Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, January 12
Gerwyn Price to play for local team
Darts champion Gerwyn Price has revealed the Welsh team he will play for when he makes his rugby return this season.
Former rugby star Price has taken the darts world by storm since quitting the oval ball game in 2014 and taking up a new sport professionally.
During his rugby days Price turned out as hooker for Neath and Cross Keys, as well as a short stint with Glasgow Warriors as injury cover in the old PRO12. As a darts player, he has remarkably become the number one ranked player in the game.
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After a difficult time that has seen him have to put up with constant abuse from fans as he crashed out of the recent PDC World Championships quarter-finals, he is now planning to play once or twice a month for local side Bedwellty RFC when his darts schedule allows.
"I need to have a little bit of my life back, I need some of that adrenaline," Price told BBC Sport Wales.
"I'm definitely going to put them [boots] back on sometime in the season, the question is just when as I've got to pick and choose tournaments.
"I'm going to hit them hard early on and when I get myself some decent ranking points I'll miss one or two and definitely get those boots back on.
"I'm on the road constantly so it's nice to take some time out and I'm going to put the property (business) on the back burner for a bit as it's a little bit stressful.
"So I'll chill out when I'm home and hopefully enjoy one or two games of rugby which I do really miss, I'm looking forward to it.
"Hopefully I'll stay injury-free."
Coach blown away by rising centre star
Young Wales hopeful Mason Grady has received a ringing endorsement from his regional attack coach.
Cardiff backs chief Matt Sherratt has been hugely impressed by the young centre, who is being tipped to bulldoze his way straight into Warren Gatland's Six Nations squad, particularly after a barnstorming performance against the Scarlets in front of the watching Wales coach last weekend.
Grady has actually trained with the Wales squad under Wayne Pivac, such is his potential, and full honours are surely not far away.
"He's been in the training squad already and it's no secret Wales have their eyes open for him," Sherratt said.
"He's played well for the 20s and he's not got the sort of frame you can easily ignore. Mason is a really good kid. He's very diligent and he's got better and better as the season has progressed. I thought the 50 minutes he had against the Scarlets was the best performance I've seen him have in a Cardiff shirt. The on-the-ball stuff is always going to be the eye-catching stuff that pricks supporters' ears up. But some of his work off the ball was exceptional.
"Mason's biggest strength is his carrying game. He carried four or five times and it took two or three players to stop him each time. His metres through contact were very, very good.
"The more touches he can have, the better. He's got physical attributes that you can't coach. He's a real power athlete. If he goes the way he's going, he's going to be involved in the Welsh squad very quickly.
"He reminds me of George (North) a little bit, in terms of his frame. Both similar sizes and powerful lads. But you don't want to compare too much. George is a double British Lion with over 100 caps. Mason has maybe played a dozen games for Cardiff. But if he keeps going where he's going, his ceiling for improvement is massive. If he keeps working at his game, his strengths will get better and he's got a big future."
Farrell and Smith can work, insists new coach
England's new attack coach believes the misfiring Marcus Smith-Owen Farrell creative axis can be ignited by providing the clarity that was missing under the previous regime.
Nick Evans, an influential figure in Harlequins' all-action charge to the 2021 Gallagher Premiership title, will oversee the attack for the Six Nations as part of Steve Borthwick's freshly assembled management team.
Under Eddie Jones, a confused England had become increasingly impotent with the failure of Smith and Farrell to gel at the heart of a malaise that contributed to the Australian's sacking last month.
Farrell has been superb as Saracens' fly-half so far this season while Smith, who fills the same position for Quins, will make his first appearance since the autumn against Racing 92 on Sunday having recovered from an ankle injury.
It remains to be seen whether Borthwick persists with the duo at 10 and 12 for England but, if he does, Evans will remain mindful of the need to avoid 'death by detail'.
"There is no reason why they can't play together. But you have to be very clear about what you are trying to achieve, how you are doing this, what the detail looks like. Once everyone is clear on that then you can go through with it," Evans said.
"Some of the feedback was that maybe that wasn't there, so maybe there was a bit of a crossover. It's just about making sure that you're very clear on roles and responsibilities."
Townsend 'open to staying with Scotland'
The Times report that Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is opening to staying on beyond the World Cup despite links with France.
French reports earlier this week stated Townsend had applied for an assistant coach role with Les Bleus after the tournament, when his contract comes to an end with the SFU.
Midi Olympique stated Townsend was among a number of candidates who applied to take charge of the attack of Fabien Galthie's outfit.
However, the Times write that he is considering a number of options when his contract expires and that he "has not ruled out the possibility of remaining as Scotland head coach".
He could also consider a club position on the continent too.
Read more:
Tragic death of Warren Gatland's young daughter is now his driving force
Rhys Priestland set to leave Cardiff this year and plans totally new career
Thomas Young's Six Nations hopes dashed as Wales and Cardiff flanker receives crushing news
Welsh teen who joined famous French club returns with hope of Wales honours
