Here are the latest rugby evening headlines for Thursday, September 1.
Rugby World Cup chief suspended
Rugby World Cup organising chief Claude Atcher has been suspended by the French government following an investigation into complaints of alleged bullying.
He has been removed as the head of the tournament's organising committee ahead of the 2023 global showpiece in France, sending the tournament’s organising committee into disarray.
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RugbyPass reports that Atcher allegedly told one female employee "you’re a dirty little idiot", with allegations being published in French newspaper L’Equipe with up to 15 first-hand accounts by employees at Groupement d’Interet Public (GIP) France 2023, the organising body, a couple of months ago.
The government intervened in quick fashion after uncovering “alarming managerial practices” and “infringements of financial probity” during their investigation.
Atcher will face a disciplinary hearing over the matter in addition to the trial he is due to face along with FFR president Bernard Laporte over a separate corruption charge. He will no longer be involved "directly or indirectly" with GIP while his deputy while take over in the interim.
World Rugby have issued a statement on the matter but have confidence that the host nation will be ready to deliver the 2023 Rugby World Cup. “World Rugby was deeply concerned by the allegations made through the French media,” a statement read. “The wellbeing of the rugby family is paramount and central to the values of unity, inclusivity and fun that epitomise Rugby World Cup, the sport’s ultimate celebration of togetherness.”
Financially stricken Worcester to participate in Premiership opening round
Worcester will participate in the opening round of the Gallagher Premiership but tournament organisers admit they remain in a precarious position.
The financially stricken Warriors on Wednesday headed off a likely player exodus when they confirmed their squad would be paid for August.
Doubt remained over their involvement in the Premiership but they have been cleared to face London Irish in their opener on September 10. "Worcester are able to take the pitch and start the season but are not out of the woods yet, let's be frank about that," Premiership Rugby chief executive Simon Massie-Taylor said.
Simon Middleton yet to finalise England Red Roses World Cup squad
Head coach Simon Middleton says there are "at least four or five calls" to be made before England's World Cup squad is finalised. The Red Roses will head to New Zealand next month as tournament favourites.
They are on a 23-game unbeaten run - New Zealand were the last team to beat them in 2019 - and currently top the world rankings by an emphatic margin.
England face the USA in Exeter on Saturday, before hosting Wales later this month. Their opening World Cup fixture is against Fiji in Auckland on October 8.
"It is a little bit of a discovery game in terms of just some final choices," Middleton said, ahead of the Sandy Park encounter. "We have been training for eight weeks, so we are absolutely desperate to play.
"The players have had a brilliant period of preparation since the start of July - the longest run-in we've had in pre-season - and have worked tirelessly to ensure we are in the best possible place. Sometimes in sport, opportunities are limited, and with just the two matches before the tournament in New Zealand this is one of those occasions.
"There are a few combinations we want to look at, there are some individual performances we want to look at, and off the back of this we are probably going to make some 50-50 calls on the [World Cup] squad. We are close [to the final 32], but I would say there are at least four or five calls that we are going to have to make.
"We have ultimately got 39 players that has to go to 32. I don't think there is one single player in this squad who would assume they are going to be on the plane, because that's not how they think."
Emily Scarratt captains England against the USA, and she will be partnered in midfield by Gloucester-Hartpury's Tatyana Heard, who makes her first international appearance since February 2019. Zoe Harrison takes the fly-half role, with new Exeter signing Claudia MacDonald featuring in the back-three following her recovery from a neck injury.
Llandovery second-row signs with Scarlets
Llandovery second-row Griff Evans has signed a dual contract with the Scarlets for the 2022-23 campaign. The 21-year-old was a standout player for both Cardiff University and Llandovery RFC last season and featured for the Scarlets Development XV against the Ospreys and Dragons.
Scarlets recruitment and operations officer James Davies said: “Griff played a couple of games with our Development side last season and impressed us. He has shown a great attitude training alongside the senior players in the squad this summer. He is an athletic forward with a good skillset and has been a consistent performer for Llandovery in the Premiership. We are looking forward to seeing how he progresses.”
Griff Evans added: “I’m delighted to be part of the squad and to have signed with the Scarlets this season. I’d like to credit and thank Narberth RFC, Llandovery College, Cardiff University RFC and Llandovery RFC. I’m very grateful for this opportunity and I’m looking forward to developing my game and learning from coaches and team-mates this year.”
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