Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, April 16.
'Malicious and damaging' incident prompts outrage at bosses
A five-week ban for Brive full-back Axel Müller after an appalling tackle has been dubbed a "damaging message that rugby simply cannot afford to send".
The No. 15 was handed a red card in the European Challenge Cup clash on April 8 for a jumping challenge on Saracens winger Ben Harris, who was floored by the hit ahead of Jamie George's try in the 55-5 win. Müller has now been dealt a five-week ban for the high tackle after an initial top-end 10-week entry point for an "intentional and dangerous act of foul play" was halved for his "clear disciplinary record and his guilty plea" as well as "no aggravating factors".
The length of the ban, along with the fact leniency was applied, has been slammed as "pathetic" and "ridiculous" by rugby fans online, amid calls for World Rugby to revamp its sanctions framework and process.
Lobby group Progressive Rugby said of the decision: "Late, high, ugly, malicious, highly dangerous and born out of petulant frustration. Deeply disappointing that any leniency at all is applied to such an appalling ‘tackle’ which has no place in the game. This is a damaging message that rugby simply can not afford to send."
Benny statue unveiled
The Scarlets have unveiled a sculpture of one of their greatest-ever players.
The life-size wooden piece of artwork of club president Phil Bennett was revealed in his home village of Felinfoel on Good Friday. In a social media post, the region wrote: “An honour to be at the unveiling of the sculpture of our president Phil Bennett in his home village of Felinfoel.”
Scarlets and Wales centre Jonathan Davies was pictured shaking hands with Benny in front of the sculpture. Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies led the tributes to the former fly-half, writing on Twitter: “What a player, lovely gentleman. Had the privilege of knowing him for over 40 years.”
Ex-Wales centre-turned-pundit Tom Shanklin added: “Great bloke. Should be carved out of gold,” while former international referee Nigel Owens wrote “Y gore” - “the best”.
Felinfoel club secretary Clive Richards, the brainchild behind the statue, told the BBC : "He has lived in the village his whole life, he epitomises the whole village and he would do anything for the village. We wanted to show him, as a community, what we think of him. He said a few words but I think he was quite emotional. But he wanted it to be known that he played a few games for Felinfoel."
Bennett, 73, won 29 caps for Wales and eight for the British Lions in a glittering career.
Folau could face Australia
Israel Folau could be in line to face his former international team-mates with reports suggesting Tonga could pick the ex-Australia full-back.
Born in New South Wales to Tongan parents and with new World Rugby Laws in place, the 33-year-old could be picked by the islanders. Players can represent a second nation “via birthright” after a three-year cool-down period without playing at the international level.
The Sea Eagles are hoping to face the Wallabies in Brisbane next year, shortly before France host the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Tonga boss Toutai Kefu said Folau’s “eyes lit up” at the prospect of representing Tonga at the World Cup.
“Putting this team together for next year, a lot of the other players, players like Charles Piutau, I saw George Moala and Pita Ahki on Wednesday, Malakai Fekitoa, they all keep asking, is Izzy going to play?" he said. "And I’ve said to them, of course, he’s bought in.”
Folau has been responsible for some controversial social media posts in the past, with his views on homosexuality leading to widespread scorn.
Walker delighted with Wales Women’s progress
Welsh Rugby Union performance director Nigel Walker says they are “ delighted” with the progress shown by Wales Women.
Professional contracts were handed out to 12 players at the start of the year for a 12-month period, with a further 12 players on retainer/semi-professional contracts. It has paid dividends, with Ioan Cunningham’s side starting the Six Nations with wins over Ireland and Scotland before falling short against England, who have bee professional for three years, last weekend.
“We are delighted with the progress we have made in a short period of time,” said Walker. We are on a journey, we have turned things around but are not going to get near optimum level for a few years.
“We are in for the long haul and people need to understand that. It’s great to win a few games today and tomorrow and we are in the business of that. But the most important thing for me is to put in place a programme which is sustainable and guarantees a certain supply of quality players to the national team. That’s what it is about.”
Club pay tribute to physio
Swansea RFC have paid tribute to physio Andy Maggs who has died.
Maggs was Swansea's head physio for a number of seasons and also worked within the WRU, the club said. Among those to offer their sympathies were former Wales and Lions wing Dafydd James and ex-scrum-half Rob Jones.
In a statement published online, the club wrote: "Everyone at the club will be saddened to hear of the passing of Andy Maggs. Andy was our head physio for many seasons and within the WRU and we are sending love and condolences to wife Sharon and the entire family. A great man on and off field, and an even greater friend."
Dafydd James wrote: "Extremely sad news, a great guy. Sincere condolences to his close friends and family." Jones added: "So sad to hear this news, a lovely man who will be sadly missed by so many. Thoughts are with his family, friends and the Club. RiP Andy."
