Full-back Byrne is contracted with the Ospreys until the end of the 2011/12 season, but the region has reluctantly agreed to the player’s request to be released early, following a similar approach twelve month’s previously.

With the Ospreys having now reached agreement with the French club, Byrne will be free to join the T14 side at the end of the current campaign after five years at the Liberty Stadium.

Ospreys Managing Director, Mike Cuddy, explained:

“First and foremost, the Ospreys are about developing local talent, and producing players not only for the region, but for the national team also. As such, it is extremely disappointing to lose a player who hails from the region, and who has been, and continues to be, an excellent servant to the Ospreys.

“Our determination to keep Lee at the Ospreys meant that we fought hard to keep him here, turning down a similar request twelve months ago, but unfortunately, the circumstances are such that we now find ourselves in this position where we have reluctantly agreed to release Lee, given his desire to take on a fresh challenge following the Rugby World Cup later this year.

“We would not have seen much of Lee next season, when he will be 31, and for him to have the security of a three-year contract and the change of lifestyle that this move will allow him is a fantastic personal opportunity and we wish him the best of luck. Between now and the end of the season, I have no doubt that he will continue to give the Ospreys the same unquestionable commitment he always has in his time with us.”

Byrne signed for the Ospreys in the summer of 2006 from the Scarlets, marking his debut for the region with a try in the 17-11 win over Edinburgh at the Liberty Stadium on the opening weekend of the 06/07 campaign. In his time with the Ospreys he has established himself as first choice fullback for Wales, as well as representing the British & Irish Lions in South Africa, and to date has made 89 appearances for the region, scoring 27 tries.

Ospreys Elite Performance Director, Andrew Hore, added:

“Lee has served the Ospreys well in his time with us, and has developed from a back three utility player into a highly accomplished fullback capable of competing at the top level. However, it is the nature of professional sport that players move on and teams evolve, which is why have reluctantly agreed to this deal with Clermont Auvergne to release Lee from his contract at the end of this season, a year early.

“Confirming the position at this early stage allows us to plan for next season with a degree of certainty, and to identify the key areas where we need to strengthen the squad with a view to 2011/12 and beyond.”

Lee Byrne commented:

“I’ll be sad to leave my home region but this was too good an opportunity for me to turn down at this stage of my career and I’m excited about what the future holds for me in France, and the challenges that lie ahead for me.

“I’m extremely thankful to the Directors of the Ospreys for the way that they have handled this, allowing me to look ahead to what will be a fantastic experience for me. In the longer term, the Ospreys is my region, and I’d like to think that I will be able to return here before my career is over.”

Freestone’s chance comes due to injuries to fellow hookers Gareth Evans and Gavin O’Meara.

The 19-year-old, who has been gaining league experience on-loan at Tavistock this season, will line-up in a youthful front-row, alongside 21-year-old loosehead prop George Porter and 22-year-old tighthead David Morton.

Another teenage forward, Sam Matavesi, is also included in Albion’s starting team.

Flanker Matavesi, who only turned 19 last week, will be making only his second start for the club. His first came in Plymouth’s opening British & Irish Cup match against Leinster in December.

With 20-year-old backs Tom Kessell and Mark Lee also in their team, Albion will have plenty of young West Country talent on show at Sixways on Saturday.

The trip to Worcester will be Albion’s third consecutive away match in the British & Irish Cup, with the club having also face tough trips to holders Cornish Pirates and Leinster.

But Albion will finally have a home game on Tuesday when they play Newport in a re-arranged match at Brickfields (kick-off 7.45pm).

Graham Dawe’s side, who currently sit eighth in the Championship table, will then face an important league game away at sixth-placed Doncaster on Saturday, January 29.

Albion’s team to face Worcester: M Lee, F McLoughlin, B Mercer, K Fisilau, C Mitchell, K Hallett (capt), T Kessell, G Porter, R Freestone, D Morton, R Copeland, T Hotson, W Sprangle, S Matavesi, S Hocking. Reps: R Cushion, A Davies, S Tu’ipulotu, R Hopkins, A Carpenter, T Skelding, S-M Stephen.

