These are your rugby headlines on Friday, April 14.
Patchell targeted by Hansen
Steve Hansen is targeting Wales fly-half and Scotland's Adam Hastings for his World XV match against the Barbarians this summer.
The Baa-baas will be coached by former England coach Eddie Jones, with Hansen to take charge of the rest of the world team.
Jones has lined up Wales stars Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau and Rhys Webb for his squad, alongside Danny Care, Dan Cole, André Esterhuizen, Joe Marler, Jonny May, Jack Nowell and Sam Simmonds. And Hansen wants Patchell and Hastings in his backline which is also set to include star names Marika Koroibete, Semi Radradra and Charles Piutau.
The match will take place at Twickenham on May 27.
"Traditionally, you want a Barbarians game to be open and flowing, and a World XV game is the same," said Hansen. "This event gets you a combination of both those teams - and both coaches will treat it with the respect that it deserves.
"Whilst both sides will have a little bit of fun during the week, come Sunday they'll have the freedom to express themselves and pour it out on the park. I'm sure we'll see a wonderfully high-skilled spectacle that hopefully people will come along and really, really enjoy."
Williams: Wales players will get flogged
Shane Williams has warned the Wales players selected in Warren Gatland's World Cup training squad that they will get "flogged" this summer.
Gatland is just weeks away from naming his expanded training squad for the tournament in France in the autumn. He is taking his players away for high-intensity training camps this summer to Switzerland and Turkey, similar to what he did prior to the 2019 competition.
Williams says he knows the players will be put through their paces - and then some.
"At the training camps I can ensure you these boys are going to get flogged and are going to get worked hard," Williams said. "It's not only going to be fitness but working in combinations. They are going to have to work their socks off because they are going to be put to the sword.
"They are going to have to be mentally and physically tough. Some of the players will be able to hack it and some won't. Some people enjoy and thrive in those environments while others struggle. I've seen it myself. I've no doubt they will be better, more prepared, and stronger for the World Cup."
You can read the full interview with Williams here.
Blacker swaps Scarlets for Dragons
The Dragons have announced the signing of highly-rated scrum-half Dane Blacker from the Scarlets. As WalesOnline exclusively revealed on Monday, Blacker will link up with Dai Flanagan’s side at Rodney Parade this summer.
Blacker’s form for the Scarlets earned a Wales call-up last autumn, although he failed to earn a cap after being an unused replacement against Georgia.
“I’ve known Dane since he was 18 years old and we’re excited to bring him into our club next season,” said Flanagan. “Dane is a talented and driven young player, but also the right character for our environment.
“He has international aspirations with Wales that we want to help him achieve as a Dragon. His arrival gives us real strength at scrum-half and a very healthy competition for places next season. We’re looking forward to the impact we know he will make with us.”
Peter Thomas arrangements confirmed
Cardiff have announced there will be a public memorial service held to celebrate the life of Peter Thomas who died last month.
The club legend, who pumped millions into Cardiff over the years, died just a few weeks shy of his 80th birthday. His passing prompted an outpouring of tributes from the Welsh rugby public and it has now been confirmed that fans and wellwishers will be able to pay their respects at Llandaff Cathedral next month.
In a statement on their website, Cardiff wrote: "A public memorial service will be held to celebrate the life of Peter Thomas CBE at Llandaff Cathedral on Thursday, May 4. The Cardiff Rugby life president, who enjoyed an association spanning six decades with the club including 22 years as chairman, sadly passed away last month.
"A private funeral service will be held later this month. However, that will be followed by a public memorial at 11.30am at Llandaff Cathedral on May 4, which would have been Peter’s 80th birthday.
"Following the memorial service at the cathedral, the wake will be held at Peter’s beloved Cardiff Arms Park. Donations to City Hospice can be made in lieu of flowers, while a book of condolence remains open at Cardiff Arms Park."
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