Your rugby morning headlines for Monday, January 24.
Young spends night in hospital
Welsh international Thomas Young spent last night in hospital after suffering a neck injury during Wasps' defeat to Munster on Sunday afternoon.
The openside flanker was attempting to secure the ball for his side at a breakdown in the 36th minute when he was involved in a collision with Munster lock Jean Kleyn.
Play was stopped for over 10 minutes as he received medical attention before being stretchered off the field.
Young went straight to hospital and stayed there overnight as he awaits the results of some tests.
"He will stay in hospital overnight," Wasps head coach Lee Blackett told CoventryLive after the game yesterday.
"He will have some more tests tomorrow [Monday]. We will know a lot more tomorrow and the club will give a statement as soon as we know."
Sexton approves of Biggar appointment
Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton has been giving his view on Dan Biggar's appointment as Wales captain for the upcoming Six Nations.
The pair have played with each other for the Lions and against each other many times down the years.
They are both known for setting high standards for their team-mates and, sometimes, losing their patience a little with officials.
Irish skipper Sexton feels Wales have made a good choice with Biggar but will feel sorry for referee Jaco Peyper when Wales head to Dublin in Round One.
“I text him the other night and said congrats," Sexton is quoted as saying on The 42.ie.
"I’m not sure the refs are going to be too happy having to deal with me and him! But there will be two of us in it anyway!
“He’s a good choice, he’s a leader and obviously one of the first names on the team sheet. He’s a Test match player. He’ll be good for them I think.”
Anscombe expecting second child
Wales star Gareth Anscombe and his wife Milica are expecting their second child.
The news was revealed by Milica over the weekend as she posted on Instagram: "Mum & Dads night out @theparkgatehotel. The most incredible bit of luxury in the city centre.
"So beautifully designed, incredible food & even better service! Can’t wait to go back and try the spa stuff myself with more food and try their amazing wines!
"This time round it was only mocktails for mum… baby no2 pending. See you in June little man @garethanscombe."
The pair welcomed their first child, a baby girl named Teifi Mia, in September 2020.
De Allende to Bath?
Reports have emerged linking World Cup winner Damian de Allende with a move away from Munster this summer.
The Rugby Paper say that he is poised to follow fellow South African and head coach Johan van Graan to The Rec next season.
It would be a considerable blow for the Irish province with the centre proving a hit since arriving two years ago.
But he could be on the move again, with clubs in Japan also said to be interested in acquiring his services.
France deny favourites tag
France are not accepting that they are favourites to win the Six Nations this year.
Team manager and former skipper Raphael Ibanez also suggests that they are only being lumbered with the tag by outsiders in order to put more pressure on them.
Although even the most neutral of supporters would find it difficult not to put France as favourites for the competition given the way they have played in the last 12 months.
They are playing some dangerous rugby with half-backs Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack running the show.
“Some people want to put that label on us. When I saw that, I thought, ‘Another hit from the Brits!'” a smiling Ibanez told AFP.
“Two years ago, they thought that this team was made up of young kids, not seasoned at the very highest level. Now, they are painting us as the kings of the world!
“None of that is terribly serious. We have a clear idea of what’s going on.”
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