Former Wales No. 8 Scott Quinnell paid his own tribute. He said: "So sad. Andy looked after me for so many years and got me back on the field. Just the nicest man. Thoughts and love to all the family. Love all the Qs xx".
Leinster thump Connacht
Leinster head coach Leo Cullen sang the praises of star winger James Lowe after their 56-20 Heineken Champions Cup round-of-16 second-leg win over Connacht at the Aviva Stadium. Robbie Henshaw bagged a brace and Jamison Gibson-Park and Tadhg Furlong also touched down as Leinster ran out 82-41 aggregate winners.
"He (Lowe) put in a good week this week, James," commented Cullen afterwards. "He's very, very talented as we know. When he really applies himself, he's as good as anyone who is out there. He worked hard this week and you see the rewards he got off the back of that.
"Some good play for some of his tries, but he brings a different level in terms of the power that he has in contact. It's a skill that he's able to manage contact on his terms as well. It was great to see him go well over the last couple of weeks."
Connacht, who trailed 28-3 at half-time, improved in the second half, with Tiernan O'Halloran, Sam Arnold and Abraham Papali'i all crossing, but yellow cards for Bundee Aki and Jack Aungier, coupled with injuries, left them down to 13 men at one stage.
London Irish thrash Castres to reach quarter-finals
London Irish secured their place in the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals with a 10-try demolition of French Top 14 club Castres. Irish won 64-27 at the Brentford Community Stadium and will now travel to play either Toulon or Benetton Rugby in the last eight.
Hooker Augustin Creevy scored two first-half tries and Curtis Rona, Tom Pearson, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Kyle Rowe all touched down before the break. Castres responded with converted second-half tries from Rory Kockott and Theo Chabouni, plus Ben Botica's penalty, to close the gap to 40-27. But the Exiles cut loose in the final 10 minutes as Matt Rogerson, Will Joseph, Matt Cornish and Benhard Janse Van Rensburg all crossed. Paddy Jackson was successful with seven conversions.
Wasps to face Edinburgh or Bath
Wasps booked their quarter-final place - a trip to either Edinburgh or Bath - with a 39-29 win at Top 14 strugglers Biarritz Olympique. Back row Alfie Barbeary went over for a hat-trick of tries in between touch downs for Jacob Umaga and England scrum-half Dan Robson. Jimmy Gopperth landed four conversions and two penalties.
Glasgow to face Lyon
Glasgow and Lyon will face each other in the last eight after 27-17 and 31-17 victories over Newcastle and Worcester respectively.
Early tries from Johnny Matthews and Kyle Steyn set Glasgow on their way at Newcastle and further tries either side of half-time through Josh McKay and Steyn again kept them in control. Newcastle hit back in the second period, scoring converted tries through Will Montgomery and Joel Hodgson, but they could not make further in-roads on the deficit.
Tom Howe, Ted Hill and Billy Searle all went over for Worcester, but it was not enough in Lyon, who led 14-5 at the interval after tries from Baptiste Couilloud and Romain Taofifenua.
Vivien Devisme's converted touch down put Lyon 21-5 ahead and after Hill's try reduced the gap to 21-10, the French side made sure of victory through Ethan Dumortier's late converted try.
Sale overcome red card to beat Bristol in thrilling win
Sale Sharks overcame wing Arron Reed's first-half red card to reach the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals for a second successive season by beating Bristol 35-29 at Ashton Gate.
Reed was sent off for a shoulder-led challenge to the head of his opposite number Luke Morahan six minutes before the break, and Sale played part of the second half with 13 men following prop Nick Schonert's sin-binning. Bristol scored 14 points while Sale were two players down as they tried to erase a 24-3 deficit, which they eventually managed in a rollercoaster encounter before the Sharks closed out the game magnificently.
Sale emerged victorious after a pulsating last-16 second-leg clash, securing a 44-39 aggregate success after losing by a point on home soil last weekend. The Sharks now look set to face French heavyweights Racing 92 in next month's quarter-finals after tries from lock Lood de Jager, hooker Akker van der Merwe and fit-again wing Tom Roebuck rocked Bristol.
The Bears hit back with tries from Morahan, replacement hooker Harry Thacker and captain Joe Joyce, while Callum Sheedy booted a penalty and three conversions, but Sale fly-half Robert du Preez finished with three conversions and three penalties as he landed decisive 63rd- and 73rd-minute strikes before Jono Ross' decisive try. Morahan's late second was in vain.
Bristol's season is now effectively over, as they languish 10th in the Gallagher Premiership with no chance of making the play-offs and trailing badly in the European Cup qualification race for next term.
