Here are your rugby evening headlines for Wednesday, 28 September.
Tshiunza tipped for Wales
Young Welsh star Christ Tshiunza's form is so good he is a "shoo-in" for Wales.
That's the verdict of one media outlet in England who have been blown away by his meteoric rise over the past few weeks.
Tshiunza was named Gloucester Live's player of the week after two tries for Exeter in the win over Harlequins - the latest rampaging performance that is sure to have got Wayne Pivac very excited.
"He has gone from an outsider to a shoo-in for Wales’ autumn internationals in the space of three weeks," the report says.
"I’d imagine seeing this man thundering towards you at full tilt is not exactly a pleasant sight. His confidence with the ball in hand seem to grow tenfold from what we saw last week.
"Made three defenders look like mugs in his first score, most of all Tyrone Green - who isn’t exactly an easily intimidated tackler."
Tshiunza is now highly likely to make Wales' autumn squad and is even pushing for a starting spot in the back five of the pack, such has been his impressive form in the Gallagher Premiership.
Bayfield worried that rugby isn't 'fit for purpose'
Former England international and rugby presenter Martin Bayfield has expressed his concern that rugby is currently not 'fit for purpose'.
With Worcester Warriors suspended from the Premiership and currently in administration, while Wasps are also in a precarious financial position, things are currently looking dire for the sport. Add in the legal action concerning brain injuries hanging over everything and it's easy to understand where Bayfield is coming from.
“I’m really concerned for the English game,” Bayfield told the Mirror. “Rugby is in a very precarious state. We’re at a crossroads. Doing nothing is not an option.
“Fewer people are playing, clubs are putting out fewer teams. Rugby is struggling.
“We’ve got fundamentally a Victorian game being played by 21st Century athletes. Something has to change.
“The sport needs restructuring and made fit for purpose. It has to make very real changes that will alter the look of the game and it has to be prepared for what that will look like.
“We can’t just tinker with it any more because, as we can all see, two clubs are in danger of imploding.
“Rugby is too congested, too confusing. The calendar is insane, a jumble of games and fixtures.
“Do we have our star players, do we not? Strip some of it away. Work out what works, what are your big sellers and simplify it.”
Dragons won't rush back Bertranou
The Dragons won't rush scrum-half Gonzalo Bertranou back to action after the Argentine returned to the club this week.
The 28-year-old has been on international duty, playing in five of Argentina's Rugby Championship fixtures - including wins over Australia and New Zealand. However, now that Bertranou is back in Newport, Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan has vowed not to rush the scrum-half back into the fray.
“I actually met him for the first time on Tuesday for a coffee,” revealed Flanagan. "I have had lots of whatsapps and good luck messages back and forth.
“He stayed in connection with the group throughout, he's been tracking our performances and results and he is a good individual.
“Gonzalo has done his first session back with us. He is super keen, super competitive and people like that you want around the facility.
“But he has still got to catch up on all the subtle changes or speed of stuff. Gonzalo’s opportunity will come when he is ready.”
England full-back ends speculation over future
England full-back Freddie Steward has ended speculation over his future by signing a new deal with Leicester Tigers.
The 21-year-old has become a mainstay in Eddie Jones' side since making his debut against the USA last year, while he also won the Gallagher Premiership title last season as well as England Men's player of the year and the RPA's young player of the year awards.
It had previously been reported that negotiations between the player and club had reached an impasse, but Steward has now signed a deal to keep him at Welford Road for a couple more seasons at least.
Speaking about the deal, his coach Steve Borthwick said: Freddie is a very talented player, who has worked incredibly hard to be at the level he is at by such a young age.
"He is a leader in our group, who offers so much on and off the field to Leicester Tigers and has so much growth in his game of which I am excited to see him continue at the club.
"His character and his courage shine through in the way that he looks for ways to get better, every single day, and his want to continually take on new challenges.
"Freddie is a proud Leicester player, who understands the club very well and the privilege of representing Tigers."
Read next:
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Official limits on Wales stars playing for their regions revealed after Faletau criticism
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Host of new rugby laws trialled to stop things driving players and fans mad
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Final World Rugby rankings published before autumn battles begin
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