Edinburgh 24 Castres Olympique 22
HT: 14-10 Attendance: 0
Edinburgh: Try – Simon Webster, Tim Visser, Lee Jones; Conversion – Chris Paterson (2) , David Blair; Penalty – David Blair; Yellow Card – Greig Laidlaw
Castres Olympique: Try – Sébastien Tillous-Borde, Rodrigo Capo Ortega; Conversion – Seremaia Bai (2) ; Penalty – Pierre Bernard; Penalty Try
Match points: Edinburgh 4pts, Castres Olympique 1pts

Sharks: 15 Nick Macleod, 14 Rhys Crane, 13 Fergus Mulchrone, 12 Iain Thornley, 11 Will Addison, 10 Matty James, 9 Dwayne Peel, 1 Lee Imiolek, 2 Ben Roberts, 3 Henry Thomas, 4 Chris Jones, 5 Sean Cox (Captain), 6 Chris Brightwell, 7 Neil McMillan, 8 Asaeli Boko.

Replacements 16 Neil Briggs, 17 Aston Croall, 18 Simon McIntyre, 19 Nic Rouse, 20 Dan Hall, 21 Will Cliff, 22 Chris Leck, 23 Anitelea Tuilagi.

The Sharks will again be under coaches Byron Hayward and Pete Anglesea.  Earlier this week, Pete said, “What the young players showed against London Irish is that they are a lot more mature both physically and mentally than most of their counterparts. They seemed to instantly adapt to senior rugby and it’s a credit to those lads.
“They are mentally tough and mentally mature. They are not fazed and I don’t want to knock that young players’ mentality out of them as I want them to play without fear.
“If your gut instinct tells you it’s the right thing, then I always think that’s the way you should play. The moment you remove that they lose something.”

Penrith-born winger Will Addison returned from injury to score two tries from full back in a friendly against Oxford University last Monday.

“He really stepped up to the mark and looked like a Chris Ashton type player and at the moment he’s really special,” Anglesea added.

Cross Keys back row Jevon Groves leads a side which includes two Rugby World Cup Sevens winners in Richie Pugh and Lee Wiliams who return to the side after an eighteen month absence. There are three uncapped Sevens players in the squad with Wales wing Tom Prydie and fellow Ospreys flier Kristian Phillips both earning a place in the 12-man squad, along with Llanelli lock Aaron Shingler.

The remaining six places go to experienced Wales Sevens players who have been regular squad members since the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in March 2009, with Jevon Groves, Ifan Evans and Alex Cuthbert participating in all eight of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series tournaments.

John said, “We are very pleased with our preparations in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games. We have had two training camps, the first to RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire and the second last week in Scotland.

“We are extremely grateful to both the clubs and Regions for the release of players to us for this once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s a boost to the squad to have Rugby World Cup Sevens winners Richie Pugh and Lee Williams back in the fold. Their experience at both in sevens and in the fifteen-a-side game will be vital as we know the tournament in Delhi will be fiercely contested with medals at stake.

“It is great too to have young Ospreys Tom Prydie and Kristian Phillips on board. Although both are inexperienced at the Sevens game, both have performed well in recent competitions and in training. Although Tom is already a Wales international, this is a great opportunity for him and one that I have no doubt, will improve his game.

“The squad has gelled really well, with most of the players having trained and played together throughout last season. We have India, Tonga and South Africa in Pool A and if we progress to the quarter-final stage, we will face the winners or runners-up from Pool B – New Zealand, Scotland, Canada or Guyana. That has to be our aim – to reach the quarters and to have the belief to go further as we did at the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

“We’re looking forward to being part of Team Wales and experiencing the unique, multi-sport environment that is the Commonwealth Games. We have heard good reports from Team Wales who are already settled into our quarters in Delhi and we also know that the rugby venue adequately meets the required standards.”

