The latest rugby headlines on Friday, February 2
Hamer-Webb returns to Cardiff and desires Wales cap
Former England Under-20s worldwide Gabriel Hamer-Webb is after Wales honours after he signed a one-year deal to return to Cardiff for the 2024-25 season.
Hamer-Webb, who’s Welsh certified, spent a brief stint with the Arms Park aspect earlier this time period, making 4 appearances for the Blue and Blacks, scoring on his debut towards former membership Bath.
He left the membership on the flip of the yr and just lately spent a while with Northampton Saints. Get the latest information by signing up for our Rugby publication.
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But he has now put pen to paper on a deal to play his rugby within the Welsh capital subsequent season – and has a Wales cap in his sights.
Hamer-Webb, 23, mentioned: “I’m immensely happy. My household are all from right here so it’s good to get again to my roots. I actually loved my time on the membership earlier this season. The boys have been so welcoming and it solely took per week or so till I felt a part of the workforce. I actually cherished it.
“The Bath attempt clearly meant quite a bit to me however getting that debut attempt towards the Stormers in a win towards a stacked South African workforce was nice.
“Next season I simply need to get again into the workforce, maintain building the momentum, serving to the workforce collectively to get higher and hopefully push on to Wales.
“I was obviously disappointed to leave Bath (at the end of last season) but the amount of learning experience I have gained to bring here, and the more time I spend with Cardiff will really improve me as a player.”
Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt added: “We have been actually impressed with Gabriel throughout his spell right here earlier this season and we’re happy to safe his providers for 2024-25.
“He is an excellent athlete, an excellent skilled and he presents us a little bit of versatility in his capability to play wing and full-back.
“We saw a glimpse of his potential with some impressive performances in Blue and Black, he suits our style of play and I have no doubt there is more to come from him in Cardiff.”
Townsend hits again at roof choice
By Phil Blanche, PA
Gregor Townsend has defended Scotland’s choice to maintain the Principality Stadium roof open for his or her Guinness Six Nations opener in Cardiff. Wales head coach Warren Gatland referred to as the choice “disappointing”, saying it will influence upon the environment and noise within the 74,500-capacity stadium.
Tournament laws say either side should conform to have the roof closed. Scotland head coach Townsend mentioned: “I believed we had 48 hours to resolve, however they mentioned on Wednesday it’s a must to make a decision.
“I regarded on the forecast and it regarded fairly good, I’d a lot want enjoying with the roof open if we are able to. It’s noisier when the roof’s closed, that is why they’re upset. They do not get that (benefit).
“If the pitch is greasy it is not nice situations, however it will be higher enjoying in heavy rain. When we regarded, it was good climate with 20 to 30 per cent likelihood of rain within the morning.”
Rain is definitely now forecast within the Welsh capital on Saturday night, with the sport kicking off at 4.45pm. But Townsend stays philosophical ought to that occur, saying: “I hope the climate stays dry, we wish it to be a dry day.
“If that is the case the situations can be higher as a result of the ball does get greasy and sweaty when the roof’s closed.
“You play rugby at each different floor that does not have a roof. So you play within the dry and the moist. If it is a moist day it will likely be trickier to maneuver the ball, however I’ve confidence our gamers can try this, or discover one other solution to put stress on the opposition by way of defence and a kicking sport.
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“I hope it is rain within the morning and dry within the afternoon, however we do play within the winter in our sport so gamers are used to a moist ball.”
Halfpenny begins
Leigh Halfpenny has been named within the Crusaders’ beginning XV for his or her conflict towards Munster this weekend.
The two groups meet at a sold-out Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday because the Super Rugby Pacific champions face the URC holders in a particular pleasant sport in Cork.
Both groups are with no host of gamers, with Munster gamers away with Ireland and All Blacks left at home in New Zealand.
But Halfpenny does begin for the guests in a again three which additionally consists of Macca Springer and Chay Fihaki,
Munster: 15 Shane Daly, 14 Sean O’Brien, 13 Antoine Frisch, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Shay McCarthy, 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Ethan Coughlan, 8 Jack O’Sullivan, 7 Alex Kendellen (c), 6 Ruadhán Quinn, 5 Fineen Wycherley, 4 Gavin Coombes, 3 Stephen Archer, 2 Eoghan Clarke, 1 Josh Wycherley
Replacements: 16 Scott Buckley, 17 Mark Donnelly, 18 John Ryan, 19 Kamil Nowak, 20 Jack Daly, 21 Daniel Okeke, 22 Neil Cronin, 23 Tony Butler, 24 Rory Scannell, 25 Colm Hogan
Crusaders: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 Dallas McLeod, 11 Macca Springer, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Mitch Drummond, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Dominic Gardiner, 5 Tahlor Cahill, 4 Quinten Strange (c), 3 Owen Franks, 2 George Bell, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Christian Lio-Willie, 21 Noah Hotham, 22 Rivez Reihana, 23 Ryan Crotty, 24 Josh Southall, 25 Heremaia Murray
Smith match concern
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent, Rome
England have revealed Marcus Smith may miss your complete Guinness Six Nations due to the calf harm that has dominated him of no less than Saturday’s opener towards Italy and Wales per week later.
A clearer image over Smith’s health will emerge subsequent week, however within the meantime veteran George Ford has been put in at fly-half for the Stadio Olimpico showdown with Fin Smith deputising from the bench.
Fin Smith is one in every of 5 uncapped gamers within the matchday 23 and may all of them get time on the sector, it will likely be the very best variety of new caps awarded in a single match since Stuart Lancaster’s first sport in cost in 2012.
Centre Fraser Dingwall and flanker Ethan Roots are included within the beginning XV whereas Smith, again row Chandler Cunningham-South and wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso characteristic on the bench.
In a lift to England, Alex Mitchell has recovered from a leg wound to take his place at scrum-half, however the participant who was anticipated to accomplice him at half-back faces an anxious wait to see if he can be concerned at all around the coming weeks.
“Marcus will return to England at this time (Thursday) and have additional investigations later this week. He will not be available subsequent week,” Borthwick mentioned.
“We’re undecided precisely when. Hopefully he’ll play within the latter a part of the Six Nations, however it will likely be a lot of weeks. We’ll know extra subsequent week.”
