Here are the latest rugby headlines on Wednesday, June 22.
Phillips lands first coaching job
Former Ospreys hooker Ifan Phillips has landed his first coaching job, six months after the motorcycle accident that cost him his playing career.
Phillips, 26, has been announced as the new forwards coach of Clwb Rygbi Crymych, the team he played for as a boy.
The Ospreys hooker and Wales Under-20s international saw his rugby playing dreams ended following a collision on December 5 while riding his motorbike in Swansea. He was rushed to Morriston Hospital but doctors were unable to save his leg, with an above-the-knee amputation performed.
He has since been fitted with a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg after £77,000 was raised by members of the public.
Crymych play in Division One West in the WRU National Leagues.
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Owens says Kruis kick should have been disallowed
Legendary rugby referee Nigel Owens has revealed the George Kruis backheel conversion that so infuriated Sir Clive Woodward on the weekend should not have been allowed.
Kruis kicked three conversions during the Baa Baas' sensational 52-21 win over England at Twickenham, nonchalantly backheeling one of them. His actions have annoyed Woodward, who claimed the late Phil Bennett would have disapproved and insisted England should not have stood for the occasion being turned into "a farce".
Now, Owens, speaking as part of his weekly 'Whistle Watch' review for World Rugby, said: "George, you were very, very lucky to be awarded this because a backheel is not a kick. A kick defined in law means you kick the ball anywhere between your knee and your foot. So, a ball off the thigh or the knee is not deemed to be a kick and a backheel is not deemed to be a kick.
"So, although it is Barbarians rugby, it shouldn't have been allowed."
Davies cited
Saracens scrum-half Aled Davies has been cited for dangerous tackling during the Gallagher Premiership final.
The Wales international was yellow-carded by referee Wayne Barnes following a shoulder-led high hit on Leicester hooker Julian Montoya at Twickenham.
That decision was widely criticised, though, with many people feeling that Davies should have been sent off as a result of the first-half incident.
Leicester went on to win the final 15-12, securing their first Premiership title for nine years.
"The case of Saracens player Aled Davies will be heard on papers by an independent disciplinary panel. The date for the hearing is to be confirmed," the Rugby Football Union said.
"Davies was cited for dangerous tackling contrary to World Rugby Law 9.13, or in the alternative Law 9.11, for making direct contact to the head with his shoulder during the Premiership final against Leicester Tigers on Saturday.
"Davies has accepted the charge."
Ex-Dragons winger signs for Cardiff RFC
Former Dragons winger Joe Goodchild is joining Welsh Premiership champions Cardiff RFC for next season. The 24-year-old has been playing for Paul Turner’s Ampthill in the English Championship of late, making 17 appearances in the campaign just gone, scoring three tries.
He previously had 11 outings for the Dragons, while also turning out for Cross Keys and Garndiffaith. A former Newport High School pupil, he has represented Wales at U20s and Sevens level.
International joins Premiership
Newcastle have signed Gallagher Premiership title-winning centre Matias Moroni from Leicester.
The Falcons said that Moroni, who has been capped 57 times by Argentina, had agreed a two-year deal.
Moroni, 31, started the Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday, when Leicester beat Saracens 15-12 to secure a first league crown for nine years.
"Matias is a hugely well-respected player who will add a lot to our group, and it is great that we have been able to sign a player of his standing in the game," Newcastle head coach Dave Walder said.
"He has been a central figure for a really strong Leicester side this season, going on to start in the Premiership final.
"He is an outstanding character, and he brings a level of experience and leadership which will be really valuable for us."
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