Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, January 17.
New Wales star thought call-up was a joke
New Wales call-up Mason Grady has revealed he thought his Cardiff team-mates were joking when they told him he'd made the Six Nations squad earlier on Tuesday.
Grady was one of four new caps named by Warren Gatland, alongside regional team-mate Teddy Williams and Ospreys pair Keiran Williams and Rhys Davies.
Grady heard the news during a Cardiff team meeting and was taken aback.
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"I'm buzzing. I'm really surprised because I didn't expect to get the call-up to be honest. When the boys told me I thought they were taking the mick so I am absolutely buzzing," he told Cardiff Rugby.
"I didn't even know Teddy had made it so that is class. I've played with him since Year 12 so to go into that squad with him is unbelievable. Growing up in Wales as a kid this is all you want really so I'm super proud and hopefully I have done my family proud. Hopefully I can get a cap soon."
You can read about the Wales Six Nations squad in full here.
Jamie Roberts misses out on job
Wales legend Jamie Roberts has been beaten to a major rugby role after losing out in a vote to become the new general secretary of the Rugby Players Association (RPA) in England.
Roberts had hoped to take on the job of representing more than 800 current players in the men's and women's game, as well as more than 400 former players. However, fellow former player Christian Day has won the vote.
Day said he was grateful and humbled to be appointed, adding: "Rugby Union like much of society has faced difficult challenges in recent times. But I truly believe that there is now an opportunity for positive change with the players respected and valued at its core.
"To members both past and present who voted, and to the other four excellent candidates who stood with a desire like my own to represent them, I want to say thank you for engaging in the process on behalf of all RPA members.
"For the players now is the time to unite, to look out for one another and to ensure that your voice is clear in what you want the RPA to be.
"It is your voice that should guide the union towards our future collective vision."
In his supporting statement when applying for the role, Roberts had said: "I feel my experiences in the sport on the playing field and off it it both in an academic and personal capacity put me in a good position to understand the needs of the professional rugby player and all that goes with it. I hope to harness those experiences in order to help provide the best environment for players to excel in their craft, be it rugby or other interests.
"Put simply, I wish all players in England have the time of their lives plying their trade at their respective clubs and those fortunate to represent England do so with enormous pride on the European and world stage (except against Wales of course!) From experience, I also strongly believe in providing opportunity for players away from the sport and hope to build on the brilliant work of the RPA thus far."
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All Blacks star quits for Japan
New Zealand superstar Brodie Retallick is to quit the All Blacks later this year and move to Japan.
The 31-year-old second row, who is regarded as one of the finest players in the world, will leave New Zealand after the World Cup, according to Stuff.nz. He has signed a three-year deal to play for Kobelco Kobe Steelers, where he previously spent a two-season sabbatical.
He follows outside-half Richie Mo'unga, who is also ending his All Blacks career later this year to head for the riches of Japanese rugby.
Scotland pick England international for Six Nations
Scotland have once again taken advantage of world rugby's recent change in eligibility rules to include English cap Ruaridh McConnochie in their Six Nations squad.
In a similar move to the one that allowed Jack Dempsey to convert from Australia to Scotland earlier this season, Gregor Townsend has persuaded the 31-year-old Bath wing to pledge his allegiance to the nation of his father's birth three and a half years after making two appearances - including one at the 2019 World Cup - for England.
There are three other uncapped players in Townsend's 40-man squad.
Munster stand-off Ben Healy, who will join Edinburgh in the summer, is Scottish qualified through his mother and will provide back-up for Finn Russell at number 10.
Glasgow centre Stafford McDowall and Leicester second-row Cameron Henderson are the other two included who are yet to feature for the national team.
Darcy Graham, who scored a hat-trick of tries in Scotland's last match against Argentina in November, has not been included as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. It remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to be called in during the tournament.
Hamish Watson and Zander Fagerson are included despite being sidelined by injury in recent months, but Scott Cummings, Rory Darge and Adam Hastings - who have also been battling fitness issues - have not made the squad.
Experienced pair Sean Maitland and Huw Jones have both earned recalls to the national team set-up.
Jones to ignore England bosses who sacked him
Eddie Jones says he would blank his former employers at the Rugby Football Union if Australia came face to face with England at this year's World Cup.
The 62-year-old was confirmed as the new coach of the Wallabies this week, just over a month after his seven-year Twickenham reign was brought to an end.
Jones expressed disappointment over his dismissal and admitted he would steer clear of confrontation if the two nations meet at the global showpiece in France.
"I'm not thinking about England... because the most important thing is to get Australia playing really well and consistently well," Jones told the Sydney Morning Herald.
"If we happen to meet England on the way, well and good. I might have a conversation with some of the players and not with the administration. Then we'll get on with the battle.
"You could maybe pick it now... the quarter-final [between Australia and England] could be in Marseille.
"Maybe age helps but once the chapter closes, it closes."
Jones was confirmed as Australia's head coach for the second time this week on a four-year deal following the sacking of Dave Rennie.
He was sacked by England in December following a run of results that included six defeats and a draw in 12 matches.
Read more:
The verdict on Wales' Six Nations squad and the clear plan Gatland now has
Wales Six Nations squad in full as Ken Owens named captain and four uncapped players picked
Warren Gatland announces new Wales coach at same time as Six Nations squad
Justin Tipuric's freakish ability leaves fellow players floored and quarter of a million in awe
Wayne Pivac breaks silence on Wales sacking and says he knew it was over after 'catastrophic' day
