Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, April 22.
Dai Young to miss Judgement Day game with Ospreys
By PA Sport Staff
Cardiff have confirmed that rugby director Dai Young will not attend Saturday's Judgement Day clash against Ospreys at the Principality Stadium. Cardiff, though, will not comment on the 55-year-old Young being suspended amid alleged complaints made against him by club staff.
The PA news agency understands that Young did not attend training on Friday. Cardiff, meanwhile, say that former Wasps boss Young will miss the Ospreys game due to "unforeseen circumstances".
It is a huge fixture for both United Rugby Championship teams, with Heineken Champions Cup qualification on the line. Cardiff currently top the Welsh Shield by four points from the Ospreys. So one point against their west Wales rivals would see them secure a place in next season's blue riband European club competition.
Halfpenny signs off
Leigh Halfpenny has signed off his Scarlets stint with an emotional note to supporters, pledging to give his all in his final days at the club.
The Wales full-back is one of 15 players who are leaving Parc y Scarlets come the end of the season, marking the end of a six-year stint out west.
What the future holds for him remains to be seen, but in the meantime he has penned a heartfelt farewell message to fans thanking them for their support.
He wrote: "After six incredible years my time at the Scarlets is coming to an end and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at the club who has supported me and made my time here so special. It's been a privilege to wear the jersey and I'm extremely grateful to have had the honour to represent this great region.
"Thanks to all my team-mates, coaches and backroom staff, it's been an absolute pleasure. Also thanks to the sponsors of course, and our loyal and passionate fans who have given both myself and the team such incredible support.
"This is a special place to play rugby and I have loved every minute of my time here. I will take with me some unforgettable memories both on and off the field that I will cherish forever and I feel fortunate to have made friends for life. The atmosphere at a packed Parc y Scarlets is something I will always remember and I am sure it will be the same in our European cup semi-final next week, I will continue to give my all as we look to finish the season on a high.
"There is an exciting group of players and staff who I am sure will go on to achieve great things and I wish the club all the best for the future. A huge thank you to you all. Diolch am bopeth."
England push through tackle height change in face of uproar
The legal tackle height in English community rugby will be lowered to the base of the sternum from July 1 following a vote by the Rugby Football Union council on Friday.
Attempts by the RFU to force through the change in January were met with uproar due to the new level being set at the waist and the lack of consultation with the grassroots game. But following a period of discussion and an online open survey, the feedback was presented to the RFU council, which has approved the adjustment of the height to "the area of the tummy or belly and below".
For all the acrimony caused earlier in the year, the RFU had indicated that it would press ahead with the change as part of a drive to reduce concussion. It comes as the game's governing bodies face a class-action lawsuit from former professional and amateur players who are suffering from neurological impairments, including early onset dementia.
The RFU had been forced to apologise for its mishandling of the original announcement amid a grassroots revolt. This time, however, it gathered ideas from 8,500 people through the online open survey and more than 1,000 people during 25 in-person and virtual forums, including coaches, players, match officials and disciplinary officers.
Under 'law 9 foul play', the wording governing the change will be: "A player must not tackle or attempt to tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent in open play above the base of the sternum even if the tackle starts below the base of the sternum."
As part of the consultation it has been agreed that the pick and go - an integral part of the game that would be unworkable under a reduced height - will still be officiated as it currently is.
The elite game will be encouraged to change its tackle height, thereby synchronising the professional and amateur levels. Once the tackle height change comes into effect on July 1, they will have different laws for the first time. There will also be monitoring of any change to the number of head-on-head impacts and to participation levels amid concerns that some might be driven away from the game by the new tackle height.
"We along with many other unions across the world are lowering the tackle height to reduce the risk of concussion," RFU president Nigel Gillingham said. "We know change is challenging, however. It is imperative that we are guided by the science to help make the game safer for our players."
Stormers consolidate top-three finish with victory over Benetton
The Stormers consolidated a top-three finish in the United Rugby Championship by defeating Benetton 38-22 at Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch. The reigning URC champions did not hit top gear, but they had more than enough to see off the European Challenge Cup semi-finalists.
Stormers will be at home in next month's title play-offs, and they warmed up for that knockout phase by claiming a maximum five points.
Flanker Willie Engelbrecht scored two tries, while there were also touchdowns for wing Angelo Davids, hooker JJ Kotze, full-back Clayton Blommetjies and replacement Marcel Theunissen, with fly-half Manie Libbok kicking four conversions.
Benetton led until just before half-time and they claimed tries from back-row forwards Alessandro Izekor and Manuel Zuliani, with Tomas Albornoz adding one conversion and a penalty, while they also collected a late penalty try. But Benetton never seriously threatened to upset the form guide, and they must now regroup before next weekend's Challenge Cup last-four clash against Toulon in France.
Scarlets locks sign new contracts
Locks Jac Price and Morgan Jones have signed new contracts to extend their stay at the Scarlets. The second-row pair, teammates for Wales U20s, have graduated from the Scarlets academy to the senior squad.
Price, from Carmarthen, has made 24 senior appearances since making his debut in 2020. Jones started out at Leicester but moved to sest Wales via the Welsh Exiles programme. He will play his 42nd game in Scarlets colours in Saturday’s Judgement Day clash against the Dragons.
“At the age of 23, Jac and Morgan are young second rows who have a huge amount of potential in the game,” said head coach Dwayne Peel.
“Unfortunately, Jac picked up an injury earlier in the season which has kept him out, but he has already shown what he is capable of at this level. Morgan is another who is developing every game and has been making a big impact in some big games for us.
“They are constantly working hard on their game and I’m looking forward to seeing how they develop in a Scarlets jersey over the coming years.”
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