These are the stories making headlines tonight on Wednesday, March 22.
Myler calls time on career
Ospreys fly-half Stephen Meyler has called time on his career.
The 38-year-old will hang up his boots at the end of the season after successful career saw him represent Northampton Saints, London Irish and the Swansea-based region.
He was also capped by England in 2013, coming off the bench against Argentina. He also made three appearances for England Saxons.
"Stephen has served us with the utmost distinction since signing and we wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavours.” said head coach Toby Booth.
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“He has done so much for the Ospreys on the pitch, coming up big for us in decisive moments and controlling the game, but his work off the pitch is what has really set him apart. During his career, Myler has gained a fountain of rugby knowledge and has always been quick to pass that to youngsters, which has ultimately helped us to move forward as a team.”
Myler added: “It’s been a while since I began my professional career, and I feel fortunate and privileged to have had a career that has spanned for so long. But I can confirm that this will be my final season.
“It’s been everything I could have hoped for, and more. The people, the experiences, the memories, and the lessons.
“I owe a huge thank you to my family and friends for their love, support and guidance throughout the highs and the lows.
“I’ve had some great teammates, coaches and backroom staff. I’ve been privileged to work with some incredible people over the years and made some friends for life.
“A huge thank you to Northampton Saints, London Irish, Ospreys and England Rugby who have enabled me to pursue a dream. And lastly, to the supporters. With or against, your unwavering support and passion are what makes the game what it is. What makes it so special.”
Barclay: Wales at start of two or three-year cycle
Former Scotland captain John Barclay has predicted that Wales will have the ‘bones of a really strong team again’ — but adds that the process is not going to happen overnight.
Warren Gatland dished out caps to 10 players who are 25 or under during the tournament, with many of them getting significant game-time, including Joe Hawkins, who played in every minute of Wales’ first four matches and Rio Dyer, who started in four rounds.
Barclay, who won the PRO 12 title with the Scarlets in 2017, believes Welsh rugby fans may have to be patient.
But he feels they will eventually be rewarded with a quality side.
Speaking to the BBC about Wales in the Six Nations, he said: “This was all about discovery.
“They have a few games to the World Cup and going to that World Cup is going to be hard because the competition’s getting harder.
“I think they’re probably at the very start of a two- or three-year cycle
“That won’t be a popular opinion in Wales because they expect and they want the team to win regardless.
“But once this group of players, those young guys, come through, they are going to have the bones of a really strong team again.”
As well as Hawkins and Dyer, others flying the flag for the emerging generation included Louis Rees-Zammit, Dafydd Jenkins, Chris Tshiunza, Mason Grady, Rhys Carre, Rhys Davies, Tommy Reffell and Jac Morgan.
On the same programme, Sam Warburton praised the ‘dramatic’ development of Wales’ attack, noting that they generated quick ball against France and unleashed multiple offloads.
Steward sees red card thrown out
The red card Freddie Steward received against Ireland last weekend has been downgraded to a yellow.
The England full-back was sent off at the Aviva Stadium in controversial circumstances having collided with Hugo Keenan, leaving the Ireland star dazed as he fell to the turf.
It looked misfortunate rather than malicious but referee Jaco Peyper and his TMO decided it was worthy of a red card. It prompted disbelief from skipper Owen Farrell and a fierce reaction online.
But appearing before a panel on Tuesday night, it was concluded there were mitigating circumstances in Steward's favour and therefore reduced to a yellow-card offence.
A Six Nations statement concluded: "The committee acknowledged that match officials are required to make decisions under pressure and in the heat of a live match environment."
Steward is therefore available to play again immediately.
The fans' Wales Six Nations verdict: Have your say
Experts pass judgement on Ealing-Ospreys merger
Brand experts have doubted the merits of an Ealing Trailfinders-Ospreys merger.
Earlier this month the Ospreys owners Y11 said they would not be merging or be sold to the English Championship side in response to speculation circulating.
WalesOnline first reported last month that second-tier Ealing had held initial talks about potentially joining the Welsh Rugby Union and merging or replacing one of the four current regions under a radical proposal that had been discussed at a high level.
Business outlet City A.M. have now spoken to experts in the field, with one believing the market is too competitive for it to work.
“This is certainly an interesting way of tackling the financial challenges facing both English Premiership Rugby and the Welsh game in general,” Neil Hopkins, director and global head of strategy at M&C Saatchi Sport and Entertainment said.
“But London currently has three Premiership sides, now that London Irish have returned from Reading, and Harlequins and Saracens are already among the most attractive sides for sponsors.
“So there is no shortage of elite rugby on offer in the capital and making a dent in a pretty saturated market is going to be a challenge.
“This is before the governance challenges that a merger would have to overcome, including such questions as where the new team would play or whether Ospreys’ contingent of Welsh internationals could continue to turn out for their nation if they moved to London to play.”
“I’m not entirely convinced that a London-based franchise will have a massive long term impact [on the URC],” added Ged Colleypriest of Underdog sports marketing.
“Ealing have struggled to attract large gates in the Championship and Ospreys don’t command big crowds outside of Welsh derbies. Ultimately the URC is a mish-mash league with no real identity."
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