Here are the latest rugby headlines on Thursday, June 1.
Wallabies superstars predict Wales World Cup disaster
Australia legends Will Genia and Matt Giteau believe Wales will be dumped out of the Rugby World Cup at the group stages.
The two superstars say Fiji will stun Warren Gatland’s men in France, with the two sides facing each other in their opening Pool C match on September 10 in Bordeaux. They are confident Australia will top the pool, with Genia suggesting Eddie Jones’ side have “hit the jackpot” with the way the draw has panned out.
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Giteau told a RugbyPass YouTube show: “I love the Welsh but I actually think Australia and Fiji will go through. Fiji are always a tough game, they ask so much of you and now, with Fijian Drua playing Super Rugby, they are starting to get more game control and game knowledge. They will be dangerous.”
Asked who he thought would qualify from the group, Genia agreed, saying: “I’m going to say Australia and Fiji. I’m with you.”
He added: “I reckon we have hit the jackpot with the pool we are in. Wales are traditionally a quality top tier nation but, as of late, they haven’t been playing as well as they’d like to. A lot of turmoil within their union and that has possibly affected them. We have a real good chance of topping that pool.”
The Wallabies are currently ranked seventh in the world, Wales are ninth and Fiji are 13th. The top five sides in the world right now are all on the other side of the draw, meaning sixth-placed England are the highest ranked team the qualifiers from Pool C will face in the quarter-finals.
Alun Wyn Jones had ‘tear in his eye’ at Barbarians v Swansea
Alun Wyn Jones had a “tear in his eye” before featuring for both teams in the Swansea RFC v Barbarians match at St Helen’s on Wednesday, according to now-retired Wales international Bradley Davies.
Jones achieved a first in his stellar career by featuring for both sides in the same game, with the Baabaas going on to win 68-33 in front of 6,238 fans at St Helen’s.
Jones first played for the famous invitational side on Sunday, leading them to a win over a World XV at Twickenham, and donned the jersey for a second time in the opening half at St Helen’s, before donning the Swansea shirt after the restart. Former Swansea RFC player Jones made his club debut at the ground against Carmarthen Quins 19 years ago. Jones exited the field on 52 minutes, to much applause from the crowd.
Former Cardiff, Wasps and Ospreys lock Davies, who was playing the last rugby game of his career, converted Rey Lee-Lo’s try for the Baabaas. He revealed his second-row teammate Jones was emotional ahead of the special occasion.
“Alun Wyn’s a fantastic player, he’s had an amazing career and no one will ever achieve what he has,” said Davies. “It’s mad because we were probably fighting for the same shirt for 15 years – he’s taken about 200 caps off me! He’s a good mate of mine and you can see what it means to him. Before the game he was upset, with a tear in his eye. He’s a very passionate man but it was nice to see him have a proper send-off.”
Davies added: “Rocking up here to St Helen’s, full, with the crowd on the bank, a nice day – these are my memories of Welsh rugby. It was 100% a throwback. That’s what we’re missing. I’d watch Pontypridd versus Cardiff on Boxing Day any day of the week. We had more than 6,000 here today, a great family occasion. That’s what we miss.”
Welsh rugby sponsor won’t pull out
Major Welsh rugby sponsor Oil 4 Wales has decided to restore its investment in the game, a little over a week after announcing it was withdrawing its support.
The company contacted both the Dragons and Cardiff Rugby last week, along with a host of community clubs, to inform them of their decision not to renew their sponsorship. The shirt sponsor of the Scarlets also said it intended to withdraw from that deal when its contractual obligations had been fulfilled.
But having spoken to various high-ranking figures in the game after breaking the news, company boss Colin Owens has been assured the new six-year financial agreement between the Welsh Rugby Union and the four regions will pay dividends in the long-run.
“Upon the understanding that the Professional Rugby Board, alongside the four regions, have signed a new six-year agreement, Oil 4 Wales will allow time for the new proposed agreement to work, and will restore investment and support to both the community and professional rugby clubs with immediate effect,” said Oil 4 Wales founder Colin Owens.
Oil 4 Wales also sponsors individual players, and has heavily supported local communities in Wales for more than a decade.
The statement from Oil 4 Wales founder Owens read: “Further to our recent discussions, we have been attending various events such as the Urdd Eisteddfod in Llandovery, a local primary school in Swansea and an under 12s rugby presentation evening with our brand ambassadors. Our future Welsh International stars have had the opportunity over the last few days and in the few upcoming days to meet the current stars, everything we do as a company is for our communities and our brand ambassadors are a total reflection of this.
“The passion of the rugby players whilst doing Q&As to the school children or even presenting them with their trophies at the end of the season is unimaginable. They inspire these kids, and even though [Rhys] Patchell and [Leigh] Halfpenny don’t currently have contracts they are still giving their all to the local Welsh communities.
“Last Thursday, we attended Ysgol Gynradd Pen y Fro in Dunvant with Aaron Shingler, Rob Evans and Jon ‘Fox’ Davies – even though Jonathan is the only current rugby player out of the three – the effect they had on the children last Thursday with their passion and determination was off the scale. One child said on Thursday that ‘this day is incredible’ and another said ‘this is the best day ever’.
“Upon the understanding that the Professional Rugby Board alongside the four regions have signed a new six-year agreement, Oil 4 Wales will allow time for the new proposed agreement to work and will restore investment and support to both the community and professional rugby clubs with immediate effect.”
London Irish latest
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
London Irish have been given a one-week extension in their battle for survival with the Rugby Football Union setting a final deadline of June 6 to prove they have a future. Irish will be suspended from the Gallagher Premiership unless a takeover has been completed or they can demonstrate they have the funding needed to operate for the entirety of the 2023-24 season.
The May payroll for all staff and players must also be paid in full after it was confirmed that only 50 per cent has been received so far. The RFU said it had granted the extension until 4pm next Tuesday at the request of Irish employees.
“It’s deeply frustrating for all the staff, players and fans that there have been months of multiple missed deadlines,” RFU Club Financial Viability Working Group chair Paula Carter said. “We are extremely disappointed that the club has so far only funded 50 per cent of the staff and player wages. However, we have to respect the wishes of those most affected. The 4pm deadline on June 6 is final and we have added the stipulation that the club must also fulfil its contractual obligations to its employees by paying the May salaries in full.”
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