The Wales Sevens squad complete their Commonwealth Games preparations in Dubai next week before continuing onto Delhi ahead of the Rugby Sevens competition at Delhi University on October 11-12.

Wales Sevens Commonwealth Games squad:

Jevon Groves (capt, Cross Keys), Richie Pugh (Scarlets), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Rhys Shellard (Cardiff), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Lee Rees (Scarlets), Lee Williams (Scarlets), Rhys Jones (Newport), Gareth Davies (Cardiff), Tom Prydie (Ospreys), Kristian Phillips (Ospreys), Alex Cuthbert (Blues)

Cross Keys back row Jevon Groves leads a side which includes two Rugby World Cup Sevens winners in Richie Pugh and Lee Wiliams who return to the side after an eighteen month absence. There are three uncapped Sevens players in the squad with Wales wing Tom Prydie and fellow Ospreys flier Kristian Phillips both earning a place in the 12-man squad, along with Llanelli lock Aaron Shingler.

The remaining six places go to experienced Wales Sevens players who have been regular squad members since the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in March 2009, with Jevon Groves, Ifan Evans and Alex Cuthbert participating in all eight of the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series tournaments.

John said, “We are very pleased with our preparations in the build-up to the Commonwealth Games. We have had two training camps, the first to RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire and the second last week in Scotland.

“We are extremely grateful to both the clubs and Regions for the release of players to us for this once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s a boost to the squad to have Rugby World Cup Sevens winners Richie Pugh and Lee Williams back in the fold. Their experience at both in sevens and in the fifteen-a-side game will be vital as we know the tournament in Delhi will be fiercely contested with medals at stake.

“It is great too to have young Ospreys Tom Prydie and Kristian Phillips on board. Although both are inexperienced at the Sevens game, both have performed well in recent competitions and in training. Although Tom is already a Wales international, this is a great opportunity for him and one that I have no doubt, will improve his game.

“The squad has gelled really well, with most of the players having trained and played together throughout last season. We have India, Tonga and South Africa in Pool A and if we progress to the quarter-final stage, we will face the winners or runners-up from Pool B – New Zealand, Scotland, Canada or Guyana. That has to be our aim – to reach the quarters and to have the belief to go further as we did at the Rugby World Cup Sevens.

“We’re looking forward to being part of Team Wales and experiencing the unique, multi-sport environment that is the Commonwealth Games. We have heard good reports from Team Wales who are already settled into our quarters in Delhi and we also know that the rugby venue adequately meets the required standards.”

The Wales Sevens squad complete their Commonwealth Games preparations in Dubai next week before continuing onto Delhi ahead of the Rugby Sevens competition at Delhi University on October 11-12.

Wales Sevens Commonwealth Games squad:

Jevon Groves (capt, Cross Keys), Richie Pugh (Scarlets), Ifan Evans (Llandovery), Rhys Shellard (Cardiff), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Lee Rees (Scarlets), Lee Williams (Scarlets), Rhys Jones (Newport), Gareth Davies (Cardiff), Tom Prydie (Ospreys), Kristian Phillips (Ospreys), Alex Cuthbert (Blues)

Welsh travel to the south coast on the back of a bonus-point win over Birmingham & Solihull, which moves the Dragons up to fifth in the table. That followed a below-par performance at the Cornish Pirates and Greening is keen to continue the upward curve on Saturday.

Plymouth are without a win in three, but their last outing at Brickfields saw them push promotion favourites Worcester Warriors all the way before eventually going down 26-19.

London Welsh head coach Phil Greening said: “Plymouth are a very physical well drilled side – a typical Graham Dawe team. It will be another tough Championship game and I’m expecting a bit of a backlash from them after their recent results.

“Their position in the table is not a true reflection and we know they are going to be a very different animal at home. Any team coached by Dawe’s is going to be very physical and very up for it.

“For us, it’s hugely important that we keep the momentum of last weekend going. We are always trying to improve and raise standards; we got some way there against Birmingham & Solihull, but we didn’t completely hit those standards.

