Here are the latest rugby headlines on Monday, April 22.
Dragons coach livid with group once more
Dragons coach Dai Flanagan was livid along with his facet’s efforts after they have been blown away in a depressing first half in opposition to Benetton.
The Welsh facet have been 19-0 down on the break and may have been punished additional with the Italians regularly creating possibilities. The 36-19 defeat was the latest reverse on the highway for the beleaguered Welsh area who haven’t received an away recreation within the URC since April, 2022.
Flanagan’s temper after the sport was a well-known one this season
“I’m bitterly disappointed,” he mentioned. “Our error price was by way of the roof and our competitiveness didn’t exist first half.
“There are errors in our recreation that enable the sport to go away from us and moments in matches that we aren’t executing on.
“We should be higher and we have to begin higher. Then, when now we have momentum swings, now we have acquired an opportunity.
“We’ve got to look at ourselves. It was an opportunity missed.”
Provence looking for medical joker to cowl North
Provence are reportedly looking for a medical joker for Wales centre George North
The 121-cap worldwide ruptured his Achilles in his last worldwide look for Wales on the finish of the Six Nations.
North is about to swap the Ospreys for Provence this summer season, having signed a cope with the Pro D2 membership. However, the promotion-chasing French outfit are wanting round for canopy as North recovers from such a severe damage that can see him miss the beginning of subsequent season, based on RugbyPass.
The Ospreys star, who has received 121 International caps, is because of be part of Provence, who’re presently second within the Pro D2 desk, subsequent season on a two-year contract, however a debut must wait till he’s match once more.
But within the meantime, Provence, who’re a degree behind league leaders Vannes, need somebody in as short-term substitute for North.
Booth blown away by gamers’ coronary heart
Ospreys coach Toby Booth’s temper couldn’t have been extra totally different to that of Dai Flanagan’s after his group’s epic win over the Stormers in South Africa. The Welsh area are proper within the URC play-off combine after the 27-21 victory.
Luke Morgan scored two tries, whereas hooker Sam Parry and flanker Harri Deaves additionally touched down. Jack Walsh kicked two conversions and a penalty, retaining the Ospreys firmly in rivalry after comfortably probably the most spectacular efficiency by a Welsh area this season. In reality, it was some of the spectacular wins because the areas have been shaped in 2003.
Booth mentioned: “I’m so proud to be right here speaking a couple of group that has a lot resilience and a lot means to discover a method in tough moments. They have gotten massive hearts.
“When we speak about discovering a method, usually it’s constructed on competitiveness, coronary heart, vitality, a never-say-die angle. We are a very good group when our backs are up in opposition to the wall, for certain. That comes from a bunch that cares about one another so much and are ready to do issues that take no expertise, as a result of these are the issues that get it finished – and it acquired it finished.
“I thought it was quite ironic that the three players I spoke to as they came off were disappointed that the Stormers got a losing bonus point at the death. That probably tells you quite a lot.”
Scottish duo pay tribute to Ken Owens
Scottish duo John Barclay and Chris Paterson have paid tribute to former Wales captain Ken Owens after his retirement final week.
The Scarlets and Lions hooker referred to as time on his profession after struggling to get better from a long-term back-injury.
And, talking on Premier Sports, his former Scarlets team-mate Barclay was filled with reward for Owens.
“Ken was captain for the 5 years I used to be there,” he mentioned. “He was the primary man I met on the membership, probably the most welcoming man.
“The form of man I beloved taking part in with. Really abrasive, did not significantly appear to be a rugby participant, however probably the greatest gamers I performed with.
“Just give me the ball and I’ll run, bodily, put his physique on the road. Undoubtedly a Scarlets legend.”
Former Scotland full-back Paterson was equally effusive along with his reward for the previous hooker.
“Incredible profession for the Scarlets, Wales and Lions,” he added. “18 seasons and nevertheless many video games.
“I bear in mind off-field as effectively. Last yr, instantly after the Scotland Wales recreation when Scotland received, I needed to do a proper operate with the captains shortly after and he could not have been higher.
“I almost felt a bit sorry for him due to how the day had gone. It was simply the beginning of the speak round strikes and he was good. A high man on and off the sector.”
