Here are your rugby morning headlines for Wednesday, January 24.
‘Historic’ Welsh rugby takeover introduced
Cardiff Rugby have confirmed Helford Capital Limited’s acquisition of a majority shareholding of the membership, which shall be accomplished at this time.
At a normal assembly held on Tuesday night time, the acquisition acquired a 99.99 per cent majority approval.
Amendments made included the altering the corporate’s identify to Cardiff Rugby Limited, with Sir Gareth Edwards now appointed because the membership’s new president.
The funding group is spearheaded by British businessmen Phil Kempe and Neal Griffith.
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READ MORE: Wales call-up instructed he ‘has every thing’ and divisive pink card overturned
Cardiff Rugby chairman Alun Jones stated: “Today represents an enormous second within the historical past of Cardiff Rugby and provides us a vivid, safe and thrilling future.
“Following the unhappy passing of Peter Thomas, it was important that we discovered new funding to safeguard the cub and drive us ahead.
“We stay indebted to Peter, the Thomas household and the opposite shareholders who’ve moved on however we now have new house owners who may also help us fulfil Peter’s imaginative and prescient and ambitions for the membership with renewed ardour.
“Phil and Neal have a real urge for food to revive Cardiff as a European drive and have already begun stabilising the foundations.
“With Helford Capital on the helm, we wish to ship distinctive rugby experiences whether or not you’re a participant, a member of employees, a supporter or sponsor.
“Helford have the resource and ambition to deliver that and we will now begin an inclusive process with all key stakeholders to build a new long-term strategy.”
New WRU chief government Abi Tierney stated: “Congratulations to Cardiff Rugby and everybody concerned within the negotiations and course of to hunt new funding, which at this time has reached a massively profitable conclusion.
“We welcome Helford Capital wholeheartedly to Welsh rugby with a sense of excitement and optimism about what the future holds.”
Malcolm Wall, chairman of the WRU Professional Rugby Board, welcomed the information of funding in Cardiff.
He stated: “Firstly it is very important recognise and thank the Thomas household for his or her long-standing help of Cardiff and Welsh skilled rugby because the membership enters a brand new period below new possession.
“The investment has been subject to a thorough process, and having met Neal and Phil, I am optimistic and excited about the future for Cardiff. Cardiff supporters should also be very excited about the future and I look forward to working with their new owners to help implement their vision.”
Nigel Owens blasts choice to overturn pink card
Nigel Owens has hit out on the disciplinary committee who overturned the pink card handed to Bristol Bears second-row Josh Caulfield.
Caulfield was given his marching orders in the course of the Champions Cup conflict with Connacht after he made contact with Finlay Bealham’s head together with his boot.
Referee Pierre Brousset, after session with with assistant referees and the TMO, took his time earlier than shelling out the pink card to Caulfield, a call which elicited animated response from followers and social media customers.
A disciplinary panel subsequently discovered Caulfield responsible of foul play however added that ‘the offence did not warrant a red card.’
WalesOn-line columnist Owens disagreed with the choice by the panel to overturn the pink card, writing on X: “How can they are saying that is foul play however not pink card. If it’s not foul play and full accident then play on. If It’s reckless and foul play then it needs to be RC (pink card). For what it’s value it’s a RC for me because it’s not a pure motion of rucking and reckless. Glad I retired.”
England hit by triple Six Nations blow
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
England’s midfield choices for his or her Guinness Six Nations opener in opposition to Italy are dwindling after Ollie Lawrence and Oscar Beard withdrew from Steve Borthwick’s squad due to harm.
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie has additionally been changed in a triple setback because the squad departed for his or her pre-Championship coaching camp in Girona.
Beard suffered concussion in Harlequins’ European victory over Ulster on Saturday whereas Cowan-Dickie was changed early within the second half of Sale’s defeat by La Rochelle a day later due to an undisclosed medical situation. Lawrence completed Bath’s loss at Toulouse on Sunday however there aren’t any particulars of his harm.
Bath’s Max Ojomoh and Will Muir have been known as into England’s 36-man Six Nations squad to plug the gaps in midfield, whereas Jamie Blamire of Newcastle replaces Cowan-Dickie.
Finn Russell: Farrell will match proper in at Racing 92
By Duncan Bech, PA England Rugby Correspondent
Finn Russell believes Owen Farrell would be the superb match for Racing 92 as England’s fly-half follows within the footsteps of his 2021 Lions team-mate.
Farrell will turn into ineligible for England choice till 2026 after agreeing a two-year deal that can carry an finish his trophy-laden time at Saracens, his solely skilled membership.
The transfer to Paris subsequent season will reunite the 32-year-old with Stuart Lancaster, Racing’s head coach who gave Farrell his England debut in 2012.
Russell spent 5 years with the Top 14 leaders earlier than becoming a member of Bath after the World Cup and the Scotland playmaker, talking earlier than Racing confirmed the transfer on Monday, is backing Farrell to make it successful.
“I cherished my time in Paris,” Russell stated on the premiere of Netflix’s Six Nations: Full Contact documentary sequence. “It’s actually near London so will probably be simple for him to go backwards and forwards to his household.
“I do not know what it is like below Stuart Lancaster and it’ll probably be higher for Owen with Stuart being there. The two of them will know one another from the previous due to Lancaster’s time at England.
“It’s an important membership and an important metropolis to reside in. I cherished my time there. Owen shall be nice, he’ll match the best way they’re taking part in simply now rather well. Everyone views him as a kicking 10 however he is acquired an important attacking recreation as effectively. He shall be nice for them.”