“Training this week has been really good, really competitive. Getting back on the horse and getting that win under our belts against Birmingham & Solihull, after the Pirates defeat, was crucial and the boys have been really upbeat about it this week.

“Having said that, we’ve been working hard on our decision making, both in attack and defence, tidying up individual mistakes, our set piece could be tightened up and our discipline – we have away far too many penalties and free kicks against Birmingham & Solihull.”

London Welsh 26- man squad v Plymouth Albion – kick off 3pm at Brickfields

Lee Beach, Marc Breeze, Errie Claassens, Matt Corker, Josh Drauniniu, Liam Gibson, Michaels Hills, Michael Holford, Wiasea Luveniyali, Paul Mackey, Jonathan Mills, Saul Nelson, Shawn Pittman, Mike Powell, Martin Purdy, Gordon Ross, Nick Runciman, Ben Russell, Paul Sampson, Doninic Shabbo, Ben Stevenson, Epi Taione, Hudson Tonga’uiha, Lorne Ward, Simon Whatling, Dan Williams.

Juan Gomez will return from injury in the pace of Miguel Alonso, whilst Luther Burrell and Alfie To’oala are forced to miss out through injury.  Burrell picked up a calf tear in the game against Gloucester whilst To’oala also sustained a strained adductor muscle in the game.

Sean Hohneck and Leigh Hinton have been brought into the squad to face last year’s Finalists and will start the game on the replacement bench.  Christian Lewis-Pratt retains his place in the starting line up following his superb debut performance against Gloucester in which he scored 16 of his side’s 21 points, whilst James Tincknell and Steve Thompson are set to make their first starts of the season.

The team in full is:

1. Mike Macdonald
2. Steve Thompson
3. Juan Gomez
4. Tom Denton
5. Marco Wentzel
6. Kearnan Myall
7. Hendre Fourie
8. Dan Browne
9. Scott Mathie
10. Christian Lewis-Pratt
11. Semi Tadulala
12. Scott Barrow
13. James Tincknell
14. Lee Blackett
15. Michael Stephenson
16. Andy Titterrell
17. Gareth Hardy
18. Phil Swainston
19. Sean Hohneck
20. Rhys Oakley
21. Warren Fury
22. Henry Fa’afili
23. Leigh Hinton

Leeds Carnegie Director of Rugby Andy Key looks ahead to his side’s game against Saracens this Sunday at Headingley Carnegie Stadium, kick off 3pm.

How do you reflect on your start to the Aviva Premiership Rugby season?

It has been a case of mixed emotions following our opening two games of the season.  Certainly from a point of view of where the squad is trying to go and where it is developing we are really pleased, but unfortunately at the moment for all that endeavour we have not got the results we would like.

I think everyone knew going to Gloucester was not going to be an easy task, just as going to Ulster in pre season was not an easy task and yet the mentality and the ability of the side is such that it knows that it can compete and has huge confidence and belief in the style that they are trying to play.

Our problem at the moment is that we have leaked a couple of unnecessary tries and yet our defence was an area that was massive for us last year and I am sure it will be again.  We are confident that we are going in the right direction and if we can move on and develop as much as we did from the first game to the second game into our third game then I think we will be looking at a good win.

How tough a challenge will Saracens be?

Saracens have done very well under Brendan Venter and his coaching team.  They are a very physical side and are very strong in the contact and they play a very uncompromising game early on to see if you succumb to their pressure.  They have some very powerful players so we know we have a tough challenge on our hands but we also know that we are more than good enough and when we start to hit our stride we will be playing the style of game that not only we will enjoy playing in but will be good winning rugby.

What changes will you make this week?

Lachlan MacKay won’t be fit for this week but we will welcome back Juan Gomez from injury.  You are always going to pick up little knocks that keep players out for one game and last week both Alfie To’oala and Luther Burrell picked up injuries so they will miss out.  We will though welcome back Leigh Hinton following the birth of his daughter Isla, so there are only a few players who won’t make it this week through injury and we hope that shortly everyone will be back 100% fit and we can select from a full squad.

