Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, January 22.
WRU step in over Wales Six Nations tickets
The Welsh Rugby Union said it has taken the unprecedented step of allowing member clubs to return a percentage of unsold Wales Six Nations tickets after sales stalled amid Covid uncertainty.
In a bid to get the last few thousand remaining Wales v Scotland tickets into supporters' hands and harvest as much revenue as possible, WRU chairman Rob Butcher has stepped in so clubs who still have tickets to sell - ordered well in advance - aren't left out of pocket if tickets aren't sold.
They will be allowed to return up to 25% of their original allocations in the first instance, with a deadline of midnight on Tuesday, January 25, in place for clubs to submit the request to return Wales v Scotland tickets.
The offer is not expected to be repeated for Wales' matches against France and Italy in Cardiff, as both games have longer sale windows.
Ticket sales stalled over Christmas amid uncertainty over whether fans would be allowed to attend matches in Cardiff due to Welsh Government Covid restrictions, but the measures affecting outdoor sports events were lifted in full on January 21, ahead of Wales v Scotland on February 12.
WRU chair Butcher said: "Our clubs ordered their tickets in good faith in the autumn and, though some clubs may be doing well in terms of sales, we wouldn’t want any of them to be left with tickets as an unnecessary burden as a result of the pandemic and through no fault of their own.
"Whatever the issue, the WRU has the ability to service some of the demand that we are seeing and also help out our rugby clubs in the process, so it was only right that we should step in.
"The best way to get hold of a ticket is always to contact your local rugby club and this is the way to directly benefit Welsh rugby at a community level, but we will now also have a greater supply at the WRU on sale online."
Visit your local rugby club now to buy tickets or contact the WRU directly at www.wru.wales/tickets.
Clubs will also have the option to post tickets which remain unsold on the WRU’s supporter exchange platform created by Seat Unique, which is set to go live online ahead of the Wales v Scotland fixture.
Read more: Welsh rugby 'dying a slow death' as two Wales captains speak out
Read more: George North going all out to return for Six Nations after overcoming denial
Rhys Webb 'performing at Test level for Ospreys'
Toby Booth has outlined exactly what Wales are missing with their decision to overlook Rhys Webb for the Six Nations.
The Ospreys player was left out of Wayne Pivac’s 36-man squad this week, with the New Zealander opting for Tomos Williams, Gareth Davies and Kieran Hardy as his No. 9s.
Ospreys head coach Booth doesn’t dispute the quality of other scrum-halves in the regional game but says Webb has been in prime form and the decision not to pick him could be Wales’ loss.
“Webby’s been outstanding for us,” said Booth.
“He’s captained the team and led by example.
“I think he’s performing at Test level for us, but there are some very good scrum-halves in Wales. I can’t control what they (Wales) want from a scrum-half, but I know from an effort point of view, from a leading-by-example point of view and from a consistency point of view that Webby has done those things for us and will continue to do so.
“He’s becoming more influential as a leader in the group and is maturing. I really enjoy working with him.
“Their loss in that respect is our gain.”
Ireland v Wales to be played in front of capacity crowd in Six Nations
Ireland will play their Six Nations matches in front of capacity crowds following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.
A limit of 5,000 spectators for outdoor events is being scrapped from Saturday, January 22, paving the way for a full house at Dublin's 52,000-seater Aviva Stadium.
Ireland host Wales in the tournament opener on February 5 before further home matches against Italy (February 27) and Scotland (March 19).
The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) welcomed the decision by the Irish government to lift the current restrictions.
"Throughout the pandemic, the Government has been committed to sport and we thank them, particularly Minsters Martin and Chambers and all of our colleagues at Sport Ireland," they said in a statement.
"We also thank Aviva Stadium Director, Martin Murphy, for acting as Chair of the working group that represents the GAA, FAI and the IRFU, and for all his work to deliver our programme of events at Aviva Stadium.
"The IRFU looks forward to welcoming our clubs, schools, sponsors, patrons and supporters from Wales, Italy and Scotland, back to Aviva Stadium for an exciting 2022 Guinness Six Nations."
Wales prop Rhys Carre signs new Cardiff contract
Wales prop Rhys Carre has signed a new contract with Cardiff, the United Rugby Championship side have announced.
The 23-year-old loosehead came through the Arms Park region's youth system and returned to the Welsh capital in 2020 following a season with Saracens.
Carre's existing deal had been due to expire at the end of the current campaign.
"It is a really exciting place to be at the moment and it is great that I can continue to be a part of that," Carre, who has won 16 Test caps and is part of Wayne Pivac's Wales squad for the forthcoming Guinness Six Nations, told the Cardiff website.
"I'm really looking forward to driving things forward both individually and as a team."
Cardiff have already strengthened for next season by signing the likes of Liam Williams, Taulupe Faletau and Thomas Young, and director of rugby Dai Young was delighted to see Carre extend his stay.
