The latest headlines from Wales and around the world
Carlo Tizzano of the Wallabies receives medical attention(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
These are your evening rugby headlines on Tuesday, July 29.
‘Tizzano’s reaction explained by Jac Morgan hit data’
Australia coach Joe Schmidt has revealed data on Carlo Tizzano’s mouthguard showed the incredible force of Jac Morgan’s controversial clearout hit in the dying moments of the second Lions Test.
Schmidt has leapt to the defence of Tizzano after he was heavily criticised for his dramatic reaction to the incident, which saw him fall to the floor holding his neck. The likes of Sam Warburton and James Haskell have publicly called him out, accusing him of play-acting.
But the Wallabies have now moved to explain his seemingly theatrical response after another day of debate over the decisive moment in the series. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Former officials Nigel Owens and Wayne Barnes have now come out to back the legality of Morgan’s clearout in the build-up to Hugo Keenan’s try, but Rugby Australia are known to be fuming about it.
Information from the player’s mouthguard, which measures the impact of hits and highlights potential concussion incidents, shows just how hard Morgan hit his opponent.
“Talking about the instrumental mouthguards, with Carlo when he was hit, I feel sorry for him because I think he’s copping a lot of flak, but that impact was almost double what they determine as a high magnitude impact,” Schmidt told Stan Sports.
“So that’s the degree of force that he had to wear, and that in itself is enough to force someone to recoil as he did.
“He’s had a pretty sore neck for the last 24-48 hours, but he’s back, he’s resilient, and he’s looking forward to the weekend.”
Jac Morgan lines up the clearout
The Wallabies are determined to use the controversy as fuel for Saturday’s final Test as they look to avoid a whitewash.
World Rugby CEO Alan Gilpin said: “While, from a World Rugby perspective, we always say we do not publicly comment on match officials’ decisions, given the nature of the commentary surrounding last weekend, we just want to express our support for the match officials involved.
“There is no other position on the field that is under the scrutiny our match officials are under, and yet they do an incredible job under that pressure in a live environment. I think it is fair to say that when the refereeing groups review decisions, they review them with the coaches and across the game. We are always proud to support our officials in that review process and that is what we are doing now and in the coming days with our colleagues from Australia and the Lions.”
Wales star’s exit leaves ‘lasting impact’
The British and Irish Lions are still feeling the positive effects of Wales scrum-half Tomos Williams, even weeks after he was forced out of the Australia tour through injury.
Williams suffered an injury in the Lions’ first match of the tour Down Under, cruelly coming as he scored a try in a standout performance. The likelihood is that Williams, as well as another player lost to injury in Elliot Daly, would have been involved in the Tests, given their impressive starts to the tour.
However, while both have long flown home, assistant coach Andrew Goodman is insistent their impact on the squad is still being felt as the Lions celebrate a first Test series victory since 2013.
“Go back to the start of the tour, people who left: Tomos, Elliot Daly,” said Goodman when asked to list the squad’s unsung heroes.
“The impact they had was huge, is still a lasting impact now, we still reference things they would have said or done for the group.
“Especially for the backs, Elliot was so versatile but such a good team man.
“Tomos – from someone so quiet at the start to coming out of his shell and being a real laugh and good team man.
“They were great. There’s Mack (Hansen) who provides energy all the time with this personality.
“A guy like Fin Smith who hasn’t been involved in the Test matches: he gets that non-23 group to compete really hard in training and to push the team who are starting.
“He pushes that group and makes sure they are on. I could go on but those are a few guys who stood out.”
Fiji exploring UK summer clash with Wales
Fiji are exploring playing summer Tests against Wales, England and Scotland in the UK next year, according to Fiji Rugby Union chair John Sanday.
There have been previous reports that England would face Fiji, South Africa and Argentina in the summer block of the Nations Cup next season.
Welsh sources denied at the time that any such fixtures had been agreed, but Sanday’s comments would suggest the calendar for the maiden edition of the Nations Cup is close to being confirmed – with Wales seemingly on the same set of fixtures as England.
That means Steve Tandy’s side would face Argentina and South Africa as well as Fiji, before taking on Australia, New Zealand and Japan in the autumn.
“We are looking at going up in September to negotiate with Wales, Scotland and England, with a view to how we can better monetise that and hosting that maybe in the UK,” Sanday told Fiji Village. “Those are the conversations we need to have.
“Because on that basis, we are able to earn British pounds and showcase our game and product in a bigger market, so we can generate ticket sales where all that money comes back to us.
“So we’re looking at a very good financial outcome which is quite transformational for Fiji rugby.”
Nicholas extends Scarlets stay
Scarlets utility back Ioan Nicholas has signed a new deal with the Welsh region ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The 27-year-old is now one of the senior members of Dwayne Peel’s side, having earned 110 caps since made his debut as a teenager a decade ago.
With an ability to play full-back, wing or centre, Nicholas has become a vital part of the Scarlets’ backline, with last season seeing him score four tries in 16 appearances.
“I still feel like one of the younger boys, but I suppose I am leaning towards that having been here around 10 years now!,” he said. “I am still enjoying my rugby and looking forward to building on what we achieved last season, making the top eight of the URC and qualifying for the Champions Cup.
“We have some massive fixtures to look forward to – Munster to kick-off the season and then the likes of Bristol and Bordeaux in the Champions Cup, it is exciting for us and for the fans as well.”
Meanwhile, Peel said: “Iowz is a player who is the heartbeat of the squad, someone who contributes a massive amount on and off the field, performance-wise and to our culture.
“He is an accomplished player across the back division who delivers consistent performances week on week.
“It is clear the club means a lot to him, you could see that when he made his 100th appearance last season. He is vocal around the place and popular around the group. It is great that another home-grown player has recommitted to the club.”