Here's the latest rugby headlines from Wales and beyond on the evening of Thursday, June 9.
S4C to show Wales highlights
S4C will show extended highlights from Wales’ matches against the Springboks on their summer tour of South Africa.
Wales face the world champions three times during July, with Sky Sports last week revealing they have not struck a deal with S4C to provide live Welsh language coverage.
However, talks have continued over recent days, with S4C announcing they will now broadcast same-day highlights at 9.00pm after each game, on S4C and on S4C Clic, following an agreement with Sky. Wales internationals Ken Owens and Sioned Harries will be among the presenting team.
The tour kicks off with the first test at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, July 2. The second test takes place at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday, July 9 and the third at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, July 16.
Whisper Cymru will produce S4C’s coverage of the tour.
Ex-Osprey leaves French side
Former Ospreys fly-half Luke Price is leaving French club Valence Romans after just a season.
The ex-Wales U20s international joined the Romans-sur-Isere team after departing the Swansea.com Stadium region a year ago.
He has since featured in 22 of Valence’s 26 games in Championnat Federal Nationale, starting 20 of them and scoring 172 points all told.
But his name has now featured on the club’s list of players who are exiting.
“The whole club would like to thank the players who proudly defended the chequered shirt during their time at the VRDR and who will be leaving for new adventures, whether sporting or professional,” said a statement.
Price had been with the Ospreys for seven years years, learning his craft in the shadow of Dan Biggar initially and then battling with Sam Davies for the shirt after Biggar left for Northampton. But a hip injury hit him off course in 2019, with an operation put back because of Covid.
By the time he’d undergone surgery and returned, a new coaching regime was in place. And even though he played well towards the end of season 2020-21, Gareth Anscombe’s impending return from injury meant the Ospreys had too many No. 10s.
Now the Welsh-speaking farmer’s son from the village of Three Crosses in Swansea is on the move again.
Australia call up Japan-based stars
Wales' World Cup Pool opponents Australia are to involve Japan-based trio Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete in next month's three-Test series against England.
Under the new terms of the 'Giteau Law', Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is able to select three players competing in overseas leagues.
Cooper, Kerevi and Koroibete will bring versatility and firepower to the backline for the series that begins in Perth on July 2 as Australia look to end a run of eight successive defeats by Eddie Jones' England.
"It's probably not that secret anyway but we've got Quade, Samu and Marika all coming back," Rennie said.
"Quade and Samu are here in Sydney just getting medical checks and Marika went straight to Fiji to spend some time with his family and he'll be back on the weekend.
"Marika is one of the best wingers in the world - I'm not sure there's another winger with his work ethic and repeatability. He's just top gear all day so we're looking forward to getting that back.
"Samu only played a few Tests but was nominated for World Rugby player of the year in 2021, which only highlights the impact he had.
"You look at Quade, he had a massive impact with us and was a really calming influence. He was so impressive with the group."
Barbarians captain named
France captain Charles Ollivon will lead the Barbarians in their non-cap international against England at Twickenham on Sunday week.
Ollivon was Les Bleus skipper until suffering a serious knee injury a year ago and, while he has since made a successful comeback, he was forced to miss the autumn campaign and the recent Six Nations.
The Toulon back row will be joined by French Grand Slam winner Damian Penaud, who covers wing and centre. France's Fabien Galthie is the Barbarians' head coach.
