Here are your rugby morning headlines for Thursday 4 April.
Wales worldwide joins English membership with quick impact
Sale have introduced the signing of Wales tighthead prop WillGriff John on a short-term deal.
The English membership registered John, who has gained two caps for Wales, earlier within the week forward of Saturday’s Challenge Cup conflict with the Ospreys.
And they’ve now introduced a deal for the 31-year-old till the tip of the season as cowl for Nick Schonert.
John initially joined the membership in 2017 from Championship facet Doncaster and went on to make 82 appearances for the membership in 4 seasons earlier than becoming a member of Scarlets.
He represented the west Walians for 2 seasons, making 19 appearances and profitable his two Wales caps, earlier than leaving to affix French facet Racing 92 on a short-term deal.
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Georgia ship message with gorgeous age-grade victory
Georgia U18s recorded a shocking late victory over France U18s on day two of the U18s Six Nations pageant in Parma.
A final-gasp attempt from Anri Shvelidze and a nerveless conversion by Gigi Sirbiladze sealed a historic 20-19 victory for the young Georgian facet.
Making the consequence all of the extra spectacular, France are one of many powerhouses of age-grade rugby – having hammered Ireland 50-7 of their first match of the pageant.
But this victory solely serves as an instance the progress rugby in Georgia is making as momentum grows for his or her inclusion within the senior Six Nations.
Following Wales’ picket spoon on this yr’s Six Nations, Georgia provided an invite to Warren Gatland’s facet to play one another this yr – in what would successfully be an unofficial relegation play-off because the last-placed workforce within the Six Nations confronted the Rugby Europe Championship winners.
Speaking concerning the U18s’ exceptional win, Georgia president Soso Tkemaladze mentioned: “This victory has despatched an vital message. I hope the authorities that run our recreation will recognise Georgia is on the rise and we’ve got earned the best to count on alternatives to stretch ourselves at each stage.”
Sixty former gamers be a part of authorized case
Sixty new former rugby gamers have joined the authorized case towards World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union and the Welsh Rugby Union.
The legislation agency Rylands Garth, who’re representing the gamers on this rising mind harm authorized declare, have confirmed that proceedings have been served on behalf of 328 gamers.
Those gamers, a few of which have been named beforehand with the likes of former Wales internationals Gavin Henson and Colin Charvis, are taking motion towards the game’s governing our bodies for ‘failing to take cheap motion to guard gamers from everlasting harm attributable to repetitive concussive and sub-concussive blows’.
None of the 60 new gamers have been named but.
The subsequent courtroom listening to will likely be held on May 20, 2024, when the lawsuits in rugby union and rugby league will likely be heard collectively for the primary time.
Ospreys fly-half indicators new deal
Ospreys again Jack Walsh had signed a brand new take care of the Swansea-based workforce.
Walsh, equally adept at fly-half and full-back, has confirmed himself as a key participant for the Ospreys since becoming a member of from Exeter in 2022.
The Australian has made 31 appearances for the Ospreys and scored 131 factors. He is the Ospreys’ high factors scorer within the United Rugby Championship this season, with 51 factors to his title.
“We have been actually pleased to get this one over the road, Jack has been an actual Swiss military knife for us since he joined,” mentioned Ospreys head coach Toby Booth. “When you contemplate the skillset he possesses, his rugby league background, and his versatility, he’s a participant that quite a lot of coaches would love.
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“Jack has nice maturity and understands the trendy recreation properly. He enjoys the duty and places his hand up in large moments. He additionally challenges himself and his teammates to get higher every single day which culturally is nice.”
Speaking about staying with the Ospreys, Walsh added: “I’m having fun with my rugby in the intervening time, so it’s nice to have the ability to proceed my profession with the Ospreys. There’s a top quality bunch of gamers and coaches at this workforce, we’re a extremely tight-knit group.
“We’re going well this season with a young squad that has a lot of potential, and we’re focused on seeing what we can achieve, now and in the future.”
