These are your rugby headlines on Friday, April 26.
Defence coach with ‘huge aura’ signed
Dragons boss Dai Flanagan says he has obtained his new right-hand man with the membership agreeing a take care of a brand new defence coach who has “a large aura”.
The membership have been with no defence coach since Simon Cross left Rodney Parade to develop into boss of Major League Rugby outfit Old Glory DC, with cost-cutting which means they opted to sort out the season with no defensive specialist within the teaching group.
Dragons are at the moment degree on factors with backside aspect Zebre within the URC and have one of many worst defensive information within the league, with a degree distinction of -251 going into this weekend’s conflict with Connacht. Only the Scarlets (-277) have fared worse.
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However, after interviewing candidates over recent months, Flanagan says they’ve signed a prime defence coach forward of subsequent season with an announcement doubtlessly to be made as early as subsequent week.
“It’s late within the day, the top of April, so if I did not have a defence coach signed up for subsequent yr then I’m in all probability not doing my job very effectively,” mentioned the Dragons boss. “We’ve obtained our man and I would like the suitable person by my aspect. We have gone with no defence coach all yr for causes that I’ve defined beforehand and that has put plenty of stress on different employees.
“We want somebody with a large aura who will seize the position and lead, whereas I would like an skilled coach that I can be taught from and lean on at occasions. I knew when coming to the area that it wouldn’t be simple and I would like that ally. I’ve discovered him and it will likely be superior after we can announce it and we will transfer ahead.”
Flanagan added: “It’s a clean slate for them to come in and rebuild the defence. It’s their defence and they will put their stamp on it. I would ideally like it to mirror them as a person – it shouldn’t be easy when teams come to Rodney Parade and that starts when we haven’t got the ball.”
Scarlets verify new signing
Scarlets have formally signed Exeter Chiefs prop Alec Hepburn. The information comes three weeks after WalesOn-line revealed the transfer was occurring.
Hepburn is a Scotland worldwide and Champions Cup winner with Chiefs, and can be part of up with the west Wales area forward of the 2024-2025 season. The 31-year-old has been on the membership since 2014, when he signed from London Irish. He went on to get pleasure from nice success with Chiefs and even earned six England caps, together with one towards Wales at Twickenham.
Hepburn modified his worldwide allegiance earlier this yr, becoming a member of up with Gregor Townsend’s Scotland group forward of the Six Nations. He qualifies via his dad, who was born in Glasgow. He even featured in Scotland’s historic win over Wales in Cardiff in the course of the Six Nations, albeit as a alternative.
Head coach Dwayne Peel mentioned: “We are delighted to signal a participant with the fame of Alec, who has been a giant a part of Exeter’s success story in recent years. He is a world ahead who brings an enormous quantity of expertise at membership degree and somebody who will strengthen our front-row sources and assist develop an thrilling young group of Welsh prop forwards coming via on the membership.
“He has a fame as a robust scrummager and dynamic service and we really feel he’ll slot in effectively with the best way we need to play the sport.”
Hepburn added: “After practically 10 years enjoying at Exeter Chiefs, I really feel the time has come for a brand new problem. Signing for the Scarlets is an thrilling alternative to attempt to show myself in a distinct league, towards completely different groups and gamers alike.
“I look ahead for what’s to come back, assembly the gamers and coaches and dealing in a brand new setting for the upcoming season within the URC.”
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Welsh regional coach ‘front-runner’ to affix rivals
Scarlets attack coach Jared Payne is reportedly a front-runner to develop into Ulster’s new head coach.
The former Ireland and Lions centre joined Dwayne Peel’s teaching group final summer time after spending a yr with Clermont, however was Ulster’s defence coach from when he retired in 2018 till 2022. Now, he has been strongly linked with a return to the Irish aspect after they sacked their longest-serving coach Dan McFarland in February.
Current interim head coach, Richie Murphy, can also be within the working to get the job on a everlasting foundation, whereas Kubota Spears boss Frans Ludeke can also be into consideration. However, the South African coach has simply signed a brand new three-year take care of the Japanese outfit which doubtless guidelines him out of the Ulster job.
The Belfast Telegraph reviews that whereas Murphy “seems to have the within observe” having already spent over a month within the job, Payne is “extremely considered each throughout the IRFU and Ulster”. The publication added that “it could be no shock to see [Ulster] eager to get Payne again throughout the fold.”
The 38-year-old had beforehand been closely linked with the assistant job at one other of the Scarlets’ URC opponents, Leinster, however that position was finally stuffed by Tyler Bleyendaal.
Wales to make historical past
Wales Women will smash their all-time attendance report for a stand-alone home Test match after they face Italy on the Principality Stadium this weekend.
Nearly 10,000 tickets have now been bought for Ioan Cunningham’s aspect’s ultimate sport of this yr’s Six Nations on Saturday, with a robust ‘walk up’ crowd additionally anticipated for the 12.15pm kick-off in Cardiff. That determine eclipses the earlier report set final yr towards England at Arms Park, when 8,500 followers had been in attendance.
The present of help comes regardless of Wales shedding all 4 of their matches up to now, with heavy defeats to England, Ireland and France following their slim opening day loss to Scotland. Those outcomes imply they at the moment sit on the backside of the championship desk with a solitary shedding bonus level to their identify, however with a report crowd cheering them on, Hannah Jones and her aspect are decided to not choose up a second Welsh wood spoon in a matter of weeks.
“The fans have really stuck with us and that has been so important to us,” mentioned the captain. “This is after we want them most, after we want their help as a result of these are powerful occasions. Losing hurts us and we wish to put that proper and we’re decided to take action towards Italy this weekend, for ourselves, but additionally on your loyal and vocal followers.
“It is so uplifting to see the young girls in the crowd, to hear the voices during our matches and to see them waiting in the stands afterwards to support us, no matter what the result,” she added. “We know the fans are right behind us every step of the way and it makes such a difference to us.”
