Here are your rugby evening headlines for Friday, 22 April.
Roberts sin-binned in heavy Super Rugby defeat
Jamie Roberts was sin-binned after just 12 minutes as his Waratahs side conceded seven tries in a 51-27 Super Rugby Pacific loss to the Chiefs.
The Wales centre was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on shortly after Waratahs prop Angus Bell had been sent off for an alleged dangerous tackle just two minutes into the match - leaving the Australian side down to 13 men early on.
READ MORE: The curious case of Jonah Holmes and how the winger's Wales career spiralled to an end so quickly
For the Chiefs, winger Jonah Lowe bagged four tries among their haul as they raced into an early lead.
And while the Tahs did threaten to pull it back - reducing a first-half deficit of 19 points to just three at one point - the New Zealanders would have enough to record an emphatic victory.
Bryn Gatland, son of former Wales coach Warren, kicked 13 points for the Chiefs.
Elias intent on Scarlets being Wales' best
Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias insists the west Walians belong in the URC play-offs as they look to finish their season strongly.
Elias, who started during the Scarlets' 2017 PRO12 triumph and has made the Welsh jersey his own this season, said that getting back to the play-offs was vitally important to Dwayne Peel's side, as was finishing as the highest-placed Welsh side.
"It's huge. That's where we want to be. That's where we feel we deserve to be as a squad. We were probably slow-starting this season but we've strung a few good games together recently. We slipped up last weekend so we need to get the win this weekend to put us in good stead to reach the play-offs.
"It's huge being the highest Welsh side, with the European qualifications off the back of it. That's huge for the club. As players, we want to be playing the biggest matches in the top tier of Europe."
Rugby player left a quadriplegic
Australian rugby star Nathan Stapleton has been left a quadriplegic after suffering a spinal cord injury during a match.
The former Cronulla Sharks rugby league player has been in hospital after being taken to hospital following the incident in a rugby union match between his Boorowa side and Wyalong on April 9.
A GoFundMe page set up on behalf of his family said that Stapleton had damaged his spinal cord at the C4 level of his cervical vertebrae. More than 73,000 Australian dollars have already been raised.
“At this stage, the injury has left Nathan a quadriplegic, paralysed from the shoulders down,” the page read.
“While the Stapleton family remain hopeful that Nathan will regain some movement, it has become clear that Nathan will require long term support and care.
“Anyone who knows Nathan can attest to his determination and incredible work ethic. He has demonstrated this through his success playing in the NRL.
“There is no doubt that Nathan will bring that same determination and commitment to his rehab and recovery.”
The match was abandoned and the 32-year-old was transferred to Sydney’s Royal North Shore hospital where he has begun rehabilitation. Stapleton has an 18-month old son with partner Kate and the couple are expecting a second child in July.
Ealing withdraw Premiership promotion appeal
The RFU have confirmed that Ealing Trailfinders will not be promoted to the Gallagher Premiership after withdrawing their appeal of a decision that stopped the club from being promoted.
Ealing finished top of the RFU Championship, but the RFU said they did not meet the criteria for promotion.
An RFU statement reads: “Ealing Trailfinders has withdrawn its appeal of the decision of the RFU Board that following an independent audit, the club’s facilities do not currently meet the Professional Game Board Minimum Standards Criteria required for promotion to the Gallagher Premiership.
“The RFU has reiterated it will continue to collaborate with Championship clubs on the development of a sustainable Championship as well as a commitment of the Professional Game Board to review standards relating to minimum capacity ahead of the audit process next season.”
"We are disappointed that having won the Championship, we will not be taking our rightful place in the Premiership," Ealing said.
"In Ealing Trailfinders' view, the number of spectators for promoted clubs must be grown sustainably and over time so that promoted sides or those with ambitions for promotion are not forced either into speculative, rapid, unsustainable and unnecessary spending on unused stands or facilities."
Henshaw commits to Irish rugby
Ireland and Leinster centre Robbie Henshaw has put pen to paper on a new contract that will keep him at the province until July 2025.
The 28-year-old has been a regular for both his province and country, with that form leading to his selection for a second Lions tour last year - where he started all three Tests.
“I’m delighted to have signed a contract extension with Ireland and Leinster Rugby,” said the outstanding midfield back. “We are lucky to have such high quality centres in Ireland and it is a really competitive position which makes it very exciting.
“There is so much to look forward to over the coming months and I want to play a role in achieving success for both teams.”
David Nucifora, IRFU Performance Director, added: “In 2021, Robbie showed that he was one of the best players in world rugby with dominant performances for both Ireland and the British and Irish Lions.
“The early part of this season was disrupted with a couple of injuries but he is a player who contributes massively to both Leinster and Ireland and he will play a big role in delivering the ambitions of both squads this season and in the years to come.”
