Here are the latest rugby headlines on the evening of Friday, September 16.
Rhys Webb picks out one to watch
Rhys Webb has picked out his Ospreys team-mate Keelan Giles as a player to watch in the new rugby season.
Webb was asked which of his squad mates at the Swansea.com Stadium region had been in 'flying form' during training and in friendlies this summer.
And he singled out the diminutive wing who came so close to winning a cap at the outside of his career, only to suffer serious injuries.
Read more: Latest Eddie Butler tributes as rugby world devastated
“Keelan Giles finished the season well last term,” said Webb.
“Seeing him in training, you wouldn’t want to be one on one with him with his feet and his speed. He’s looking dangerous and sharp.”
Still only 24, Giles served notice of a return to form with a blistering display against the Scarlets towards the end of last season.
Webb also name-checked back rowers Jac Morgan, Morgan Morris and Justin Tipuric in response to the query about who had caught his eye this summer. But he deflected a question about his own Wales ambitions heading into a campaign that will lead into the World Cup.
Ahead of the United Rugby Championship match with the Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday, he said: “It’s the perfect game for us to get our season going. There’s no better place to play — a Welsh derby, away from home, full crowd.
“I can’t speak too much about the Welsh set-up. I’m obviously out of it at the moment. I still have ambitions to play for my country. The only way you can get back-in is by playing week-in, week-out for your region and playing well for your region.
“But, first and foremost, I have a job to do here at the Ospreys; the rest will take care of itself.”
Welsh regions roll out the big guns
Wales' rugby regions have picked their star names for what promises to be a mouth-watering start to the United Rugby Championship season.
The Scarlets v Ospreys derby on Saturday night will see two extremely strong sides do battle in the type of fully-loaded fixture the league needs to be offering up every week.
Justin Tipuric, George North, Gareth Anscombe, Tomas Francis, Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones and Jac Morgan all start for the visitors, while the Scarlets will be led by Jonathan Davies, with the likes of Johnny McNicholl, Johnny Williams, Gareth Davies, Ryan Elias, Vaea Fifita, Sam Lousi and Sione Kalamafoni all starting. You can see the full Scarlets v Ospreys team news here.
Before that, Liam Williams and Taulupe Faletau will make their debuts for Cardiff in front of the Arms Park crowd against Munster. The full Cardiff v Munster team news is here.
Wales lock Will Rowlands is named captain for the Dragons' trip to Edinburgh, while Ross Moriarty starts on his return from injury. You can get all the Dragons team news here.
Biggar back as captain
Wales captain Dan Biggar will skipper Northampton Saints for the first time this weekend as he makes his first appearance since becoming a father again.
Biggar starts for Northampton against London Irish after sitting out the season opener against Sale Sharks. He missed pre-season matches and that game after a busy summer with Wales in South Africa and the birth of his second child with wife, Alex.
Regular Saints captain Lewis Ludlam, Courtney Lawes and Tommy Freeman are not available until next weekend's game against Leicester Tigers as they complete a mandatory rest period following England's summer tour of Australia.
Worcester meet deadline
Worcester's Gallagher Premiership clash with Exeter will go ahead as planned after the club met the deadline to provide safety certification to stage matches at Sixways Stadium.
English rugby chiefs had written to Warriors requesting the relevant documentation in order to allow fixtures to continue.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) announced on Friday afternoon that proof had been received in time, giving the green light for Sunday's match against the Devon club.
Saturday's Allianz Cup game between the University of Worcester Warriors Women and Harlequins will also take place at Sixways as intended.
The RFU said it will continue to work with Worcester's owners regarding funding and potential takeover proposals.
"Worcester Warriors has met a midday deadline set by the RFU to provide assurances in relation to the receipt of a General Safety Certificate from the local authority and written confirmation of medical provision," read a statement from the national governing body.
"Therefore, this weekend's Gallagher Premiership and Allianz Cup matches will go ahead.
"We recognise this has been a difficult and uncertain time for all of Worcester Warriors players, staff and fans as well as the opposition teams and are pleased that the matter has been resolved.
"The RFU, Premiership Rugby and DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport ) will continue to work with Worcester Warriors owners regarding funding and potential new ownership proposals in the coming days."
Read more:
My room-mate Eddie Butler - the posh teen we nicknamed Bamber who won the respect of Wales' hard men
The Eddie Butler videos everyone is watching after his sudden death
'Hideous' Australia incident sees disciplinary chiefs step in as 'dog act' ends All Black's season
