Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby news for Sunday June 4.
Ospreys demand fee for Francis
The Ospreys reportedly want a transfer fee if they lose Tomas Francis to French second division club Provence after the World Cup.
According to The Rugby Paper an anonymous Ospreys source is quoted as saying the Wales tight-head still has a year left on his contract and the Welsh region will expect 'to be compensated' for losing him.
READ MORE: The rugby transfer ins and outs for next season in Wales and entire URC
Francis looks France bound after teaming up with Wales for the global showpiece this autumn, the most recent in a string of players to leave the Welsh game amid financial cutbacks.
Provence only play in the second tier of the French game but believe Francis can help them roar into the Top 14 this season.
Cardiff after Scotland star
Cardiff have targeted the signing of Scotland international D'arcy Rae from Bath.
The Rugby Paper also report the Welsh club have the once capped tighthead in their sights, but face competition from French side Oyonnax, who were recently promoted to the Top 14.
Rae, 28, won his only cap for Scotland against Ireland in 2019, and has a reputation as a strong scrummager at club level.
Cardiff are in desperate need of a tighthead having lost Wales Dillon Lewis to Harlequins, and released Moldovan strongman Dmitri Arhip.
Dee confident of Dragons future
Elliot Dee insists the Dragons are in a great position to make progress next season under the guidance of Dai Flanagan.
The Wales international says the director of rugby has helped implement a real feelgood factor within the camp, following the departure of predecessor Dean Ryan.
“It is a happier camp, 100 per cent,” he told the South Wales Argus. "There is no bad atmosphere coming into work.
“The boys are enjoying learning and you will get the best out of people when they enjoy going to work.
“Dai has made a very positive environment that is good for learning; he keeps things fresh and rotates the team to get the best out of everyone.
“I know we have said it a lot in the past, but I don’t think we are far away from things clicking."
Ireland vote to trial lower tackling height
Ireland have officially voted to participate in World Rugby's global trial aimed at lowering the tackle height in the community game.
The trial will specifically target tackles below the line of the sternum and will aim to encourage a greater emphasis on belly tackles, thereby hopefully minimising head-on-head collisions.
Rugby Development Director Colin McEntee said: “The trial itself won’t present any significant changes to how we coach the tackle – it’s only the matter of a few centimetres.
“But it is a significant element of a wider drive to improve tackle behaviours. From next week, players, coaches and match officials can look forward to a new suite of resources being rolled out across the summer.”
The trial will be implemented across IRFU and provincial competitions, encompassing age-grade and adult levels in clubs and schools, during the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons.
Wales deaf team secure overdue win over England
Wales deaf captain John Cudd signed off with a victory over England at the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.
It's the first time his side have triumphed over England in five years, and Cudd has now decided to announce his retirement, having avenged the 41-7 defeat three weeks earlier in Cambridge.
"That's me done now," he told the BBC.
"I played out in Argentina in the sevens World Cup, [where Wales won] and then I wanted one last chance to play at the Arms Park. We haven't beaten England in about five years, which we now have so I've gone out on a high note."
Read more:
Rugby history unfolds as Wales now face 'game of the tournament' at World Cup
Today's rugby news as Wales international announces it's over and club face winding up order
Lloyd Williams: Why it's time for me to leave Wales and the better future I hope for
