These are your rugby headlines on Wednesday, March 27.
Carter the answer for Wales – Flanagan
Dai Flanagan insists Ben Carter could possibly be the answer to Wales’ ball-carrying downside within the entrance 5.
Wales struggled to get a foothold up entrance all through the Six Nations, with an absence of carriers within the pack recognized as an issue. And Flanagan believes Dragons lock Carter, who has lately returned from damage, could possibly be Wales’ reply in the long term.
“He has massively,” mentioned Flanagan when requested if Carter has a really excessive ceiling.
“Ben is aware of his work-ons which has been fairly in keeping with Wales and with us. You can see the physicality he’s developed.
“We anticipate Ben to ball carry, win collisions and win collisions throughout the park defensively. Warren (Gatland) has spoken publicly about Wales missing some collision. We are very assured Ben might present that for Warren if and when he’s known as upon. Ben is aware of that’s been his largest work on.
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“His work rate is through the roof, his numbers are always top of any chart when he plays but with this extra weight he’s put on and his lean muscle we expect more positive impacts in the game.”
The 23-year-old has already gained 11 caps for his nation and Flanagan is assured Carter will come good for Wales.
“He’s excellent. Some of our greatest gamers are our younger gamers like Ben (Carter), like Ryan (Woodman) and Aneurin (Owen).
“It’s great because we need to surround them with good leaders as well so they can learn off. Surprisingly or not surprisingly they are also some of our best players who have played this year.”
Scotland worldwide died in horror accident
Former Scotland worldwide rugby star Greig Oliver was killed in a horrific paragliding accident after an teacher pilot confirmed a “total disregard” for his passenger’s security, an official report has mentioned.
The 58-year-old died in South Africa whereas supporting his son Jack, 20, and the Ireland underneath 20s squad final yr. The dad-of-two determined to take a dare-devil journey to Cape Town to paraglide when tragedy struck on July 3 final yr.
The paraglider he was connected to collided into one other flier and plunged down into the Atlantic Ocean. Oliver was recovered from the water after the crash however was pronounced useless on the scene.
A damning Air Accident Investigation mentioned the crash was “avoidable”, The Daily Record report. The report discovered the 22-year-old South African pilot had put Oliver by way of a sequence of fast dynamic acrobatic turns the paragliding cover was not designed for.
The report was issued by the Accident and Incident Investigation Division of the SA Civil Aviation Authority and was printed yesterday.
The report discovered the trainer deployed the emergency parachute which inflated earlier than they hit the water, and launched his personal harness and swam himself again to security. He left stricken Oliver trapped in his harness unable to free himself and swamped with the load of the chute and rigging underneath the water.
The report learn: “There was no proof of the trainer retracting the wing or rescuing the scholar pilot or aiding him to unclip or launch his seat security buckle. The flight teacher unclipped himself from the seat harness and swam to the shore. However the scholar was caught between the rocks and couldn’t free himself.
“Additionally he was not in possession of a hook knife that might have enabled him to chop himself free from the suspension strains and wing material and he remained trapped.”
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Officials apologise for TMO gaffe
The RFU’s Professional Game Match Officials Team (PGMOT) has apologised for the incident that occurred through the Saracens v Harlequins recreation on the weekend which appeared to see the TMO dismiss a chunk of foul play involving Owen Farrell.
During the hosts crushing Premiership victory over Harlequins, TMO Stuart Terheege was caught on the mic discussing with referee Christopher Ridley why he did not need to evaluation an incident of foul play which concerned former England captain Farrell after he had been hit off the ball by Harlequins ahead Stephan Lewies.
Former England worldwide Austin Healey, who was commentating for TNT Sports, picked up the incident throughout commentary. Terheege was heard saying on the mic: “The problem I have got now is that it looks like Austin has instigated it, because we’re late, so I don’t want to talk about it, OK?”
An investigation was set to be launched by the RFU and PGMOT has now moved to make clear Terheege’s actions in a prolonged assertion.
“In relation to the act of foul play committed by Stephen Lewies against Owen Farrell, the TMO saw the initial contact off the ball,” the officiating group mentioned. “He selected the proof that it was not more than a penalty benefit. As Saracens went onto rating, that benefit was deemed to have been taken, so no additional motion was required.
“In response to Stuart’s preliminary request for photos the Director requested the TMO if he needed to look once more on the incident. The TMO declined, as he was assured in his authentic determination. At the identical time, the TNT Sports commentary group additionally noticed the replays and posed the query whether or not Lewies’ actions warranted a evaluation.
“TNT Sports’ audio administrators can minimize to the TMO if there’s a second when viewers would profit from their perception of their decision-making. At this juncture, a number of the dialog between the TMO and Match Director as regards to the replays requested and whether or not an official evaluation was wanted had been broadcast ‘live’.
“The dialog between TMO and Director that was broadcast ‘live’ was regrettable, they weren’t meant to be heard exterior of the printed truck nor had been they the rationale for the foul play incident not being formally reviewed.
“Terheege is dissatisfied that he allowed himself to be distracted with interactions with the printed group and didn’t talk his determination to the on-field match officers.
“The incident was an unusual and unfortunate occurrence. The PGMOT, Premiership Rugby and TNT Sports are working closely together to make sure this does not happen again. The three organisations enjoy a close and positive working relationship based on a mutually beneficial system that has worked for many years. All parties will continue to work hard to further refine and perfect systems to ensure player safety and high-quality rugby.”
Skivington: Rees-Zammit assured of deal
Gloucester boss George Skivington says he has saved in contact with Louis Rees-Zammit since his transfer Stateside and is retaining tabs on his progress.
The Wales winger swapped rugby for American Football earlier on this yr and has simply accomplished the 10-week International Player Pathway course with a view to hopefully securing a contract with a professional group forward of the 2024/25 season within the US.
The 23-year-old has been visiting groups in the previous few days as a choice seems to inching nearer. Skivington, whose aspect secured silverware final week by beating Leicester Tigers at Kingsholm, says he is been retaining involved together with his former participant, including he “appears fairly assured” of securing a deal.
“I don’t follow anything in terms of social media but I have messages with him and I know he is in a good spot and he feels good and obviously he is visiting different teams,” mentioned Skivington.
“He seems pretty confident he is going to get a contract of some sort, which I hope he does. I am looking forward to watching it from the sidelines if he does get on the field. Yeah, it’s very much direct contact how I’m keeping track of it. As I say, I’m hoping he goes on and we can all watch him doing some good stuff.”
