These are your evening headlines on Good Friday.
Moriarty explains France move
Wales star Ross Moriarty says he made the decision to leave the Dragons for French club Brive for the benefit of his family.
News was confirmed on Friday that Moriarty would leave Rodney Parade with immediate effect.
The 28-year-old leaves south Wales with the best wishes of everyone in Newport, and he admits the chance was too good to turn down.
"I’m sad to be leaving Dragons RFC after five seasons in Newport, but this is an opportunity that I feel I have to take at this time for myself and my young family.
“I leave with many happy memories of my time as a Dragon, and I have made lifelong friends within the squad.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved with the club for their support, especially Dai Flanagan for his understanding with the decision I have made.
“I’ve always loved playing at Rodney Parade in front of the passionate and dedicated fanbase and look forward to returning to see the Dragons in action in the future.
“I’ll continue to follow the fortunes of Dragons very closely and do believe the future is bright. There is a huge amount of exciting young talent within the squad and Dai’s vision is one I am confident will succeed.”
Flanagan confirmed they had offered Moriarty a new contract to stay at the club.
“We’re obviously disappointed to be losing a player of the quality of Ross after we offered him the best possible terms we could to remain with us," he said.
“I have always enjoyed a strong relationship with Ross and would like to thank him for his honesty and professionalism throughout what I know has been a difficult decision for him.
“Ross has made a huge impact at Dragons over the last five seasons, captaining the side on several occasions, giving absolutely everything to the cause and being a fantastic role model to the younger players around him.
“Ross and his young family now have a new opportunity overseas and they leave us with our very best wishes for the future. He will always be welcomed back at Rodney Parade.”
Cardiff aiming to banish Italian demons
Cardiff are aiming to banish their Italian demons as they take on Benetton in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup on Saturday.
On the final day of last season, the Italian outfit ran in 10 tries against Cardiff in a awful 69-21 victory. The Arms Park side are hoping that they've learned their lessons from the humiliation.
"We went out there and they gave us a good hiding," said director of rugby Dai Young.
"So of course it hurts. You're in the wrong game if it doesn't.
"We've looked at areas we didn't get right, you look at them but it was also about us," said Young.
"We didn't compete in any area. We were second best in everything, a team low on energy. It was a game too far for us last season, but that's not the case this year.
"You've got a little bit of fear factor which you need in rugby, because we know if we're not at our best then we will come second best as we experienced last year.
Springbok lock ruled out for rest of the season
South Africa second-row Eben Etzebeth will not play again for the Sharks this season, with his shoulder injury being worse than initially reported.
The 31-year-old picked up a shoulder injury in the first half of the Sharks’ Champions Cup clash with Munster last week, initially playing through the pain to make it into the second-half.
However, the Springbok star will now miss the remainder of the season as Sharks boss Neil Powell confirmed he is likely to be sidelined for up to 14 weeks.
“In terms of how long he [Etzebeth] will be out for, I think it’s quite a long time; I’m not 100 percent sure but probably 12 or 14 weeks,” Powell said on Friday.
“I don’t think he’ll play for us again this season, but he will definitely be ready for the World Cup [in five months’ time].”
Tributes paid to 'superb' wing who figured for Wales alongside greats
When WalesOnline put together a record of one-cap Wales internationals, the name of Laurie Daniel figured high on the list.
The writer described him as a “prodigious” try scorer who set points records at Newport, Pontypool and Ebbw Vale.
The goal-kicking wide-man passed away this week, aged 81. In a tribute, Newport said they were saddened to hear the news.
“Laurie was a superb wing who played for Newport for just over three seasons and scored an incredible 756 points including 66 tries. In 1971/72 Laurie scored 30 tries in only 37 matches. In his time with the Black & Ambers, Laurie also won a cap for Wales.
“The club send its thoughts and condolences to Laurie’s family and friends.”
His step onto the full international stage came in the opening game of the 1970 Five Nations. Daniel came into the side for the Arms Park clash with Scotland, contributing a try and a conversion as Wales rallied from 9-0 down to win 18-9.
There were some stellar names in the Welsh back division that day, with JPR Williams at full-back, Phil Bennett and John Dawes in the centre and Gareth Edwards and Barry John at half-back.
Despite playing an important role in the win, Daniel didn’t feature at Test level again.
A son of Pontypool, he attended Abersychan Grammar School before attending Caerleon Training College ahead of a move into teaching.
As well as Newport, Pooler and Vale, he also featured for Pontypool United and Blaenavon, with his playing career extending up to the age of 38.
In another warm tribute, Pontypool United said on their Facebook page: “The word legend is loosely used, but Laurie was and always will be a true legend. He shaped the lives of so many young lads through his knowledge of rugby and as a teacher.
“He is arguably the most successful youth rugby coach and his approach to coaching was light years ahead of most if not all. Laurie formed Pontypool United’s first youth team in the summer of 1979. They won the Welsh Youth Cup in 1982 and many times after that. At one stage his side went 96 games unbeaten, which at youth level was phenomenal. He also once produced five Wales youth internationals in the same season.
“He moved on to coach the Pontypool United senior and taught so many of the players at the club valuable life skills. It is no coincidence that the club’s current president, chairman, vice-chairman and at least two serving committee members all played youth rugby under Laurie.”
Daniel, then, led an inspirational life, on and off the rugby field.
He will be greatly missed.
READ MORE:
Wales' murky 25-cap rule, a WRU probe and how it could blow apart Gatland's World Cup plans
Nigel Owens won't be accepting South Africa World Cup job offer
Wales star Ross Moriarty leaves Welsh rugby with immediate effect as departures keep coming
Wales man says club are in 'big, big hole' and star's World Cup in the balance after surgery
