de-registered by Dragons and Worcester.
HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP
Bath Rugby
Additional player: Valery MOROZOV
De-registered: Archie Maggs
Leicester Tigers
Additional player: Tomiwa AGBONGBON
De-registered: Cyle Brink
Racing 92
Additional player: Trevor NYAKANE
De-registered: Dorian Laborde
Scarlets
Additional player: Lewis MORGAN
De-registered: Dominic Booth
EPCR CHALLENGE CUP
Dragons
Additional player: David RICHARDS
De-registered: Richard Hibbard
Edinburgh Rugby
Additional player: Fraser RENWICK
De-registered: Stuart McInally
London Irish
Additional player: Tadhg McELROY
De-registered: Jack Walsh
RC Toulon
Additional player: Dorian LABORDE
De-registered: Theo Dachary
USAP
Additional player: Xavier CHIOCCI
De-registered: Hugh Roach
Worcester Warriors
Additional player: Murray McCALLUM
De-registered: Chris Ashton
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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