Rowlands stays with Bridgend

Rugby Union

Rugby Union

Gareth Rowlands, the Canadian international lock, has agreed to stay with the Heineken League First Division club, Bridgend, for another two seasons, ending speculation about an imminent move.

Garath Archer, the 21-year-old England lock who last week joined Newcastle for next season from Bristol, has escaped a ban after being cleared of a yellow card offence by the Gloucester disciplinary committee. The hearing at Bristol's Memorial Ground on Monday night found him not guilty of punching Harlequins' Mick Watson in a league game.