Here are the latest rugby headlines on Friday, October 21.
Gatland 'heartbroken'
Ex-Wales and Lions coach Warren Gatland has revealed his heartbreak over the demise of his former team Wasps.
The club has imploded financially over the past few weeks, with the entire playing squad among 167 staff members made redundant with immediate effect.
Gatland, who won the Premiership and European Cup with the English giants earlier in his coaching career, spoke of his sadness at the events that have unfolded in his Telegraph column.
"It was heartbreaking to see Wasps follow Worcester into administration because the London club holds a special place in my heart," he wrote. "Some of my fondest memories in rugby are from my three and a half years there, when we won three Premierships, a European and a Challenge Cup.
"It’s mind blowing to see the club go from European champions to the brink of relegation in fewer than 15 years. At least the silverware is safe at the RFU.
"Wasps' demise is indicative of a wider issue. Clubs that have been able to be sustainable are the ones who have owned their own grounds. If you have your own stadium, you can control what goes on within its walls, from corporate functions to how much food and drink is put through the till on match days. There’s an important point to stress here: owners who buy clubs cannot do so for some money-making scheme. They must buy clubs because it’s their passion."
Gatland acknowledges English rugby could be set for huge change in terms of how it is run, but he warned potential upheaval could impact England's World Cup chances.
He added: "We could see the RFU pick up the pieces and turn English rugby on its head with a model that has long been favoured by other unions by centrally contracted players. Ireland, along with the All Blacks, are the two notable examples of how central contracts are a sustainable way to support international players, although it would mean clubs inevitably relinquishing some control over them.
"The other alternative is for clubs to partly foot the bill, although if the trigger is pulled on that there could be some fallout. The best time to do it would be straight after a World Cup because from an English perspective, any shake-up before then could potentially disrupt Eddie Jones’ preparation."
Booth clarifies Anscombe absence after 'cheap shot'
Toby Booth has revealed Gareth Anscombe is still out injured after the ‘cheap shot’ that laid him low in the Ospreys’ United Rugby Championship match with Glasgow Warriors.
The Wales international suffered a rib injury in the game in Swansea on October 1, the visitors’ replacement hooker George Turner having charged into him at a ruck.
Anscombe needed on-pitch treatment before exiting in obvious pain.
Ospreys head coach Booth later revealed the citing commissioner had issued a yellow card after the game.
And the main man at the Swansea.com region is evidently still less than impressed by how the bump was sustained.
Ahead of the URC match with the Dragons in Newport on Sunday, he said: “Gareth Anscombe is still carrying the same injury, the cheap shot that he got in the [Glasgow] game,” he said. “He still hasn’t recovered.”
That said, Booth indicated that the fly-half was on the mend, adding: “He’s not far away. It’s just a game too early for him.
“He has returned to training.”
Jack Walsh wears the No. 10 jersey for the Ospreys in Newport, with Stephen Myler also sidelined by a rib problem.
URC games called off amid stomach bug
Glasgow and Ulster have both been forced to postpone their BKT United Rugby Championship games in South Africa this weekend because of the outbreak of a stomach bug.
Warriors were due to face Emirates Lions in Johannesburg while, also on Saturday, Ulster were scheduled to play Cell C Sharks in Durban.
A URC statement read: "Due to gastroenteritis infections it is not possible for Ulster or Glasgow Warriors to field full playing squads.
"In order to ensure a duty of care towards the players involved and given the medical advice received from all key stakeholders, the United Rugby Championship has made the decision to postpone the fixtures.
"The league will now move to examine potential dates to reschedule the games and will update in due course."
Robshaw retires
Former England captain Chris Robshaw has announced his retirement.
Robshaw, 36, made his Test debut in 2009 and went on to win 66 international caps. He played for Harlequins between 2005 and 2020 before finishing his career in the United States at San Diego Legion.
After missing out on selection for the 2011 World Cup, back-row Robshaw returned to the England squad as captain ahead of the 2012 Six Nations campaign before injuries took their toll.
"After 18 years of professional rugby and a career I could only have dreamt of, I am officially announcing my retirement from the great game," Robshaw said in a social media post.
"Following three dislocated shoulders in quick succession, my body has told me to blow the final whistle.
"No words can do justice to how fortunate and privileged I am to have enjoyed a career in the sport I am most passionate about."
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