It has been confirmed that Australian John Connolly will take over the duties as head coach of English club Bath. Connolly, whose most recent involvement was with Swansea had been linked with the vacant coaching position in Leinster. And in a continued splurge of off season recruitment Bath have signed Brendon Daniel from relegated rivals Bristol Shoguns. The 25-year-old former New Zealand Sevens player became the 10th signing Bath have made since the end of the season.

Former All Black Josh Kronfeld has been appointed captain of Leicester Tigers while the name game in Wales seems to be reaching a conclusion.

The Pontypridd/Bridgend region seem to have settled on being known as the Celtic Warriors and Ebbw Vale/Newport opting for Gwent Dragons. That just leaves Neath/Swansea to agree to a name. Llanelli will from now be called Llanelli Scarlets.

In France, Bourgoin have successfully appealed an earlier decision to have them relegated which would have meant them missing out on Heineken Cup rugby next season. If they had failed in their appeal, it would have meant that Perpignan may have been moved up to a fifth seeding which would have seen them compete once again in the same pool group as Munster and Gloucester.