Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, May 4.
Young's face doesn't fit
Former Wales internationals have expressed surprise at Thomas Young's continued exclusion from the Wales squad.
Serial award-winner Young, who topped the turnover charts in the URC this season, has been one of Welsh rugby's outstanding players for Cardiff but has once again been overlooked by Warren Gatland, despite the Kiwi naming a mammoth 54-man squad.
Mike Phillips described the decision as "just crazy", while Scrum V pundit pundit Nicky Robinson said: "One of his (Gatland's) quotes was about physicality and the fact we have lots of players who do a similar job. I think Thomas gives you a point of difference with his speed and his ball handling and his play compared to the others. Justin Tipuric is also a complete player.
"I think Thomas is unlucky and his face doesn't quite fit with Gats, does it?"
Josh Navidi, who was a guest on the show agreeed, adding: "Look over the years. When he was at Wasps and playing well he didn't have a look in. He's a wide channel player whereas someone like Jac Morgan you're going to have running at a brick wall to get that yard that helps you release the backs. I think that's what it comes down to."
Former Wales international Lee Jarvis also commented: "I would love to know how the conversation with Warren Gatland and Thomas Young went and what are his work ons to get into the Welsh squad. He has been outstanding again. It's baffling me, if I'm honest, how he's constantly being left out."
Gatland said of Young's omission: "We know how good he is with ball in hand. But it’s probably an area with our loose forwards where we’re looking for physicality at the breakdown, turnovers, competing, and counter-rucking – those sorts of things. We’ve got really good ball players and we’ve got to get the balance right."
Peter Thomas service held today
Hundreds of mourners are expected to attend a memorial service for former Cardiff chairman Peter Thomas today.
Thomas will be honoured at Llandaff Cathedral on what would have been his 80th birthday. He died in March after initially being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021. A private family funeral has already been held.
Senior Welsh rugby figures and players are expected to be in attendance at the service.
Thomas' association with Cardiff spanned more than six decades. He played for Cardiff RFC in the 1960s and returned to help run the club before its 2003 transition to one of Wales' four regions. He first invested in the club in 1994 and was chairman for 22 years before stepping down in 2018, when he wrote off debts of more than £11m but remained a board member and benefactor.
Bath sign two Welsh teens
English Premiership club Bath have given senior contracts to two Welsh teenagers currently within their academy ranks.
Ieuan Davies and Ioan Emanuel will be given the chance to make it as professional rugby players after impressing with the under-18s squad.
Davies, who started out at Neath Athletic RFC, is a scrum-half with a "fantastic tactical understanding of the game" who has been playing for Bath Rugby Under-18s since he was 16. He has actually represented England at U18s and U19s level.
Emanuel, originally from Llantwit Fadre RFC, is described as a "passionate Welshman" who made his debut for Wales Under-18s recently. He is a strong scrummager at loosehead prop.
Both players attend Millfield College and hope to study at Bath University alongside their rugby careers next season. Current Wales duo Christ Tshiunza and Dafydd Jenkins have followed similar paths at Exeter, studying at Exeter University while rising through the ranks and playing for Wales.
Wales star nominated
Wales' Sisilia Tuipulotu is among the candidates for the Women's Six Nations Player of the Year.
The 19-year-old was the star of an impressive Welsh campiagn, scoring a series of tries from the front row as she began to assert her power on the international stage.
England's Marlie Packer and Holly Aitchison, and France centre Gabrielle Vernier complete the shortlist.
Read more:
Joe Hawkins publicly speaks out on Wales ban and says he was 'significantly underpaid' at Ospreys
Tonight's rugby news as young Wales international switches regions and World Rugby in mourning
Exeter boss says English club not to blame for Joe Hawkins debacle
Wales star Warren Gatland has just snubbed wins award after outstanding season for his region
