Here are your rugby headlines for Monday, May 15.
Maori All Black dies aged 33
Billy Guyton, who played for the Blues, Crusaders and Hurricanes, has died at the age of 33, it has been announced overnight.
Tasman Rugby Union confirmed the death of the scrum-half, who also represented the Māori All Blacks, Tasman and North Otago, in a statement.
"It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Billy Guyton (a 52 game Mako player, and recent coach of our FPC Mako team),’’ the Tasman union said in a statement.
"Billy was a much-loved member of our whole Tasman Rugby Union team and had a positive impact on those he played alongside and coached. Billy has been a major contributor to the development of women's rugby across our Tasman region.
"Our condolences and aroha are extended to Billy's whanau, friends and colleagues during this sad time.''
SIGN UP: Get the latest Welsh rugby breaking news and interviews via our free daily newsletter
Having started his career playing provincial rugby for North Otago and then Tasman, he made solitary appearances for both the Hurricanes and Crusaders before spending two seasons in Auckland with the Blues, making 24 Super Rugby appearances.
He also toured the northern hemisphere with the Maori All Blacks, featuring in games against Munster and Harlequins. Concussion symptoms forced Guyton to retire in 2018.
The Blues said in a statement: “We are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Billy Guyton... we cannot imagine the heartache his family and friends must be feeling at this difficult time. To everyone who knew Billy, we send them our sincere sympathy.”
Thomas vows to show his Welshness against England
Montpellier prop Henry Thomas has said he will show just how much of a "true Welshman" he is if he is picked to pack down against his former team England.
Thomas' inclusion in Warren Gatland's World Cup training squad elicited a number of reactions from pundits and fans alike, given he has seven caps for England, the last of which came in 2014 against the All Blacks, and is based in France.
However, Thomas, who is eligible for Wales through his father who grew up in Swansea and has served his three-year stand-down, insists he is committed to the Welsh cause now.
And of all the teams in the world he could have faced for his first Wales appearance, it could well be England at the Principality Stadium on August 5. They also play them a week later at Twickenham.
"That would be fantastic," he told the BBC. "There's a lot of work before that but it would be an immensely special day for my family. Everyone would see the true Welshman in me that day."
The prop won the Top 14 title with Montpellier last season, but revealed they would axe him after choosing Wales due to his potential unavailability during the World Cup this year.
However, he has now said he could stay at Montpellier, believing that his contract status could yet change once again.
"There have been meetings where I was basically told to choose one or the other," Thomas said of his club situation.
"I said it was too big an opportunity to turn down with Wales and possibly go to a World Cup. Montpellier understood but said that meant a change to the terms of my contract, so that's it.
"There may be a chance for that to change again but it's up in the air. I am not going to predict it too much because France can be unpredictable.
"I would love to have a chance to train with Wales and have a crack at getting in the World Cup squad and still be with Montpellier. That would be the ideal solution.
"However, this is a chance that doesn't come around for everyone. I know what it would mean for my dad and family so I have to go for it and deal with the consequences later."
Williams bemoans 'modern tragedy'
Wales legend Shane Williams has called for more young players to be given a chance to show what they can do in the Welsh Premiership.
Williams says more respect should be shown to the competition, insisting young academy players at the regions should play more at that level to hone their match skills and mature.
Writing in his Rugby Paper column, Williams said: "It is about time the regions and the Premiership clubs, along with the WRU’s elite performance department, got together to ensure there is more love, money and respect poured into the Premiership system.
"There are great coaches, great playing options and huge learning opportunities for those players coming out of their teens and looking to make their way in the professional game. The reality is that so few of them will make it to the top, but at least by playing more games they will get the chance to show what they are capable of achieving.
"It is one of the biggest tragedies of the modern game that so many rising young stars play such little rugby. The worst example of what goes on behind the scenes was told to me be an ex-playing colleague. Without naming names, one Premiership club was denied some academy players who regularly played for them because they were required to join the regional team to hold the tackle bags and pads in the warm-up session ahead of a URC fixture. Hold the bags and savour the atmosphere or play in Premiership match? I know which one I’d have voted for in my career."
Cardiff and Llandovery set for Premiership final showdown
Cardiff RFC will host Llandovery for the Indigo Premiership next Sunday.
It comes after Cardiff beat Newport RFC 21-7 on Sunday in their semi-final, with Cameron Winnett touching down twice and Dewi Cross also bagging his 20th try of the season for the blue and blacks.
Llandovery came out 16-13 winners over Merthyr. Osian Davies scored the only try of the match for the Drovers, with eight points coming off the boot of Jack Maynard and a drop goal from Ioan Hughes doing the trick.
Next Sunday's final kicks of at 5.15pm at the Arms Park.
Read more:
All Blacks icon dies and Wales star pushes team to English Premiership final
Finding Simon Raiwalui, the Welsh rugby cult hero now plotting Wales' downfall
Welsh comedian and rugby coach 'sworn at' by under-13s player and coach as he referees game
