Burgess calls time on rugby career

Sat, May 7, 2016, 12:58 AM
AFP & Beth Newman
by AFP & Beth Newman
Luke Burgess will retire this weekend. Photo: Getty Images
Luke Burgess will retire this weekend. Photo: Getty Images

Former Wallabies halfback  Luke Burgess is set to play his final rugby match this weekend.

Burgess will come off the bench for Zebre in the Pro12 competition, as they wind up their 2015-16 campaign.

The 32-year-old played for the Waratahs, Brumbies and Rebels, over 11 years, split by a stint in the Top 14 for Toulouse.

Burgess played 37 Tests for the Wallabies during his career, which will conclude at Italian club Zebre, which he joined in 2015.

Zebre takes on Newport Gwent on Sunday morning, in the final regular round of the competition.

TOP 14

Australian winger Adam Ashley-Cooper scored one of his team's two tries as Bordeaux-Begles defeated Grenoble 20-14 on Friday to stay on course for the French Top 14 play-offs.

The win lifted Bordeaux into sixth spot in the standings -- the final play-off spot -- three points ahead of Castres who have a game in hand.

Friday's game was over before the hour mark as Bordeaux raced into a 17-0 lead.

Ashley-Cooper, the 31-year-old winger who joined the club in southwest France on a two-year deal after Australia's run to the 2015 World Cup final where they lost to New Zealand, opened the scoring in the 36th minute.

Sekope Kepu started at tighthead in the match, continuing his solid form in the French competition

Nic White has not been named for Montpellier this week, with the French side readying for their European Challenge Cup semi final next weekend

Toulon plays Castres Olympique on Monday morning (AEST), with teams yet to be announced for that match.

PREMIERSHIP

Peter Betham will start at outside centre for Leicester against Bath, in the final home and away match of the season.

The Tigers sit fourth overall in the Premiership, with Bath ninth, but will be wary of a team that ran riot in their corresponding clash a year ago.

Cooper Vuna will start on the left wing for Worcester as they face the top Premiership side - Saracens.

Worcester, who were promoted into the competition this season, have pulled themselves out of n early season hole to finish with seven wins and secure their spot in the Premiership for another season.

George Smith will miss Wasps’ match against the London Irish, rested ahead of the semi finals in a fortnight.

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