Here are your rugby morning headlines for Friday, October 14.
Another English team to be cut under plans
Another English team could be cut from the Gallagher Premiership under plans to move to just 10 teams.
The demise of Worcester and Wasps means there are now just 11 functioning sides in the 13-team league, and the financial implosion will now accelerate plans for a sustainable future.
Exeter coach Rob Baxter is among those supportive of moving to 10 teams, with Premiership and RFU bosses meeting on Thursday to discuss the future.
Proposals include plans to form a Premiership Two beneath the new-look 10-side top division, which would allow clubs to remain professional but with a lower salary cap. The league would offer promotion and relegation via a play-off, the Times report.
“As well as supporting efforts to find a long-term sustainable future for both Wasps and Worcester Warriors, it is our responsibility to set a more sustainable path for English club rugby,” Simon Massie-Taylor, the chief executive of Premiership Rugby, said.
“This was on the agenda already, but we need to now accelerate the work we are doing. Our shared goal must be to put in place stronger foundations that underpin the long-term prosperity for the sport in this country.”
Wales Women make four changes
Wales head coach Ioan Cunningham has made four changes to his starting line-up for his side’s second Test of the Rugby World Cup against New Zealand on Sunday.
On the back of last weekend’s victory over Scotland, he has selected an unchanged backline, while up front, Bethan Lewis, Siwan Lillicrap, Gwen Crabb and Kelsey Jones come into the forward pack, Lillicrap resuming the captaincy of the side with Hannah Jones vice-captain.
Cunningham has challenged his players to “grab the opportunity with both hands”.
“As a squad we have spoken about embracing this challenge,” said Cunningham. "It’s a great opportunity to express ourselves. We’re playing New Zealand in their home world cup, we’re both on the back of wins, so it’s all about this game now.
“We have nothing to lose but you have to be brave against any New Zealand team, you have to go for it, score tries, we can’t hold back, we have to go for it. Australia showed you can create opportunities and we need to do that too.”
Wales team v New Zealand (Sunday, October 16, 3.15am UK kick-off): 15. Kayleigh Powell, 14. Jasmine Joyce, 13. Megan Webb, 12. Hannah Jones (vice-captain), 11. Lisa Neumann, 10. Elinor Snowsill, 9. Ffion Lewis, 1. Cara Hope, 2. Kelsey Jones, 3. Donna Rose, 4. Natalia John, 5. Siwan Lillicrap (capt), 6. Gwen Crabb, 7. Bethan Lewis, 8. Sioned Harries.
Replacements: 16. Kat Evans, 17. Caryl Thomas, 18. Sisilia Tuipulotu, 19. Abbie Fleming, 20. Alex Callender, 21. Keira Bevan, 22. Robyn Wilkins, 23. Kerin Lake.
England set to lose coach before World Cup
England defence coach Anthony Seibold claims "no deal has been done" amid reports he will leave Eddie Jones' coaching ticket to return to rugby league in Australia.
Seibold took over the defence last year after doing some analysis for Jones, but now appears set to return to rugby league after Manly Sea Eagles sacked coach Des Hasler on Thursday.
However, while reports in Australia suggest that Seibold is likely to take the job, he is still expected to fulfil his commitments for England's autumn internationals.
Speaking to Fox Sports, he confirmed that he will fly to London this weekend, saying he would “see what happens over the coming days” regarding his future but he clarified “no deal has been done with Manly as yet”.
Sam Davies: Dragons have to turn up 'emotionally' to stop horror streak
Dragons fly-half Sam Davies believes he and his team-mates must turn up "emotionally" at the Arms Park to stop a 14-games losing streak against Cardiff.
Davies, who passed 500 points for the Men of Gwent during their defeat by Benetton, has said he is laser-focused on helping his team earn their first win at the Arms Park since 2014.
“It’s another milestone in my career that I will look back on when I retire and be proud of - hopefully there is plenty more to come starting with Cardiff this weekend,” he said of passing the 500-point mark.
“We must turn up emotionally this weekend and for Welsh derbies we normally do that.
“Our set piece is good enough to give us a good chance of winning the game, off the back of that our kicking game has to be good and we need to be a bit more clinical when we enter the opposition 22.”
The 29-year-old believes the east Wales derby might be won or lost at the set piece.
“You play against friends and boys we know, but we put those friendships aside for the derby days and they become fiery affairs,” he added.
“This week we will have to look back and see what we did poorly and reflect on some of the positives we can take from Benetton. The set piece and opposition 22m attack will be key areas for us this week.
“Cardiff have threats all over the field in attack and they have some dangerous and direct centres in the middle of the park. We will need to take care of those threats and the breakdown is always massive in these games against Cardiff, both sides of the ball.
“We just need to make sure we receive quick ball, slow theirs down and we will be in the game.”
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