Your rugby evening headlines for Friday, 5 May
Welsh youngster set for first Premiership start
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso — the jet-heeled youngster seen as a Wales international in the making — will make his first Gallagher Premiership start when he lines up for Exeter Chiefs against London Irish at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.
The Devon club are at the start of a new chapter as their long-established squad breaks up with many of the players who swept them to the double of English and European titles in 2020 moving on.
Director of rugby Rob Baxter is hoping to unearth the next golden generation and the side chosen for the the final round of the league season offers supporters a glimpse into the future, with only five of the side that lost to La Rochelle in last weekend’s Heineken Champions Cup semi-final in place for the visit to Brentford.
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Feyi-Waboso comes in on the right wing.
He has been named in Premiership matchday squads twice previously without taking the field, once for Wasps and on the other occasion for Exeter.
But that he is a talent isn’t in doubt. When he was coming through in the Cardiff system, the club’s academy boss Gruff Rees said of him: “I think he could be a future Welsh international. There’s something pretty special there.”
He has since shown his quality in Premiership Cup games after leaving Wales to pursue his academic studies. In March, he helped Exeter to silverware with a win over London Irish in the final.
Now he gets the chance to show what he can do in a run-on side in a league match. Christ Tshiunza features in the back row, with hooker Iestyn Harris and fellow Welshman Dan John on the bench.
South African winger ruled out of URC clash after car crash
Stormers wing Seabelo Senatla has been ruled out of Saturday's URC quarter-final against the Bulls in Cape Town after being involved in a car accident on Thursday night.
Stormers coach John Dobson confirmed the incident after naming his side for the match on Friday.
The South African sevens star had overcome a concussion against Benetton in their last match to be considered, however he will now be out of rugby for an undisclosed period of time.
"Seabelo was in a car accident yesterday evening. He is okay, but he is in no shape to play a rugby game this week," said Dobson.
"We'll leave it there for now because family is involved, but that is why he's not playing."
Reports in South Africa state that Senatla's injuries are significant, casting doubt about his availability for the rest of the competition if the Stormers progress further. However, no details on how the crash occurred have been reported.
Former Ireland coach linked with sensational return
Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has been linked with a return to Irish rugby.
The Irish Independent report that the former head coach is likely to be considered for the position of IRFU Performance Director when David Nucifora steps down at the end of the year.
The Australian has held the role since 2014 but is expected to leave once his contract expires at the end of this year, with Schmidt being mentioned as a contender to replace him.
Schmidt coached Ireland between 2014 and 2019, achieving two victories over New Zealand. Since leaving Ireland, he has been a part of the All Blacks' coaching staff.
He was reportedly interested in replacing Ian Foster after the World Cup, but withdrew from contention before Crusaders coach Scott Robertson was confirmed in the role.
Rassie Erasmus is another name that is being reportedly considered for the IRFU job.
Talented Welsh centre extends season after injury-hit campaign
Uncapped Dragons centre Aneurin Owen starts for Newport RFC in their Premiership clash with Llandovery at Rodney Parade on Saturday.
The 22-year-old features for his hometown club after making just five appearances for the Dragons during an injury-hit campaign.
The playmaking centre first suffered a fractured ankle against Munster in March 2022 before a further hamstring injury hampered his summer. To cap it all off, he suffered a serious knee injury against the Stormers last December.
Owen made his return off the bench late in the season in URC clashes with Ulster and Scarlets, but the former Ebbw Vale man will be in line for his first start in 15 months when he turns out for Newport for the very first time this weekend.
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