These are your morning headlines on Friday, January 5.
Under-20s to face Wizards
Wales Under-20s will face Welsh Premiership aspect Aberavon in a Six Nations warm-up match subsequent weekend.
The recreation, taking place on the Wizards’ Talbot Athletic Ground, will kick-off at 2.30pm on Saturday, January 13. Wales will probably be led by new coach Richard Whiffin, who will get his first likelihood to check out his choices forward of their match curtain-raiser in opposition to Scotland on Friday, February 2. Get the latest rugby information despatched straight to your inbox without spending a dime with our every day e-newsletter.
Rob Howley may even be taking an in depth watch, along with his new position incorporating a participant pathway transient. Before the senior competitors kicks off, Howley will probably be working intently with Whiffin to align the U20s programme and the total Test squad.
READ MORE: Fight for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso intensifies as England contact Wales-qualified star
READ MORE: Scarlets at risk of dropping worldwide star and Stuart Hogg takes drastic motion after abuse
“Coaching is a journey and I’ve been fortunate sufficient to educate children at Gloucester, teaching the ladies, and being on the professional aspect of the sport as nicely,” Whiffin stated when he was introduced. “You’ve simply received to make use of all of the experiences you get and build your self as a coach.
“I’ve been fortunate sufficient to work with somebody of the calibre of Aaron Smith, after which two or three months earlier than I used to be on the World Cup in New Zealand with the ladies. You’ve received to make use of these experiences that you simply achieve and almost decide the fitting software for the gamers you might be teaching.
“With regards the children we will probably be teaching within the pathway I believe we’ll get the very best model of me as a result of I’ve been skilled and I’ve been in a number of totally different environments which has made me fairly a rounded coach.”
Jason Hyatt’s aspect sit sixth within the Indigo Welsh Premiership desk.
England maintain Farrell hope
England head coach Steve Borthwick says “we’re all hopeful Owen Farrell will come again” after the fly-half determined to take a break from worldwide rugby.
The No 10 stood down from the Test aspect following the Rugby World Cup to prioritise his and his household’s well-being. He got here in for an unlimited out of flak earlier than and throughout the match over his deal with approach and the best way he communicated with officers.
Borthwick is hopeful, although, to see him again within the nationwide staff fold at some stage.
“Firstly I’m filled with admiration for the person,” Borthwick instructed Sky Sports News. “He’s been a man who calls for respect for the best way he’s, and that was again when he was a 17-year-old after I was an old man at Saracens seeing this man come by means of.
“He’d grown as a person, as a participant, as a pacesetter. Phenomenal – and the braveness it takes to step away and make that call.
“And, let’s be clear, we’re all hoping at some stage he’ll come again into the England staff. Owen will make that call, if and when he chooses to. This is not nearly Owen Farrell, we have had two English match officers [Wayne Barnes and Tom Foley] step away as nicely from rugby, from officiating at worldwide stage, due to the skin noises and the hate and vitriol that is there on social media.
“There’s an enormous societal concern there that we should be very acutely aware of, that rugby’s making an attempt to become familiar with. We’re guaranteeing we’re giving each little bit of help we will to the gamers and the households, to make sure we take care of all these different elements which might be a part of society now.”
Flanagan to maintain religion
Dragons boss Dai Flanagan says he’ll follow the identical gamers who beat Scarlets final trip and says they need to hold their spots for his or her Challenge Cup double-header.
They journey to Parma to face Zebre subsequent Saturday (3.15pm) after which host the Sharks on Sunday, January 21 (5.30pm), with this weekend a break within the calendar.
Flanagan left Wales duo Bradley Roberts and Taine Basham out of the squad that beat the west Walians 13-12 on New Year’s Day and he is hinted adjustments will probably be stored to a minimal for the journey to Italy.
“The boys that have got the shirt deserve to keep the shirt,” Flanagan instructed The Argus.
“We need to be a bit more ruthless, if you play badly then there is someone else ready to go. It was great to see the boys that we put into the side take a step forward.”
Toulon launch Lawes assertion
Toulon have rubbished rumours linking them with England worldwide Courtney Lawes and launched a brief assertion to disclaim them.
Lawes’ contract with Northampton Saints expires on the finish of this season, with speak of a transfer to the Top 14 being mooted.
But the French giants took to social media platform X to emphatically state no contact had been made with the 34-year-old.
“RCT denies this information,” they wrote. ”Toulon by no means supplied Courtney Lawes a contract, nor even spoke with the English third row a couple of potential signing.”
Lawes retired from worldwide rugby after the Rugby World Cup however has but to signal a brand new deal at Franklin’s Gardens, which means he’s free to go away come the summer season.