"He is still a young man, particularly as an international prop, and he will continue to grow, develop and mature in the front row," said the Cardiff boss.
Alex Dombrandt tipped for England stardom after match-winning hat-trick
Tabai Matson tipped Alex Dombrandt to be a success for England after watching the Harlequins match-winner grab the decisive try in a 36-33 Heineken Champions Cup victory over Castres.
Number eight Dombrandt completed his hat-trick deep into stoppage time by touching down with an outstretched arm.
Quins had already secured a place in the last 16 but their victory against strong French opposition means they end their Pool B campaign with a perfect record of four wins.
Dombrandt is expected to add to his four England caps during the Six Nations and senior coach Matson said: "I said it right off the bat - he's a special player who creates moments.
"There are very few in his position who can do that. I think he'd make a difference at the next level."
The lead changed throughout a fascinating encounter at Twickenham Stoop and Castres appeared to be finishing strongly until Quins rallied with a trademark late fightback.
"They're third in the French league, which shows how well they're going, and for bits they made a misery of the game for us," Matson said.
"I have to credit this group - and this is one of the reasons we were so successful last year - because when there is two minutes on the clock and we're in the right end of the field and have the ball there is a genuine belief we can score another try.
"It doesn't mean my heart wasn't racing, but it does mean the team has the ability to score one more try. That's really exciting for this team moving forward."
Ten-try Edinburgh storm to huge Challenge Cup victory over Brive
Glen Young and Freddie Owsley scored two tries each in Edinburgh's emphatic 66-3 European Challenge Cup victory against Brive.
Young, making his first start for the club following his summer move from Harlequins, powered his way over from close range after only five minutes, before charging down a box-kick and scoring his second with 26 minutes on the clock.
The rampant hosts were 21-3 to the good inside the half-hour mark when Jamie Ritchie scored in the corner, with Darcy Graham adding a fourth six minutes from the interval.
Shell-shocked Brive were struggling to cope with Edinburgh's free-flowing play, and debutant Owsley delivered a superb fifth try before half-time when he kicked over the top and out-sprinted the Brive defence.
Edinburgh were 33-3 up when a blistering opening period came to an end, and it was not long before they extended their lead, with Owsley celebrating his second after 42 minutes. Owsley then turned provider to pass to Ben Muncaster, who made no mistake in the corner.
Edinburgh moved past the half-century mark when Hamish Watson scored the home side's eighth try of the evening after 67 minutes.
Following his call-up to Scotland's Guinness Six Nations squad, Mark Bennett completed a week to remember by crossing over before Henry Pyrgos rounded out a brilliant win with his side's 10th try in the final minute.
The victory sees Edinburgh overhaul Brive in Pool C and extend their unbeaten home streak in the pool stage of the Challenge Cup to 17 matches.
Richard Hibbard hangs up his boots
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions hooker Richard Hibbard has announced his retirement from professional rugby with immediate effect.
Hibbard won 38 Wales caps and featured in all three Lions Tests against Australia in 2013.
He made more than 170 appearances for the Ospreys before joining Gloucester and then moved to the Newport-based Dragons in 2018.
"Well, I guess I'm very sad to say that, unfortunately, my body has finally said 'enough is enough'," Hibbard said, in a statement released by the Dragons.
"Disappointingly, it's at such a young age of 38. What a ride it has been. I have been lucky enough to do everything I've wanted and more, in this great game."
Dragons rugby director Dean Ryan added: "'Hibbz' has been an important figure during my time at Dragons, both his efforts on the field and his work developing youngsters within our squad.
"His contribution to Welsh rugby has been enormous over the years, especially when you consider what he achieved and the impact he made for Wales and the British and Irish Lions."
Danny Wilson urges Glasgow to bounce back against La Rochelle
Danny Wilson has challenged Glasgow to bounce back from their second-half capitulation against Exeter and ensure Heineken Champions Cup progress by winning at home to La Rochelle on Saturday evening.
The Scots led 17-14 with half an hour left at Sandy Park last weekend but ended up losing 52-17.
The defeat means Warriors will almost certainly have to beat the French side in their final match of the group stage if they are to make it to the last 16.
Glasgow are currently eighth in the 12-team Pool A and must remain in that position or improve on it if they are to make it to the next round of the tournament.
If they finish ninth, 10th or 11th, they will drop into the Challenge Cup, while a bottom-place finish would eliminate them from Europe altogether.
A bumper crowd is expected as supporters return to Scotstoun for the first time since the home victory over Exeter five weeks ago.
Head coach Wilson told Glasgow's website: "We're looking forward to being back at Scotstoun.
"Having been in the lead 17-14 after 50 minutes we were really disappointed with the final 30 minutes of the game against Exeter. We have the opportunity to put that right against La Rochelle.
"La Rochelle are a powerful team with a quality player base and one of the big European teams over recent years.
"We're looking forward to the challenge of welcoming them to Scotstoun."
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