Bath's Wales No8 Gareth Delve is joining rivals Gloucester at the end of the season after spending five injury-dogged years at the Recreation Ground.

The 24-year-old will be a significant addition for the Cherry and Whites, who are losing Jake Boer at the end of the campaign.

Bath yesterday took the Wasps lock Martin Purdy on a one-year contract and Northampton signed the Ulster hooker Paul Shields.

Meantime the Premiership clubs were put on alert when the Canterbury Crusaders' coach, Robbie Deans, announced that he would be leaving the franchise in June.

New Zealand suffered a blow yesterday when their full-back Mils Muliaina broke a bone in his foot in a practice match. He could be out of action for eight weeks. Muliaina was visiting a specialist today to determine the extent of the injury, but the Waikato Chiefs player expects to be on the sidelines for between four and eight weeks.