Your rugby morning headlines for Monday, April 11.
Major passes away
Former Wales and Maesteg winger Windsor Major has died at the age of 92.
Major was the last surviving member of the 'invincibles' Maesteg team that went unbeaten for the entire 1949-50 season. He was also capped twice by Wales.
In a tweet confirming the news, his former club Maesteg said: "It is with great sadness to learn that former player and club president Windsor Major has passed away. Windsor was a Welsh international and the last surviving member of the Maesteg Invincible Team of the 1949-50 season. Our thoughts are with Windsor’s family at this sad time."
READ MORE: Wales' mounting casualty list as Pivac sweats on fitness of 13 players
Dow to undergo surgery
England winger Abby Dow is set to go under the knife after suffering a broken leg during her side's Six Nations win over Wales.
Dow was hurt during the early stages of the game at Kingsholm and, after a lengthy delay, needed to be carried off on a stretcher. She was later taken to hospital as England ran in 10 tries to earn a 58-5 win.
The result extends England's unbeaten run in the competition, and puts them top of the table with three bonus point wins out of three. However, it could well be a while before we see Dow back in action.
A statement from England Rugby said: "Abby Dow suffered a broken leg in England's TikTok Women's Six Nations match against Wales yesterday. She is comfortable in hospital and will undergo surgery.
"Everyone at England Rugby sends their best wishes to Abby and wishes her a full and speedy recovery. On behalf of Abby, we'd like to thank England supporters and the wider rugby family for the messages of support we have received following Saturday's match."
'This result does not define us'
Wales captain Siwan Lillicrap has insisted that Wales' women must not feel disheartened by their 58-5 defeat to England last weekend. Ioan Cunningham's side went into the game at Kingsholm with two wins from two matches but were well beaten by a formidable England team.
The scoreline was tough to take but after the match Lillicrap said there was plenty more to come.
“This result does not define us, it is what helps us move forward. The girls are upset because it means so much, but my message is to hold our heads high,” said Lillicrap.
“We have come far and maybe the score didn’t reflect that. There were glimpses of some good stuff and I felt like we did rattle England from time to time.
"We know how good England are and we have just got to work hard and stay united because the feeling in camp and the connection that we have created is brilliant. We cannot lose that now."
Deans backs Japan for World Cup glory
Former All Blacks full-back Robbie Deans believes Japan have the potential to one day win the Rugby World Cup.
Deans has been coaching in Japan since 2014 and has won four Top League titles with the Panasonic Wild Knights. The growth of Japanese rugby has really taken off in recent years, with the successful 2019 World Cup further entrenching interest.
The Brave Blossoms reached the quarter-finals of that tournament, losing to eventual winners South Africa, but there is genuine hope that the national side can go further. Indeed, Deans believes all the infrastructure is in place for Japan to go on and win it all.
“Yes, I think Japan do have the potential to win the World Cup one day especially given how much investment has gone into improving the infrastructure of Japanese rugby over the last few years,” he said.
“If you look at the last World Cup when Japan lost to South Africa in the quarter-finals it was basically an even fixture at halftime. What Japan needs to build at test level is strength in depth because to win a World Cup you’ve got to win three tough test matches on the bounce.
“Japan are at the stage where they can consistently challenge to get into the last eight but at the moment, they probably don’t have the depth to go further. But if you are asking me whether they will have that depth and quality to win the World Cup in 15-20 years’ time, then yes, I think there’s a good chance of that happening."
