Here are the latest rugby headlines on Sunday, June 19.
Nick Tompkins lauded
Wales centre Nick Tompkins was so good in the Gallagher Premiership final for Saracens against eventual winners Leicester Tigers that England fans will be dreaming of what could have been, according to Planet Rugby's player ratings.
Sarries went down 15-12 to the Tigers at the Twickenham season finale, but Tompkins was just one who emerged with major credit.
Given an 8/10 rating, Planet Rugby said of the midfielder: "Shrewd defence and penetrating carries from Tompkins matched with a great chemistry with Farrell will leave England fans dreaming about what could have been. A true professional and master of his craft."
Fellow Welshman Aled Davies, who started at scrum-half and was dubbed a “lucky boy” after escaping a red card, was given a 7/10 rating. His report card said: "Davies was outshone by his predecessor Richard Wigglesworth ultimately. That being said, Davies serviced Farrell and the pack well with good tempo."
Shaun Edwards: We want to honour Phil Bennett
Shaun Edwards says the Barbarians want to honour the late Phil Bennett when they take the field against England on Sunday afternoon.
France defence coach Edwards is part of the Baabaas coaching roster, with the starting XV effectively being a France line-up.
"There’s 50,000 people coming on Sunday and we don’t want to disrespect them," Edwards said in his Daily Mail column. "We want to honour the late Phil Bennett in this match. A real Barbarians legend. That right-foot step was amazing and so was his humility.
"We’ve watched some of his old clips and we want to show some of that traditional, Barbarians running style. We take risks in a France jersey and Sunday will be no different."
Stormers clinch inaugural URC title against the Bulls
The Stormers clinched the inaugural United Rugby Championship title by overcoming a slow start to earn an 18-13 win over the Bulls in Saturday's Grand Final in Cape Town.
John Dobson's men - hosting the final by virtue of their higher league finish - trailed 7-3 at half-time having been comfortably second best in an opening period that saw Harold Vorster score an early try for the Bulls.
However, Evan Roos touched down early in the second half and Andre-Hugo Venter added a second shortly after Cornal Hendricks had been sin-binned for a high tackle.
Bulls fly-half Chris Smith proved more reliable from the tee on the night than opposite number Manie Libbok, but it mattered little in the end and the latter's drop-goal completed the scoring late on.
The result marked an 11th win in a row for the Stormers, who never lifted the title during their time in Super Rugby - beaten by the Bulls in their only final in 2010.
WRU make new appointment
The Welsh Rugby Union has appointed a new "head of places" to help ensure rugby clubs are sustainable and fit for purpose.
Angharad Collins, current Torfaen Leisure Trust CEO, will take up her new role in August.
The WRU said: "Angharad will lead the implementation of the club development plan as a key element of the community rugby strategy with a primary focus on making Welsh rugby clubs sustainable and fit for purpose. This covers areas such as accessing private and public funding to ensure club facilities are welcoming, efficient and modern, supporting club volunteers to help them grow their club business models and ensuring the governance of clubs is inclusive, robust and forward-looking."
WRU community director Geraint John said: "She has an impeccable record from her current and past employment of working with all sectors of the sports industry to make a difference for those who work and volunteer within sport and creating a healthy environment for community sport to thrive."
