Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, July 19.
Wales star makes World XV
Kieran Hardy is the only Wales player to definitively make it into the BBC's World XV of the summer.
Rugby Union Weekly hosts Ugo Monye and Chris Jones set about picking a world's best based on performances in the July Test series.
The likes of Tommy Reffell, Will Rowlands, Adam Beard and George North were all honourable mentions, but scrum-half Hardy was the one who beat off all competitors for a place in the team.
Monye said: "I think Kieran Hardy with Wales has been class. If you think of the tactical discipline and repeated accuracy of their game plan which has revolved around the nine, he bossed it. That's what you want your nine to do."
The pundits were unable to split Louis Rees-Zammit and All Blacks superstar Will Jordan on the right wing at the time of broadcast, while full-back also proved tricky.
The BBC Rugby Union Weekly team of the summer:
Freddie Steward/Hugo Keenan, Will Jordan/ Louis Rees-Zammit, Lukhanyo Am, Robbie Henshaw, Emiliano Boffelli, Johnny Sexton, Kieran Hardy, Ellis Genge, 'Bongi' Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Tadhg Beirne, Eben Etzebeth, Courtney Lawes, Josh van de Flier, Billy Vunipola
Gatland impressed by home nations
Former Wales and Lions coach Warren Gatland feels next year's Rugby World Cup could be won by a northern hemisphere side for the first time since 2003.
Gatland believes Ireland, fresh from their historic series victory in New Zealand, look the real deal under Andy Farrell and has also been impressed by the progress of Wales and the other home nations.
Writing in his Telegraph column, he said: "There is genuine cause for belief that for the first time since England were crowned champions in 2003, the Webb Ellis trophy will remain in the northern hemisphere.
"France, as hosts, will be many people's favourites, but Ireland's historic triumph is a game-changer. Ireland have never made it beyond the quarter-finals of a World Cup, but Andy Farrell's team look equipped to be considered as genuine contenders to win it.
"They looked brilliantly coached, with a game plan that exploited the All Blacks' weaknesses, and which was backed up by ferocious commitment and mental robustness.
"Although Wales and Scotland lost their respective final tests against South Africa and Argentina, both camps have also taken big strides this summer, which left me thinking about how difficult it would be to pick a Lions XV a year on from our tour to South Africa."
Ireland star escapes punishment
Ireland prop Andrew Porter has avoided further punishment following the incident which left New Zealand lock Brodie Retallick with a fractured cheekbone.
Porter was sin-binned after a nasty clash of heads with Retallick early in the second half of the Irish's 32-22 win over the All Blacks in Saturday's series decider in Wellington.
The 26-year-old was on Monday cited for the incident but the complaint has subsequently been dismissed by an independent judicial committee due to the "absorbing nature of the tackle".
Although he admitted an act of foul play had been committed, Porter maintained the red card threshold had not been met.
The disciplinary panel concurred that the yellow card issued by English referee Wayne Barnes was correct.
A World Rugby statement read: "Having considered all the evidence, the independent committee applied World Rugby's Head Contact Process and agreed with the match officials' on-field decision that the player's act of foul play did not meet the red card threshold due to the absorbing nature of the tackle.
"On that basis, the independent committee deemed the act of foul play did not merit further sanction, and the citing complaint was dismissed."
RFU tackle plan
The RFU will begin a trial next season to lower the legal height of a tackle down to waist level. 'Smart' mouthguards will also be introduced to analyse the effects of head impacts.
The trial will take run at rugby festivals in England next season and use players from under-16 to under-18 level.
Some players will wear special gumshields that transmit collision data to analysts at Bath University, the Times reports.
The move comes amid concerns around head injuries being suffered by pro players, which have been brought into stark focus by the news former Wales captain Ryan Jones has been diagnosed with early onset dementia at 41.
The trials could lead to permanent changes to the game at junior level and could eventually influence the senior game, it is reported.
Read next:
Red cards, yellow cards, citings and confusion - rugby on a precipice after summer controversies
Referee Luke Pearce admits regret and apologises to Billy Vunipola
Joe Marler forgot he had children and broke down after brutal Vunipola incident
'Play with some f***ing freedom!' Rare footage shows what Dan Biggar is like in dressing room