The Saints opened their Aviva Premiership Rugby campaign with a win over Leicester last Sunday, and while the Saints boss was pleased with the start he said that the trip to the Twickenham Stoop represents a massive challenge for the team.

“Winning at home is always important but getting results away from home is vital if we’re going to finish at the top end of the Premiership table,” he said. “There were many aspects of last Sunday’s performance that were pleasing, especially the first five minutes.

“But we’ll have to do better against a Harlequins outfit that performed well against Wasps. Their team has an experienced backbone, especially at eight, nine and ten, and they have some exciting young talent too.”

The Saints have not won a league match at the Stoop since Mallinder took charge three years ago, even though they won the 2009 European Challenge Cup.

“I don’t know why we’ve had that record there,” Mallinder added. “Harlequins have good facilities and a good surface and you can play rugby. Two years ago we played badly and lost. Last year we played badly and lost, but we got a bonus point, so we’re actually going on an upward trend. Hopefully we can play a lot better this week, because we’ll have to if we’re going to get a win!”

You can watch interviews with Jim Mallinder and Lee Dickson previewing the trip to Harlequins on PremiershipRugby.tv, where you’ll also be able to listen to live commentary and follow all the text tracking on game day.

Saturday’s game is also being shown live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, with coverage starting from 1pm.

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS TEAM TO PLAY HARLEQUINS
Aviva Premiership Rugby Round 2
Twickenham Stoop
Saturday, September 11th, 2010
Kick off 1:30pm
15 Ben Foden
14 Chris Ashton
13 Jon Clarke
12 James Downey
11 Bruce Reihana
10 Shane Geraghty
9 Lee Dickson
1 Soane Tonga’uiha
2 Dylan Hartley (capt)
3 Brian Mujati
4 Courtney Lawes
5 Christian Day
6 Phil Dowson
7 Tom Wood
8 Roger Wilson

Replacements
16 Brett Sharman
17 Regardt Dreyer
18 Euan Murray
19 Calum Clark
20 Mark Easter
21 Stuart Commins
22 Stephen Myler
23 Joe Ansbro

So far this pre-season, Leeds Carnegie have lost out to French side Agen, Magners League Champions Ospreys and Championship outfit Doncaster. However, each game has seen a number of changes throughout and Leeds have led for the majority of the game in their last two outings.

Leeds will take on Ulster on Thursday looking to continue their improvement to be ready for the kick off for the new season against Bath at Headingley Carnegie on Sunday 5th September.

Looking ahead to Thursday’s game, Head Coach Neil Back said, “From the outside people probably look at the three results so far in pre-season and make the wrong presumption. The purpose of the games is to build up the players conditioning and we have been clinical about how much game time the players have been getting in pre-season.

“Ulster are a strong side and we are looking forward to building up our preparations against them. We have ten days after that game to fine tune our game before we face Bath so the Ulster match will be important for us. Lachlan MacKay will make his first appearance off the bench whilst Mike MacDonald and Marco Wentzel will have benefited from the 20 minutes they got against Doncaster last week,” added Back.

The squad in full is:

1. Mike MacDonald
2. Steve Thompson
3. Phil Swainston
4. Sean Hohneck
5. Marco Wentzel (Capt)
6. Alfie To’oala
7. Jacob Rowan
8. Daniel Browne
9. Scott Mathie
10. Ceiron Thomas
11. Semi Tadulala
12. Lee Blackett
13. Luther Burrell
14. Henry Fa’afili
15. Michael Stephenson
16. Andy Titterrell
17. Gareth Hardy
18. Miguel Alonso
19. Tom Denton
20. Kearnan Myall
21. Rhys Oakley
22. Warren Fury
23. Christian Lewis-Pratt
24. Lachlan Mackay
25. James Tincknell
26. Oli Denton
27. Leigh Hinton
28. Jesus Rodriguez – Moreno