These are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, May 11.
Ashton: Welsh rugby is 'doomed without progress'
Wales star Ashton Hewitt believes "there is no other option than progress for Welsh rugby, otherwise it's pretty doomed".
Hewitt is the the chairman of the Welsh Rugby Players' Association (WRPA) and was speaking at the end of a tumultuous season on and off the field for Welsh rugby, with a longstanding contract dispute marring the campaign.
Strike action was proposed on the eve of Wales' Six Nations game against England and was only averted at the last minute, and although a deal was struck there remains plenty to sort out. The regions will be operating within tight financial perimeters going forward.
"It is a bit of a make-or-break for Welsh rugby in terms of the progress we can make and getting back to a point of where we are successful as regions and a national side," Hewitt told the Scrum V podcast.
"There is so much that is not in place yet with regards to WRU board make-up and a new chief executive. It is hard to definitively say it's going to be positive in the future because there is so much stuff to work out.
"In my eyes so much has gone wrong that has led to this situation we are in, so there are a lot of things to be sorted out. I am disappointed with how the leadership and management of this sport have let it get to this level when it is one of the biggest institutions in the country.
"It has not just been a 12-month problem. It has been building up and it has come to a head now and people have become aware of the issues that have been going on unseen over the last few years. I am optimistic now everybody is realising the right decisions have to be made."
One Welsh region player in URC team of the season
The United Rugby Championship have revealed their team of the season, with Vaea Fifita of the Scarlets the only Welsh regional player to have made the cut.
The former All Black has enjoyed a breath-taking debut season in west Wales and was integral to a post-Christmas resurrection in form for Dwayne Peel's side following a poor start to the 2022/2023 campaign. The 30-year-old bagged five tries in 21 appearances in Llanelli red and helped spur on the team to a European semi-final.
Ryan Conbeer's try against DHL Stormers is also named as a contender for try of the season, so the Scarlets could pick up more awards yet.
The Elite XV is the latest set of awards dished out by the URC, with Cardiff's Thomas Young already being named turnover king. Eleven teams had at least one player included in the URC dream team, with Leinster having the most with three. Ireland had six players selected in total.
URC team of the season: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Sione Tuipulotu (Glasgow Warriors), Daniel du Plessis (DHL Stormers), Simone Gesi (Zebre Parma), Ross Byrne (Leinster), Grant Williams (Cell C Sharks), Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Niall Murray (Connacht), Federico Ruzza (Benetton), Vaea Fifita (Scarlets), Scott Penny (Leinster), Gavin Coombes (Munster).
Eddie Jones eyes Australian 'smash and grab' raid on Rugby World Cup
By Rob Freeman, PA
Australia coach Eddie Jones said he is ready to launch a "smash and grab" campaign to win the Rugby World Cup and Bledisloe Cup after confirming his coaching team. Jones, who took over the Wallabies in January after being sacked by England the previous month, has named Brad Davis as his attack coach with former Australian internationals Dan Palmer and Berrick Barnes also joining the staff.
"We believe we have a quality coaching staff to plan and prepare the team for a smash and grab campaign, winning the Bledisloe Cup and finishing by winning the Rugby World Cup," Jones said, who took England to the world cup final in 2019. "It is experience, diverse and adaptable."
Former rugby league player Davis coached at London Irish this season having previously worked with Bath, Wasps and Ospreys. Ex-Wallaby prop Palmer, an assistant coach at ACT Brumbies, will work as lineout coach alongside Neal Hatley, who was named forwards co-ordinator earlier this year. Former England scrum coach Hatley will join up with the Wallabies after finishing the season with Premiership side Bath.
Barnes, who won 51 caps for Australia as an outside-half, will work as a part-time kicking consultant with former Castres boss Pierre-Henry Broncan appointed as a maul consultant and Jon Clarke leading the strength and conditioning team - a role he filled with England.
Australia kick off their Rugby Championship campaign against South Africa in Pretoria on July 8.
Bath's Ollie Lawrence named Gallagher Premiership player of the year
England centre Ollie Lawrence has been named Gallagher Premiership player of the year at the end of a season which saw him emerge from Worcester's financial ruin to make an impact at Bath. Lawrence found a new home at the Recreation Ground in October after the Warriors were placed into administration and he took the opportunity to revitalise a career that had been troubled by injury.
Not only did the 23-year-old help Bath qualify for the Heineken Champions Cup, his powerful running saw him recalled by England and he was a mainstay of their midfield during the Six Nations.
He beat fellow nominees Owen Farrell, Jasper Wiese and Robert du Preez to win an award that was decided by experts of the game and presented at Premiership Rugby's awards dinner in central London.
Breakthrough player of the season went to London Irish's Tom Pearson, the 23-year-old back row who is pressing hard for England selection. Saracens' Mark McCall took the director of rugby of the season award after guiding his team into the Premiership play-offs by finishing top of the table in the regular season.
READ MORE:
Byron Hayward walks away from Wales job and is replaced by Grand Slam-winning star
Departing Wales international feels he deserved more from Gatland and Pivac
Eddie Jones poaches Scarlets coach in overnight announcement
