Here are tonight's rugby evening headlines on Monday, January 24.
Young released from hospital
Wales international Thomas Young has been discharged from hospital in Ireland.
The flanker underwent tests today after spending the night at University Hospital Limerick following a neck injury in Wasps' match against Munster.
The game was halted for around 10 minutes amid concerning scenes.
But a club statement today read: "Wasps can confirm that following an injury sustained in yesterday’s Heineken Champions Cup game, Thomas Young spent the night at the University Hospital Limerick.
"After a series of scans last night and this morning he has now been discharged from hospital and will therefore be able to fly home with the Club’s Head of Medical Services later today.
"We would like to thank all at Munster Rugby and University Hospital Limerick for their care and support, as well as those within the rugby community who have reached out."
Thomas reaches milestone
Bristol Bears coach Pat Lam sang the praises of Welsh flanker Dan Thomas after he notched up his 100th appearance for the club in their Champions Cup victory over the Scarlets.
It was fitting that Thomas, who hails from Carmarthen, would achieve the feat so close to home - with Lam praising the 28-year-old's tenacity to put disappointment behind him in reaching the landmark.
"As I said before the game, he's not only a great example for Welsh rugby players, or even rugby players, but people in general," said Lam.
"You get told you're not good enough when you're young here. You go to Gloucester and you're told you're not good enough there.
"You come to Bristol and we brought him into the Championship five years ago. The dream was to play Champions Cup rugby.
"For him to come home here, he's from just up the road in Carmarthen and his family were here, and play 100 games for Bristol is phenomenal. I'm proud of him.
"He's a stubborn mule. He's still got to improve his game.
"But that's tenacity and perseverance at its best. I'm pleased for him."
Lam was also asked about Thomas' chances of a Test call-up - noting that Wales aren't short of options in the back-row.
"I think, for me, all he can do is play well for his club and be a contender. But there's so many others.
"Is he better than what's there? That's for Wayne to decide. All you can do is put in performances and be an option.
"There's a smorgasbord of back-rowers - and particularly sevens - in Wales. It's a real strength for them."
Turner calls for Anglo-Welsh league
Former Wales fly-half Paul Turner has called for an Anglo-Welsh competition between Welsh Premiership sides and teams in the English Championship.
Turner, who is currently head coach of Championship side Ampthill, told Dai Sport : “I think an Anglo-Welsh competition would be beneficial for both the Championship clubs and the Welsh Premiership clubs,
“It would obviously be a semi-professional competition. In England PRL run the Premiership, and the Championship is currently being thrown under the bus in a similar position to what the Premiership had in Wales.
“The other Championship clubs would be interested, but the problem is we don’t govern our own league. Our competitions are being run by the RFU, and even though I understand that Covid has hit everyone’s finances hard we still think the potential of an Anglo-Welsh league would work better.
“It’s just like forming a fantasy league, but the governing body says you can’t do it.
“Even going back to my time coaching with the Dragons in Wales, the Premiership has been neglected.
"Even at that time 10 years ago players were leaving to play their rugby in the English championship rather than play their club rugby in the Premiership.
“One good example would have been Cory Hill leaving Cardiff to play for Moseley, and it was a good stepping stone for him to go on and play for Wales.
“Unless the Premiership gets sorted out working hand in hand with the regions, then this is going to happen."
Roberts leaves Wales
Former Wales centre Jamie Roberts will leave the Dragons at the end of January and move to Australia.
The Dragons said that 35-year-old Roberts has been granted early release from his contract to join his Sydney-born partner, who is expecting their second child in March.
Roberts joined the Dragons in August 2020. His previous clubs include Cardiff, Harlequins and Bath, while he has recently been linked with the Sydney-based Waratahs.
He won the last of his 94 Wales caps more than four years ago, and he also featured in three Tests for the British and Irish Lions.
"It is with a heavy heart that I am leaving the Dragons at the end of the month," Roberts said. "I would like to personally thank Dean (Dragons rugby director Dean Ryan) for understanding my personal circumstances.
"As my Sydney-born partner is expecting our second child in March, we feel the best decision for our family is to be surrounded by her support network in Sydney during this period.
"Although it will be difficult leaving, I do so with many fond memories."
Dupont wins another award
France scrum-half Antoine Dupont has been voted the Rugby Union Writers' Club's personality of the year for 2021.
Dupont succeeds Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter as holder of the Pat Marshall Memorial Award following an outstanding 12 months for Les Bleus and Toulouse, the club he helped to a Heineken Champions Cup and Top 14 double.
The current World Rugby player of the year has continued to redefine scrum-half play through the excellence of his running and kicking games, generalship and defence.
The 25-year-old has also emerged as a leader for France, captaining them last autumn in a successful series that included a first home victory over New Zealand since 2009.
Dupont follows in the footsteps of greats of the game to have been acclaimed by the RUWC such as Gareth Edwards, Jonah Lomu, Martin Johnson, Jonny Wilkinson, Brian O'Driscoll, Maggie Alphonsi and Dan Carter.
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