Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, March 1.
Prominent player feels 'dumped on'
An unnamed rugby player in Wales has said he feels "dumped on" after revealing his new contract offer is less than a quarter of his first contract.
The player's testimony was read out on the latest edition of the ScrumV podcast. It comes after WalesOnline revealed 12 Cardiff players earning up to £250,000 a year have been told they can't be offered more than £30,000 for next season amid financial cuts in the game. The situation has been exacerbated because the four professional sides have to honour the existing contracts of National Squad 38 players, who are on huge salaries. Under the current payment model the Welsh Rugby Union effectively pay for 80% of their salaries, with the region picking up the remaining 20%.
Moving forward, the regions will have to honour the contracts of the NS38 players without the money to pay them, meaning there's very little left to contract others.
Presenter Gareth Rhys Owen revealed he had asked a "prominent" player to come on the show, but was turned down by the demoralised star.
A message from the player sent to him read: "Not sure there's anything positive I want to say right now and don't want to let the screw off and start saying things I will regret. I have only just been offered a contract two days ago worth less than a quarter of my very first contract. I just feel like I put my heart and soul into these jerseys just to be dumped on. I only have a handful of games left to find somewhere suitable to provide for my family so I am not sure if I want to let my emotions speak publicly at this moment."
All Blacks coach to leave
New Zealand coach Ian Foster has revealed he will not re-apply for the All Blacks job in a statement that has caused quite a stir overnight.
Foster felt he needed to make a statement after New Zealand Rugby announced the new head coach of the national side will be revealed before the World Cup - probably in the next six weeks. Foster did not want that to happen until after the tournament.
Crusaders chief Scott Robertson and Japan coach Jamie Joseph are the favourites for the role.
Foster said: “My sole focus remains unchanged. It is to lead this All Blacks team and management group in our planning and preparation so that we go to France with the goal of winning the Rugby World Cup and making this country proud.
“I won’t be re-applying for the job of head coach.”
Detectives called in amid hunt for missing player
Specialist Spanish police detectives have been called in amid the search for missing rugby player Levi Davis.
The 24-year-old former Bath player and singer was last seen at The Old Irish Pub in Barcelona on October 29.
Catalan police said there were "disturbing" issues with "no logical explanation", the BBC reported. They added that Mr Davis remains a missing person but the case has been handed to a specialist crime unit for further investigation.
The police described the case as an "open investigation" but said said they cannot give any further information.
Mr Davis appeared on ITV's Celebrity X Factor in 2019 alongside fellow rugby stars Ben Foden and Thom Evans, in a singing group known as Try Star. He was also on E4's Celebs Go Dating in 2020.
He had signed a record deal and had gone to stay with a friend, Richard Squire, in Ibiza to work on some songs.
Mr Squire said he dropped Mr Davis off in Ibiza town on October 28 and has not seen him since. He said Mr Davis told him he was heading to Barcelona.
Mr Squire told the BBC: "I was obviously worried for him. I said, 'Gone where?' He said: 'Barcelona, going to see some mates'.
"So then I sent him a voice note saying, 'You're worrying me. Please tell me where you are'."
Mr Davis told Mr Squire he would call when he arrived in Barcelona, but he never did. As concern grew, Bath Rugby shared a missing persons appeal in November in the hope that someone may be able to help find Mr Davis.
Italy suffer major blow for Wales game
Italy full-back Ange Capuozzo is a huge doubt for the Six Nations match against Wales in Rome.
Capuozzo suffered a shoulder injury in their defeat to Ireland and is due to undergo further medical checks. But reports in France suggest the Toulouse player is unlikely to feature in the Stadio Olimpico meeting.
French-born Capuozzo, 23, created the winning score for Italy's first victory in Wales last year.
Smith to return
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
Marcus Smith will return to England camp on Sunday but the Harlequins fly-half must first show his Test pedigree as he faces a battle to be involved in the climax to the Guinness Six Nations.
Smith has been omitted from a 26-man training squad that has gathered in Brighton for the fallow week, losing his place to George Ford who now looks likely to participate in the round four clash with France at his expense.
Coach Steve Borthwick insists Smith has been released for Saturday's Gallagher Premiership match against Exeter to give him game time, but as the only member of the 23 who toppled Wales to be sent back the decision appears to hold greater significance.
"Marcus will be back in the squad on Sunday. He understands that. The thing I want him to have is that match-sharpness. That is really important for him," Borthwick said.
Read more:
What Wales are actually trying to do under Gatland and why it's not working
The major Welsh rugby transfer stories about to unfold and what's going to happen
Wales to miss out on millions in Six Nations prize money amid awful results
