Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, May 23.
Hansen defends Israel Folau selection
World XV coach Steve Hansen has defended the selection of Israel Folau for Sunday's match against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Folau is a controversial pick after previously being sacked by Rugby Australia for his publicly expressed homophobic views, which saw him claim on social media that gay people would go to hell “unless they repent of their sins and turn to God".
News of his selection has angered some fans, with the RFU revealing plans for a rainbow flag to be flown over the stadium ahead of the game in support of the LGBTQ+ movement.
Asked why he has picked Folau, Hansen said: "He's a very good rugby player. I know by picking him there will be some people hurt and I get that. But I want those people to know and believe that Israel's views are not ours and we don't agree with them, but he is a rugby player first and foremost. He's been sanctioned and those sanctions have finished.
"He's playing rugby, he's probably going to the World Cup and my job is to pick the best team I can pick and that's what I have done."
Asked specifically about the rainbow flag being flown over the pitch, he added: "I think that is great. It's a consequence but I think it is a good thing. It's an opportunity to show support to that flag. I think it is a good thing.
"It wouldn't be there if Israel wasn't playing so I guess whenever we can bring attention to people who are suffering in a positive way I think that is good. They deserve to be loved and cared as much as anyone else."
Folau will line up alongside Wales internationals Wyn Jones, Rhys Patchell and Elliot Dee, while Alun Wyn Jones, Taulupe Faletau, Gareth Anscombe and Aaron Wainwright are among the Barbarians ranks being coached by Eddie Jones.
Glasgow boss named URC coach of season
Glasgow Warriors head coach Franco Smith has been named the 2022-23 United Rugby Championship coach of the season.
The 50-year-old former Italy head coach guided the Warriors to the Scottish x Italian Shield, a top-four URC finish and their first European final after joining the club last summer. The award was voted for by the URC's 16 head coaches.
The former Springboks fly-half was previously head coach of Benetton from 2007 to 2013, as well as the Cheetahs.
Warriors lost their only game in any competition at Scotstoun this season, when they were defeated 14-5 by Munster in the URC quarter-finals. They were then beaten 43-19 by Toulon in the final of the Challenge Cup at Aviva Stadium last Friday.
Nowell rules himself out of England's World Cup
By PA Sport Staff
Jack Nowell has ruled himself out of England's plans ahead of the World Cup in France later this year, in part for family reasons. Nowell, who is currently recovering from a knee injury, looks set to join European champions La Rochelle ahead of next season.
And 30-year-old Nowell has decided to take himself out of the selection frame, effectively signalling an end to his 46-cap England career. England's current selection policy dictates that players plying their trade overseas are not considered for Test duty.
"I am not doing the World Cup, no World Cup. I am just going to chill and get my knee sorted," Nowell told the RugbyPass Offload podcast. "It was a hard decision not to put myself in for selection for the World Cup, but I thought it was probably one that I had to make for myself and my family as well.
"We are going to make the most of being back home in Cornwall, probably spend the next few weeks there and we have got our testimonial tournament at Sandy Park on June 3. I was in contact with [England head coach Steve Borthwick] 'Borthers' and he let me know I wasn't going to be involved in the Six Nations, which was completely fair enough. New coach, new ideas.
"I was happy with that, it was my last year at the club [Exeter], so I got to really focus on doing my best for the club and try and focus on getting us into the big games at the end of the season. When you do sign abroad, you have an option of signing pre-World Cup or post-World Cup. For me, I made the decision that it was probably best for me and my family to sign a pre-World Cup contract."
Borthwick turned to the likes of Anthony Watson, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Henry Arundell during the Six Nations, with wing a hugely-competitive area.
Nowell added: "I am sure it would be a bit different if I was talking to Steve all the time and I have spoken to him since then to tell him my decision. I think I was in his World Cup plans, especially for the first get-togethers as a big squad, but I decided not to do that and make sure my family get settled in France and make sure I get settled in France.
"As much as I would like to have done this one [World Cup] and given it a good crack, sometimes you have got to read between the lines and understand you are probably not in the coach's favour. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have fought for my position and got myself back into playing, but family comes first for me."
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