Here are the latest rugby headlines on the evening of Sunday, November 27.
Cardiff stun Sharks
Cardiff Rugby have tonight pulled off one of the most remarkable results in the short history of the United Rugby Championship by beating the Sharks 35-0 in South Africa.
Dai Young's men produced a performance close to perfection as they handled the wet conditions superbly in Durban. Both sides were without their international players, but this will go down as one of the most impressive results by any Welsh region in a very long time.
Thomas Young was the hero, scoring two tries and earning a penalty try from a kick chase. Ben Thomas also crossed on a quite remarkable night.
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No Welsh region had previously won in South Africa since the inception of the United Rugby Championship last season, but the Blue and Blacks - without a victory outside of Wales since March 2021 - adapted better to a torrential downpour in the first half to take control of the match.
Dai Young's men punished their hosts' numerous errors and chalked up a penalty try and a Young touchdown as they opened up a 23-0 half-time lead, with Jarrod Evans kicking 11 first-half points.
Young went over again after the break before Ben Thomas wrapped up the bonus point, with Evans adding two more points with the boot.
It stopped the weekend being a complete whitewash for Welsh rugby after the national team and other three regions were beaten.
The Dragons put up a spirited display against the Lions, matching their hosts three tries apiece in a 33-25 defeat that saw Henco van Wyk arguably lucky not to be sent off for an arm to the head of Joe Davies. You can read the full report here.
Sunday's matches came on the back of the Ospreys losing 43-26 to the Bulls on Saturday night and the Scarlets losing 36-19 at defending champions Stormers on Friday night.
Wales, of course, threw away a commanding lead against Australia on Saturday night in a 34-39 defeat.
RFU decline to back Eddie Jones
England's performance during a dismal autumn has fallen below expectations, the Rugby Football Union has acknowledged.
In a statement that declined to give head coach Eddie Jones its backing, the RFU confirmed that a review panel will stage its customary inquest into the campaign and "how improvements can be made ahead of the Six Nations".
"We would like to thank England fans for their patience and support, it matters to us how they feel," chief executive Bill Sweeney said.
"Like them we are really disappointed with the results of the Autumn Nations Series. Despite strong individual performances and some great new talent coming into the team, the overall results are not where we expect them to be."
Jones is back in the crosshairs after a comprehensive 27-13 defeat by South Africa on Saturday completed England's worst year since 2008, taking the form of six defeats, five wins and a draw.
The autumn opened with a first loss to Argentina since 2008, continued with an emphatic victory over Japan and comeback draw against New Zealand before concluding with a rout by South Africa.
Since 2019 the RFU has conducted a review after every block of fixtures but declines to reveal who sits on the panel beyond stating that it includes "board and executive members along with independent, former players and coaches".
However, in a departure from the unequivocal backing offered to Jones when the 2022 Six Nations ended in three defeats for the third time in five years, there is no mention of support for England's head coach this time.
Mike Brown, the nation's most-capped full-back and a stalwart of Jones' reign until 2018, believes his former head coach must be "held to account" during the review.
"I have stopped believing what comes out of Eddie Jones' mouth. I'm hearing the same things over and over again," Brown told The Mail on Sunday.
Alun Wyn Jones impresses Wales players
Wales' man of the match Jac Morgan was keen to heap praise on Alun Wyn Jones after his own impressive performance against Australia.
Morgan was the standout performer in red, scoring another try brace in an all action display that impressed pundits, fans and coaches alike.
But veteran Jones, who had faced criticism and suggestions he should consider retiring in recent weeks, also proved a point with a fine display.
"He’s brilliant, isn’t he?" Morgan said.
"I don’t know what else to say. He’s an outstanding player. He drives the boys and is great around us. I think he’s class.
"For him to put in a performance like that…he has a load of caps and is just a brilliant player."
Townsend's tribute to Doddie Weir
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has spoken of the "huge legacy" former team-mate Doddie Weir will have following his death after a battle with motor neurone disease.
The Scottish Rugby Union announced on Saturday that Weir, who was diagnosed with MND in December 2016, had died at the age of 52.
The former Scotland lock set up the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation, a research charity aimed at finding a cure for the disease.
Townsend said in a statement from the SRU: "The news of Doddie's passing is incredibly sad for his family and the whole of Scottish Rugby but it's also a time to celebrate Doddie's life and what he's achieved, particularly over the last five years.
"His fight against MND and his fight to find a cure for the illness has been inspirational. I know it's inspired so many people around the country to raise a lot of money for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation which has in turn brought together his friends as well as rugby clubs and communities across Scotland and further afield.
"Doddie will have a huge legacy as he's made such progress in finding a cure for MND and breakthroughs are already being made because of his determination."
Townsend said the moment when 61-cap Weir, who he described a "brilliant rugby player", presented the match ball when Scotland played New Zealand at Murrayfield earlier this month "touched everyone in the stadium", and added: "Our love and thoughts go to Doddie's family.
"We want to pay tribute to the big man who has made a huge difference and had a deep impact on the lives of so many over the last few years."
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