Here are your rugby headlines for Tuesday, April 26.
Calls to fine players
All Blacks greats Jeff Wilson John Kirwan has called for players to be personally fined unless they change their tackling behaviour.
Red cards and high tackles are very much on rugby's agenda at the moment, with a raft of sending offs blighting matches in Europe and the southern hemisphere in recent weeks. Despite the punishments and subsequent bans, player behaviour seems to be very slow changing.
Speaking on Sky Sport NZ’s The Breakdown, All Blacks great Jeff Wilson slammed the players for not adapting.
“Once again we suffered, we had a weekend with cards, littered with penalties,” Wilson said. I’m getting frustrated right now because I’m not seeing any changes in behaviours from the players. They are the ones that are responsible. We are quite often putting it on the referees, putting the challenge on them.
“How about the players making some concessions? We are not seeing changes in behaviour. Are we just supposed to get used it? “We expect to see cards every week, it’s unacceptable.”
Fellow All Blacks legend Sir John Kirwan agreed with Wilson, suggesting financial punishment needs to be brought in to get the message through.
“I don’t disagree with you,” Kirwan told The Breakdown . “What do we need to do then? Do we need to start fining players? How are we going to have change? We are continuing to let our game fall into this. You’ve got to plan for it, like you said.”
READ MORE: Welsh rugby Player of the Year shortlist drawn up
Genge responds to Brian Moore
England prop Ellis Genge has responded to Brian Moore after the former hooker was critical of his interaction with officials during Leicester Tigers' defeat to Harlequins.
Both Genge and Dan Cole could be seen speaking to one of Wayne Barnes' assistants, with Moore not being impressed with what he saw.
Writing for the Telegraph, he said: “At one point in the game both Ellis Genge and Dan Cole were berating one of Barnes’ assistant referees whilst they were warming up as substitutes in the in-goal area. They were obviously disagreeing with Barnes’ decision that held the Tigers’ front row as being responsible for a collapsed scrum.
“Whilst both those players have broad knowledge of the scrum, neither should be allowed to engage with any official until they are actually playing on the pitch and even then, they should only do so in an appropriate manner.”
Genge tweeted in response: "Nothing but respect for the officials who manage the game, would never try to undermine any official, I am so sorry that you viewed it that way Brian. I’d like to extend and apology on behalf of myself and Dan, where can I address the flowers? Love your work by the way."
Worcester sign Italy international
Worcester Warriors have signed Italy No. 8 Renato Giammarioli.
The 27-year-old is the seventh signing for the 2022-23 season. The five cap international currently plays for United Rugby Championship side Zebre.
"Renato has a fantastic skill set," said Warriors boss Steve Diamond.
"His dynamic carrying and confrontational defence will serve us next season."
Edinburgh lose two props for rest of season
Edinburgh have lost injured props Boan Venter and Luan de Bruin for the rest of the season. The club confirmed that the two players had both undergone “successful surgeries”.
The South African pair were both injured in the Challenge Cup win against Pau at the DAM Health Stadium earlier this month.
Venter, who has scored six tries in 25 appearances for Edinburgh, suffered a knee injury, while De Bruin has suffered a hamstring injury.
