Your rugby evening headlines for Tuesday, August 23.
Moriarty poised for return
Ross Moriarty could make his return from injury this weekend as the Dragons kick off their pre-season against Bristol at Rodney Parade on Friday night.
The all-action back rower missed Wales' summer tour of South Africa after suffering nerve damage during the Dragons' trip to the same country towards the end of last season. He was stretchered off in the 51-3 defeat to the Sharks in Durban and later required an operation.
He is nearing full fitness but has not travelled with the side to Dublin for a training camp as he and partner Jordanna are expecting the arrival of their first child.
READ NEXT: Wales rugby player urgently needs a donor after being diagnosed with rare cancer
"Ross' challenge at the moment is being there for his baby, which is due this week, and he hasn't travelled with us," Dragons director of rugby Dean Ryan told a press conference.
"He is keen to play and we will see, we are on two different timelines.
"If he is available it will be fantastic for us, if not then fantastic because they will be parents. We will wait and see."
Meanwhile, prop Leon Brown is back in full training and Aaron Wainwright is targeting the start of the season. Ashton Hewitt is pencilled in to feature in the Dragons' second pre-season game against Wasps having missed last year with a knee injury.
Cardiff RFC cancel pre-season tune-up
Cardiff RFC have cancelled their final pre-season match ahead of the Welsh Premiership season.
They were due to face Ampthill this Friday but are experiencing a shortage of players for unspecified reasons and are unable to raise a team for the fixture due to what are described as 'insurmountable issues around player availability and injuries'.
Commenting on the situation, Cardiff Rugby Academy Manager Gruff Rees said: “Naturally we are disappointed to reach this decision, however we are not comfortable with the idea of making up the numbers by compromising player development and the physical and mental well-being of all our players.
“That has to be our priority and unfortunately a growing list of unavailable players makes this fixture unviable.
“We offer our apologies to Paul Turner and Ampthill for this late decision. We wish them the best for the season ahead and hopefully there will be an opportunity to work together in the future.
“We will now concentrate on preparing for the opening match against Pontypridd in a couple of weeks. On the back of a positive performance against Henley last week – where we appreciated the contributions of a number of external players – we’re looking forward to the new season and to welcome a number of players back into the fold over the coming weeks.”
Duckworth 'would be devastated'
The family of former Worcester owner Cecil Duckworth say he would be "devastated" by the Gallagher Premiership club's financial predicament.
Warriors are reportedly on the verge of administration following a winding-up petition over unpaid tax.
The club's owners, Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham, say they are "working through a number of options" and remain in ongoing discussions with HM Revenue and Customs, Premiership Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Warriors player Chris Pennell posted a statement from Duckworth's family on social media on Tuesday which read: "The Duckworth family are very saddened by the recent news at Worcester Warriors.
"Cecil and others spent many years building up the rugby club and we know he would be devastated by the events which are unfolding.
"Our thoughts are with the staff and players."
England centre Ollie Lawrence said on Monday the legacy of former owner Duckworth was "close to being tarnished".
Duckworth, who died aged 83 in 2020, transformed Worcester into a Premiership side during a long association with the club.
Worcester supporter Stu Pickering, who is the head of Olympic performance support at the English Institute of Sport, has started a GoFundMe to raise funds for low-paid members of staff at the club.
Shortly after midday on Tuesday, £1,420 had been pledged towards a goal of £10,000.
READ NEXT:
