Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, April 8.
Scarlets hero delighted as side find way to win
Scarlets hero Sam Costelow couldn't hide his delight as he insisted that finding a way to win their Challenge Cup quarter-final against Clermont was all that mattered.
The fly-half nailed a late conversion to send Dwayne Peel's side into the final four, with a home semi-final waiting for them. Clermont, despite having a player sent off in the first-half, dominated much of the second half and seemed destined to win as the match reached its finale.
That wasn't the case, though, thanks to Ryan Conbeer's late try and Costelow's heroics. Afterwards, he was asked to explain what was going through his head when he lined up the winning kick.
"I don't know," he told S4C. "I just felt the boys worked so hard to get back in the game. We worked hard and it just paid off. It was good. To be honest, we were quite scrappy. We didn't look after the ball and we didn't play in the right areas, myself included. But we managed to find a way and I think that's what's most important."
Dacey primed for landmark appearance in European clash
Cardiff hooker Kristian Dacey is dreaming of another European medal as he gets set to make his 200th appearance for the club against Benetton on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off). The Wales international will reach the landmark should he come off the bench in Cardiff's Challenge Cup quarter-final, a feat he never dreamt of achieving.
Now, with just potentially 240 minutes of European knockout rugby left to play, Dacey is hopeful that the class of 2023 can emulate 2018's side and win the Challenge Cup again.
“Growing up back in Merthyr everyone dreamt of playing professional rugby and to have the career I’ve had is something I’m really proud of," said Dacey. “My past history with injuries is no secret but at the moment the body feels great and I'm just looking forward to Saturday and hopefully it is a big occasion with a big win.
“I always remember being 12 or 13 and Robert Sidoli coming into school to give out awards. I always thought I wanted to be like Sid, he’s obviously also from Merthyr, and to play 200 times here at Cardiff is massive. It’s something I couldn’t have done by myself. I do the easy part and the sacrifices are made by my family, the wife and the kids, the amount of time they don’t see me so the 200 is for them.
“My first game of professional rugby stands out, having family there and after that the first time captaining the team for the first time, back in 2017 against Toulouse. We went out there and no one expected us to win but we came away with the result and went onto win the cup that season.
“Bilbao itself was a huge moment. It was the first time having the family coming on an away trip and having my little boy there was massive. I’ve got another boy now and it would be nice to get them both a medal.”
Former England coach calls for greater collaboration between codes
Former England attack coach Martin Gleeson has called for even greater collaboration between rugby union and league. Eddie Jones’ ex-assistant wasn’t kept on when Steve Borthwick took over for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.
During a Good Friday appearance as a Sky Sports TV pundit for the Super League clash between Wigan and St Helens, he was asked what he had seen in union that could impact league better.
“There is lots both codes can learn from each other,” he said. “It’s very similar in a lot of ways. The players, the lads are great, the camaraderie is great, some of the skill set that they have is unbelievable and I think there should be more linking up between players, coaches and even teams.”
Former Munster centre hit with nine-week ban
Former Munster rugby player Dan Goggin has been hit with a nine-week ban after an incident that left Garryowen player Sean Rennison with facial injuries.
The incident occurred during a club game between Young Munster and Garryowen in the Energia All Ireland League Division One, when the former Munster centre appeared to lash out with his boot after Rennison had tackled him.
The 28-year-old was not initially penalised but was cited and handed an 18-week ban at a disciplinary hearing. That was then reduced to nine weeks after mitigation..
The news comes just two days after Munster announced that Goggin would be leaving the province, with a move abroad confirmed. It is expected that he will head to Australia to play in the Shute Shield. It is unclear whether his suspension will apply outside of Ireland.
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