Here are the latest rugby headlines for Monday, October 3.
Cuthbert targets pre-autumn series return
Wales and Ospreys wing Alex Cuthbert is hoping to return from injury in a couple of weeks ahead of the autumn internationals.
Cuthbert, 32, has not played for Ospreys this season after suffering a shoulder injury against South Africa in July and has also been battling a leg problem.
Wales play New Zealand on November 5 before matches against Argentina, Georgia and Australia.
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"I will hopefully be back soon," Cuthbert told Scrum V. "I just have a few things to tick off on the training park. It has been frustrating but hopefully it will be very soon, so we will see how it goes.
"I am looking hopefully at a couple of weeks. We have some big games coming up with Ulster, Stormers and the Dragons derby. I want to be playing big games for Ospreys and hopefully get back into the team."
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac will be without Cardiff duo Liam Williams and Owen Lane while Dragons prop Leon Brown is also injured for the autumn series. There are also concerns around Cardiff flanker Josh Navidi (neck), Ospreys outside-half Gareth Anscombe (ribs) and Scarlets centre Johnny Williams (calf).
Wales Women coach to join Highlanders
Wales Women attack coach Richard Whiffin will join Super Rugby outfit Highlanders next year.
Currently in New Zealand ahead of Wales' Women's Rugby World Cup opener against Scotland this Sunday, Whiffin said it was an opportunity he couldn't resist. The Welsh Rugby Union will look to recruit a replacement early next year.
Whiffin joined the Wales Women national coaching team in September 2021, having previously spent two years with the Scarlets alongside Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham. Before that, he was academy manager at Gloucester and London Irish attack coach.
The Highlanders’ attack underperformed this year, and Whiffin’s appointment signals that new head coach Clarke Dermody wants to bring a completely fresh perspective to Dunedin. Dermody already has an association with Whiffin from his days as a player with London Irish, but his interest was really piqued after speaking to former All Blacks attack coach Brad Mooar and former Highlanders defence coach Glenn Delaney, both of whom worked with Whiffin at Scarlets. Their feedback was positive, which prompted Dermody to contact Whiffin about the attack coach role.
Whiffin will initially join on a one-year deal and at this stage his family – he has three young children – will remain in the UK.
"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time in Wales both with the Scarlets and Wales Women but this opportunity was one I really couldn't resist," he said. "Super Rugby has always been a huge part of my rugby education, from watching on TV as a child to studying the competition as a coach, so to get the opportunity to coach at this level is a massive privilege that I am really grateful to the Highlanders for. I am really looking forward to getting down to Dunedin and experiencing all that it has to offer.
"But for now my priority is on preparing the team for the Rugby World Cup starting with Scotland on the weekend. We can take confidence from our Six Nations win against them, we've trained well since arriving in New Zealand but now we need to nail the details over the coming week."
Wales boss Cunningham added: "Whiff has played a significant role in our team's development over the last 12 months, not only in terms of his attack role but in our journey towards professionalism. We wish him all the best in his next venture."
Worcester exodus begins
England internationals Ted Hill and Ollie Lawrence are among four Worcester players set to join Bath from Worcester on loan, with Steve Diamond's squad in limbo amid the club's financial worries.
The Daily Mail reports that Bath are soon set to confirm the loan arrivals of back-row Hill, powerful centre Lawrence, Australian forward Fergus Lee-Warner and Russian prop Valery Morozov.
Worcester’s players are unable to train or play and many have received interest and offers from other clubs.
Injuries hit England mini-camp
England boss Eddie Jones has been forced to rejig his squad for a mini-camp which was intended to better prepare his squad for the upcoming autumn internationals.
A flurry of injuries in the Gallagher Premiership this weekend have forced him to rethink his plans. Hookers Jamie George and Jack Walker, as well as centre Guy Porter, have all pulled out. George McQuigan, Jack Singleton and Adam Radwan have been called in as replacements.
A statement from the RFU read: “Jamie George, Guy Porter and Jack Walker have withdrawn from the England men’s squad through injury. England head coach Eddie Jones has called up Newcastle Falcons duo George McGuigan and Adam Radwan, along with Gloucester’s Jack Singleton, to the squad who have met in London for a three-day training camp.”
Pollard's debut lasts 20 minutes
Springbok fly-half Handre Pollard lasted little over 20 minutes during his debut for Leicester Tigers after returning from injury much earlier than initially anticipated.
The World Cup winner's Rugby Championship campaign was ended prematurely by a knee injury amid fears he had re-damaged his ACL. He was initially described as 80 percent doubtful for the autumn series by his national team boss Jacques Nienaber but trotted out for Tigers at the weekend.
The decision came after a second opinion following his arrival in England delivered a much rosier diagnosis, leading to him taking the field against Saracens. After the match, though, Tigers boss Steve Borthwick hoped it was "nothing too serious".
Horsman sympathises with Worcester
Former Wales international Chris Horsman has sympathised with members of staff at his former club Worcester Warriors.
Horsman spent a large chunk of his career at Sixways and earned all of his Wales caps while at the club. Having gone through something similar when the Celtic Warriors disbanded, he has a better idea than most as to what it is like.
Speaking on Scrum V, he said: "I had five wonderful years there as a player and that was the club that allowed me to play international rugby. It's hugely disappointing to see what they're going through.
"I actually joined Worcester Warriors from the Celtic Warriors, so I know exactly what it's like. We played our last game of the season Friday night, had two days out in Connacht for an end of season do and then got made redundant on Monday. That certainly cleared the hangover.
"The whole world, at the moment, is in a tough time and rugby is no different but it doesn't make it any easier to see one of your former clubs in that situation."
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