Here are your rugby headlines for Friday, March 15.
Grace has ‘one thing particular’
Welsh star Regan Grace has been instructed he has “one thing particular” after lastly making his first rugby union look since switching codes.
The 27-year-old got here via the ranks with the Ospreys earlier than heading north to hitch rugby league aspect St Helen’s. However, in 2022, he determined to modify again to rugby union and be part of Racing 92, solely to rupture his Achilles.
That harm dominated him out for the rest of the season, whereas a relapse the next February which means he left the French membership with out taking part in a single recreation for them. He has since joined Bath on a short-term deal and made his debut for the aspect in a 59-19 pleasant win over Gloucester on the weekend.
Grace confirmed flashes of brilliance on his first outing, dancing previous three defenders in a single transfer and utilizing his speedy velocity to good impact in attack and his new coach Johann van Graan was left impressed by what he noticed.
“Regan Grace confirmed that he has one thing particular inside him with that final break of his,” mentioned van Graan as he mirrored on the thumping win. “But he additionally was capable of bump off Albert Tuisee which was nice.”
The Welshman, who nonetheless holds out hope of in the future representing his nation in union, will likely be hoping to get on the scoresheet in his subsequent look, having scored 88 tries in 144 appearances for St Helens.
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Mann ‘distinctive’ however should bulk up
Warren Gatland has heaped reward on the “distinctive” Alex Mann and has tasked him with including extra bulk to his physique to deal with the rigours of Test rugby sooner or later.
Mann, 22, has been one of many few brilliant spots on this match for Wales, bursting on to the scene and giving an excellent account of himself thus far.
The Cardiff Rugby back-rower has been recalled to the beginning XV after starting the defeat by France among the many replacements as Warren Gatland seems to be to handle his step as much as worldwide rugby. But make no mistake, Mann is considered extremely extremely among the many teaching employees.
“Alex remains to be a really young participant who bodily we in all probability wish to go away from right here and put some extra measurement on, however that’s not a precedence in the intervening time,” Gatland mentioned.
“We see him as an distinctive, proficient participant. He’s acquired nice imaginative and prescient and he communicates rather well. He was speaking properly in coaching – I do know he’s had management roles prior to now. Again, it’s about not getting too uptight or nervous, simply having fun with the expertise.”
Borthwick not giving up on Tuilagi
Steve Borthwick insists he hasn’t given up on Manu Tuilagi committing his future to English rugby, regardless of the 32-year-old reportedly closing in on a transfer France.
Tuilagi is believed to be closing in on making a summer time transfer overseas, with Montpellier and Bayonne reportedly battling it out for his signature.
“I’m hopeful that he’ll be staying in England, there’s no plans confirmed as but to my understanding,” Borthwick mentioned.
“But I’m hopeful he’ll keep in England. Manu provides enormous quantities to this squad, he’s a participant who impacts upon folks and he impacts upon video games, and I’m wanting ahead to seeing him impression upon this recreation on Saturday night time.”
Asked if he would attempt to persuade Tuilagi to remain in England, he added: “Well, finally that’s as much as Manu and the alternatives that current themselves inside England and his representatives.
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Farrell backs head harm course of
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell says he is assured within the return-to-play course of after Munster star Calvin Nash was handed match to face Scotland within the Six Nations on Saturday.
Nash failed a head harm evaluation (HIA) and didn’t return to the sector within the recent defeat to England. However, in accordance with Farrell, the Muster star has handed return-to-play protocols with “flying colors”.
Farrell has subsequently named Nash in an unchanged Ireland crew to face Scotland on the Aviva Stadium, and says he has each religion within the present course of.
He mentioned: “I might perceive that [concern] however in the event you’re within the interior circle and also you perceive the method that these gamers should undergo now, you’ll completely again that course of.
“One, he has gone via it with flying colors and he by no means appeared like failing for one second. And two, the method, I believe, may be very sound.
“Accumulating a number of days of attending to the subsequent stage, passing them with flying colors and having a dialog, an interview, a wellness sort appointment with an impartial physician in the present day, and there have been no points there. So, all’s good to go.”
