Your rugby evening headlines for Friday, September 30.
Davies opens up on Pivac talks
Jonathan Davies has revealed that Wales head coach Wayne Pivac hasn't 'slammed the door shut' on his Wales career yet, and told the Scarlets skipper to prepare for a big year.
'Foxy', as he is widely known, missed out on the summer's tour of South Africa which saw Wales fall to a 2-1 defeat despite putting in some valiant performances against the home side.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast, Davies chatted to James Haskell, Mike Tyndall, Alex Payne and Ben Kayser, lifting the lid on his chat with Pivac.
"I still feel I'm competitive, I want to be competitive. I'm obviously gutted not to go on tour." he explained.
"I had a conversation with Wayne about it, I think he knew how I felt - I still think I can play international rugby.
"For me, I just have to take care of my own form with the Scarlets. If I play well enough and they want me to play, I'll play.
"It was the first summer without touring or injury since 2009 so I've had a really good break. I've just got an appreciation of how lucky I am.
"For me, I'll enjoy however long I've got left and give it the best shot I can.
"He gave me his reasons, he said 'look, have the summer and get yourself ready for a big year'. It wasn't like slamming the door shut. I appreciated that and hopefully I can come knocking."
Irish rugby star poised to switch to Scotland
The Scottish Rugby Union are said to be planning a swoop for Irish scrum-half John Cooney.
The 32-year-old has slipped down Andy Farrell's pecking order in recent times, despite being a firm favourite at Ulster and putting in some impressive performances. He picked up the last of his 11 Ireland caps in 2020.
Under new World Rugby guidelines over eligibility, Cooney will become available to Scotland in February 2023, giving him six months to make an impression ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Extra.ie are reporting that Scotland boss Gregor Townsend is keen on the idea.
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'An unbelievable clear out five years ago'
Former Ireland international Stephen Ferris has explained why he has a little bit of sympathy for Bundee Aki following the centre's long ban.
Aki was slapped with an eight week punishment after dangerously clearing out Seabelo Senatla during Connacht's clash with the Stormers last weekend. He was red carded for the incident and is now poised to miss a chunk of his province's season, as well as Ireland's autumn internationals.
But, speaking on The Buildup with Ladbrokes, Ferris insisted it was a difficult situation for Aki.
"That’s an unbelievable clear out five years ago. You blitz him out, there’s minimal contact to he head, but there’s still contact with the head.
"When Senatla is over the ball in a brilliant position as well, the jackal, the only way to get rid of him is with a lot of force, and he is just a little bit too low. But then if you are six inches higher you are straight onto the top of the neck.
"How do you get rid of somebody that is in that strong of a position over the ball? If you come in slightly from the side, people say that you are targeting the lower limb area like we seen in the All Blacks-Aussie game.
"It's so, so difficult, especially when you make that half line break, and then there’s maybe a second and a half, two seconds of clear daylight for the defence to get over the ball.”
Worcester facing staff exodus
By PA
Crisis club Worcester are facing an exodus of players and staff after failing to meet this month's salary commitments.
Contracted personnel were due to be paid on Friday but the PA news agency understands this has not happened, meaning staff are entitled to move elsewhere after a statutory two-week notice period.
In a further blow to Worcester's hopes of overturning their current suspension from competitions, the subsidiary body to which staff are contracted faces a winding-up order in the high court next Wednesday.
If WRFC Players Ltd is liquidated, the Gallagher Premiership club would automatically have no contracted players or staff and seemingly no option but to drop out of the top division.
WRFC Players Ltd is separate to WRFC Trading Ltd, which is subject to insolvency proceedings and for which the administrators are still seeking to find a buyer.
Worcester's debts total more than than £25million, including at least £6m in unpaid tax, while owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham have been accused of asset-stripping the club.
The club failed to meet a Rugby Football Union deadline on Monday requesting proof of insurance cover and funding for the club's monthly payroll, which resulted in them being suspended from all competitions.
Two consortiums, one involving former Worcester chief executive Jim O'Toole, are understood to have expressed interest in buying the club out of administration.
But the impending exodus of players and staff may make a purchase less appealing, with no means to resume playing even if the club's current suspension is lifted.
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