Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, October 27.
Halaholo video shows agonising moment
Wales and Cardiff centre Willis Halaholo has posted a video of the controversial two-man croc roll that saw his year wiped out by a significant injury.
Halalaholo won't play again until 2023 after sustaining a bad hamstring injury playing for the Welsh region against the Stormers on Saturday.
On Wednesday night he posted video of the ruck incident that ended with his leg becoming stuck as he was cleared out by two Stormers players. Halaholo said: "Getting croc rolled by two big forwards was always going to end bad."
The croc roll has become the focus of much debate in recent weeks following a number of nasty injuries. Also known as a judo roll, it is when a attacking player grabs a jackaler around the waist and rolls him away from the ruck.
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton has called for a clampdown to stamp it out of the game, telling WalesOnline: "It's simple, get rid of it. It promotes lazy cleanouts. I think it's got to go. I first thought this when Cardiff played Edinburgh and Rory Darge got injured.
"It's nasty. It nearly ended Jean de Villiers' career when South Africa played Wales. It ended Rhys Webb's World Cup in 2015. It's arguably blunted Ellis Jenkins' career massively when he had two years out from it. So many players have had their careers significantly affected by a croc roll.
"We've got to get rid of it. We need to promote better technique around the breakdown."
Cardiff attack and backs coach Matt Sherratt has confirmed Halaholo will not be in action again in 2022, telling a press conference on Wednesday: "Unfortunately for Willis he's got a pretty significant hamstring injury. He's going to be out until after the new year. He's had a scan this week and I think he's seeing somebody today [Wednesday] to get more clarity on it, but it is significant so he's not going to be back any time soon unfortunately."
Barbarians select Yarde after arrest
The Barbarians have confirmed England star Marland Yarde will make his rugby comeback with them following his arrest earlier this year.
John Spencer, the Barbarians president, confirmed to the Telegraph the wing has been invited to play in three matches against Harlequins, Bath and Northampton Saints next month.
He hasn't played since January when he was arrested by Greater Manchester Police on suspicion of what he would later call “a very serious offence”. He was released by Sale Sharks at the end of last season and has since been cleared of any offence.
Spencer said: “As a club, the Barbarians have a history of tolerance and giving people a second chance.
“Marland Yarde has never been convicted of any crime. Not only that, he has not been charged with any offence. He is innocent until proven guilty. As president of the club, and as a lawyer, I am happy to stand by that principle.
“We want to help players like Marland to get back into the game and we’ve extended the invitation to him, as well as players from Worcester Warriors and Wasps, on that basis.”
Ospreys star has 'chronic' injury
The Ospreys are not expecting Dan Evans to be available any time soon as he recovers from a long-standing injury.
Evans hasn’t played since the United Rugby Championship game with the Stormers last April.
With his experience, big kicking game and ability to chip in with tries, the Ospreys could have done with having him on hand during a tricky start to the season.
“Dan is going to be long term,” said head coach Toby Booth.
“He has a chronic injury that we’ve probably been treating on and off since I’ve been here. We’re probably looking down the surgery option for him.
“It’ll then depend on how that goes and what they find when they open it up.
“We’re hopeful of getting him back by the end of the year, as we are with Will Griffiths, who also has an injury.
“But that depends on what the doctors find out.
“It’s a chronic injury Dan’s had from years of playing. We’re hopeful he can finish the season if he can.”
Rewind to 2018-19 and Evans scored 10 tries in a season for the Ospreys and was hoping to add to the two caps he won on tour with Wales in 2009.
But the call didn’t come and he has had more than a few injuries since.
Genge backed for England captaincy
Ellis Genge's leadership credentials have received an emphatic endorsement from England's most capped player as contingency plans are drawn up in the event Eddie Jones is robbed of his two established captains.
Courtney Lawes and Owen Farrell are recovering from the concussions sustained on club duty that have made them a doubt for the series opener against Argentina at Twickenham on Sunday week.
When both Lions were absent in the Six Nations, Tom Curry took charge, but there is growing support for Genge to continue his transformation from the "rough diamond" who joined Leicester in 2016 before returning to hometown club Bristol as one of Jones' most valued performers.
Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs, who has made a record 117 appearances for England, rates the prop highly.
"When Ellis first arrived at Leicester he was a rough diamond. He had all this raw power and talent which needed shaping in how he played," said Youngs.
"He'd do these crazy rhino runs but to see what he is now, he's totally different. He's one of the best looseheads in the world, if not the best.
"His consistency of ball carrying is constant. That's huge growth. Sometimes you have to tip your hat to people because they go and find that growth by working hard.
"When you have that power and aggression you've still got to work out how to use it effectively and he's done that.
"In terms of leadership he speaks very well. He's very calm, very measured. He's got a great feel with people in terms of how he talks and interacts."
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