Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, May 19.
Alun Wyn speaks out
Alun Wyn Jones has claimed the recent Welsh rugby proposal to drop from four to three regions "reeks of sorting out a balance sheet rather than improving the game".
The world's most-capped rugby player, who was on Wednesday named in Wales' squad to face South Africa this summer, has addressed the proposal put forward in a sports consultancy's report which was commissioned by the Professional Rugby Board to examine the potential next steps needed to sustain Welsh rugby going forward. The PRB have since appeared to disregard this proposal, which was one of a number put forward, but Jones has nonetheless weighed in on the latest bombshell regional talking point.
Read more: Wayne Pivac open-minded on axing Welsh region as he questions ability of players
Appearing as a guest on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast, last summer's Lions captain was asked about whether rugby or football is Wales' number one sport. After paying tribute to what his Wales football counterparts have achieved in recent years, Jones said: "I do think the appetite's there [for rugby in Wales].
"I don't think the to-ing and fro-ing about whether we're going to have three or four regions and all those sort of political and... this recent one now about talking to go to three regions, it reeks of sorting out a balance sheet rather than improving the game.
"I think if they got rid of one, those three teams are probably going to have the same amount of money, those three teams wouldn't have the extra funding from the fourth that's gone.
"Definitely, the appetite [for rugby] is there. I think the fans need more from a performance point of view but off the field as well."
Asked if he takes note of reports regarding the regions' futures, he said: "I think we have to. As players, essentially it's my job security which is probably as big if not bigger than sport.
"We had it in 2019, three days before we played Scotland in the penultimate game of the Grand Slam... As international players, you know you're probably going to be looked after but there was a lot of players, you're talking of the 180 players plus that are like 'what's happening here now?' If there was a merger there was going to be a lot of movement. But, again, they saw sense."
Wales won't make Italy mistake again
Wales coach Wayne Pivac has admitted he will field a full strength side against Italy in next year's Six Nations after the humbling first ever defeat to them in March.
Pivac made a number of changes for the tournament finale, including starting Alun Wyn Jones despite months without rugby, and he fully expected his side to have enough to win the match and secure a third-placed finish in the tournament. As history will always tells us, things didn't work out like that as the Welsh team floundered to a historic 22-21 defeat at the Principality Stadium.
Asked if he would do anything differently if he had his time again, Pivac said: "Yes... Yes I would. Well, sorry, there are two parts to that question. What we did we believed would work in that we got some questions answered on certain players, more experience at Test level leading up to a World Cup, and still got the result and come third, and then we would have ticked a lot of boxes.
"For a blade of grass and one or two other things, it didn't work out that way, so what will we do going forward? I imagine when we play Italy next year in the Six Nations, we will be going as strong as we can."
Pumas star stays in Wales
Dragons scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou has agreed a new contract to remain in Wales.
The 28-year-old Argentina international has made 23 appearances for the Welsh region since joining from Jaguares in 2021, and the Los Pumas star - who has 36 caps to his name - joins fellow scrum-halves Lewis Jones and Rhodri Williams in committing his future to Dragons.
"We are delighted that Gonzalo will extend his stay with us," said director of Dragons rugby Dean Ryan. "He enables us to play a fast game and has clearly enjoyed being a Dragon over the last two seasons and testing himself in a new competition and environment. Gonzalo has big ambitions over the next 12 months, for both Dragons and his country, and we will look forward to seeing the impact he can make with both."
After signing the new deal, Bertranou said: "I am really happy to re-sign. There is a point in the life as a professional player when you must decide on your future, what direction you take, and now it is for me to be a Dragon. I want to achieve with this squad and leave a legacy at a club that is not in my home country."
Ashton eyes coaching career
Chris Ashton plans to prolong his playing career for as long as possible before moving into a coaching role developing the finishing skills of emerging prospects.
Ashton has agreed a new one-season deal with Gallagher Premiership leaders Leicester in the month after he became the leading try scorer in the competition's history.
Even at 35 years old, the dual-code international is among English rugby's most ruthless wings and he believes he has value to offer in shaping the careers of young back-three players.
"I will play for as long as I can," he said. "I've got another year to ride it out a little bit longer, but the more it goes on I definitely think the rugby environment is the one for me. I don't think me doing a 9-5 office job is going to suit any time soon!
"I've been discussing it and thinking about it recently. I'd like to help wingers and back-three players find a way to become better finishers and how to get on the ball and score tries. I think there's a niche market there for me.
"As you get older you understand and reflect on why you are putting yourself in certain situations. A lot of them don't just happen.
"There is talent in there but it's not instinctive, you're reading the game and being ahead of the game and I'm hoping that I can pass on some of that. It does take time to understand how you get yourself into a situation. Just being instinctive and ahead of the game, reading it before it happens."
