Here are the latest rugby evening headlines on Tuesday, May 24.
Nick Tompkins 'outstanding'
Ugo Monye has hailed Wales centre Nick Tompkins as "outstanding" after he provided the spark to inspire Saracens to a 42-38 comeback victory against Northampton Saints at the weekend, which booked Sarries a home semi-final in the Gallagher Premiership.
Mark McCall's side ran in five second-half tries to ensure the last-four clash will be held in north London. It was an impressive turnaround after Sarries' error-strewn opening half, which left them trailing by a point despite two yellow cards for Saints. But Tompkins, Alex Lewington and Theo McFarland raced Saracens 28-10 ahead, with McFarland's second and a fifth try from Alex Goode securing the win.
Former England and Lions star turned pundit Monye hailed Tompkins, 27, and agreed he has been in fine form since returning to the Saracens from his loan spell at the Dragons.
"Nick Tompkins, by the way, if [André] Esterhuizen has been a revelation, Nick Tompkins isn't a revelation because we've known about him for quite a while... [but has had a great season]," Monye told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
"I think he had a tough first few caps. His first cap for Wales, outstanding, and then I think he found it a little bit tricky and difficult. Outstanding [ever since coming back from the Dragons] in the same way Brad Barritt was such a lynchpin for that Saracens team. He's doing it in his way but having as equal an impact within that backline and I think he's exceptional."
Saracens visit Gloucester on Saturday, June 4, to round off their regular Gallagher Premiership campaign. Sarries are second in the table, three points behind table toppers Leicester who are on 90 points.
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Patchell remains with Wales for now
Rhys Patchell remains part of Wales' summer squad for now.
Patchell will be assessed and monitored by Wales medics in the coming days after suffering a hamstring injury playing for the Scarlets against the Stormers on Sunday. The outside-half left the field with his head in his hands, having only recently returned from a nightmare run of problems.
He has not been ruled out of facing South Africa yet, but the picture will become clearer soon. Wales players are due to report for camp next week, with the first Test six weeks away on July 2.
If he were to miss out, the likes of Callum Sheedy and Sam Costelow are likely to be the next players in line for a call-up.
Talented youngster signs pro deal
Talented young prop Garyn Phillips has signed his first professional contract with the Ospreys. The academy graduate, 21, has put pen to paper on a two-year deal after returning to the region following an impressive loan stint with English Championship club Cornish Pirates.
The loosehead prop has a reputation as an aggressive scrummager and a high work rate around the field, and Ospreys coach and ex-Wales prop Duncan Jones believes he has "all the raw materials to be a first-class prop". The first-team coach said: "Garyn is another example of our continuous commitment to homegrown talent. He is dynamic, with and without the ball, and is a technically aggressive scrummager which is important for a modern day loosehead prop. We look forward to him challenging our international looseheads over the next few seasons."
The Wales U20s international said: "It’s always a nervous time when you know your Academy contract is coming to an end but this new contract really means a lot to me and will allow me to develop my game for the next two years. I have been behind three internationals in the pecking order here but I have learnt so much from them. I am just really excited to see how far I can go in the next few years."
Gloucester boss rewarded with new deal
Gloucester head coach George Skivington has signed a new contract with the Gallagher Premiership club. The Cherry and Whites said that Skivington, who took up the post almost two years ago, had agreed a long-term deal.
The club finished 11th in last season's Premiership, but they are challenging for a play-off place this term. Skivington's team are fifth with one regular-season game left, standing two points behind Northampton, while they also reached the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals and Premiership Rugby Cup semi-finals.
Louis Rees-Zammit's Gloucester host Saracens on Saturday, June 4, with Northampton entertaining Newcastle.
"I am massively grateful to the club for giving me this contract," Skivington said. "The club did take a punt on me. There were higher-profile coaches that they could have gone for, which would have been the easy option in terms of people's perceptions.
"My ambition is to prove them right and show them that they have hired the right guy, and I will continue to do that. What we have done over the last couple of years is lay really good foundations. We've grown the way we play and the culture so that everyone knows what is expected of them day to day."
Gloucester chief executive Lance Bradley added: "We have a long-term vision for success both on and off the field, and George has made, and continues to make, a significant contribution towards that."
Stuart Lancaster's son joins champions
Dan Lancaster, son of former England coach Stuart, has signed for Championship champions Ealing Trailfinders from Leicester.
The promising 21-year-old back has left the fringes of the Tigers to take up a deal with the London club who were denied promotion due to not meeting the stadia criteria to play in the Premiership.
Ealing said in a statement: "Versatile playmaker Dan Lancaster has put pen to paper on an exciting move to Ealing Trailfinders. The sharpshooter, who is confident at fly-half and centre, joins Ben Ward’s squad after spending the 2021/22 season with Leicester Tigers.
"The 21-year-old son of Stuart Lancaster, the Leinster senior coach, achieved five appearances for Tigers this season, earning selection in Leicester’s Premiership Cup fixtures. He has also spent time on loan at Nottingham over the past year, gaining some valuable Championship experience.
"Prior to his move to Welford Road, Dan spent two seasons playing for hometown club Leeds Tykes, making 19 Championship appearances in 2019/20 before a short stint with Leeds Beckett University. He also played a key role in England’s clean sweep of the U20s Six Nations in 2021.”
Lancaster said: “It’s a very exciting time to be joining a team like Ealing who have very high ambitions as a club. I am looking forward to joining the journey with the rest of the players and coaches and I can’t wait to give everything to the jersey.”
