SCOTLAND forward Nathan Hines announced yesterday that he is retiring from international rugby after 11 years in the Test arena. Australia-born Hines (34) only came to Scotland, the land of his maternal grandfather, for a six-month stay in 1998 but ended up winning 77 caps. During that time, Hines helped Scotland beat every major Test-playing nation, except New Zealand, and also won selection for the 2009 British and Irish Lions.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson paid tribute to Hines yesterday, saying: “It has been a real pleasure to coach Nathan over the last two years. “He is a one of Scotland’s toughest ever competitors and a fantastic role model for all young Scottish players.”
Scotland attack coach Gregor Townsend, who played alongside Hines for the national team between 2000 and 2003, said: “I first met Nathan when he joined our tour to New Zealand as a replacement in 2000.
“In the build-up to the second Test I was doing kicking practice at the end of a training session and he stayed out to help me. I’d really just started to drop-punt but here was this big guy with an incredible set of skills who could kick a lot better than me!
“What an effort he made to come back from serious injury early in his career and he went on to become one of the best ever players to pull on the Scotland jersey.
“I thought he was really unlucky on the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa. He played so well yet did not get into the Test team and, remember, he played in the backrow on that tour and looked the part, which shows what a player he is.”
Meanwhile, Saracens have announced the release of South African international prop Deon Carstens from his contract. It follows a request by Cape Town-based Western Province, where 32-year-old Carstens will now head in time for the new Super Rugby season.
“We have a partnership with Western Province rugby, and any partnership must work both ways,” Saracens rugby director Mark McCall said. “The Stormers urgently need a top-class international loosehead prop for the forthcoming Super Rugby season. The move makes sense for the player, and so we have agreed to the release.”
Harlequins have announced a new two-year deal for their England Saxons centre Jordan Turner-Hall. The 23-year-old is a product of the Aviva Premiership leaders’ academy system, making his first team debut five years ago, and he also featured in Quins’ Amlin Challenge Cup final-winning side last season. “I am delighted to have signed a two-year deal with an exciting team who are going in the right direction,” Turner-Hall said.
Friday
Heineken Cup – Harlequins v Connacht, The Twickenham Stoop, 8pm; Racing Métro 92 v Cardiff Blues, Stade Yves du Manoir, Paris, 8pm.
British and Irish Cup – Munster A v Cornish Pirates, Clonmel, 7pm; Ulster Ravens v Doncaster Knights, Deramore Park, 7.30pm.
Saturday
Heineken Cup – London Irish v Edinburgh, Madejski Stadium, 1.30pm; Aironi Rugby v Leicester Tigers, Stadio Brianteo, Monza, 1.30pm; Montpellier v Leinster, Stade de la Mosson, 1.30pm; Scarlets v Castres Olympique, Parc y Scarlets, 3pm; Ospreys v Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque, Liberty Stadium, 3.40pm; Ulster Rugby v ASM Clermont Auvergne, Ravenhill, 3.40pm; Munster v Northampton Saints, Thomond Park, 6pm.
British and Irish Cup – Esher v Leinster A, Molesey Road, 3pm.
Sunday
Heineken Cup – Glasgow Warriors v Bath, Firhill Arena, 12.45pm; Saracens v Benetton Treviso, Vicarage Road, 3pm; Toulouse v Gloucester, Stade Ernest Wallon, 4pm.
