Here are the latest rugby headlines on Tuesday, February 20.
Gatland to announce early
Warren Gatland will title his staff to face Ireland as we speak – 48 hours earlier than he’s required to take action.
Gatland will go early together with his announcement and is predicted to largely stick to the identical staff that narrowly misplaced to England in spherical two.
Sam Costelow might be one change, with the outside-half having recovered from a neck harm and tipped to interchange Ioan Lloyd at quantity 10.
Elsewhere, Gatland is more likely to stick to the lads who carried out admirably within the first-half at Twickenham as they established a 14-5 lead. Will Rowlands is one man pushing for a beginning spot, with captain Dafydd Jenkins and Adam Beard hopeful of warding off his problem.
You can observe the Wales staff announcement dwell this morning right here.
Wales-bound star will get Springboks name
Incoming Scarlets signing Marnus Van der Merwe has been referred to as as much as a 43-man Springboks alignment camp. The hooker has agreed to affix the Welsh area from the Cheetahs subsequent season and has impressed World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus.
South Africa’s coaches will spend two days with the gamers subsequent month as they plot their plans for 2024, that are more likely to embrace a match in opposition to Wales at Twickenham in June. You can learn extra about that right here.
Nelspruit native Van der Merwe is very regarded in South African rugby circles together with his carrying sport, set-piece prowess, work price, and uncooked physicality marking him out as a followers favorite on the Cheetahs.
He really spent a brief time frame on mortgage on the Ospreys on the tail finish of 2023 after the Welsh area struck a participant improvement partnership with the Cheetahs. But the Scarlets are understood to have secured the providers of the 26-year-old.
Of the group of gamers invited to the ‘Boks camp, Erasmus mentioned: “This bunch of gamers consists of a number of people who’ve been a part of our constructions within the final six years, and their expertise and familiarity with the way in which we do issues on the Springboks, might be invaluable in guiding the younger gamers.
“There are also a few new players in the mix, who have proven their worth at provincial level and we are excited to see them receive this opportunity and get a real feel about what is expected of them at the highest level.”
Welsh certified quantity eight Cameron Hanekom can also be a part of the squad named.
Rival coach blown away by Arms Park
Connacht Rugby coach Pete Wilkins hailed the perfect environment he had ever skilled on the Arms Park following his staff’s onerous fought 16-12 victory over Cardiff Rugby.
It was an emotional event on the well-known old floor amid a shifting pre-match tribute to Wales and Lions legend Barry John who handed away on the age of 79 earlier this month.
Members of his household and former Cardiff team-mates lined up on the pitch as a minute’s silence was adopted by a minute’s applause, with Sir Gareth Edwards laying out a jersey in reminiscence of his long-time half-back associate.
It was additionally regional golf equipment day, with some 3,700 junior gamers, coaches and supporters from 47 neighborhood golf equipment in attendance as a part of a 12,000 full home.
Reflecting on the event, Wilkins mentioned: “You typically have a minute’s silence or a minute’s applause. It’s the character of life sadly.
“But understanding the importance of Barry John on this a part of the world and the respect for him, we knew it could be big.
“Often you see the response not simply from the staff you’re taking part in in opposition to however the entire really feel of the place and it was positively like that.
“I’ve by no means seen it as full as this right here and the environment was simply terrific. They are the type of environments you get enthusiastic about competing in. It’s clearly robust when you’re up in opposition to it, nevertheless it’s a superb advert for rugby and for Cardiff as a membership.
“You had a very passionate home crowd on an enormous event for this membership which we’ve a lot respect for.
“It’s the perfect environment I’ve ever skilled right here on the Arms Park. It was large.
“You had the spirit proven by the Cardiff aspect, the event by way of all the things that was occurring round it and I believe the purple card added much more fireplace to their stomach.
“So I was delighted to win it. In seven years with Connacht, I have never won here. It’s a tough place to come and play.”
The Halfpenny household head to New Zealand
Leigh Halfpenny and household have jetted off to New Zealand forward of the Super Rugby season.
Halfpenny is at the moment injured for months, however remains to be contracted with Crusaders, who play their first sport of the 2024 marketing campaign in opposition to Chiefs on February 23 (Friday).
Halfpenny spent a while on the market throughout pre-season with out his spouse Jess and two youngsters, earlier than coming again just a few weeks in the past for Crusaders’ northern hemisphere tour.
Despite participating within the haka in opposition to Munster as a part of that tour, Halfpenny sustained a pectoral muscle harm and can now be out for as much as 4 months.
Nursing that harm, Halfpenny introduced he is heading again to New Zealand together with his household on Instagram, with himself and Jess doing a collaborative submit with the caption: “See you quickly New Zealand”.
Crusaders themselves commented: “What a staff! See you very quickly”.
