Here are your rugby headlines for Thursday, April 18.
Gatland returns to Wales for key assembly
Warren Gatland has returned to Wales and has attended a key assembly involving the WRU and the 4 skilled golf equipment.
Gatland has been away on vacation and has additionally undertaken a reconnaissance go to of Australia forward of Wales’ tour in the summertime, so has been overseas for the very best a part of a month.
However, Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley posted a photograph of Gatland and various different key stakeholders and decision-makers on the Principality Stadium for what he described as a “actually good” assembly.
“Another actually good session on the Principality Stadium immediately, serving to develop the continuing technique for Welsh rugby,” mentioned Bradley.
“All 4 pro-clubs concerned, plus the WRU. And particularly good to have Warren Gatland be a part of us. Working collectively actually will make us all stronger.”
After a dire Six Nations by which Wales completed backside of the desk, Gatland vowed to work extra collaboratively with the areas as a way to futureproof the sport.
When requested how a lot he will get to go to every area, he mentioned: “An affordable quantity. I’m away for the subsequent couple of weeks, then I come again and I’ll be getting across the areas as a lot as I can.
“We have spoken about, within the low season, is there a chance of bringing in a few of these gamers in for just a few days, a squad of 34 or 35. Or carry a few groups collectively into the Vale and work with the areas and coaches.”
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McNicholl out for Crusaders
Wales worldwide Johnny McNicholl has been dominated out of the Crusaders’ recreation in opposition to the Force this weekend.
The former Scarlets wing made a man-of-the-match return to the Christchurch-based aspect on the finish of final month, touching down twice within the win over the Chiefs.
However, the 33-year-old sustained a finger harm within the Crusaders’ loss to the Waratahs final Friday evening and he has subsequently flown again to Christchurch to have his ailment assessed.
Meanwhile, Rhys Patchell has been omitted from the Highlanders’ matchday 23 for the second successive recreation. Patchell, who began life brightly in New Zealand, has no longer been named within the final two squads and isn’t listed among the many gamers unavailable or injured on the staff’s web site.
Wales fly-half Patchell’s final recreation got here within the 47-12 hammering by the Hurricanes final month and he will not be concerned in opposition to the Reds this weekend.
Peel: Ken one of many best ever Scarlets
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has mentioned Ken Owens is without doubt one of the best to ever play for the membership.
The 37-year-old hooker, who captained Wales in final 12 months’s Six Nations, has been compelled to hold up his boots after being sidelined for almost a 12 months with a again harm.
Owens was Wales’ most capped hooker with 91 caps for his nation, whereas he additionally performed in 5 Tests for the British and Irish Lions. He gained 4 Six Nations titles, together with two Grand Slams, performed at three World Cups and gained a league title with the Scarlets – who he performed for 274 instances.
And Owens’ boss down at Parc-y-Scarlets, Peel, believes he is without doubt one of the best ever to put on the crimson shirt down in Llanelli.
“Ken is undoubtedly one of many best gamers to have worn the Scarlets jersey,” former Wales scrum-half Peel mentioned. “From when he began right here as a teen within the academy, he has remained a one-club man all through his profession and been an impressive ambassador for the Scarlets.
“I can’t communicate extremely sufficient of him as a participant and a person. He is somebody who wears his coronary heart on his sleeve, has been a warrior on the sector and has all the time led by instance.
“He captained the membership the season we gained the PRO12 title, led us to a Champions Cup semi-final, however extra importantly, he epitomises all of the core values of our nice membership, a proud West Walian, a household man together with his coronary heart firmly in his group.
“If ever the young players at the club wanted a role model for their professional career, they should look to Ken Owens. He is someone who is going to leave a massive hole and he will be missed by everyone here at Parc y Scarlets, his team-mates, coaches and all the staff.”
Scarlets chairman Simon Muderack added: “Ken has been a real West Walian position mannequin, somebody who has led the membership and Wales in each good and unhealthy instances. He is a good household man of our group and a lifetime member of the membership with 274 caps, certainly one of an unique group of gamers to attain that milestone in our proud 150-year historical past.
“Ken will always be a Scarlet in all our minds and we look forward to seeing him and his family at the Parc for many years to come.”
Wales captain: Please persist with us
Wales Women captain Hannah Jones has requested followers to “persist with us” after three disappointing Six Nations defeats in a row.
Ioan Cunningham’s aspect had been hammered 36-5 in Cork on the weekend, leaving them backside of the desk, and Jones has written a letter to supporters explaining a number of the feedback she made after the match.
“I mentioned that Ireland confirmed extra ‘coronary heart and wish’ than us, however some individuals took that as me saying Wales did not wish to win, which I did not imply,” she wrote. “It’s not attainable for anybody to wish to win greater than us, and our ambition each week is to come back away with a win.
“Our hearts are completely in our efficiency, and that is why I used to be so affected by the loss after the match. I additionally mentioned that we did not flip up, and that we weren’t changing the alternatives we had in Ireland’s 22 into factors on the board.
“I did not imply to place the blame on any individual there. It was an sincere reflection about what all of us, together with myself and the coaches, could possibly be doing higher. Simply put, that wasn’t us on Saturday.
“People have questioned whether or not our hearts had been within the recreation. Of course they had been, and my disappointment was as a result of we did not match what Ireland dropped at the Test.”
Writing on the Contested App, she mentioned forward of the sport in opposition to France: “We have a ‘nothing to lose, every little thing to achieve’ mentality heading into this match, and I promise you we are going to put all our effort into displaying you what we will do,” Jones added.
“All I ask is that you just persist with us by the highs and the lows. Your help means the world to us. I do know there are followers who’re disenchanted proper now, however I hope you proceed to help us as we attempt to flip the tide now.”
Cardiff focusing on key positions for transfers
Matt Sherratt has named the three positions Cardiff can be focusing on for transfers forward of subsequent season.
The Arms Park boss is eager to bolster his staff subsequent 12 months and build on this season. Sherratt mentioned he desires to have a look at the entrance row in addition to a everlasting substitute for departing scrum-half Tomos Williams, whereas he’s additionally additions within the centre, too.
The Cardiff head coach hopes there are bulletins imminent relating to recruitment.
“There are nonetheless some voids to fill phrases of recruitment. Looshead, scrum-half, perhaps a little bit bit round midfield as nicely,” Sherratt mentioned forward of the sport in opposition to Ulster on Friday.
“I believe in case you ask round different golf equipment, the season began a little bit bit later, the market is a little more chaotic, so I believe there can be rather a lot getting carried out later throughout the board.
“Hopefully within the subsequent two or three weeks we could have just a few bulletins.”
