Here's your round-up of all the latest rugby headlines for Monday, September 5.
Reffell 'first name on team sheet' for Wales
Stuart Barnes says Tommy Reffell will be the "first name on the team sheet" for Wales this coming autumn, following his debut during the tour of South Africa in July.
Reffell made his international bow in the opening Test in Pretoria, and even picked up his first try in the third match in Cape Town.
Now, Barnes believes the flanker will be a key part of Wayne Pivac's plans, to the detriment of club Leicester Tigers, whom he believes will struggle to retain their Premiership title amid high-profile exits and players going on international duty.
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Writing for The Times, Barnes said: "Few doubt Tommy Reffell’s bright future. The open-side flanker played with international intensity and nous last season. Yet Wales did not select him until the tour to South Africa. He’ll be the first name on the Welsh team sheet, leaving Leicester yet another key man down come November and then the Six Nations.
"The star cast from last season are missing. Their replacements are either injured or not up to the stellar standards set by Genge, Ford and — to a lesser extent — Reffell. Given Leicester’s core losses it will be some achievement to make the top four.
"Winning the title is one thing. Defending it is quite another, especially in a World Cup year. If Leicester Tigers retain their Gallagher Premiership crown this campaign, or even make it to the final at Twickenham, it will be a far greater achievement than last season’s determined march back to the top."
All Blacks coaches weigh in on Matera handshake snub
All Blacks coaches have weighed in on the apparent post-game snub from Argentina No. 8 Pablo Matera towards Dane Coles.
Matera appeared to give Coles a shove in the shoulder at the end of their Rugby Championship clash at the weekend, with the All Blacks star seemingly taken aback by the incident.
However, when asked in the post-match press conference, head coach Ian Foster played down the incident.
“Didn’t shake Colesy’s hand? He wouldn’t be the first player,” Foster said. “Everyone loves Colesy.”
Matera was apparently annoyed at a cleanout by Coles late in the game, with the pair exchanging words moments later, and his feelings clearly hadn't died down by the final whistle.
New All Blacks assistant Jason Ryan, who coached Matera this season at the Crusaders, added: “I’m not sure what happened there, me and Joe got our one wrong in the coaches box too, I don’t know if you’ve seen that one. But Pablo was in the shed after, it’s pretty out of character from him to be fair. I’m sure they will move on. They’re both competitive men.”
Diamond offers to pay Worcester staff
Worcester director of rugby Steve Diamond has reportedly offered to help pay some of the club's bills out of his own pocket, as the club continue to wait on whether a wages shortfall will be rectified early this week.
The Warriors are set to continue preparations for their Premiership opener at London Irish this week, with the club's turbulent financial situation continuing to rumble on in the background.
Players are believed to have belatedly received their August pay in full, but other staff members have been told by owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham that they will only receive 65 per cent of their monthly salary.
According to the Daily Mail, Diamond has subsequently offered to assist if any colleagues are plunged into financial difficulties. As yet, it is understood that there have been no takers, but a further delay could lead to his offer being accepted.
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