These are your rugby headlines on Saturday, September 3.
North and Jones fitness latest
The Ospreys' Wales and Lions stars are not certain to be involved in the season opener against the Scarlets in a fortnight.
The likes of Alun Wyn Jones and George North have only been back training with the squad since last Friday and are currently being put through some gruelling fitness training, while the team completed their pre-season campaign with an encouraging 31-24 win over Northampton last night. You can read about that here.
Asked specifically about North and Jones' chances of making the Scarlets match, head coach Toby Booth said: "If you’d have seen them after their fitness session today, you’d probably know the correct answer to that. No, they’ve all been back since last Friday. We have to take it on a case-by-case basis. They’re all healthy which is the good thing, bar Alex Cuthbert. He’s the only one who hasn’t been on the pitch.
"We’ll assess them over the next week to see who’s ready, who can play a part or even start. We want all our best resources available to us to make good choices. The good thing is when the young players come on and put pressure on selection which is what every coach wants."
Justin Tipuric came through his first match for more than a year against Saints in a huge boost for Booth and the Ospreys.
Game abandoned due to 'emergency situation'
Edinburgh's pre-season friendly match with London Scottish on Friday was abandoned with six minutes to go due to an "emergency situation" at DAM Health Stadium.
A recorded announcement said "an emergency situation has arisen inside the stadium".
Supporters filed out of the ground into the car park to await further instruction. The visitors were leading 34-26 when the game was halted.
It later emerged that a fire alarm had been set off accidentally. Edinburgh Rugby managing director Douglas Struth said: “A stadium fire alarm was triggered accidentally by a member of the public in the Lothian Stand. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended the ground and no fire was identified. We’re pleased to report no one was hurt. “We would like to thank supporters for their patience and understanding, as well as for the safe and orderly manner in which they left DAM Health Stadium tonight.
“Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused.”
Matawalu debut on TV
Fiji international Niko Matawalu will make his Pontypridd debut against Cardiff on Saturday, with the match being shown live on S4C.
Ponty welcome reigning Indigo Group Premiership champions Cardiff RFC to Sardis Road, with Matawalu set to start on the wing after signing for the club earlier this week.
The shock news stunned Welsh rugby, with Matawalu joining Ponty as player/skills coach from French Top 14 side Racing 92, alongside studying at the University of South Wales.
S4C’s match coverage gets under way at 5.15pm, with kick off at 5.30pm. English commentary will be available on the match.
S4C will show a game from every week of the Indigo Premiership season, with Swansea v Aberavon the next game to be shown, live online, on S4C Clic and the S4C YouTube page, at 7.30pm on Thursday 8 September.
Campese unhappy
Rugby legend David Campese has hit out at the state of modern rugby, claiming the game is being ruined by officiating.
The former Wallabies winger believes referees and TMOs have become too powerful.
'It's a farce,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'The referees think they are the most important person on the field. They think it's about them, but it's not. It's about the game. It's about the players and the supporters.
'People don't pay their money to watch a referee blow his whistle. They go to watch a game of football. They want to see tries, not penalty goals. It's sad. The way things are now, it's a joke.'
'I know I talk about the good old days but it's hard not to. I'm an old fart, I admit that, but I've always been outspoken, and I can't say things are good if they are not.
'The TMO [Television Match Official] and referees are ruining the game.'"
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