These are your rugby headlines on Wednesday, May 3.
Baldwin signs for Dragons
Corey Baldwin has signed a contract with the Dragons.
The former Scarlets man, who represented Wales at under-20s level, has swapped west Wales for east and follows Dane Blacker in the arrivals lounge at Rodney Parade.
The 24-year-old can play wing or centre and head coach Dai Flanagan believes Baldwin will be a positive addition to the squad.
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He said: “Corey is a talented and dynamic young player who is keen to grasp this chance and really impress in our set-up.
“His versatility is a major positive and he’ll strengthen our back line options, an area we wanted to focus on with our recruitment.
“I’ve worked with Corey over a number of years, both in the Welsh Under-18 and Under-20 set-up and at Scarlets, and he is a driven young man who will fit into our squad to make a positive impact.”
Baldwin said: “I’m really excited by the opportunity to join the Dragons and having spoken to Dai, there is a clear vision and brand of rugby they team want to play, and I can’t wait to be a part of that.
“In addition, I would like to say thank you to everyone at the Scarlets for all their support during my time in west Wales.”
The Dragons saw nine players leave the club at the end of their season.
Former World Rugby chief passes away
Former World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset has died aged 75.
Lapasset had been battling a long illness. He played a key role in France landing the 2007 Rugby World Cup and helped Paris to get the 2024 Olympics.
“The French rugby federation is deeply saddened by the death of Bernard Lapasset, a prominent leader of French sport in recent decades,” the FFR said.
“Lapasset devoted his life to rugby, be it as a player, coach, manager and ambassador. His impact on the development and promotion of rugby in France and around the world is undeniable.”
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont said: “I know I speak on behalf of colleagues and the global rugby family when I say that Bernard Lapasset will be remembered as a great leader and a true visionary, who presided over huge growth in our sport, returning us to the Olympics and putting rugby on the global map.
“Throughout his tenure, his passion and dedication was always evident, and he was a champion of the sport’s values from the field of play to the boardroom and beyond.
“The sport can be proud of what World Rugby, its unions and the sport has achieved during his chairmanship.
“All our thoughts are with Jacqueline and the Lapasset family at this difficult time.”
London Irish players and staff go unpaid
London Irish players and staff has yet to receive their wages for April, according to the BBC.
They were informed on Tuesday morning that they would be paid in full that day but at the time of writing they had not received their salaries.
A meeting was scheduled for Wednesday lunchtime.
Irish are currently the subject of a protracted takeover by an American consortium and the delays are being associated with bank holidays, new accounts and money being transferred from the US.
With Worcester and Wasps suffering similar issues before going into administration, fears will circulate that London Irish could go down a similar route but chief executive of Premiership Rugby, Simon Massie-Taylor, attempted to alleviate concerns.
"I do think it's different [to the situations at Worcester and Wasps]," he told BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday.
"Between Premiership Rugby and the RFU (Rugby Football Union), we've been engaged for quite a while with both the current ownership and the future buyers and there are lots of very positive signals coming from both sides.
"It's been reported that the new ownership have been in front of the players and the staff last week and today [Tuesday], which is a positive signal of their intent.
"And if it comes off then clearly you've got a new breed of investor. They're from across the pond and they've got interest in other sports so it is a positive news story."
Scotland star serious World Cup doubt
Scotland forward Jonny Gray is in serious danger of missing the Rugby World Cup after dislocating his kneecap.
Gray sustained the injury during Exeter's 47-28 Heineken Champions Cup semi-final defeat by La Rochelle on Sunday.
"It's relatively serious without being the worst it could be," said Exeter rugby director Rob Baxter.
"From what I've been told unless the operation goes exceptionally well and his recovery is exceptionally quick, I would say he is very doubtful for the World Cup.
"It's a patella tendon injury, he's dislocated his kneecap.
"Fortunately the other major ligaments within the knee are all stable.
"It's a relatively complex patella tendon injury, which is going to require surgery this week, and there's a relatively long period of rehab
"We are hopeful to have him back fairly early next season, especially with the Premiership starting late next year with the World Cup first."
Second-row Gray, 29, has won 77 caps for Scotland and his absence from the World Cup in France would be a huge blow for Gregor Townsend's side.
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