The stories making the rugby headlines on Sunday December 4
Wales and England decisions on Gatland imminent
Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan is reportedly one of the key figures who will help determine the fate of Eddie Jones as England boss, with Wales' hopes of landing Warren Gatland waiting on the outcome.
Gatland is wanted by Wales and England as a short-term option for the World Cup, if the WRU and RFU respectively decide to get rid of Wayne Pivac and Eddie Jones.
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The WRU are poised to make their own call on Pivac early this week after conducting a review into the disastrous autumn campaign which saw Wales lose three out of four games, taking the run to just four wins in 12 Tests this year.
If they do decide to fire the bullet, WRU bosses are hopeful of persuading Gatland to return on a deal that will see him take the side through to the World Cup.
But what happens at Twickenham will also have a direct bearing on Wales, with the RFU also keen on Gatland should they choose to part company with under-fire Jones.
An England review panel will also dissect the Red Rose woeful run of results and the Mail report McGeechan, Phil de Glanville and Jonathan Webb will be part of the discussions.
They say the identities of the review team have been shrouded in secrecy but name those three as being involved in the process.
Jones meets RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney and members of the review panel on Monday morning in a bid to keep his job.
McGeechan is steeped in rugby history, having coached the Lions on a number of occasions and also led Scotland. De Glanville is a former England captain and RFU council member, while Webb represents the RFU on the World Rugby Council. He won 33 England caps at full-back.
What England choose to do may affect Wales' hopes of getting Gatland. Ex-captain Sam Warburton grudgingly concedes his former boss is 'a perfect fit' for England.
If Wales miss out on Gatland, Crusaders chief Scott Robertson is another being heavily touted for the job.
Scotland defence coach and former Ospreys chief Steve Tandy is also in the mix, as well as Gatland's former assistant Rob Howley. Another option is the ex-Scarlets coach Brad Mooar.
Bristol's Pat Lam has been heavily linked, while there is even talk of former Dragons boss and ex-England back-rower Dean Ryan doing the job.
Eddie expects the axe - reports
England boss Eddie Jones is reportedly expecting to lose his job amid the RFU review into the team's woeful run of form.
No decision has been made on Jones' future, with the England hierarchy scheduled to meet on Monday.
However, the Mail report Jones is supposedly fearing the worst following just one win in November and an annual return of just five victories in 12 Tests.
Former England coach Clive Woodward, one of Jones' most vocal critics, has questioned his position at the helm. "England are not just losing, they are going backwards at an alarming rate of knots," he said.
Borthwick silent on England job
Steve Borthwick refused to be drawn on reports linking him with the England job after his Leicester side drew 26-26 with Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.
“Club coaches are always in contact with the RFU,” said Borthwick, trying to downplay the situation.
“We’ve got a big contingent of England players, so I am always talking to them around our players and that’s my focus.”
Bulls appeal for help over missing Boks star
United Rugby Championship side the Bulls have reported South Africa wing Sbu Nkosi missing after not hearing from the 26-year-old for three weeks.
The Pretoria outfit say they have not had contact with the 16-times-capped Springbok since November 11, despite efforts that "include but are not limited to phone calls, text messages, calls to relatives, partner and close friends as well as four house visits to his known place of residence".
A missing-person case has been opened by local police following what the Bulls described as "the grave worry and concern of everyone at Loftus as well as the need for the expert assistance of the South African Police Services".
A statement read: "The Blue Bulls Company can confirm that Vodacom Bulls contracted player, Sbu Nkosi has been absent without leave for the past three weeks. Nkosi's last known contact with any executive, management or playing squad member is Friday 11 November 2022.
"We appreciate the public and media interest in the matter, as we all the same concerns. However, we ask that you understand that we cannot make any further comments on the matter as it sits with the South African Police Services."
14-man Leinster triumph to stay top
Leinster produced a stunning response to Cian Healy's first-half sending-off as captain Garry Ringrose's classy second-half brace inspired a 38-29 bonus-point win over Ulster at the RDS.
Leo Cullen's men trailed by 19 points at one stage, with tries from Rob Herring, Kieran Treadwell and Ethan McIlroy punishing Healy's head-on-head tackle on Tom Stewart in the 20th minute.
However, with Ronan Kelleher reducing the deficit to 22-10 by half-time, the United Rugby Championship leaders somehow cruised to their ninth straight victory thanks to scores from Ringrose (two), Andrew Porter and James Lowe.
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