Here are your rugby headlines for Thursday, February 29.
Patchell: I did not need any regrets
Wales fly-half Rhys Patchell stated he opted to maneuver to New Zealand facet Highlanders as a result of he wished no regrets on the finish of his profession.
As quickly because the 30-year-old came upon about Highlanders curiosity final summer season, he jumped on the likelihood. And he lastly made his debut for the Super Rugby outfit final weekend and acquired rave evaluations for his efficiency, which included him showcasing his chic passing means because the New Zealand facet beat Moana Pasifika 35-21.
Patchell was a commanding presence all through, with one unbelievable lengthy go wowing viewers to arrange a strive for Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. The second had commentators in awe, with one shouting into the microphone: “What a go!” You can learn extra about that right here.
After such a protracted wait, it should have felt unbelievable for the previous Cardiff and Scarlets half-back, who stated the chance to play Super Rugby was too engaging to show down.
“It came as a bit of a surprise to me when I got a phone call saying, ‘do you fancy it?’ As soon as it came across the desk it was something I was pretty keen on, spins my wheels,” Patchell informed RugbyCross.
“The alternative to return down right here, problem myself in a very totally different surroundings. I knew completely no one on the membership, wouldn’t know a lot in regards to the crop of gamers that the Highlanders had coming via.
“It’s a type of issues that wouldn’t have come once more. I’ve stated to different folks earlier than, I didn’t need to get to the tip of my profession and have a number of nice alternatives however didn’t profit from any of them or hadn’t taken any of them.
“(I) felt this was one thing that I completely wished to do and thankfully I’ve a really supportive fiancé who was on board with the thought as nicely.
“It was pretty quick from going, ‘what do you reckon’ to making a decision around it, and then a long wait after that to actually get your feet on the ground and get going.”
Gatland’s expectation message emerges
Warren Gatland says the expectation within the Wales camp is to win, not simply merely to show up and be courageous.
Wales have misplaced three out of three to this point this Six Nations however contemplating the circumstances and the place they discover themselves in, there was trigger for positivity in any case three video games.
Defeats to Scotland, England and Ireland have damage however there are many inexperienced shoots of optimism inside this young squad, and it’s clear Gatland is laying down the message that profitable is the ultimate objective – not simply turning up.
“Apart from the frustration, we’re in place,” Gatland stated forward of the Ireland recreation in new footage launched within the WRU’s Gwlad, Gwald behind-the-scenes footage. “We’re in place to develop as a staff. A very good place. And the expectation while you’re in right here, is just not about turning up, not giving a courageous efficiency, the expectation right here is about profitable. About profitable worldwide rugby. However we do it. However we handle it. Because that is what it is about.
“It’s about dealing with the stress, being correct after we’re underneath the pump a little bit bit. Making good choices, managing issues nicely, making an attempt to be mistake-free as a lot as potential. Come in right here, the expectation is we win, we entrance up and we win.”
Dan Lydiate attends Senedd farmer protests
Wales worldwide Dan Lydiate was in attendance at Cardiff Bay yesterday for the farmers protests.
Thousands of farmers descended on the Senedd yesterday in a protest over points threatening the business. Protests have been taking place throughout Wales over the previous couple of weeks triggered by the Welsh Government’s sustainable farming scheme which the federal government itself admits may end in 5,500 direct job losses.
Crowds of farmers, households and agricultural employees crammed the world in entrance of the Senedd. Speakers on the occasion included rugby refereeing royalty Nigel Owens, however he wasn’t the one determine from the world of Welsh rugby in attendance.
Wales and Ospreys back-rower Lydiate was among the many 1000’s exterior the Senedd and posted on Instagram, saying: “Some nice audio system on the Senedd in the present day for the protests. Let’s hope Welsh Government had been listening.”
Lydiate’s 500-acre household farm is in Ty’n y Berth, simply out facet Llandrindod Wells, the place he helps out throughout days off from Ospreys coaching.
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Farrell ‘nervous’ to inform Saracens about exit
Saracens have lastly issued an announcement to verify Owen Farrell will go away the membership.
More than a month after Top 14 facet Racing 92 confirmed they’d signal the England worldwide, Saracens, who’ve been quiet on the matter, have confirmed Farrell’s departure.
The fly-half will transfer to Paris on a two-year deal and he admitted it was a tricky determination to go away England.
“It is tough to be leaving a place that has been my home since I was 14,” Farrell stated.“It has been a tough determination however it’s an thrilling one for our household. It has by no means been one thing we’ve got thought of earlier than, doing something totally different.
“But for the primary time ever we thought it will be good to go and expertise one thing totally different and the time feels proper. I used to be nervous about having some conversations, even bringing it up, as a result of it’s by no means been thought of, not to mention mentioned earlier than.
“But once we got into the conversations they were easy to have because of the calibre of the people here. The club have been fantastic with us throughout this year and it really counts for something when they care about nothing but the person.”
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall added: “Owen joined Saracens at 14, and everybody on the membership is aware of we’ve got been privileged to work with a once-in-a-generation participant.
“A fierce competitor on the sector, a loving teammate and a household man off it, Owen has been the heartbeat of Saracens since his senior debut and central to all of the membership has achieved.
“We can’t wait for the next phase of this season with Owen and to see him enjoy the opportunity that is ahead of him. He will always be part of the Saracens family.”
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Ospreys handed triple damage increase
The Ospreys are set to obtain an damage increase as they welcome again Morgan Morris, Rhys Davies and Owen Williams forward of their URC conflict with Edinburgh.
Toby Booth revealed that the trio had been all match for Friday’s journey to Scotland, with Max Nagy and Huw Sutton additionally returning to coaching this week. Wales World Cup co-captain Dewi Lake is but to coach, however can be on monitor when it comes to his return from the damage which has stored him out of the Six Nations.
“There’s a number of coming across the nook,” stated Booth. “Getting to the tip of the Six Nations, we’re hoping to be boosted by the returnees, but in addition the folks on schedule.
“People like Max Nagy, Huw Sutton, Dewi Lake, Garyn Phillips. They needs to be there or thereabouts, which is sweet as a result of if we are able to preserve some momentum and keep within the hunt, you need all of your expertise and competitors for locations to be what they’re.”
On Lake particularly, he stated: “He’s not coaching but, however he is on monitor to hit the mark. Max Nagy did some coaching this week, as did Huw Sutton, so that they’re in all probability on monitor to be the following two.
“But, as you’ll be able to think about, we have to place some load and energy into them to get them match prepared.”
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Warburton: Ireland higher than Springboks
Sam Warburton believes Ireland are higher than World Cup-winning South Africa
The Springboks had been topped champions of the world final yr, whereas Andy Farrell’s Ireland staff are marching in direction of a Grand Slam on this Six Nations. They have solely England and Scotland to beat and in the event that they try this then they’ll have claimed back-to-back Grand Slams, the primary time they’ll have achieved that feat within the Six Nations.
Former Wales captain Warburton stated on the BBC Rugby Union Daily podcast: “I watch Ireland and I’m genuinely in awe of how they’re taking part in. I can solid my thoughts again to once I was taking part in for the couple of seasons when Wales had been fairly good. We weren’t close to that degree.
“Their work-rate off the ball, each side in attack and defence. The accuracy is almost unseen at worldwide degree. How comfy they’re, everybody simply will get into form so shortly.
“I believed it was crushing for them within the World Cup [losing their quarter-final against New Zealand], however they’ve responded so nicely.
“South African fans will hate me for saying this, but I still think they [Ireland] are the best team in the world. I’ve just never seen a team that’s that complete.”
