Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, September 22.
Ospreys boss hails future captain
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth has identified Wales youngster Dewi Lake as a potential future captain of the region.
The 23-year-old is a former Wales U20s skipper and has emerged as one of Welsh rugby’s brightest prospects after a season in which he won eight senior Wales caps.
South Africans were impressed with him in the Test series in the summer because of his refusal to take a backward step, and he shone again on the first weekend of the United Rugby Championship season. Coming off the bench to replace Scott Baldwin against the Scarlets, he made eight tackles in 26 minutes before crowning his effort with the try-saving turnover which allowed the Ospreys to work their way upfield and earn a draw with a converted touchdown.
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Asked how much Lake had progressed over the past year, Booth said: “One hundred percent. You’ve seen him play a very instrumental part in the Six Nations, you’ve seen him come off the bench and influence games. The thing that’s progressing is his set-piece consistency.
"He’s a very, very good player, a player we are really pleased with. Potentially, he’s a long-term captain of this club at some point.
"He’s one of those players who we’ll be building a team around going forward. He’s very excited, very committed. The future’s bright for us in the hooking position."
Former Wales fly-half Jonathan Davies has previously floated the idea of Lake being Wales' next captain, so Booth isn't alone in seeing the powerful No. 2 as being officer class.
Meanwhile, Baldwin impressed Booth with an effort which included three turnovers and some brave tackling in Llanelli, while the Ospreys also have Sam Parry and Elvis Taione on their books.
McBryde injured
Billy McBryde is set for a spell on the sidelines after breaking his foot on duty for English Championship club Doncaster Knights.
Heads physiotherapist Karl Blenkin said: "[Billy] unfortunately broke his foot in training during the week of the Wasps pre-season fixture. He had surgery to fix the issue and his rehabilitation has gone well so far with the view to returning to running in the next few weeks."
The son of former Wales hooker and coach Robin McBryde, fly-half Billy was with the Scarlets for a couple of seasons and won international honours at U20s level ahead of spell with RGC, then moving to Yorkshire in 2020.
Worcester v Newcastle to go ahead after troubled club meet deadline
Worcester's clash with Newcastle at Sixways on Saturday will take place after the financially-stricken club met all the conditions needed to stage the Gallagher Premiership fixture.
The Rugby Football Union has confirmed that Worcester have met the Thursday 12pm deadline for proving they are able to host their second home match of the season in the face of debts exceeding £25million.
However, there remains a very realistic possibility it will be their last match in the Premiership amid a warning from the RFU that they will be suspended from all competitions on Monday if they are unable to demonstrate a credible plan for lifting Sixways out of crisis.
Worcester owners Colin Goldring and Jason Whittingham have until 5pm on September 26 to show that progress has been made on insurance, payroll and finding a new buyer.
If suspended after failing to satisfy these three criteria, they could then be permanently removed from all competitions.
"Whilst we appreciate that this will be unwelcome news, it is clear that the current state of affairs cannot continue, and in particular without the RFU and Premiership Rugby receiving these assurances," the RFU said in a letter sent to the owners on Wednesday.
Goldring and Whittingham have been accused of asset stripping the club and have yet to finalise its sale to new owners despite repeated claims that a deal is imminent.
They have also been served with a winding-up order by HMRC, who are pursuing £6million in unpaid tax.
Worcestershire MP Robin Walker wants the Government to intervene and will debate the matter in the House of Commons on Thursday night.
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