Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, May 18.
Second coach left surprised by Pivac
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has expressed surprise at Wayne Pivac’s reasons for dropping "standout" Jac Morgan from Wales’ squad.
Omitting the youngster from his 33-strong panel for the trip to South Africa this summer, Wales head coach Pivac said: "I had a good chat to Jac around what we want him to do in the off-season and that's a big work-on in terms of what he can do in the strength and conditioning area.
"The game's a really physical game. Where we're going, South Africa, there are a lot of very big men. We've asked him to improve, if he can, in that area of physicality when he's over the ball, being even stronger than he is.”
Read more: Alun Wyn slams plan to cut region and Pivac won't make Italy mistake again
It’s a take on matters that some might raise eyebrows at, with Morgan having achieved 22 turnovers in the United Rugby Championship this season. No one has snaffled more opposition ball. Morgan is also physical as a tackler.
Booth said: “I’ve had conversations with Wayne around his decisions and I’ve obviously had the conversation around Jac.
“All I can talk about is the performance that Jac has produced for us.
“He’s been one of our standout players, probably along with Rhys Webb, to be fair. They’ve been two of our standout players all year.
“Jac is in the top three for tackles completed (in the URC), he’s in the top three for dominant tackles and he’s in the top three for breakdown steals.
“Wayne knows what he wants to do in South Africa and what sort of game he plays.
“All I can comment on is that I know Jac will use it as fuel to get better. All he can control is what he does next. From a performance point of view in URC he’s been one of our standout players.”
Asked specifically if he was taken aback by Pivac’s comments about the 22-year-old, Booth said: “Am I surprised? Yeah, I suppose I am, really.
“It’s Wayne’s decision.
“Wayne has his reasons and so those questions are really for him."
Booth's comments come after Cardiff coach Dai Young admitted he was "really surprised" by the omission of Seb Davies, who had been an almost ever-present for Wales this season.
Osprey joins English Premiership
Ospreys fly-half Josh Thomas has signed for Gallagher Premiership club Newcastle Falcons on a two-year deal.
The 21-year-old Wales U20s international has made 23 senior appearances for the Welsh region and is able to play at full-back as well as fly-half.
Thomas said: “Moving to Newcastle is an exciting opportunity which I couldn’t really turn down. I have wanted to play in the Premiership – it’s a new competition for me and a challenge that I’m looking forward to.
“There are loads of positive aspects to playing in the Premiership, and I want to go up to Newcastle, really compete and test myself."
Coach Dave Walder added: “I like Josh’s attacking outlook, he loves to attack and he plays the game with a smile on his face. He is a left-foot kicking option, he challenges the defensive line and he is a great fit for how we are looking to play.”
Today's Wales squad news
Uncapped Leicester flanker Tommy Reffell has been named in the Wales squad for this summer's South Africa tour.
Bridgend-born Reffell, a former Wales Under-20s captain, is rewarded for a succession of outstanding displays during Tigers' Gallagher Premiership title push this term.
He is joined by uncapped Cardiff number eight James Ratti in a 33-man group for three Tests against the world champion Springboks in July.
Elsewhere, Ospreys back George North is recalled 14 months after his last Test match appearance because of a serious knee injury, with 150-times-capped lock Alun Wyn Jones also chosen, but experienced Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies and Bristol fly-half Callum Sheedy have been left out.
Despite the presence of Jones, who was Wales' 2019 World Cup skipper and led them to the Six Nations title last year, fly-half Dan Biggar remains as skipper.
You can see the full Wales squad here.
Lam on Bristol pair's future
Bristol coach Pat Lam has spoken about the future of Wales stars Callum Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd after they were omitted from the summer squad.
While Sheedy's axe in particular will be a blow, Bristol Live speculate his omission could be a boost for the English side for their long term hopes of keeping hold of him beyond his current contract, which still has a year to run. Lloyd is contracted for two more years but both would have to leave England for a Welsh region under the current 60-cap rule when their current deals run out, if they want to play for Wales.
Lam said: “At the moment it is not a problem. They are Bears players and that is the most important thing at the moment.
“Ioan is here for at least two more years and at the moment they are not in the Welsh squad so it is a non-issue.
“They enjoy it here and they want to stay and we will just crack on until it is an issue. Everything can change, you never know what is around the corner.”
