Here are your rugby morning headlines for Friday, May 8.
Wales players face final trial
Wales head coach Steve Tandy will be a keen observer this weekend as he makes his final selection calls for the inaugural Nations Championship squad.
Tandy is due to name the summer squad on Monday, with those pushing for a squad place having one final opportunity over the next 48 hours to stake their claim for the squad. Wales play Fiji, South Africa and Argentina in the new tournament, while there is also a warm-up match against the Barbarians.
There are injury concerns at fly-half and in the back three, with Sam Costelow, Jarrod Evans, Ellis Mee, Mason Grady and Keelan Giles all struggling. That could well open the door for returns for the likes of Callum Sheedy and Rio Dyer, who both missed out on the Six Nations squad.
Elsewhere, Ospreys back rower Morgan Morris could be in line for a first international call-up after impressive form, while Exeter Chiefs’ Kane James could be another new face after pledging his allegiance to Wales over England.
Cardiff loosehead Rhys Barratt, Dragons back-rower Ryan Woodman and Gloucester’s Wales U20s captain Deian are all youngsters believed to be in the mix.
Jac Morgan is expected to be named captain after missing the entire Six Nations, while Elliot Dee could replace the injured Dewi Lake, who is a doubt.
Cardiff play Glasgow on Friday night, before the Dragons play Edinburgh and the Ospreys face Scarlets on Saturday. That Welsh derby could be pivotal for platers on the fringes of selection.
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Welsh youngster signs new deal after breakthrough year
Scarlets have announced a first senior deal for full-back Jac Davies after a breakthrough campaign.
The 22-year-old has started on nine occasions this season – including in Champions Cup clashes with Bristol, Bordeaux and Northampton.
The Wales U20s international, upon signing a first senior contract, said: “I’ve really enjoyed the challenges and opportunities so far, especially going up against some of the best teams in Europe in this season’s Champions Cup.
“This club means a lot to me and I’m excited to keep developing, learning and hopefully keep taking my chances in a Scarlets jersey as part of a high-quality backline at the club.”
The Ysgol Glantaf product scored his first senior try for the Scarlets this season in the Champions Cup game against Northampton.
“Jac is one of a number of exciting young players we have across our back division. He is quick on his feet, has an ability to beat defenders and has also shown composure at the back in some high-intensity matches for us this season, particularly in the Champions Cup when he was outstanding in Bordeaux and Northampton,” said Scarlets interim director of rugby Nigel Davies.
“He works hard on his game, has been hugely impressive for Llandovery in the SRC and has taken his opportunities in a Scarlets jersey.
“You look at the talent we have in the back three, it is exciting for everyone at the club. With Jac, we feel that there is a lot more to come from him and we’re looking forward to seeing how he develops in the seasons ahead.”
Winnett hails ‘legend’ Halfpenny’s influence
Wales full-back Cam Winnett has paid tribute to ‘legend’ Leigh Halfpenny after the former British and Irish Lion announced his retirement from rugby earlier this week.
Halfpenny has worked with Winnett this season – not just as a team-mate, but also a coach. And, following the news of his retirement, Winnett admitted that fellow full-back Halfpenny was one of his idols growing up.
“Probably my first memory of rugby was the 2013 Lions Tour, where Pence (Halfpenny) was player of the series,” said Winnett.
“I always looked up to Pence and now I’m lucky enough to play and train with him every day. Other than how good he is at kicking, his attitude, how humble he is and his work-rate both on and off the pitch are what made him the player he is.”
He added: “He’s an awesome player and an even better person. His positioning, timing and scanning are things he’s helped me with a lot since coming to Cardiff. He’s pushed me to the next step with our defensive stuff.
“He’s a good bloke – an awesome bloke. A legend. I talk to him every day and if I need anything, he’s always there to help.”
Leigh Halfpenny of Cardiff Rugby(Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)
This season has been a tricky one for Winnett with injuries, but he’s hopeful of making Wales’ squad for the summer.
“It’s been an up-and-down season. I had an injury towards the start of the autumn, which was frustrating, and then around Christmas I probably struggled with my form a bit,” he said.
“But I feel like I’m getting back to where I was before the autumn. I’m just going back to basics and enjoying my rugby again at Cardiff.”
He added: “We’ve had alignment camps and I’ve spoken to them (Wales coaches) there. I just try to keep my head down as much as I can. When I do speak to them, they’re there to help.”
Wales international closing in on record after signing new deal
Dragons second-row Matthew Screech will be able to close in on the club’s appearance record after signing a new deal with the club.
The 33-year-old has agreed a “multi-year deal” with the Rodney Parade club, meaning he will be able to add to his 212 appearances for the club.
Only Lewis Evans had played for the Dragons more, having made 236 appearances.
“I remember hoping for one game for the Dragons during a pre-season trial,” said Screech.
“To now have played over 200 and be second in the appearance chart is something I’m immensely proud of and very grateful for.”
The 33-year-old has won two caps for Wales, having impressed Warren Gatland on the tour of Australia two years ago.
Screech is in his second stint with the Dragons.
Dragons need to use emotions – Tiatia
Dragons coach Filo Tiatia has urged his side to channel the emotions of Aaron Wainwright’s last home game for the club into a result against Edinburgh on Saturday evening.
Wainwright will pull on the jersey one last time at Rodney Parade this weekend, alongside the Dragons’ other departing players.
“We’re looking forward to the game. There is lots to celebrate, both our people and those players that are leaving,” said Tiatia. “The emotion is the emotion. What we need to do is celebrate that emotion with a performance. We want to finish strong.
“It’s our last home game and important to us how we front up. The fans are important to us too, the community we play in, so we need to put in a performance and really celebrate with a scrap at home.”
Tiatia also wants his side to take lessons from last weekend’s narrow Challenge Cup semi-final defeat to Montpellier.
“We have taken lessons and now it is about how we shift forward,” he said. “We reviewed the game over the weekend, and we know there were a lot of opportunities we created to win the game.
“There are a lot of lessons around taking opportunities. There are fine margins in these games and it’s a lesson to learn.
“The boys are excited but also pretty banged up after the semi-final. It is a short turnaround, but we have got into our work this week and we are ready.
“People remember the finish,” he concluded. “When you listen to someone, sometimes you miss the start of a conversation, sometimes you miss the middle, but you remember the end. That is no different in terms of our season.
“We want to put a performance together that we can remember. We have grown this season and it’s important we keep that going.”
Scottish pair to make comeback against Welsh side
By PA
George Horne and Matt Fagerson will both make comebacks from injury when Glasgow take on Cardiff in their final home match of the BKT United Rugby Championship regular season on Friday.
The Scotland internationals have been on the sidelines for several weeks.
Head coach Franco Smith said: “Cardiff remain firmly in the play-off hunt with a squad fully committed to their goal, and they will come here ready to compete for everything tomorrow night.
“Our focus this week has been on ourselves. We know how much the supporters are a part of our journey, especially this season – we want to give them a performance to be proud of in our last home game of the regular season.”
Meanwhile, Warriors have confirmed that Tonga international Sione Vailanu will be leaving after four years at Scotstoun. The announcement completes the list of summer departures with the exits of Jamie Bhatti, Jack Dempsey, Adam Hastings, Huw Jones, Johnny Matthews and the retiring Duncan Weir previously confirmed.
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