Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, October 6.
Rowlands rested by region
Wales and Dragons second-row Will Rowlands will be rested for the the trip to face Benetton in the United Rugby Championship on Sunday.
Details have already emerged this season of just how often Wales’ top stars will be allowed to play for their regions.
READ MORE: Tipuric and Anscombe become Pivac worries for New Zealand clash
"Will has played a lot of rugby over the summer," Dragons forwards coach Luke Narraway told a press conference on Thursday. "We've looked after him in pre-season and got him into the start of the season. He's been outstanding for us. We'll look to take him out and let him recharge the batteries, but we've got a lot of good options we can call upon.
"So Will gets a little bit of time to regenerate and it hands someone else an opportunity. It'll be good to see who can put in a performance this week."
There are agreements in place over all the members of Wayne Pivac’s squad, with appearances dictated by how often players are likely to feature for Wales.
The issue previously came to light when some criticism was levelled at Cardiff boss Dai Young for not involving new signing Taulupe Faletau against Glasgow. “The reality of it is these Wales players can only play a certain number of games," Young said at the time. "Somebody like Taulupe can only play 17 matches for us a season and only five on the bounce. So you have got to pick and choose the games."
Wales to name team for Scotland World Cup opener
Full-back Kayleigh Powell is set to start in Wales' Women's Rugby World Cup opener against Scotland in New Zealand on Sunday (5.45am UK kick-off time).
Ioan Cunningham's team head into a must-win clash against the Scots before facing reigning champions New Zealand and Australia in their remaining Pool A matches. Any hope of reaching the quarter-finals rest on getting off to a winning start this weekend.
Cunningham will name his Wales team at 5.45am UK time on Friday morning before holding a press conference to explain his selection decisions.
WRU-contracted Powell, who is set to start at No. 15 to make her World Cup debut aged 23, gave a special mention to Ospreys star and Wales Women kicking coach Stephen Myler.
Kicking out of hand has been a major area for Wales to improve upon in recent years, but Myler's post-Six Nations arrival to study the technicalities has been a big boost.
“Stephen Myler has been a massive help,” says Powell, who became a full-time professional this summer. “It is the biggest change I have seen in my skillset since working with Stephen. Just having that one session a week with him, the details we can look at has been a huge help.
“I know it sounds easy, but it’s just understanding how to kick a ball, the set-up positions and angles - they are the micro details that really help. Everything has really just clicked for me lately to be honest, and it has been invaluable having Stephen with us.”
Body-shaming referee culture emerges
Referees missed out on officiating top matches because selectors were unfairly critical of their body shape, England's Rugby Football Union has admitted.
An investigation commissioned by the RFU found referees were judged on "body size, weight or shape", even if they had passed fitness assessments. The issue was initially brought up by former referee George Richardson.
"My primary motivation for raising the complaint was to ensure there is cultural change," he said. "[I want] to ensure that in the future assessments are based on ability to do the job, not physical attributes.
"I wanted to make sure that learning has taken place across the RFU refereeing pathway, so that the best referees within the country can get to the top and rugby really can be "the all-inclusive game".
The RFU said the report's findings were "unacceptable" and apologised for "the negative impact this has had on the referees concerned".
"The investigation found while there is no formal policy regarding referees' weight, size or shape it has nonetheless been part of the criteria for assessment, regardless of whether fitness assessments were passed," it added.
"The report also identified these criteria as being recognised at the highest levels of officiating and that this appears to have had a trickle-down effect. The RFU is committed to addressing these practices to ensure physical appearance will not form part of selection criteria in future."
The report's authors spoke to nine other referees who had experiences similar to Richardson. The RFU has brought in a new code of conduct for those training and picking officials, and have emphasised how officials can report unfair feedback.
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