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Glen Williams

Today's rugby headlines as Dan Biggar personal news explains absence and Springboks quizzed on Jantjies scandal

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Tuesday, September 13.

Dan Biggar to return after missing Saints opener

Dan Biggar could be in line to return for Northampton Saints this weekend after missing their opening game with Sale Sharks last Sunday.

Wales captain Biggar was absent in Saints' defeat owing to the birth of his second child, with James Grayson tasked with starting the match at outside half.

But, ahead of their game with London Irish at the weekend, Saints boss Phil Dowson confirmed Biggar could be in contention for the second round Gallagher Premiership match..

"Dan Biggar could come back," Saints boss Phil Dowson told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo. "There's obviously a few guys who are injured but Biggs has just had his second child - congratulations to him.

"He's in the midst of all that paternal joy there so we'll see how we get on and see what sort of state he's in when he gets back into the mixer.

"But I thought Jimmy did very well and those are good selection decisions to have."

Wales Women name team

Centre Hannah Jones captains a Wales side that includes seven changes from the defeat to Canada last month as they take on England in their final World Cup warm-up match tomorrow.

Ioan Cunningham's side travel to Ashton Gate to face the World No.1s as he prepares to name his final squad for the global gathering in New Zealand.

An entirely new front row of Gwenllian Pyrs, Carys Phillips and Cerys Hale is drafted in following the 31-3 defeat in Canada. The experienced Alisha Butchers returns to the back row along with Alex Callender, while Gwen Crabb joins Natalia John in the second row.

Meanwhile, Niamh Terry gets the nod at full-back. Carys Williams-Morris and Lowri Norkett, who both made their debuts against Canada, keep their place in the backline, while Elinor Snowsill and Ffion Lewis continue their partnership at half-back.

Regular captain Siwan Lilicrap is named among the replacements.

England: Kildunne; Thompson, Scarratt, Rowland, McKenna; Harrison, L Packer; Cornborough, Davies, Bern, Aldcroft, Ward, Matthews, M Packer, Hunter (C).

Replacements: Cokayne, Botterman, Muir, Talling, P Cleall, MacDonald, Reed, Aitchison.

Wales: Terry; Norkett, Williams-Morris, H Jones (C), Joyce; Snowsill, F Lewis; Pyrs, Phillips, Hale, John, Crabb, Butchers, Callender, Harries.

Replacements: K Jones, Thomas, Tuipulotu, Lillicrap, B Lewis, Bevan, George, Webb.

Springboks chief quizzed on Jantjies

Springboks coach Deon Davids did his best to evade questions on Elton Jantjies after the fly-half was sent home from South Africa's Argentina tour amid reports he and team dietician Zeenat Simjee have been having an affair.

Jantjies, 32, is married to Iva Ristic, the mother of his three children.

It comes just months after Jantjies was detained at an airport over allegations about his behaviour on a flight that allegedly saw damage caused to a plane he was travelling on.

South Africa released a statement on the matter yesterday, while Jantjies himself uploaded a cryptic post to Instagram which you can read here.

And, when asked by the press, forwards coach Davids said: “We have dealt with the situation in a professional manner (Jantjies and dietician Zeenat Simjee were sent home) and our focus is completely on the task at hand.

“They are a tough team to beat, especially at home, and that needs all our focus.”

Davids was asked whether Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus and head coach Jacques Nienaber understood the responsibility they had to be good role models to the nation. He replied: “This is a very tough question I am being asked... Personally, it is a huge privilege for me to be representing South Africa, and with it comes responsibility.”

Christian Wade seals rugby return

Christian Wade has sealed his return to rugby after he was announced as Top 14 side Racing 92's newest recruit.

The 31-year-old winger has been a free agent since being released by the Buffalo Bills following three years with the NFL side, having quit rugby union and Wasps in 2018.

The England international's return to the sport was widely touted, with Wade having recently turned out for Racing in a Sevens tournament, during which he scored a couple of tries.

And, upon signing a deal until the end of the campaign, he said: "It's official I've signed for Racing. I'm going to be here for the rest of the year. This is officially my comeback to the world of rugby. I did four years in the NFL, had a great time, great experience, was able to make some good friends.

"I learned a lot of different stuff that has added to my career in terms of how I approach sports in general, especially at the elite level and I feel as though I've got a new level of expertise and experience I can bring to this team.

"Everyone knows about Racing but having been in the environment for a week or so now I can say this is probably the best environment I've been in and definitely one of the best teams in the world."

Wade also revealed he had interest from clubs in Japan, America, England, South Africa and elsewhere in France.

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