Here are your rugby headlines on Sunday, August 21.
Stalwart calls it a day
Wales stalwart Mark Davies has called time on his career after 30 years treating players in the national jersey.
The team medic has seen just about everything in his time on the international scene, including World Cups, Grand Slams and British Lions tours and he says he leaves the role with extremely fond memories.
He will now retire from next week.
"I glanced in the mirror once too often and saw by sell-by date," he told The Rugby Paper.
"In cricket parlance it feels a bit like walking off the field at Lord's after making a triple century. I consider myself very lucky.
"The decision to retire is mine. I realise I've had a longer run that I could have wished for but the job is much more active than it used to be and there comes a time when you have to be honest and put your hand up.
"I've accumulated a number of ailments over the years which has required a new knee, hip and shoulder. They don't replace the joints in your feet the way they do knees and hips.
"I've had a number of fusions in both feet, so long gone are the days when I had four good wheels on my wagon. They are boney problems which is a bit ironic in view of my nickname.
"Somebody called me 'carcass' way back in primary school in Maesteg because some bright spark thought it summed up my anatomical state. I was skin and bone at the time and it's stuck ever since.
"They boney issue now means I can't get about as quickly as I used to. It'll be a wrench when the season starts and Wales play their next match. They boys showed huge courage in these epic battles last month on three successive weeks, no mean feat against the Springboks.
"I have the kind of precious memories which no amount of money can buy, like the 1999 win over England at Wembley and the Grand Slam campaign of 2005.
"We've had our share of near misses. For me the biggest test was when we went to Paris last year needing one more win for the slam. I don't think any team in Welsh history could have played as well as the boys did that night only to have it stolen from us at the death."
Wallabies appoint Fisher
Australia have announced Laurie Fisher will join their backroom coaching staff in an interim assistant role for this year's Rugby Championship campaign.
Fisher is currently Brumbies’ forwards coach and will link up with the Wallabies today. Coach Dave Rennie believes Fisher will add value in his new surroundings.
“We’re grateful Laurie has been able to join us at such short notice and would also like to thank the Brumbies for their support too,” he told Rugby Australia’s official website.
“He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience which will only benefit our playing group ahead of what are going to be extremely tough Test matches in the Rugby Championship.”
Fisher said: “I’m excited to join the coaching group at the Wallabies and would like to thank Dave for the opportunity.
“I’m looking forward to getting on the grass this week and contributing to the success of the group moving forward.”
Worcester latest
Worcester say their directors are in "continuing dialogue" with HM Revenue and Customs after being issued with a winding-up petition.
The issue in question is an outstanding tax amount owed by the Gallagher Premiership club to HMRC. The Warriors' opening Gallagher Premiership game of the season is against London Irish on September 10.
"Worcester, along with many other businesses and most sports clubs, have found the past two years extremely challenging owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise in the cost of living," Worcester said in a statement.
"We retained our staff but lost income during the various lockdowns, during which the overwhelming majority of matches were played behind closed doors.
"We returned to normal operations 12 months ago carrying a tax liability to HMRC. From the outset, we have worked closely and openly with HMRC on a plan to clear these liabilities and a Time to Pay (TTP) arrangement has been in place.
"The club owners and board are fully committed to preserving top-flight professional rugby in Worcester and have been working on solutions to secure the financial future of Worcester Warriors and to pay outstanding tax owed to HMRC.
"A solution, which would secure the long-term future of the club, has been approved. Unfortunately, there have been unavoidable delays beyond the club's control to the final tasks required to complete the funding.
"Having kept HMRC fully apprised of the situation, we are disappointed that they have taken the decision to issue a winding-up petition.
"The club's directors are in continuing dialogue with HMRC in an attempt to find a speedy and satisfactory resolution.
"We have also been in communication with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Sport England, Premiership Rugby and the RFU (Rugby Football Union) regarding this matter."
In a general statement, an HMRC spokesperson told the PA news agency: "We take a supportive approach to dealing with customers who have tax debts, working with them to find the best possible solution based on their financial circumstances."
Premiership Rugby and the RFU said both organisations had been in regular contact with Worcester.
"The RFU and Premiership Rugby have been made aware that a winding-up petition has been filed by HMRC against Worcester," read a joint statement.
"Premiership Rugby and the RFU have been in regular contact with Worcester shareholders and management.
"Both parties have supported the club through the financial challenges of the last few years.
"We appreciate that this is unsettling for the players, the employees, the fans and the community in Worcester, and we will continue to work with all stakeholders to establish the appropriate next steps."
Watson comeback
England back Anthony Watson will return to action after a 10-month injury absence when he makes his Leicester debut on Friday.
Watson lines up at full-back for the Premiership champions' pre-season friendly away to Jersey Reds.
Watson, who moved to Tigers from Bath earlier this summer, has not played since suffering a serious knee injury in October last year.
The 28-year-old is joined in Leicester's starting XV by fellow newcomers Jimmy Gopperth, Phil Cokanasiga and Olly Cracknell.
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