Here are the latest rugby headlines on the evening of Wednesday, September 14.
Cardiff to unleash Wales stars against Munster
Cardiff Rugby are ready to name a squad packed full of star names for Saturday's delayed season opener against Munster.
The Welsh region expect almost all of their Wales internationals to feature, including new signings Liam Williams and Taulupe Faletau. Other huge summer signings, Lopeti Timani and Thomas Young, are also expected to play.
A strong start to the season is vital to boost moral and standards after a miserable campaign last time out that ended with a 69-21 humiliation against Benetton.
SIGN UP: Get the latest Welsh rugby news sent straight to your inbox for free with our daily newsletter
Boss Dai Young said: "I expect to see all of our new signings out on the park on Saturday. They (returning Welsh internationals) weren't available for pre-season but they're available for the first league game. There's no reason why we can't see a fantastic 23 going out on the weekend. We haven't got too many injuries. You'll pick them up as you go through the season, but we're pretty healthy at the moment. It'll be a pretty strong 23 going out on the park on Saturday.
"What we want is a consistency of performance we showed against Leinster and Glasgow. We need to show those performances on a regular basis. What we don't want is some of the poorer performances. We had some real highs and some real lows. We know we have to be better at set-piece, we have to be more penetrative with the ball and we have to better in defence.
"To be quite honest, I wasn't happy with any areas last season. That's not just me though, but the coaches and players. We didn't perform anywhere near where we wanted to last year. As far as we're concerned, we've got a clean slate and we've got a chance of a first impression this week to show everyone we can expect better."
Hooker banned after brawl
Bath hooker Niall Annett has been banned for two matches after being sent off before even getting the chance to make his debut for the club.
Annett was named as a replacement in Bath’s 31-29 defeat to Bristol Bears in Round One of the Gallagher Premiership but was dismissed by referee Tom Foley in the 37th minute after getting involved in a melee after Luke Morahan scored for the hosts in the corner.
Annett grabbed Bristol’s Joe Joyce by the shirt and attempted to push the face of the Bears lock but had his arm grabbed to prevent it.
The referee’s report read: “I decided that the actions of Bath 16 [Annett] although not serious in themselves were unwarranted and unnecessary from a substitute and therefore decided that a red card was the most appropriate course of action."
A Bath statement read: "Miall Annett attended an independent disciplinary hearing on Tuesday 13 September, chaired by Sam Hillas KC (Chair) sitting with Daniel Gore and Olly Kohn. Annett received a red card for acts contrary to good sportsmanship, contrary to World Rugby Law 9.27, for running some distance to get involved in a melee during the match against Bristol Bears on 10 September. Annett accepted the charge."
He received a two-week ban and will miss games against Sale Sharks and Wasps this month.
In a social media post after the match, Annett said: “Just want to apologise to everyone associated with Bath Rugby. Not how I saw my first game going and (I’m) deeply embarrassed and disappointed in myself. Players, staff, fans and everyone else associated, sorry for my actions.”
Worcester on brink of takeover
Worcester co-owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham have agreed terms with an undisclosed buyer for the financially stricken club.
The terms of the agreement are still being scrutinised by the respective legal teams and as of Tuesday afternoon it had yet to be signed, the Warriors have confirmed.
Worcester have debts of more than £25million, including £6million in unpaid tax, and face administration if they are unable to find a new buyer.
A 45-14 defeat at London Irish on Saturday opened their season on the pitch but a troubled build-up plunged the club into a desperate battle for survival.
Players and staff have still not been fully paid for August amid grave concerns over September's payroll, but the news that an agreement is now in the hands of lawyers indicates an end to the crisis is in sight.
Efforts are being made to ensure Worcester's first home match of the season goes ahead as scheduled with the new buyer providing financial support.
"We have been working closely with the interested party on the immediate deposit of significant funds which will allow Sunday's Premiership match against Exeter at Sixways and Saturday's Allianz Cup tie between University of Worcester Warriors and Harlequins to go ahead as scheduled," a statement read.
"We will provide a further update both on the sale of the club and this weekend's matches on Wednesday."
Doubts had emerged over Worcester's ability to stage their Sixways opener on Saturday and even when revealing in the aftermath of the rout by Irish that negotiations were taking place with a new buyer, director of rugby Steve Diamond cautioned over the possibility of another "false dawn".
World rankings set for change
World Rugby have released the rankings permutations for the penultimate round of matches in the Rugby Championship, which could see Wales rise from their current position of ninth.
Australia face New Zealand in Melbourne on Thursday before Argentina host South Africa on the weekend.
The Wallabies will climb above Scotland into seventh place if they beat New Zealand. Sixth is possible if Argentina do not beat South Africa. Australia can drop to a new low of ninth, below Wales, if beaten by New Zealand
New Zealand will fall once more to their lowest ever ranking of fifth if they fail to beat the Wallabies in Melbourne. A victorious New Zealand will climb above a beaten South Africa into third place
Argentina cannot improve on seventh place even with victory by more than 15 points. South Africa will drop below England if beaten by more than 15 points by Argentina
The Springboks cannot improve on third place in victory, but could close to within 0.41 rating points of France above them
Los Pumas will fall at least one place if beaten by South Africa, two if in tandem with an Australian victory against New Zealand
Argentina could drop as low as ninth if they lose by more than 15 points and Australia win.
Current rankings
- Ireland (90.03 points)
France (89.41)
South Africa (87.89)
New Zealand (86.41)
England (86.25)
Argentina (82.32)
Scotland (81.93)
Australia (81.54)
Wales (81.28)
Japan (77.74)
Read more:
Shane Williams identifies Welsh rugby's new 'superstar' who once did something truly special
Elton Jantjies joke sees Rassie Erasmus speak out on 'suffering to innocent children'
Rugby legend reveals real reason he kept his hands in pockets when meeting the Queen
Rejected Welsh rugby talent heads to US to become American football player and TikTok hit
Lawrence Dallaglio and English media get excited after Welsh giant's 'coming-of-age' performance
