Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, November 21.
Jamie Roberts says the shock defeat to Georgia has to be a line in the sand for Welsh rugby and a catalyst for change.
The former Lions centre has been speaking on the BBC’s Rugby Union Daily podcast and giving his thoughts in the wake of Wales losing 13-12 to The Lelos at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
WIN: Free tickets to watch Wales v Australia in the final autumn international
“It’s a match that has slowly been creeping in and it’s happened now and it has be a line in the sand for Welsh rugby. It has to find a way of improving on and off the field,” he said.
“It feels like a seminal moment, it really does. I really hope, as a former player who is extremely proud of our team and what we stand for, that it’s a catalyst for change. What form that change takes, I’m not quite sure yet, but we need to see it as an opportunity.
“I really hope it’s a moment where we all reflect and go right we need change here for the game to keep thriving in my home country.”
He added: “It was a really, really disappointing result. I am sure the players and coaches are hurting. It’s a frustrating time. There needs to be a real uplift from here. There need to be some harsh words spoken and we need to see a reaction from the guys against Australia.”
On the position of head coach Wayne Pivac, Roberts said: “There need to be questions asked after a calendar year where we have lost to Italy and Georgia at home. It doesn’t look too great results-wise, does it?
“You keep hearing he has a plan in place for the World Cup, he was employed for the World Cup cycle, so I think you have got to kind of trust him to get there. It’s a tough one and I am sure those questions will be asked this week by the right people.”
The 94-cap double Grand Slam winner continued: “There are wider issues at play in Welsh rugby at the minute, which you hope are being addressed by the powers-that-be. You hope there is enough intellect in the room to solve those issues.
“There have been problems in the regional game for a long time, in terms of how competitive our sides are. There are problems with the governance of the game in Wales as well. They also have to address the pathway in terms of players coming through and having the right systems in place to bring players through ready for Test rugby. So there are a whole wide range of issues.”
Scarlets head to South Africa
The Scarlets have travelled out to South Africa with a 30-man squad for a trip which will take in URC games against the Stormers in Cape Town and the Lions in Johannesburg.
There’s a welcome return for back five forward Vaea Fifita who hasn’t played for the region since being red carded against Cardiff in early October. The former All Black is fresh from starring for the land of his birth Tonga, having launched a second international career this autumn thanks to new eligibilty rules.
He scored a superb solo try in a 43-19 win over Uruguay in Bucharest on the weekend, stepping and fending his way past a number of defenders. Fellow Tonga international forward Sam Lousi is also on board, with the Scarlets having arrived in Cape Town.
A number of players have recovered from injury to make the trip, including back-rowers Blade Thomson and Tomás Lezana, prop Phil Price and backs Scott Williams and Ioan Nicholas. Props Wyn Jones (knee) and Samson Lee (Achilles) remain sidelined, along with centres Johnny Williams (calf) and Joe Roberts (knee).
Scarlets squad:
Backs - Johnny McNicholl, Tom Rogers, Ryan Conbeer, Ioan Nicholas. Steff Evans. Corey Baldwin, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Dan Jones, Rhys Patchell. Gareth Davies, Archie Hughes.
Forwards - Steff Thomas, Kemsley Mathias, Phil Price, Daf Hughes, Taylor Davies, Shaun Evans, Harri O’Connor, Javan Sebastian, WillGriff John, Sam Lousi, Tom Price, Vaea Fifita, Blade Thomson, Aaron Shingler, Tomás Lezana, Dan Davis, Sione Kalamafoni, Carwyn Tuipulotu.
Smit criticises Erasmus
Former Springboks World Cup-winning captain John Smit says Rassie Erasmus’ behaviour has made South Africa “so easy to dislike”.
Director of rugby Erasmus has received a two-game match-day ban from World Rugby for social media posts about refereeing decisions, shortly after returning from a year-long suspension.
“It’s hard to defend him. The way he has approached this is not right,” ex-hooker Smit, who lifted the 2007 World Cup, told the Rugby Union Daily podcast.
“Are you telling me Rassie is the only coach frustrated by a call that has gone the wrong way? Something has to be done. There has to be a line that has to be drawn, and he is making it difficult for his team. It’s made us, as a rugby team, so easy to dislike.”
World Rugby chief executive Alan Gilpin said the latest censure of Erasmus was about protecting officials at all levels.
“This is about every referee who is, on a Sunday morning, refereeing kids’ rugby anywhere in the world, having permission to do the job properly, and not having every parent on the touchline posting videos on social media,” he said.
“That’s the really important thing in terms of the integrity of the game. Our view is that Rassie has crossed the line. For us, it is really important we reinforce where those lines are, for everybody to see.”
Screech backed on return to Dragons
Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan says Matthew Screech is determined to make a big impact after the Wales international’s return to Rodney Parade.
Screech has been drafted in from Cardiff as loan cover for Will Rowlands, who faces a stint on the sidelines after damaging a shoulder while on duty for the national team against Argentina.
The 30-year-old Screech links up again with the Gwent club with immediate effect, bolstering second row options as they embark on back-to-back away games against South African opposition.
Flanagan said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Matthew back to the club. He has played over 150 games for Dragons and is excited by the opportunity to represent the club and Gwent rugby once again.
“Matthew has quickly settled back into the environment, is an experienced professional for our younger players to learn from and he is now determined to make a big impact with us.”
Capped once by Wales, the 30-year-old Screech made 163 appearances over eight seasons for Dragons between 2013 and 2021. As for Rowlands, his knock was described as “reasonably serious” by Wales head coach Wayne Pivac.
Flanagan added: “We are all hugely disappointed for Will after the shoulder injury he suffered representing Wales and wish him well as he continues his rehabilitation and recovery.”
Post your message for for the team on our interactive below.
Read more:
The Wales rugby crisis uncovered — the major questions that need answering and what happens next
Wales are bouncing from one low to another, Pivac isn't the man to lead team forward
Wayne Pivac refuses to give up and says Wales future is a 'question for others'
