Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, May 25.
Out-of-contract Wales internationals in shop window
Out-of-contract Wales internationals Rhys Patchell and Gareth Anscombe will be in the shop window this weekend when they take the field at Twickenham.
Patchell has left the Scarlets and Anscombe's stint at the Ospreys has come to an end.
On Sunday, a star-studded Barbarians squad coached by Eddie Jones will face Steve Hansen’s World XV. Six Wales players will be involved, with Alun Wyn Jones, Aaron Wainwright and Anscombe starting for the Baa-Baas, while the World XV squad features Wyn Jones, Elliott Dee and Patchell.
Patchell is on the radar of the Dragons and has also been linked with Cardiff, but insists he is fairly relaxed about his current situation as he prepares for his first taste of action since a Scarlets defeat to Glasgow Warriors on April 14.
"I want to carry on playing and hopefully you will see me on a park somewhere next season," he told the South Wales Argus. "I'm on the phone to my agent fairly regularly and beyond that I wouldn't want to say much more.”
"It's a opportunity to get on the field and get some game-time," he said. "You've got Welsh players playing for the Barbarians [Anscombe] who are in the same situation as me. I'm fairly relaxed about it. It's about sitting tight and making sure you make a good impression just generally on people around the place. Rugby's a small village and people talk. It only takes one person to pick up the phone and ask what you think of so-and-so. A good reference can go a long way."
Georgia international banned for 11 weeks
Former Georgia international Davit Kubriashvili has been hit with an 11-week ban for disrespecting the authority of a match official, RugbyPass reports.
The 36-year-old veteran prop, who represented Georgia 47 times, came off the bench for Clermont for the final 14 minutes of their 21-18 defeat to Bayonne in the Top 14 on May 13. After leading 18-6, Clermont lost thanks to the three points secured for Bayonne through a late Camille Lopez penalty kick which was awarded for a scrum infringement.
The fallout resulted in Kubriashvili having a case to answer with LNR (France's National Rugby League), and he is now beginning a lengthy suspension with an unconfirmed return date.
A statement read: “Davit Kubriashvili was found liable for ‘action against a match official’ and more especially ‘disrespecting the authority of a match official’. The higher level of sanction was retained, namely a suspension of 12 weeks. After taking into account the aggravating circumstance (his disciplinary record), the sanction was increased by one week. After consideration of mitigating circumstances (conduct before and during the hearing and expression of remorse), the penalty was reduced by two weeks. Consequently, Kubriashvili is suspended for 11 weeks."
Sale captain hoping to finish career with 'special day'
By Andrew Baldock, PA Rugby Union Correspondent
Sale Sharks skipper Jono Ross feels "the time is right" for retirement - but not before one last challenge that could deliver a dream career finale. The South African number eight will lead Sale into their biggest game for 17 years on Saturday, with Saracens standing between them and the Gallagher Premiership title.
The 32-year-old has made more than 150 Sale appearances, including topping the Premiership tackle-count for three successive seasons, and proved a driving force behind their resurgence led by rugby director Alex Sanderson. And taking silverware back to the north-west of England would mean mission accomplished as he hangs up his boots.
"I am massively proud of where the club has come from over the last six or seven years," Ross said. "When I arrived, we finished eighth or ninth and the goal was to make the play-offs, which we did. Now to be in the final is massively special and rewarding for all the work that has gone in, but the job is not done and we have another big hurdle this weekend."
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