Here are the latest rugby headlines on Saturday, December 31.
Gatland narrows down coaching search
The identity of Wales' new defence coach looks to be a choice between Steve Tandy and Paul Gustard, WalesOnline understands.
Tandy appears to be the front runner, with Gatland an enormous fan of the Scotland defence coach who he worked with on the 2021 Lions tour of South Africa.
But the Scottish Rugby Union are notorious for not releasing coaches early from contracts and given Tandy is contracted until after next year's Rugby World Cup, that could prove to be a big stumbling block. Tandy is also known for his loyalty and could be reluctant to disrupt Gregor Townsend's set-up in such an important year.
READ MORE: The best 25 players in Welsh rugby as we head towards a massive 2023
Should the WRU fail to find a way to negotiate an early release for Tandy then it would clear the way for former England defence guru Gustard to be appointed.
Gustard is currently part of Stade Francais' coaching team, and even though a transfer fee may be required, WRU CEO Steve Phillips has already made it clear he will back Gatland to the hilt.
Jonathan Thomas is believed to be on the brink of being appointed contact skills coach, while former winger Mark Jones is a contender for attack coach, with influential people at the WRU seemingly opposed to Rob Howley's return. You can read the full details on that story here.
Young - We're taking on Wales pack
Cardiff boss David Young reckons his side are pretty much taking on the Wales pack when they clash with the Ospreys in front of a New Year's Day Arms Park sell-out crowd.
Young told Cardiff's official site his side have a responsibility to make the home fans proud and show off their own talent in the Welsh derby.
“You’ve got to enjoy these occasions. That’s why we come into sport,” said Young. “There’s going to be a fantastic buzz around the place and it’s a great place to play rugby. We’ve got our own job to do on the field, to get this crowd excited."
The Ospreys have brought big guns Justin Tipuric and Alun Wyn Jones back into their starting XV and also have Gareth Thomas, Adam Beard and Jac Morgan in their line-up. Wales stars Dewi Lake, Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis are among the replacements.
Young said: “We know we’re going to have to step up again. Ospreys have pretty much got the Welsh pack in there, when you look at them. When they’ve got that, they’re as good as any pack in Europe.
“They don’t come second-best in the scrum against many teams and their driving maul is always a weapon. We know that’s the challenge for us, and we know that’s what’s coming. We need to stand up to that."
Wales stars snubbed in Team of the Year
French news outlet Midi Olympique have named their Test Team of the Year - and not a single Wales player makes the cut.
Their XV is made up of five French players and four from Ireland, with two South Africans and two New Zealand stars also getting in.
New England sensation Marcus Smith gets the nod at fly-half with Italy full-back Ange Capuozzo also selected.
As well as no Welsh representatives, Scotland's stars are also ignored.
Midi-Olympique team in full: Ange Capuozzo (Italy); Damian Penaud (France), Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Damian de Allende (South Africa), Caleb Clarke (New Zealand); Marcus Smith (England), Antoine Dupont (France); Cyril Baille (France), Julien Marchand (France), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Sam Whitelock (New Zealand), Siya Kolisi (South Africa), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Grégory Alldritt (France).
Sarries top of the pile
Saracens head into 2023 top of the league in England after thrashing Exeter 35-3 on New Year's Eve.
It was the Chiefs' biggest defeat in two years as Sarries bounced back convincingly from a surprise loss to London Irish last time out.
Wales star Nick Tompkins got in on the tryscoring act, with Saracens' final score in the rout.
Sharks smash Bulls
Cell C Sharks recorded their sixth United Rugby Championship victory from nine starts this season after they brushed aside the Bulls 47-20 in Durban.
Siya Kolisi's team produced a dominant first-half display, racking up 30 points through tries by scrum-half Grant Williams and hooker Bongi Mbonambi, while they were also awarded a penalty try and fly-half Curwin Bosch kicked three penalties and two conversions.
There was no way back for the Bulls, who did not help their cause by having two players yellow-carded in quick succession just before half-time.
The Sharks were in the mood to entertain a crowd of just under 26,000 as centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg touched down twice in the second period, while Bosch kicked two more conversions and a penalty to finish with 20 points.
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