Your rugby morning headlines for Tuesday, May 24.
Booth responds to ridicule
Ospreys boss Toby Booth has responded to the ridicule his side were subjected to after they celebrated winning the Welsh Shield over the weekend.
The Ospreys finished Wales' top team in the URC and, as a consequence, won a trophy and, perhaps more importantly, got themselves a spot in next season's Champions Cup. The negative comments that flowed on social media came because, despite the aforementioned prize, the Ospreys still finished ninth in the league.
Some mocked the region for posting an image of the team lifting the shield aloft during an end-of-season night out. In reality, it was likely an obligatory photograph that the league required of them.
Booth said: "I've seen some social media posts around getting a trophy for finishing ninth and bits and pieces like that. For us, it's important for young players to have something tangible for their efforts. It's a reflection of a load of hard work.
"If you look at that wins column, we've done well and that's positive but we're obviously not satisfied with finishing ninth. There's a trophy on offer for the Welsh Shield. We've managed to finish top of that and win something, and that's obviously on the basis of a team that, a couple of years ago, won two games."
Cipriani still baffled by England's Edwards snub
Danny Cipriani has cited England's failure to hand Shaun Edwards a job before he joined the Wales coaching ticket as a sign that their selection process isn't fit for purpose.
The fly-half, who played under Edwards at Wasps, took to social media to raise questions over the RFU's culture and vision - adding that England still wouldn't hire Edwards now. Despite being one of the most successful coaches in the modern game, Edwards has only been offered a post with England once.
That was in 2006 when Andy Robinson offered him the role of defence coach. Edwards, who is now enjoying success with France, turned that down, but has not been approached again either before or after taking up a job under Warren Gatland.
"The fact that Shaun Edwards didn’t fit the RFUs culture or vision when he took the Wales job and still doesn’t to this day," tweeted Cipriani. "Shows that the culture and vision is not aligned to growing or being successful. Do people change? Or change the people?"
Goode demands answers
Former England international Andy Goode has called on Eddie Jones to explain the selection decision that he finds so utterly perplexing - the constant omission of Danny Care.
The Quins scrum-half has been one of the best players in England rugby over the past two seasons but has not had a sniff of an England recall. Goode believes he is at the front of the queue when it comes to English No.9s and wants to know why Marcus Smith's club half-back partner isn't being picked.
Writing in a column for RugbyPass, he said: "It’s another England squad without Danny Care in it and people deserve to know why. It’s three and a half years since he last played for his country and he’s been in good form at various stages and for long periods during that time but he’s arguably playing better than ever right now and Eddie Jones should tell us why he’s not being included.
"It seems to be an open secret that the pair have clashed in the past but I haven’t heard anyone else in the game have a bad word to say about Care and, having played with him myself, I can guarantee he isn’t a bad apple.
"The blend of characters is important in an international squad, as it is at club level, and it’s also every coach’s prerogative to pick who he wants but Care is anything but a disruptive influence and I just think it’s about time we heard a proper explanation as to why he keeps being overlooked."
Wade poised for return from NFL
Former England international Christian Wade could return to rugby with his career in the NFL appearing to be over.
He's been released by the Buffalo Bills, having left rugby in 2019 in an attempt to cut it over in the States. Wade never made a regular season roster, though he did score a touchdown in a pre-season game.
The Covid-19 pandemic and a shoulder injury stunted his progress and now a return to rugby could be on the cards.
"I'm just looking at what the next move will be for me," Wade told BBC Radio 4.
"Whether I continue to pursue NFL, whether I look at rugby again - because I am starting to build up an appetite for it after being away for so long.
"Ultimately I am intrigued what value [rugby union] teams can see that I could bring to them, now that I've had those three years away," he added.
"It's quite intriguing to see where those teams place me now if I was to join them.
"You add my NFL experience - an elite part of sport - that's something I can bring to teams now as well."
