Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, December 20.
Eddie Jones reveals mistake
Sacked England coach Eddie Jones has revealed the mistake he regrets during his time in charge of the national team.
Jones cited the demotion of Saracens in 2021 due to salary cap breaches as a key reason for the downturn in England's fortunes, admitting he should have changed his selection criteria as a result. He also revealed he knew his time was coming to an end before the convincing defeat against South Africa in the final autumn international.
“I had a meeting with the senior directors of the RFU [after the 25-25 draw with New Zealand],” Jones told Midi Olympique.
“I felt, that day, that the atmosphere was bizarre. They were not like they usually are with me. After that, the British media became more and more critical. I understood then that the end was nigh."
“We always make mistakes. If today I could go back in time, maybe I would change some of my selection criteria,” he said
“2021 was a very bad year for us. Saracens had just been demoted to the second division. As you probably know, the XV of England was then mainly formed by players from the Sarries.
“The problem is that their level has dropped considerably, in the second division and that the performances of our national team immediately suffered from it,” he said.
“So I should have changed my tune, that year. And I regret it, this is the mistake I made.”
Tragic World Cup player dies
Max Brito, who was paralysed while playing for Ivory Coast at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, has died aged 54.
Brito was left paralysed from the neck down after being hurt in the third minute of Ivory Coast's pool game against Tonga in Rustenburg, South Africa on June 3, 1995.
It was only Brito's third appearance for the Ivory Coast, having featured in their previous pool games against Scotland and France.
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A statement from World Rugby read: "World Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of former Ivory Coast international Max Brito. Our sincere thoughts and condolences, together with those of the global rugby fraternity, are with his family, friends, ex-team-mates and colleagues.
"Brito was born on April 8, 1968 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and was five years old when he and his family moved to Biscarrosse in France. He was playing as a winger for the Biscarrosse Olympique club when he was selected to represent Ivory Coast at Rugby World Cup 1995 in South Africa. Sadly he suffered a life-changing injury during their third pool match with Tonga.
"Marcel Martin, Bernard Lapasset and the Federation Francaise de Rugby among many others have worked hard to ensure support for Brito since 1995, and he has been an important presence at Rugby World Cups since.
"Brito stayed involved in the sport he loved and his legacy and passion for rugby will continue through the Max Brito Academy, which was set up by the Federation Ivoirienne de Rugby to train and inspire youngsters to play rugby in the Ivory Coast."
It is understood that Brito, who was a French third division player when he featured at the World Cup 27 years ago, latterly lived with his parents in Bordeaux.
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Finn Russell moves to England
Bath have signed Scotland and British and Irish Lions fly-half Finn Russell.
The Gallagher Premiership club did not specify Russell's length of contract, but it has been reported to be worth around £1million a year.
Bath said that he will join them after next year's World Cup, ending a successful spell with French Top 14 club Racing 92.
And it represents a major coup for Bath, with Russell adding further stardust to a squad recently bolstered by the arrivals of Wasps back-row forward Alfie Barbeary, plus England internationals Ollie Lawrence and Ted Hill from Worcester.
Russell's ball-playing skills and creativity will bring another dimension to a squad making rapid strides under new head of rugby Johann van Graan.
Russell has won 65 caps and made his Lions Test debut against South Africa last year. He was also part of the Lions' 2017 tour to New Zealand.
He joined Paris-based Racing in 2018 and was a driving force behind them reaching the Heineken Champions Cup final two years later, when they lost to Exeter.
"I know players at Bath who speak highly of the environment, and the direction the club is going in is something I want to be a part of," Russell said.
"I have enjoyed my time at Racing 92 and I've learnt a lot.
"Now is the right time for a new challenge in a new league, with the aim of moving Bath back to the top end of the Premiership and competing for domestic and European titles."
Six Nations refs announced
The refereeing appointments have been confirmed for next year's Six Nations as Wayne Barnes prepares to put a tumultuous few months behind him to take charge of his 17th tournament.
Barnes has recently spoken about his family receiving threats following his officiating of South Africa's autumn defeat to France, but the English referee will take charge of France again during the 2023 tournament when Ireland host them in the second round - for what will be his 26th Six Nations match.
Another Englishman, Karl Dickson, will take charge of the opening match between Wales and Ireland. In terms of Wales' other matches, Andrew Brace, Mathieu Raynal, Damon Murphy and Nic Berry will take charge of matches against Scotland, England, Italy and France respectively.
New Zealand referee James Doleman will make his Six Nations debut with the clash between England and Italy, while another Kiwi official, Paul Williams, will referee his first Six Nations match since 2020.
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