These are your rugby headlines on Friday, February 15.
Keenan nonetheless in rivalry to face Wales
Ireland star Hugo Keenan continues to be available for choice to face Wales within the Six Nations, after it was prompt that he would miss the conflict in Dublin via damage.
The Leinster full-back was compelled off within the second half of Andy Farrell’s aspect’s 36-0 win over Italy on the weekend, having taken a “bang on his knee”. It was then reported by the Irish Independent that the blow was set to rule him out of the assembly with Wales on February 24.
However, whereas he’s nonetheless present process rehabilitation for the damage, Keenan continues to be rivalry to characteristic towards Warren Gatland’s aspect, with Ireland forwards coach Paul O’Connell saying he was “hopeful” that the star can be available to play on the Aviva Stadium. He added that the “subsequent few days” would determine whether or not he’ll stay sidelined or not.
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“He’s progressing along with his rehabilitation,” mentioned O’Connell. “He was there at coaching at this time. He took half in all of the organisational bits however I’ve no full update. He’s nonetheless available for choice for Wales however I’m unsure what’s going to occur within the subsequent few days.
“He performs an enormous position. Obviously he was injury-free for a very long time. He’s a superb participant and there is a lot in full-back in masking the backfield defensively and he has numerous work to do in attack as effectively. There is numerous IP there that we would miss if he wasn’t enjoying.”
O’Connell added: “He additionally performs an enormous management position for us. He’s a really sensible man and an issue solver inside the group, he is extremely regarded. Whether he’s there or not he’ll proceed to play that position. It is possibly good for us in some methods as a result of it makes us play there if he would not make it..”
Welsh worldwide tears calf thrice
Cardiff Rugby star Thomas Young has opened up on the devastating damage setbacks he has suffered this season, having torn his calf thrice in a matter of months.
The flanker – who has 4 caps for Wales – noticed his hopes of being referred to as as much as Warren Gatland’s Six Nations squad dashed final yr, as he was dominated out for 3 months with a torn calf tendon. The damage reoccurred in pre-season, earlier than he tore the tendon for a 3rd time in November.
Having made his return to motion towards Harlequins final month, Young admits the setbacks have been irritating, however is now looking forward to the remainder of the season. His aspect tackle Connacht at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday as they give the impression of being to finish their run of three straight defeats.
“I’ve been fairly stop-start,” he mentioned. “Even in pre-season actually, I tore my calf, got here again, tore it once more. I used to be up and working for like two or three video games after which I’ve accomplished it once more. So it has been irritating, but it surely was good to play two video games earlier than the break and I’ve had a very good block of coaching now, which is good.
“I loved it,” he mentioned of his return to motion. “It was good to be enjoying. It had simply been a very long time, it ended up being like 10 or 11 weeks clearly with out having a sport over Christmas after Ospreys. The Quins sport got here at a pleasant time as a result of I used to be capable of have a very good couple weeks of coaching earlier than”.
Six Nations coach slammed for ‘making enjoyable’ of followers
France coach Fabien Galthie has been accused of “making enjoyable” of his aspect’s supporters after their dramatic late win towards Scotland.
Les Bleus bounced again from their bruising defeat to Ireland on the opening evening of the match as they claimed a 20-16 victory at Murrayfield. However, the win got here amid controversy as Scotland had been denied a last-minute strive following a TMO overview.
The end result eased stress on Galthie, who has come beneath fireplace following France’s quarter-final exit at their home World Cup and their dismal exhibiting towards Andy Farrell’s males in Marseille. But former France and Italy boss Pierre Berbizier took concern with the coach’s tone in his post-match interviews, given what had simply unfolded.
“Out of respect for this Scottish workforce, this ironic tone bothers me just a little,” he instructed RMC Sport. “I’ve the impression that he was making enjoyable of the journalists current, however by making enjoyable of the journalists, he’s making enjoyable of us, of the general public.
“It was not the time to make humour, if it was meant to be humour, given the scenario of the match, given the match against Ireland which followed the South Africa match. I was more expecting a low profile on his part.”
Ospreys starlet indicators new deal
Wales U20 star Dan Edwards mentioned it’s a “dream come true” after signing a brand new take care of the Ospreys.
The fly-half joined the membership in 2021 and made his senior debut towards the Scarlets earlier this season. He marked his first look with a try to has scored 26 factors in six matches for the URC outfit.
“It’s a dream come true to signal this contract with the workforce I’ve grown up supporting,” the 20-year-old mentioned as the brand new deal was confirmed on Thursday afternoon. “The Ospreys have at all times been on the forefront of my rugby aspirations, and to commit my future right here is an unbelievable feeling.”
Head coach Toby Booth added: “Dan is a major instance of what our youth improvement system goals to supply – a devoted, expert, and passionate participant prepared for the rigours {of professional} rugby. His progress has been noticeable and we’re assured he shall be a key participant for the Ospreys within the years to return.”
Edwards is the latest Ospreys participant to signal a brand new contract, with the membership asserting new offers for Max Nagy, Tom Botha and Keelan Giles earlier this week.
