Here are the rugby stories making morning headlines on Sunday, August 3.Louis Rees-Zammit is back in rugby (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)

Here are your rugby morning headlines for Sunday, August 3.

Davies issues double LRZ warning

Wales and British & Irish Lions star Jonathan Davies says his former team-mate Louis Rees-Zammit could be back in the Welsh squad “sooner rather than later” following his return to rugby from the NFL, but has warned him that it will “not be straightforward”. The former Scarlets centre also suggested what Rees-Zammit’s next move should be, claiming that joining a French side may not necessarily be the best option for him.

Rees-Zammit infamously made the bombshell announcement that he was quitting rugby minutes before the Wales squad for the 2024 Six Nations was named, having last represented his country at the Rugby World Cup a few months earlier.

Davies believes that if the 24-year-old can quickly find his groove again upon his return to the sport, it won’t be long before he pulls on the famous red jersey again – but has warned that he will have to prove himself to new head coach Steve Tandy.

“He might have maybe six games before the Autumn Internationals,” he told Fruity King. “As long as he plays and he shows that he’s finding his rhythm again, I think he will be back in the Wales squad sooner rather than later.

“But it will not be straightforward. You look at the youngsters coming through and the experience of someone like Josh Adams. There’s Tommy Rogers, Blair Murray who has been outstanding this year.

“Back three is an area of strength for Welsh rugby. So he’s going to have to show that he can compete at that level again. Knowing what Steve is like, he’s not just going to pick him because he is Louis Rees-Zammit.”

“Louis needs to understand that and deliver on the field,” Davies added. “That’s the challenge that lies ahead of him now.

“Whatever he’s done in the last couple of years I’m sure it’s been good for him, but rugby is a different game. He will have respect, and people will know what he’s about. He’ll probably have a bit of a target on his back as well.”

Davies also ruled out the possibility of a Welsh region signing Rees-Zammit, but warned against a potential move to France, with the likes of Bristol and Bath instead emerging as the obvious options.

“He’ll have to make a decision as to what is right for him and where he feels that he’d be able to have the biggest impact on the field,” the former centre continued. “There is a balance between going to a French team for a lot of money and not getting the quality of play he would need.

“You want to be playing Champions Cup rugby. You want to be playing for the big competitions. That should be the driver for him, not just financial gain. For me, you see the character of players that decide to go to a club that’s competitive and they want to add to that environment.

“If I was Louis, that would be what I would be looking for. Somewhere where I could be challenged and add value to that environment.”

Davies added: “Bristol is a good one with the way they play. They would try and get them on the ball a lot. Bath would no doubt be in the market. Obviously they’re champions and have an extremely talented squad.

“Then you’re looking at the French teams, would a Toulon want to come in for him or would a Racing? Sometimes as we’ve seen it doesn’t always end that well as we have seen with Owen Farrell.

“Some players do struggle. It has to be a mixture of the two things. One, you’ve got to look after yourself financially, but two, there has to be the challenge, and the level of competition and drive you want in your decision as well.”

Sheehan cited after final Lions Test

Dan Sheehan is facing a citing after the British and Irish Lions’ third Test defeat in Sydney. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.

The Ireland hooker cleared out Wallabies fly-half Tom Lynagh in the first half, leading to the Australian failing a HIA. The incident has since been referred to the citing commissioner after footage of the clearout circulated on social media.

Sheehan’s case will be considered by the on-duty Independent Foul Play Review Committee (FPRC) today.

Andy Farrell not ruling out leading the Lions again

Andy Farrell has left the door open to coaching the next British and Irish Lions tour in New Zealand after overseeing a 2-1 series victory against Australia.

The tourists had been bidding to seal a clean sweep in the Test series – something not achieved by the Lions since 1927- but their hopes of a 3-0 victory were dashed as the Wallabies won the final Test in Sydney.

However, despite that disappointment, Farrell can look back on a first Test series victory for the Lions since 2013 – putting him in pole position to lead the Lions next time around.

“Everyone knows what I think about this concept and I suppose that says it all,” he said. “I love everything that the Lions is about and I’ve thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed the last eight weeks.

“There are always ups and there are always downs, but the inner circle is a special place to be.

“Read into that what you want but I suppose four years, there’s a long time between drinks isn’t there?”

Gatland – ‘Protect the Lions at all costs’

Former Wales and Lions coach Warren Gatland says that the touring side must be protected at all costs.

There have been calls to change the format after the Lions largely dominated Down Under, but Gatland – who coached the tourists in 2013, 2017 and 2021 – says the current format must be kept untouched.

“We have to do everything we can to protect this – because it’s special,” Gatland said on Sky Sports.

“When I was involved in my first tour, we had 12 games. Then it was reduced to 10, and now it’s down to eight. There’s been pressure to cut it further – maybe down to six, with just three Tests and three warm-up games. But to me, that wouldn’t be a Lions tour.

“You want it to feel like a proper tour. You want the fans involved, the players to have opportunities, and for it to resemble the old tours where they played twice a week. That’s what Lions rugby is all about.

“Yes, you can reduce the number of games, and yes, it’s tough on domestic competitions and national teams every four years – but people make compromises because this is bigger than the game itself.

“It’s hugely important to the southern hemisphere nations, and it’s brilliant for the Lions fans, the players, and the experiences they create.”