Here are the latest rugby evening headlines on Tuesday, March 29.
Wales stars return for Welsh derby
The Scarlets will have Wales stars Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Wyn Jones, Ryan Elias and Kieran Hardy back for Saturday’s derby clash at home to Cardiff.
They will join fellow Six Nations duo Gareth Davies and Johnny McNicholl who returned for last weekend’s bonus-point victory away to Zebre. In addition, twice-capped tighthead prop WillGriff John is available again, having recovered from the back injury which has kept him out since early January.
Flanker Josh Macleod is nearing a return, having resumed training after damaging his hamstring on his comeback appearance against the Ospreys on New Year’s Day, while fellow back row forward Aaron Shingler is another who is close to playing again.
Read more: Rugby player dies after being injured in match
'England will get to World Cup semi-final'
English scrum-half Danny Care believes Eddie Jones' side will reach the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final next year despite having a lot of work to do to challenge the best teams in the world.
Care also feels England could have lost to France in the Six Nations finale by 30 or 40 points if Les Bleus "had played really well, which is scary to think".
He told the Rugby Union Weekly podcast : "The draw that they've got, they'll probably play France in the semi-final. England have got an awful, awful, awful lot of work to do if they're going to be anywhere near the best teams, let alone the World Cup, come the Six Nations next year.
"England are getting to a World Cup semi-final, whoever's coaching this team because of the players. They've got unbelievable players, if we could design some sort of attacking structure to help that, I think it would help England an awful lot."
Wales star commits to Welsh region
Wales full-back/wing Johnny McNicholl has signed a new Scarlets contract to extend his stay in Llanelli.
The 31-year-old back-three man joined the Welsh region from Super Rugby giants Crusaders in 2016 and has since gone on to make 99 appearances in a Scarlets jersey. He has scored 44 touchdowns, including seven tries in eight appearances this term. He also helped the team to a PRO12 title in 2017.
The move to west Wales has also resulted in McNicholl turning out seven times for Wayne Pivac's Wales having qualified on residency grounds before a debut against Italy in 2020. He joins Sam Lousi, Rhys Patchell, Scott Williams and Ryan Conbeer in signing new Scarlets deals.
McNicholl said: "I have had some great moments in a Scarlets jersey since I arrived here from the Crusaders; the title win in Dublin, the European campaign the year after. Hopefully, with the fans back in the stadium and behind us, we can get back to those levels and be challenging again."
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: "Johnny has been outstanding for us this season, not only on the field, but as a leader off it. He is a key member of our group. He is a player who can produce something out of nothing and embodies the kind of attacking game we want to develop here. Johnny has been here a while now, he has a young family who are settled in Wales and he’s established himself as an international player. We are delighted he has signed a new contract with us."
Jac Lloyd gets first competitive Bristol start
Wales U20s international Jac Lloyd has been handed his first competitive start for Bristol Bears in their Premiership Rugby Club match against Gloucester on Wednesday evening (7.45pm kick-off, live on BT Sport). He will partner Theo Strang at half-back.
Bears boss Pat Lam has included 14 current or former academy players in his 23-man squad.
Bristol Bears: 15. Rich Lane, 14. Toby Fricker, 13. Jack Bates, 12. Sam Bedlow, 11. Henry Purdy, 10. Jac Lloyd, 9. Theo Strang; 1. Ash Challenger, 2. Bryan Byrne, 3. George Kloska, 4. James Dun, 5. Ed Holmes, 6. John Hawkins (capt), 7. Macennzie Duncan, 8. Mitch Eadie.
Replacements: 16. Will Capon, 17. Tom Sims, 18. Jono Benz-Salomon, 19. Charlie Rice, 20. Pete Carter, 21. TJ Wilstead, 22. Harry Rowson, 23. Niyi Adeolokun.
Wales centre wins Six Nations try of round one
Wales centre Hannah Jones has claimed the Women's Six Nations try of round one after dancing through multiple Ireland defenders to ensure a Welsh win on Saturday.
The Gloucester-Hartpury midfielder, 25, scored in the 79th minute after getting the ball on the Irish 10m line thanks to a dart from replacement fly-half Robyn Wilkins. Jones broke through the tackle of Stacey Flood, before a firm hand off on Kathryn Dane saw her break into the 22. She then beat several defenders trying to chase her down before dotting down in the corner to help Wales to a 27-19 win to end a seven-game losing streak in the championship.
Jones took home 34% of the vote, with England winger Abby Dow not far behind on 28% after her wonder score in England's 57-5 win over Scotland, and Ireland prop Linda Djougang pulled in 27% after her powerful burst against Wales. France flyer Emilie Boulard took 11% of the vote after her breakaway try in France’s 39-6 win against Italy in Grenoble.
Wales international leads new women's academy
Wales prop Cerys Hale will lead a new women's development academy at the Dragons. The semi-professional Wales forward, who played an integral role in the Six Nations win over Ireland at the weekend, has been appointed performance lead for the new programme.
The region says it is the first of its kind across regional rugby, and will operate at Dragons alongside the men's development academy at age-grade level. They add that the "exciting new launch is just the start of a long-term strategy that will build a successful pathway for young women and girls".
Newport product Hale said: "It’s a dream come true for me to be part of shaping the future of women’s rugby within our region. It’s massive to have that pathway open to them and to be able to develop as individuals. Why should somebody who is born in Gwent have less opportunity than someone who is born elsewhere? With the incentive of professional contracts at the elite level of the game in Wales, we want them to be able to strive to be in that position in a couple of years."
Ospreys hold onto young talent
Ospreys scrum-half Reuben Morgan-Williams has signed a new three-year deal with the region. The 24-year-old Wales U20s international, who made his debut in 2017, made his 50th appearance earlier this term and has had 11 outings in the United Rugby Championship so far this campaign.
Morgan-Williams said: "It’s a really exciting time to be at the Ospreys and you can feel we are really growing as a squad. I just want to take every chance I have to make an impression when I play. The ambition is to be the first-choice number nine but I obviously have to prove myself to be that, it has been a tough season behind Webby and coming off the bench, but I know I need to keep pushing to get better."
Ex-Ospreys wing joins Sale
Former Ospreys and Bridgend wing Tom O'Flaherty will join Sale Sharks from Exeter Chiefs next season after five years at Sandy Park.
The 27-year-old back, who joined the Devon club from the Ospreys, helped the Chiefs to Premiership and Champions Cup titles in 2020. The Londoner has scored 35 tries in 92 first-team appearances.
O’Flaherty said: "I have had an amazing five years with the Chiefs, sharing in some unbelievable moments both on and off the field. Since the day I arrived, it’s been an awesome journey, but I feel this is the right time in my career to try something new."
