Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, June 1.
'Dane Blacker next cab off rank for Wales scrum-half squad place'
Former Wales scrum-half Richie Rees believes Dragons-bound No. 9 Dane Blacker would be the next cab off the rank to be called into Warren Gatland's World Cup training squad to replace Rhys Webb, but the remaining trio have enough experience and quality between them.
Webb has decided to retire from international rugby as he pursues a club opportunity abroad, meaning he has played his last game for Wales and will not feature at a World Cup, having been injured for the 2015 tournament and ineligible for 2019 due to the WRU's now-defunct 60-cap rule.
Three scrum-halves remain in Gatland's extended training squad: Cardiff's Tomos Williams and Scarlets duo Gareth Davies and Kieran Hardy.
READ MORE: Rhys Carre released from Wales World Cup training squad as blunt statement issued
Blacker had been with the Scarlets since a move from Cardiff in 2019, but will play from Rodney Parade next season. He remains uncapped after being called up by Wales for the 2022 autumn internationals and previously being capped at under-18s, under-20s and sevens level.
Asked if he would like to see any one else called up, Cardiff attack coach Rees told BBC Radio Wales: "The only other one to add to that equation would probably be Dane Blacker from the Scarlets, who's now going up to the Dragons. Between those three he [Gatland] has named, there's a lot of experience there between Tomos and Gareth already. Kieran Hardy ironically was first choice during Wayne Pivac's tenure in charge. There's a lot of experience and talent there, particularly Tomos Williams, the way he finished the season with Cardiff. I think there's plenty to be happy about with those three."
When Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric announced their shock Wales retirements, no replacements were called up given the feeling there was enough depth in those positions.
As for Webb's shock decision, Rees said: "There's obviously not a huge amount of opportunity [in Wales]. He's mentioned in his statement having a bit of financial security for his family, he said the same when he went to Toulon a few years ago. It's something he's obviously looking at, getting financial stability.
"Unfortunate for Wales but there is a little bit of strength in depth at scrum-half so hopefully something comes through from there.
"The big trigger for Webby would be that he feels there's still some youthfulness in his legs left yet and because he's got no contract post-World Cup at the minute, he is focusing on if he's got security of 24-36 months playing somewhere else and the financial stability that brings. That's probably what he's focusing on.
"Yes, it would have been good for him to play in the World Cup, but he's just putting first and foremost what I think he sees as his priority at the minute."
Coach slams player who spoke about being 'judged'
Bulls director of rugby Jake White has criticised Springboks World Cup winner Sbu Nkosi after the South Africa international took aim at his club on social media.
The 27-year-old, who joined the Bulls from the Sharks in May 2022, played for the World XV against the Barbarians in their Killik Cup clash at Twickenham last weekend, scoring two tries. But a day later, he told his Instagram followers that the time spent with the World XV had been a break from being "judged".
It had been Nkosi‘s first rugby appearance since a Currie Cup fixture for the Bulls against the Sharks in March. While he has been struggling with off-field issues, Bulls boss White was not happy with his behaviour.
“He’s a talented player but I’m very disappointed with what he wrote on social media,” White told reporters, via Planet Rugby. "Considering the Bulls let him go and play in a game overseas… to read the comments he made was obviously disappointing.
“He’s got to make decisions [about his future], he’s a big boy now. He’s got to make decisions about where he wants to go, and it’s not always in anyone else’s hands other than the player. At this point in time, he’s not playing well enough, he’s not training hard enough, I don’t see him enough for him to warrant selection above guys who have been training in the group anyway.
“It’s not for me to discuss a guy’s future; as I said he’s a big boy now, a World Cup-winning Springbok – he must make decisions about where he wants to be and make sure those decisions are in the best interests of himself and the club.”
Wales prop signs new Saracens deal
Wales prop Donna Rose has extended her contract with Premier 15s side Saracens.
The 31-year-old front-rower, who has made 33 appearances for the north London club, has been absent this season because of injury. She was one of the historic 12 to be awarded the first full-time professional WRU contracts in 2022.
Saracens director of rugby Alex Austerberry said of the 15-cap international: "Donna is committed, hardworking, and has a real thirst and desire to become the best she can possibly be. I have no doubt she will return from injury and put in the action-packed performances she had become renowned for."
Saracens have not disclosed the length of Rose's new contract.
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