Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, November 3.
Ex-Toulon boss: 'Bravo' at Biggar deal
Former Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal is excited at the French club's chase to sign Wales captain Dan Biggar.
The much talked about transfer is yet to be officially confirmed, but reports emerged last week claiming the fly-half would leave Northampton midway through their season to link up with Toulon in the Top 14.
"The transfer of the week, and I want to say, 'Bravo', is Biggar going to Toulon rugby club," Boudjellal said.
READ MORE: The verdict on Pivac's exciting looking Wales team to play New Zealand
"To tell you everything, I tried to get him several years ago but I was not successful for a simple reason, that you would sign one player and you would have three - player, the physio for the Welsh team and the Wales team's doctor to manage.
"I don't know how they would do it, perhaps three for the price of one, I hope, but in any case, IF, IF that goes well, that would be a super relationship for the rugby club. And I think, thanks to Biggar, I think they can fill the Stade de France [at a final] and they would get to the Stade de France this year."
Biggar is absent from Wales' autumn international squad due to a knee injury.
Dyer to make Wales debut against All Blacks
Wales coach Wayne Pivac has handed Dragons wing Rio Dyer a Test debut in Saturday's Autumn Nations Series clash against New Zealand. The 22-year-old starts, with Josh Adams, who had been nursing a hand injury, not in the matchday 23.
Elsewhere, Leigh Halfpenny will make his Wales return at the Principality Stadium after a 16-month absence from Test rugby.
Hooker Ken Owens, who has not played for Wales since the 2021 Six Nations due to a back problem, starts in the front-row alongside Gareth Thomas and Tomas Francis. Pivac has replaced injured fly-half Dan Biggar with Gareth Anscombe, while captain Justin Tipuric and his fellow openside flanker Tommy Reffell pack down in the back-row, with Taulupe Faletau at number eight.
Tipuric last represented Wales almost 20 months ago, having been sidelined because of a shoulder injury, while Leicester forward Reffell is retained following an outstanding Test series against South Africa this summer.
On Dyer's selection, Pivac said: "Rio has fitted in really well and really quickly. He is thriving in this environment. He is a young man that is bringing some form with him into camp. He has scored some great tries and he is full of confidence."
New Zealand recall star names
Ian Foster has welcomed back several of the All Blacks' star names to face Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
The New Zealand boss makes wholesale changes from the team that beat Japan last weekend, including starts for the likes of Beauden Barrett, his brother Jordie and Aaron Smith. It will be Smith's 113th Test match appearance, taking him above former fly-half Dan Carter as New Zealand's most capped back.
Sam Whitelock captains the side due to Sam Cane's tour-ending injury in Japan, with Scott Barrett partnering him in the second-row following Brodie Retallick's suspension.
Foster said: "Playing Wales on the road always represents an exciting challenge. We have a number of players returning to the side and we know we will need to play with a high intensity against this physical Welsh team. Last year, the roof at Principality Stadium was open due to Covid regulations, but this time it will be closed. It will ensure an amazing atmosphere for fans and players."
New Zealand have won their last 32 Tests against Wales, not losing in the fixture since December 1953.
Foster is expecting a more expansive Wales team, saying: "They are very confident in what they do. They play high tempo, they are very physical, a lot of strong ball-carrying and they quite like the aerial game. So we are seeing a nice mix.
"I think Wales have played a more expansive game over the last couple of years. They have good wingers, good outside backs and they are determined to bring them into the game. They test you right across the park."
Scarlets confirm Blackett appointment
Scarlets have officially confirmed that former Wasps head coach Lee Blackett will join Dwayne Peel's coaching roster as a replacement for Dai Flanagan.
Blackett will take on the role of backs and skills coach with immediate effect to the end of the season, while his first game with the Llanelli outfit will be the eighth-round United Rugby Championship clash against the Stormers in Cape Town on November 25.
He said: "Our rugby philosophies are well aligned and I am very excited to play a part in what Dwayne is developing at the Scarlets."
Scarlets boss Peel said: "I am really pleased to welcome Lee to the team here at Parc y Scarlets. He is a highly respected backs and attack coach who did a great job in a similar role with Wasps when he took over from Stephen Jones in 2015. During his time in that role, Wasps reached the 2017 Premiership final and as head coach for Wasps, Lee led them to the 2020 Gallagher Cup final."
Murray to win 100th cap in Ireland v South Africa
Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray will win his 100th Test cap in Saturday's sold-out clash with world champions South Africa after being handed his first international start for almost a year.
The 33-year-old Munster man, who fell behind Jamison Gibson-Park in the pecking order last autumn, will become his country's eighth centurion.
Gibson-Park only makes the bench having not played since Ireland's summer series win in New Zealand due to a hamstring issue.
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Ireland return to action as the world's top-ranked team on the back of their stunning tour triumph over the All Blacks and will take on the Springboks for the first time in five years.
The recalled Murray, whose only international start since the 2021 Six Nations came against Argentina last November, will resume his long-standing half-back partnership with Johnny Sexton. Captain Sexton, who won his 100th cap a year ago, said Murray merits a place on an exclusive list which also comprises Brian O'Driscoll, Ronan O'Gara, Rory Best, Cian Healy, Paul O'Connell and John Hayes.
"He 100 per cent deserves to be in that small group of players, what he's achieved in the game, the standards that he's reached," said Sexton.
"He's been a fantastic team-mate to me, to everyone, he's a very selfless player and will do anything for the team, whatever he's asked, and his quality and class has always been apparent to me and the guys that have played with him."
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