Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby headlines for Thursday, April 14.
Owens dismisses 20-minute red card proposals
Legendary referee Nigel Owens has voiced his opposition to proposals to bring in 20-minute red cards.
The idea is being considered by World Rugby, and is already being trialled in Super Rugby. Under the measures, a dismissed player could be replaced by a substitute after 20 minutes.
READ MORE: The young Wales 10s vying for the jersey when the Dan Biggar era ends
However, Owens is concerned that if the new rules were to be introduced permanently, it would potentially reward acts of thuggery, adding that officials instead need to focus on ensuring they produce red cards as and when they're warranted. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said: "Personally, I feel the 20-minute red card is not a good idea. If you want to create change in player behaviour and for coaches to change the way they coach tackle technique, then you have to stay firm with clamping down on strict punishments for contact to the head.
"Most people now abide by the speed limit. Imagine if you only had a £10 or £20 fine for going over the speed limit as opposed to three points on your licence and a £100 fine - there would be a lot more people less concerned about being caught. The harsher punishment makes you really think twice. Those measures were brought in for safety on the roads, just as red cards in rugby are all about improving player safety.
"The part which I don't understand is that you will hear talk about players being unlucky to be sent off, and that therefore you need a 20-minute card as a solution. Well, my response would be that if a player is unlucky to be sent off, then he shouldn't be sent off.
"Red cards should be for total acts of recklessness or thuggery - if you come running in from a distance with your arm by your side and your shoulder slams into the head or neck area of a defenceless player, for example. That is dangerous play. Whereas if someone is very unlucky - you tried to make a legal tackle but the timing was wrong, or you try to clear someone out but you slip at the last minute or the player moves - then that player should not be sent off, because there are mitigating factors which make the contact accidental.
"The last thing the sport needs is a situation where a player runs in and headbutts an opponent in the opening minutes, only for the offender to then be replaced 20 minutes later by a substitute. In situations like that, your team does not deserve to go back to 15 players."
Merthyr appoint Phillips
Merthyr have announced that they have appointed Rowland Phillips as their new coach. The former Wales international takes over from Dale McIntosh, who left the club earlier this month. He has since been installed as director of rugby and head coach at Brecon RFC - you can read all about that here.
Gareth Davies has been installed as backs coach, with further coaching positions still be to confirmed. The coaching ticket will begin work in the summer.
In a social media post, the Ironmen stated: "We are delighted to announce Rowland Phillips as our newly appointed Head Coach. We are also pleased to announce @GazDavies84 has been appointed as Backs Coach, with the position of Forwards Coach still to be confirmed. Welcome & Pob Lwc!"
Phillips has a number of clubs on his coaching CV; Neath, Ebbw Vale, Italian sides Aironi and Viadana, as well as a spell as head coach of London Welsh. He was mostly recently employed as Wales Women's head coach but left the role in 2020.
Eddie urged to return to Australia
Wallabies great Phil Kearns has urged England head coach Eddie Jones to return to Australia after the 2023 World Cup.
Jones took the Wallabies hot-seat in 2001, helping them to a World Cup final in 2003, but saw his reign end on a sour note. A loss to Wales in Cardiff caused him to be relieved of his duties in 2005. Kearns believes there has been plenty of water under the bridge since then and says Jones is the ideal candidate to help Australia march back to the top of the game once again - even if he doesn't necessarily take the role of head coach.
“Eddie is a really good bloke and an amazing coach. I think Eddie would be fabulous in dealing with the rugby youth of our nation, the up-and-coming players,” he told rugby.com.au.
“I think he builds resilience in players. He’s not easy with them and I think we all know that. He’s tough.
“He demands excellence and that can only be good for players on the way through. I think it would be awesome if Eddie had a role in the future of Australian rugby.
“I think those (broken) bridges should well and truly be rebuilt and pave the way for Eddie to come back in some role.”
Italy award 25 part-time annual contracts for women's team
The Italian Rugby Federation has awarded annual part-time contracts to 25 women players.
Some 350,000 euros is set to be put aside to help the team prepare for the upcoming World Cup in New Zealand this October. Out of the 25 players to be handed deals, 17 will be "contracted" while another eight will come under "scholarships".
The new contracts will allow players to train from 80 to 130 days a year with the national team. Italy captain Manuela Furlan said: "Leaving the jersey in a better place than where it was found is the desire and goal of any player. This agreement marks a first important turning point for the future of our national women's team."
