Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, January 21.
Dewi Lake could be set for Six Nations blow
Dewi Lake is a significant doubt for Wales' Six Nations campaign after leaving Welford Road on crutches following the Ospreys' Champions Cup win over Leicester Tigers.
Lake, who was earmarked as a future Wales captain by Warren Gatland after being named in his Wales squad, left the action in the first-half of Friday night's match. Later on, he was seen on the sideline using crutches.
And while there was no definitive diagnosis on his injury, the optics weren't great.
"Dewi is a tough boy so if he leaves the pitch it is probably not great," said Ospreys head coach Toby Booth.
"He is on crutches as you would expect, we are just hoping he is back as soon as possible, especially with his Welsh hat on as well.
"It was a knee injury, it got bent backwards, and we just have to hope it is one of those things that recovers quickly
"He is abrasive and we play a collision sport and the attributes he has are cherished by any coach and he has made improvements at set-piece.
"He is a young player finding his way, and finding his way very well."
RFU tackle decision slammed
Players and fans have hit out at the RFU's seismic decision to ban tackling above the waist at all levels of the amateur game.
More than 30,000 people have signed a petition calling for the decision, which has been brought in for "player safety reasons" to be reversed
Writing on change.org, amateur player Ed Bartlett said the move would make the sport "a farcical spectacle to watch", with yellow and red cards being "handed out like confetti" and a rise in "head on knee contact", which, he speculated, may "cause more injury?".
The RFU have encouraged ball carriers "to follow the principle of evasion" and to "avoid late dipping".
Plenty of current and former players have spoken out against the move. England internationals Joe Marler and Jack Nowell have seemingly aired their disapproval, while former Wales player Lee Jarvis said: “100 per cent for player safety BUT if you lower the tackle to waist or below, then you are going to get even more injuries/concussions with knees to face/head. Players need to have a tackle choice to protect themselves as well?”
All Blacks legend Sonny Bill Williams added: "Rugby is not an 'evasion sport'. Rugby is about creating space through manipulating and moving defenses, contact is part of the game. We must be careful thinking one rule will work for all. I know I’m not one to talk, but trust me this wont fix rugby’s concussion problems.
And Former Wales and Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips said: "Basically more and more red/yellow cards coming then and spoiling games! Zero common sense around the laws of the game at the minute."
First knockout match in 13 years means 'everything' for Ospreys
Ospreys' last-gasp hero Jac Morgan said that reaching the Champions Cup knockout stages for the first time in 13 years meant 'everything' in the aftermath of the dramatic victory over English champions Leicester Tigers.
Morgan's try long after the clock had gone red sealed a stunning win at Welford Road and secured the Ospreys' place in the last 16 for the first time since 2010, with Toby Booth's side now waiting to see whether they've done enough to secure a home tie.
And Morgan, who put in a man of the match performance, couldn't hide his delight afterwards.
"It means everything," he told BT Sport. "We had a lot of confidence.
"We've had a couple of games with confidence where we know what we can do and where we're going. It's brilliant to come here, back ourselves and get the result.
"It just shows how close we are as a group. We're close-knitted and everyone plays for each other as a team.
"It's a reflection of how each of us work for one another. We never give up."
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Kurtley Beale appears in court
Australian rugby star Kurtley Beale has denied sexually assaulting a woman in Sydney last year after he was charged.
The 34-year-old was granted bail in Parramatta local court. Beale was arrested on Friday and held in custody over an alleged incident at a licensed premises on December 17 last year.
He faces four charges, including sexual intercourse without consent, inciting another to sexually touch without consent and two counts of sexually touching another person without consent.
Speaking outside court, Beale’s lawyer, Paul McGirr, told reporters Beale would be pleading not guilty and he strongly denied the allegations.
The Australia international footballer was supported in court by his wife, Maddi.
Roberts: European success can give Welsh rugby 'shot in the arm'
Former Wales centre Jamie Roberts is hopeful that the fortunes of the Welsh sides in Europe could give the game in this country a 'shot in the arm'.
The Ospreys have reached the Champions Cup knockout stages for the first time since 2010, while the Scarlets and Cardiff have qualified for the next round of the Challenge Cup. The Dragons also stand a good chance of going through - even if there's a strong Lions team in front of them on Sunday.
“In professional sport the one thing people want to see whether it’s players, coaches, fans or stakeholders, is progress," said Roberts.
“If Welsh rugby can get four teams into the knock out stages of European trophies, that’s a shot in the arm for Welsh rugby no doubt.
“Yes - it’s easier to reach than it has been before because of the new format – but it boosts confidence and that translates upwards to the National team and is a boost to fans who really want to see their sides win. After the doom and gloom of last calendar year with the disappointment around the national side and clubs – it’s progress and that’s what people want to see.”
Roberts also added that Ross Moriarty, who was overlooked by Wales this week, will be gunning for the South African outfit when he makes his 50th appearance for the Dragons this weekend.
“Ross is a no-nonsense player, a good guy, an honest guy, he says it like it is," said Roberts. "He’s just physical.
"Attack or defence he gives it everything and that’s something you respect. He is fearless. He has played at the highest level – remember he’s pulled on a Lions jersey as well. A wonderful guy and a wonderful player and it’s a great achievement for him.
“He’ll be gutted about not getting a Six Nations call-up for Wales but he will have a point to prove. The back row unfortunately is the most competitive position in Wales at the moment and players of quality are going to miss out. But one injury, and it’s an attritional position - don’t be surprised to see Ross back in the mix."
Jamie Roberts will be part of the Viaplay team for its live coverage this Sunday from Rodney Parade of Dragons RFC v Emirates Lions in the EPCR Challenge Cup starting at 12.30pm with Ross Harries, Thinus Delport, Martin Gillingham and Lauren Smith. To find out more visit www.viaplay.com
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