Here are today's latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, March 30.
Why prop chose Scotland over Wales
Scarlets prop Javan Sebastian has revealed the two huge decisions which resulted in him becoming a Scotland international.
Although he was born in Bury St Edmunds, England, his upbringing was in Wales, having moved to Carmarthen when he was two, but crucially his father hails from Edinburgh.
“I knew my dad was Scottish right from a young age, but growing up and playing rugby in Wales, it never crossed my mind until I got the call off Gregor Townsend and that’s when the light flicked up top and it just made sense,” he said.
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“It was a tough choice. I spoke to my family and to my agent. But I am not young anymore, I am 27. So if Scotland come knocking on my door first, I am not going to wait two or three years down the line for Wales to come knocking. I wanted to start my international career as early as possible.”
Having accepted the Scottish invite, he then had another big call to make last autumn. With his partner expecting their third child, they agreed he should stay in camp and watch the birth on Facetime, enabling him to make his Test debut against Japan in November.
“It was a tough choice, but looking back at it I wouldn’t change a thing, I don’t think my partner would and I don’t think my youngest boy is going to regret it when he’s growing up,” said the tighthead.
“That first cap was crazy. I’d not experienced anything like it. It was sold out, the atmosphere was unbelievable. That really sticks out. It was a massive honour.”
Welsh side lose out in epic
Welsh university side Cardiff Met suffered heartbreak in the semi-final of the BUCS super Rugby competition as they lost an epic match 44-33 at Exeter.
The Archers threatened a stunning comeback after finding themselves 41-19 down with just 15 minutes left. Two late tries narrowed the deficit to eight points before the home team kicked a last minute penalty. You can read the full report here.
The result ends Met's hopes of a first title since 2018, with Exeter marching on to the final at Sixways.
Wales announce new coaching additions
Wales Women have announced Bath Academy boss and former Worcester Warrior Mike Hill as their new forwards coach. He also headed up Bath University rugby's programme and has worked with both Worcester's men's and women's team. He replaces former Wales assistant coach Geraint Lewis, who has taken up a new role as a lecturer at Coleg y Cymoedd.
He said this was an opportunity he could not turn down given the full-time performance programme and opportunity to make a big impact, saying: "With the Women’s Six Nations and then the World Cup later in the year, these are two of the biggest competitions I’ve been involved in. I’ve coached some of the players before, their potential is clear to see and I hope to continue the work Geraint Lewis did before me. The set-piece is a strong point. There is expectation there but also the knowledge from the players that we can provide a quality platform for the team."
Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham, who already has attack coach Richard Whiffin and World Rugby coaching intern Sophie Spence in his ranks, said of Hill's appointment: "He has the technical and tactical knowledge and coaching ability to deliver key scrum and line-out detail in order to help us continue to make further improvements within our programme."
Also joining the performance set-up at the Welsh Rugby Union is former Wales Sevens international Adam Thomas, who becomes Wales Women skills coach on a part-time basis after working with the male regional age-grade programme over the last season. Cunningham said: "Adam is a brilliant addition to our coaching team. He is already making a difference in terms of the breakdown and contact skills. His sevens experience as a player is key to that – both in terms of our back field players and the rest of the team." Finally, George Morgan joins the WRU as women's and male pathway nutritionist after a decade with Saracens.
URC star signs for Bath
Bath have signed South African flanker Chris Cloete from Munster for next season.
Cloete, 31, has spent the last five seasons at the Irish province and previously played for the Southern Kings, Western Province and the Pumas in South Africa.
"To play in the Premiership has always been a clear ambition and I look forward to making a significant contribution as Bath move towards the top of the league," he said.
Bristol giving Kyle Sinckler 'as much time as possible'
Bristol hope to have England prop Kyle Sinckler firing in time for their Heineken Champions Cup showdown with Sale on Saturday week.
Sinckler appeared in all five Six Nations matches but was hampered by a back injury and then the concussion sustained against Ireland, both of which restricted his ability to train. The 29-year-old tighthead was rested for Bristol's Gallagher Premiership defeat by Saracens on Saturday and could also sit out this weekend's clash with Northampton.
Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has revealed that the key target is for him to be ready for the European round-of-16 first-leg clash with Sale on April 9. "Kyle had niggles and stuff from those last few weeks with England, so we're giving him as much time as possible to be ready for the Champions Cup," Lam said.
With Bristol dropping out of Premiership title contention at an early stage - they are positioned 10th in the table - continental action has taken on far greater significance for the club.
"It's always been the top and it is for every club in Europe," Lam said. "For us it's always been about the next performance. If you get that right you've got a chance. We're excited to be there."
