The latest rugby news and headlines from Wales and beyond
17:26, 29 Sep 2025Updated 17:29, 29 Sep 2025
Jiffy has weighed in on the WRU’s plans(Image: John Myers)
Here are your rugby evening headlines for Monday, September 28.
Jiffy weighs in on WRU’s radical plan
Wales dual-code legend Jonathan “Jiffy” Davies has weighed in on the Welsh Rugby Union’s plans to cut the number of professional men’s teams.
This month has seen a consultation process into the future of Welsh rugby, with a decision expected next month. And former Wales fly-half Davies has called for the WRU to show some leadership as they ready themselves for the next stage.
“As an ex-player, you know what you think is needed on the field,” he told Sportin Wales. “I think if you’re lowering the base and cutting to two sides, there’s less opportunities for players to come through.
“I think you have to be really involved in the Welsh Rugby Union and understand the finances, but it would be nice if they came out with a plan, some clarity and some leadership.
“That would encourage regions, schools, colleges, university and the grassroots.
“It’s not only the professional game. It’s the whole game in Wales that needs looking at and I think everyone should come together.” Join WalesOnline Rugby’s WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
Welsh ‘tough cookie’ praised by coach
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel has praised Wales U20s hooker Harry Thomas despite their opening weekend defeat to Munster in Llanelli.
The west Walians went down 34-21 to the Irish province at Parc y Scarlets in a disappointing beginning to their URC campaign.
However, the performance of young hooker Thomas in his first league start pleased Peel.
“It was his first competitive start, he’s a tough cookie and a Llanelli lad which is great, he can probably walk home from here,” said Peel.
Thomas’ performances earlier this year for the U20s – particularly in the win over England at the Arms Park – managed to catch the eye.
With Ryan Elias missing the opening round through injury and Marnus van der Merwe on Test duty with South Africa, there’s an opportunity for Thomas to make his mark in the opening weeks of the season.
Dupont outlines return date
France superstar Antoine Dupont has revealed he is expecting to return to action from his ACL injury before Christmas.
The scrum-half has been out injured since early March when he ruptured his ACL against Ireland in the penultimate round of the Six Nations.
The 28-year-old was present for PSG’s Ligue 1 victory over Auxerre, being pitchside with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.
Speaking to PSG TV, Dupont gave an outline as to when he is likely to grace the field again.
“It’s going well, but it’s still a long time,” he said. “It’s my second time with the cruciate ligaments. So I want to be patient and do things right to come back in the best possible condition.
“End of November or beginning of December, it won’t be before then.”
Ospreys hindered by moments of ‘self-harm’
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones admitted that the Ospreys were their own worst enemy at times despite a strong attacking performance against the Bulls in Pretoria.
Jones’ side scored six tries at Loftus Versfeld as they outlined their credentials with ball in hand, but ultimately they ended up conceding nine in a 53-40 defeat.
“It smarts a little bit,” said Jones.
“With the way we played in the first half, we looked deserving of the lead. We put a decent marker on the ground in terms of how we want to play the game with the ball.
“But we had moments of self-harm with how we encouraged the Bulls into our red zone and they really picked on a lot of our errors and scored.
“We spent too much time without the ball and when you do that against South African teams, it’s always difficult.”