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Keelan Giles (R) has signed a new deal with the Ospreys(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency Ltd)
Here are your rugby headlines for Wednesday, November 26.
Wales wing signs new deal
Wales wing Keelan Giles has signed a new contract with the Ospreys.
Giles, arguably one of the most dangerous finishers in Welsh rugby, has racked up 45 tries in 114 appearances, placing him joint-fourth on the Ospreys’ all-time try-scoring list alongside Sam Parry.
The 27-year-old’s impressive form over recent seasons was rewarded in the summer when he made his Wales debut in the 31-22 victory over Japan. He has committed his future to the Welsh club despite the current uncertainty around its existence going forward.
The WRU plans to cut from four to three regions and wants to do so as soon as possible. A tender process is due to start in January if the teams cannot reach a consensus in how a side goes by Christmas.
Giles said: “I’m really happy to be continuing my career with the Ospreys.
“This is the club I grew up supporting, the place I made my debut and where I’ve developed into the player I am today.
“Some of my best friends play here, and I feel privileged to have played alongside them for as long as I have. We’re all excited about what the future holds under Mark and looking forward to building on that.”
Head coach Jones said keeping hold of Giles was a key part of the region’s long-term plans.
“Keelan is an incredible talent and a crucial component of our team going forward, so we’re delighted he’s re-signed,” said Jones.
“It’s always a great sign of what you’re building when players of his calibre are willing to commit their futures to the club.”
Jiffy: Welsh rugby has lost a great character
Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Davies has paid a heartfelt tribute to former Wales captain Mike “Spikey” Watkins following his death at the age of 73, describing him as a “great character” of Welsh rugby.
Watkins, who skippered Wales in all four of his Test appearances in 1984, passed away in Bangkok, where he had lived for around 20 years.
It’s understood he had recently suffered a serious fall which required surgery.
Tributes have poured in from across Welsh rugby, with Davies among those reflecting fondly on the hooker’s personality and influence.
“This is so sad. What a character and a tough rugby player,” the former Wales fly-half wrote on social media.
“Shared a room with Spike in Durban for a week when I was very young. What an experience!! RIP Mike.”
Mark Ring also expressed his condolences, writing on X: “So sad to hear of Mike ‘Spike’ Watkins’ passing. Spike captained Wales v Aus in 1984, my 2nd cap.
“He was a hard man but I recall CRFC coach Roger Beard telling me how skilled he was. I will be amongst the many who will remember him for his humour and his honesty. RIP Spike.”
Former Wales and Lions back Gareth Evans added: “Shocking news today that Mike Watkins had passed. Great player, captain and character. Condolences to all. RIP Spike.”
Ex-England international and Lion Steve Boyle said: “Sad news today, Spikey Watkins has passed away. A fierce competitor and great bloke taken too soon. RIP Spikey.”
Tandy to name Wales team to face Springboks
Steve Tandy will today announce his Wales squad to take on world champions South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.
The fixture has drawn widespread criticism for being staged outside World Rugby’s official international window, leaving Wales without 13 players who are unavailable due to club commitments in England or France. Former Springbok Schalk Brits has gone as far as branding the game “purely financial”.
In response to the shortage, Steve Tandy has drafted in four reinforcements this week, Ospreys duo James Ratti and Garyn Phillips, Scarlets wing Ellis Mee and hooker Evan Lloyd. All are in contention as Wales attempt to assemble a side capable of challenging the physical Springboks.
There is one welcome boost, however, with Aaron Wainwright passed fit after missing the New Zealand defeat. The number eight’s return brings much-needed power and experience to the back row. You can follow live updates here.
Springboks star: ‘Amazing’ Wales players being failed by the system
Former South Africa international Schalk Brits believes Wales still possess “amazing rugby players” but says the system around them is failing to develop that talent and is leaving the national side brittle when pressure arrives.
Speaking to CoinPoker, the ex-Springbok hooker said he was struck by the raw quality and commitment within the Wales squad, but fears wider structural issues are limiting their progress.
“I think there are amazing rugby players in Wales,” he said.
“I think the structure doesn’t help them. With all due respect – and I’m not so in-depth with Welsh rugby – there is great talent. There are unbelievable players there.
“Traditionally, even if they haven’t always performed for their provinces to the level their supporters might expect, when they put that red shirt on, they perform better than the sum of their parts. The combination of the team is better than the individuals.
“So, I just wonder if the system itself isn’t failing to support the players in developing further.
“As a team, it looks like they have lost confidence and lost will. Even against New Zealand… I was very impressed with how they fought back.
“But once again, there is that persistent fear of just wondering when the floodgates are going to open. And that is actually the sad thing.”
RFU have no immediate plans to extend Borthwick contract
By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent
The Rugby Football Union has no immediate plans to extend Steve Borthwick’s contract as head coach beyond the 2027 World Cup despite England’s success this year.
Borthwick has masterminded an 11-Test winning run that includes victories over heavyweights France and New Zealand and culminated in a first autumn clean sweep since 2021.
It completes a remarkable turnaround from 2024 when England lost seven successive matches against tier-one opposition and they enter the Six Nations as genuine title contenders.
However, RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney has revealed negotiations over a new deal will not happen for the “foreseeable future” even though Borthwick’s predecessor Eddie Jones had his reign extended in 2018 at a similar point of the World Cup cycle.
“We haven’t got into any discussions about post-2027. We haven’t had those conversations now and we are not planning to in the foreseeable future, no,” Sweeney said.
“It’s premature. There is no reason for him to think ‘go to 2027 and that’s it’. We just haven’t had those discussions yet.
“We’re delighted with the direction it’s going in. We obviously back this coaching group and are really happy with it.
“You’ve seen that squad depth is building and the style of play he is developing. We are really happy with that.”
Capacity crowds watched Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina fall at Twickenham this month but the RFU is seeking to add 15 non-rugby events to its schedule each year in order to increase revenue.
Sweeney met with Richmond Council interim chief executive Andrew Travers two weeks ago with the planning application for the £650million stadium redevelopment to be submitted in May.
“I’m confident. We’ve laid out very clearly for them that it’s essential for us if we’re to reinvest in the stadium – and the stadium needs reinvestment to keep pace with other stadiums,” Sweeney said.
“It’s not a grandstanding negotiation tactic. We need those in order to justify the investment into the stadium. They understand that. They want us to stay. And our plan A is to stay.
“We contribute over £90million to the local economy and well over £100millon to the greater London economy.”
In the event the RFU is not given the go ahead to hold additional events such as concerts, alternatives to remaining at Twickenham have been identified, including joint venture agreements with Wembley and Birmingham City.
“You can’t put all your eggs in one basket, so you have to have a plan B and even a plan C and D, which are viable,” Sweeney said.
“Our plan A is to stay here but as you’d expect we have to have a fallback position if things don’t go as we expect them to. I get challenged on that all the time by our board.”
The RFU has reported a small net loss of £1.9million for the 2024-25 financial year – a significant improvement on the £42m loss returned for 2023-24, which included the 2023 World Cup.
The total revenue of £228m is up from £175m in 2023-24 and is second only to the amount generated in 2015-16.
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